Frankie Faison – Banshee

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I’m in Washington D.C. at the Studio Theatre working on a play called Between Riverside and Crazy. The only other thing I have done was a series called “Luke Cage,” which is a Marvel Comic that is on Netflix.

Q) As far as Sugar goes, how was he originally described to you?

A) He was described as a guy who is sort of like the moral compass of this piece in a lot of ways. He was a wise, old bartender that was an ex-convict and former championship fighter. He runs this bar and his life has turned around. He’s made the transition from a life of crime to something that has a little bit of stability to it. And that’s pretty much how I have approached the character since that was the way they read me for the correct.

Q) Was there anything you, personally, added to the role?

A) If I could say anything, it probably would be the element of humor that I consider a very important part of the fabric of this character. I think they were able to see that a lot more and to appreciate that a lot more, along with the toughness of the character.

Q) You often do comedic work. Is that something you have a preference for?

A) No, I don’t even think of it as comedic work. I just think it is work. There is just a comedic element to it. I consider myself an actor and as an actor I am quite comfortable performing any job, whether it is comedy, drama, classics, film, theater, television, commercials, etc. I just consider myself a complete, total package because I think that is a very important ingredient that one needs to survive in this crazy thing we call show business. I’ve been very fortunate and worked very hard over the last forty-three years to put together a pretty substantial (I hope) and pretty well received body of work.

Q) When we pick up with “Banshee,” what can you tease is in store for Sugar?

A) This season is the last season, but you see things really change and really shift because the way the last season was it was just chaotic. The core group was all dissected away from each other and pulled in different directions. I think this season will bring them back together from the various places they were taken. Sugar is reflective as always, but he is really concerned with his very good friend Job (Hoon Lee) who has disappeared. His other very good friend, Lucas Hood (Antony Starr), has sort of disappeared – evaporating into nothingness. His major concern is Job and he’s also concerned about Lucas because they have been sidekicks since the very first episode of the show. He’s really trying to figure stuff out in a way he can move forward because there has been a change in the town of Banshee and with change comes the responsibility of adjusting to change. He’s questioning things and there are a lot of things he doesn’t understand in relationship to these core players that he has had such a wonderful association with. It’s going to be very exciting and very interesting.

Q) What are some scenes you are most looking forward to getting a fan reaction from?

A) I can’t give anything away! [laughs] That’s tricky. One thing that I am looking forward to is that we do these extras. There are ten episodes of these extras that are about two or three minutes long in which I get a chance to go one-on-one with every main character in the piece in a very interesting way and in a way you discover something about their character and a little bit about Sugar’s character as well. That’s not in the series, but they are DVD extras. Those were very exciting to film! And it gives you a little bit of a backstory. You get more in depth insight into the characters.

Q) How do you plan to celebrate the season premiere of “Banshee?”

A) It depends on where I am and what I am doing. I’m always very busy doing stuff. Social media, I’m not a big social media person. I know that sounds like a contrast for what I should be, but I’m not. I’m a working actor and the social media thing is new. I feel like a dinosaur in a lot of ways. I try to do it as much as I’m capable of doing it. I love having conversations and talks though. I’m not opposed to that because that’s the way the business is these days.

Q) You have great comedic timing. Is that something that came natural to you or have you had to work to hone it?

A) It’s a combination of both. Fifty percent is natural and fifty percent is honed. With each project that you work in, you learn more and you learn more about comedic timing. I think it’s about fifty-fifty, but I feel I’ve always had a good, sharp sense of humor – a biting sense of humor.

Q) Who would you have liked to have gotten the chance to work with or had more scenes with?

A) Everyone I’ve worked with on the show was fantastic. I wish that I had the chance to work with the character Mr. Rabbit (Ben Cross). I just love him and love him as an actor. We just had a good rapport with one another, but we didn’t get a chance to have any scenes together. But we got a chance to spend a lot of time together. I’ve always admired him as an actor and I really would have loved the opportunity to work with him on screen. Aside from that, everyone I worked with I enjoyed. It’s been a great fun, ride. I particularly enjoyed the work I did with the principle actors. It’s been a very satisfying experience for me.

Q) What piece of work do you get recognized the most from?

A) The piece of work people mention the most is probably Coming To America because it’s a film that spans three decades and is still poignant. It makes people laugh and it’s ageless in its appeal. And that’s also the attribute I feel is responsible for the longevity of my acting career. I feel that my own cross appeal is timeless and ageless, which has allowed me wide scope and diversity in my profession.

Q) What would you like to say to someone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I would say, first of all, thank you for being supportive of my work. Rest assured and know that I will continue to try to maintain that very high standard that when you do see my work that you will appreciate it and know that I’m doing honest, good work. Then, I’m very happy to be sharing and giving my work and myself to my fanbase because that’s why I came into this business.