Carl Lumbly – Obliterated

By starrymag | November 30, 2023

By: Kelly Kearney

 

 

 

Q) You went from trying to save the country from devilishly greedy big-pharma billionaires in “The Fall of the House of Usher” to saving Las Vegas and the world from nuclear annihilation in your new Netflix series “Obliterated.” How did this project come to you? 

A) “Obliterated” came to me as an offer just as I was finishing up shooting on “The Fall of the House of Usher.”  It struck me as reminiscent of my role in a series I had done earlier in my career.  It was called “Alias” and involved CIA operatives (so they thought) trying to save the world.  But it’s in a new world.  With a new kind of team.  And a different take on the kind of actions and people who can wear the mantle of hero.  It was wacky, charming, shocking and intriguing… and it made me laugh.  Obviously, I was excited to work on another Netflix project again, and I jumped in.

Q) “Obliterated” is not your average procedural; it’s a good mix of action, sexy- soapy- drama, government intrigue, and outrageous comedy, that should appeal to a variety of TV fans.  As the leader of this rag-tag group of special ops agents, how was this show and your character “Langdon” described to you?

A) What I love about playing Director Charles Langdon is the situation he finds himself.  He proudly remembers being in the field, distinguishing himself enough to move up in the institution, and achieving the position as CIA director.  However, now, when danger rears its head and trouble is about to strike, instead of leading the charge, he leads the planning and monitors the progress or the failure.  No longer a man of action, he’s now the man with the plan.  He’s only as good as the people he chooses and promotes.  Ava Winters is a highly skilled operative, brilliant leader and the best hope he has.  If he can’t be in the field himself, he’ll take his chances with her every time.  Whoever she selects as her team, whatever she decides, he has faith in her.

Q) It’s action-packed from the opening minutes and never takes its foot off the gas. What was the most enjoyable part of filming this series? 

A) I think the most enjoyable part of shooting “Obliterated” was carrying the urgency of the impending doom, but being forced to not be hysterical.  Acting challenge!

Q) As the leader of this team of risk takers, heroes, and party animals, your character takes his national and global responsibilities seriously, but this big-wig government suit is also a mentor and a bit of a father-figure to his agents. He cares about them more than your average boss and after seeing them party in Vegas, they could use a responsible adult calling all the shots. This cast brings all the action and laughs, so what was it like working with these young new talents? Did you naturally take on a leadership role while on set?

A) I have a standard for myself and the way I like to work that involves being pleasant, prepared and present.  For me, that involves leading when it’s my time to lead, and following whoever is leading when I’m not.  If that sets a good example, or people feel comfortable working with me, we all get to have fun and bring our creativity to the party.  And, while Langdon misses it, it’s clear that Las Vegas was quite a party!  This cast has a wonderful energy together.  I root for them as individuals and as a team.

Q) Which is scarier to think about: Russians with nuclear weapons in Vegas or an armed and dangerous Hagerty, Winters, McKnight, Choi, Trunk, Gomez and Young, high on Molly?

A) I think it is scarier to think about Russians in Las Vegas with nuclear weapons.  Winters and her team: McKnight, Trunk, Gomez, Hagerty and Young, high on Molly?  What could go wrong?!

Q) A fan-favorite from The Walking Dead series, Paola Lázaro, plays the sharp-shooting Agent Gomez, who has a sense of humor as colorful as the gay pride flag she waves. I’m thinking about her dizzying gay-girl riot scenes at the casino. Her zombie fans are going to love it! When the cast signed on to the show did the EP’s– Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, and Josh Heald, discuss the importance of inclusion when representing LGBTQ stories because the majority of the characters on this show–not just Gomez, do not easily fit into those white and straight boxes. It is very refreshing to see?   

A) I think when inclusion is important and expected, it’s no longer in need of discussion.  It’s just there.  Auguste Dupin was married to a man in “Usher.”  Just a part of his story.  No explanation necessary.

It was clear to me that Hurwitz, Schlossberg and Heald had very particular ideas about what they were going for with this “expansion” of the “elite team” genre.  I think the casting was perfect and smart.  I found myself on everybody’s side, wanting them to be alright… then, save the world.

Q) If Netflix orders a second season, what didn’t you get to do before that you hope to do in future episodes? Maybe sharing scenes with a cast member you would like to work more with or an action sequence you’re hoping to be a part of? I’m thinking of all those helicopter stunts, shootouts, and drug-induced casino escapades, being a boss like Langdon is never as fun. 

A) If Netflix ordered a second season and Langdon was a part of it, I would love to be out in the field… once… not hanging from anything moving or projectile vomiting. Never say never.  However, I must say that playing Langdon was a lot of fun for me.  I don’t have any interesting “behind-the-scenes” stories, but that’s my fault.

Q) Putting this soon-to-be-hit aside for a moment, we have to mention the incredible popularity of “The Fall of the House of Usher.” Did those streaming numbers catch you by surprise, or did you know when filming it you were making an amazing hit? Everything from the cast to the script to the direction was just exquisite, and I think Mike Flanagan would’ve made Edgar Allan Poe proud.

A) As regards “Usher,” I heard the streaming numbers were very strong.  I don’t read reviews, but I heard “word-of-mouth” that people were loving it.  I was not surprised.  I think the world of Mike Flanagan’s work and as soon as I finished reading the script, I had a strong sense that it would be popular.  It felt like a reimagined classic speaking in the language of our world today.  I thought it was brilliant and I think I was right.  I think that as a company, each of us were trusted to cut our own cloth, then Mike and Michael did the tailoring.

Mike Flanagan would indeed have made Edgar Allan Poe proud, and perhaps, a little envious.

Q) What did you enjoy most about working on “The Fall of the House of Usher?” Was it being a part of the movie or seeing the fans truly enjoy and reach about their love for this series? 

A) The thing I enjoyed most on “Usher” was working in the Usher house with Bruce Greenwood as Roderick Usher, where we played and riffed and talked and listened to one another, as actors, men and characters.  Bruce is simply one of the best work partners I have had the privilege of working with.  He was dazzling, as were each and every member of this company.

Q) What’s next on your calendar, Carl? Are you working on any other projects we can keep an eye out for?

A) Next on my calendar is working on a project I’m writing and performing.  Don’t want to jinx it…

Coming up in 2025…Captain America Four: Brave New World with Anthony Mackie as CAP.

Q) Fans loved you in “The Fall of the House of Usher” and will be excited to see you in “Obliterated.” What would you like to say to the people who follow you and enjoy your work?

A) To the people who follow and enjoy my work, I say I appreciate your patience and support.  Thanks to you, I’m still here.

 

 

 

 

Please follow Carl on social media:

Facebook:  @OfficialCarlLumbly

Instagram: @carllumbly