Actor Keith Powers continues his ascent as a leading man in Hollywood with his latest role in the MGM+ series, Emperor of Ocean Park.
The series, starring Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker, premiered to rave reviews this past summer.
Set in the worlds of politics, elite academia, and the beaches of Martha’s Vineyard, the show has captured audiences’ attention. The series follows Talcott Garland, portrayed by Grantham Coleman, an esteemed law professor whose quiet life is shattered when his father, Judge Oliver Garland, played by Whitaker, dies of an apparent heart attack. The nature of the judge’s death is questioned by Tal’s sister, Mariah, a former journalist and inveterate conspiracy theorist. She believes that their father, a failed Black nominee to the Supreme Court, met with foul play.
Fans went wild when Powers, fresh from his NAACP Award-winning role in Netflix’s The Perfect Find, was announced as the latest cast member to join the hit drama series. With over a decade of work under his belt, Powers remains in awe of the opportunities he has created for himself while continuously honing his craft.
“It feels good being a part of the cast where you respect the artists on stage… it is always inspiring,” the Sacramento native said in an interview with The Quintessential Gentleman. “It motivates me to take my work to the next level.”
The Tomorrow War actor plays Lionel ‘Nasty Nel’ Eldridge, described as an ex-NBA player who got injured and found a new path. “Lionel is trying to find himself in his new path and his new career,” Powers explains. “It is really dope to play a character with this dynamic.”
The role isn’t far-fetched for the heartthrob. The 6’2 actor grew up playing sports. Although Powers is now entertaining the masses with his many roles, he says he does think about his past life as an athlete. “I am blessed to be doing this now,” Powers says about his blockbuster Hollywood career. “It is always a thought of I just want to play my sport… wherever it takes me is wherever it takes me. It is interesting to play a character that decided that wants to get into law.”
Working with the likes of legendary actress Gabrielle Union and now Whitaker, Powers understands the importance of learning from those who have come before him. “I am naturally mentored by my day and my uncles,” he says about mentorship. Although the actor says a mentor of his passed away four years ago, Powers understands the power of having someone to lean on and learn from.
“I tell my friends that having a mentor is the best thing ever. I think mentorship is important,” he says. And while Powers knows he is focused on his journey, he is still thinking about the up-and-coming actors who will come after him. “Even if I could lend a helping hand to the next actor coming up. I may not have all the answers, but I want to mentor and help along the way.”
While Powers continues to rack up accolades on his journey as a Hollywood power player, he takes a piece of advice to keep shooting for the stars.
Watch our interview below to learn how the actor keeps achieving new heights in his life on screen and off.
Catch up on Emperor of Ocean Park on MGM+ and catch the latest episodes on Sundays before the finale on Sept 15.
