George Middlebrook is having a breakout moment. The Detroit-born actor has emerged as one of the standout faces of Netflix’s Beauty in Black, Tyler Perry’s hit drama that continues to dominate global conversations and streaming charts.
On the show, Middlebrook plays Officer Trackson, a character who handles all of the dirty work. While fans may love to hate him on screen, Middlebrook’s real-life journey includes years of grinding behind the scenes before this defining opportunity arrived.
The momentum around Beauty in Black is only growing. Netflix has officially renewed the Tyler Perry series for a third and final season. The streamer also announced that Beauty in Black Season 2, Part 2, an eight-episode continuation, will premiere March 19, with even more twists ahead.
In our conversation with The Quintessential Gentleman, Middlebrook reflects on his rise from Detroit roots to worldwide visibility, the surreal way Tyler Perry personally brought him into the project, and what it means to finally step into a moment years in the making.
Transcript has been edited for clarity and length
QG: Before we get into anything, how do you feel right now?
GM: I feel amazing, man. I truly feel like a dream. It is a dream, so… It feels like I’m asleep, like somebody comes and pinches away. It’s amazing to be a part of the show that goes number one every time we drop… Two billion views. It’s amazing, man… Truly grateful.
QG: I learned your mom was a drama teacher. Was that your first entry into acting?
GM: She taught drama at our high school and she would direct the stage plays… I would always run the spotlights, would be an extra in the plays, would be a stage hand and help out. So that was like the real first experiences that I had with acting, plus being in the theater program at the church.
QG: Do you have goals beyond acting, maybe directing or producing?
GM: I directed a couple music videos back in the day. This year is like my year for producing and directing… I’m working on some vertical shorts right now… I’m really trying to take advantage of the vertical short industry that’s starting to boom. I want to try to create my own boom with my own team.
QG: How did Beauty in Black come about for you?
GM: I got the craziest story. That’s why I feel like one of the luckiest guys in the world. I worked on The Have and the Have Nots… back in 2014… and after that, I thought, ‘I’m on, man. I’m about to be over there at Tyler Perry Studios forever.’ It didn’t quite go that way. I got the big head and I moved out to L.A. And L.A., they whooped my ass and sent me right back to Atlanta. L.A. ain’t no joke. The people have to understand… It’s levels to everything, but L.A. is like… the elite of the elite.
QG: And then Tyler Perry remembered you on set?
GM: I ended up booking a role on Uncle Joe’s Road Trip… and boom, I’m in a scene… After a couple takes, he stopped and he said, ‘Man, I remember you from somewhere.’ He said, ‘I got this Netflix show that I want you to audition for,’ in front of everybody.
QG: That’s unreal. Did he really call you personally?
GM: Tyler Perry called me a week later… ‘Hey, is this George? It’s Tyler Perry.’ I said, ‘Oh!’” I thought somebody was catfishing me. I don’t get calls every day if I don’t pay.
QG: What makes Tyler Perry’s process different?
GM: He really has a way of texting and calling you… to pick your brain to see who you are as a person. And then he’ll start writing your personality into the show. He’s a genius.
QG: What surprised you most about working on Tyler Perry’s set?
GM: We shoot an episode a day… eight episodes in six days… sometimes an episode and a half a day. Four cameras in your face. Fast, fast, fast. You gotta come in prepared, man, and trust the process because he knows what he’s doing.
QG: What has the fan response been like?
GM: Nobody likes me. My dad was like, ‘You’re terrible. You ain’t good for shit.’ But it’s fun though. I know if they don’t like me, I’m doing my job well.” I can’t go anywhere without people stopping me… wanting to take a picture.” I get some crazy DMs… I’m starting to learn to ignore it.
QG: What has this level of success meant for your life?
GM: It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… I feel like I’m a part of the .004% now. I got insurance now… SAG inviting me to events… I was just out in L.A. at some Golden Globe events. It feels good that I bet on myself… People thought I was crazy.
QG: Season 2 Part 2 drops March 19. What can audiences expect?
GM: A lot of action… more drama… cliffhangers… I’m in every episode in part two, thank God. We will go number one again… hopefully this time the numbers double.
Check out the full interview.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of George Middlebrook
