I read the scripts, said Ali, whowon a best supporting actor Oscarin 2017 forMoonlight.
I was blown away.
But in my mind, I was like, Ive done this my entire career.
Credit: Warrick Page/HBO
Ive never done [the lead role].
And Im 40 at that time.
And if it dont happen now, it really may not happen.
My grandfather was a state police officer, and these are two state police officers.
So I went on my phone; Im hitting up some cousins and whatnot.
And they send me some pictures of my grandfather in the state police officer uniform.
This is in Arkansas.'
And I was like, I think your story would be served.
I think the story would improve in this case if this lead character is black,' Ali continued.
We dont have to beat them over the head with the race element, but lets write it.
Im encouraging him to think of it from the standpoint of how its experienced.
Racism is not experienced as the N-word all the time, right?
Its more like, he wouldnt even look me in the eye.
Or like I said, thank you he just brushed me off.
Later, Stephen Dorff (Blade) was cast in the secondary role, as Roland West.
True Detectivereturns Jan. 13 on HBO.
