J. August Richards
J. August Richards, an American actor, writer, producer, and director, is best known for his work on “Angel” in his role of the street-smart vampire hunter Charles Gunn and the Marvel series “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” for his role as Deathlok. He also starred in Council of Dads. In 2018, he co-produced, wrote, directed, and acted in “Giants.” In the upcoming series “Vampire Academy,” the actor plays Victor Dashkov, a royal vampire.
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You seem to have known you wanted to act from an early age, even attending a performing arts high school. Was there a particular piece of work or experience in your youth that prompted this early attraction to acting?
Michael Jackson’s “BAD tour” was the thing that made me say, “I have to move to Los Angeles. I have to be in the entertainment industry.” Before that, as a child, I was in awe of the television. The show “Three’s Company” is probably why I’m an actor today so when I did “Kevin (Probably Saves the World” with Jason Ritter, the late John Ritter’s son, it was a full circle moment.
You’ve said before that a major goal of your career is to play dynamic African-American male characters. Is this still what guides you today when choosing roles? Have you noticed any difference in the way African-American characters are written or the availability of dynamic characters in the 30+ years you’ve been working?
When I first moved to Los Angeles, as every Black actor would say, “Did you audition for such and such project?” However, there was only one major project per year that heavily featured Black actors. In my early 20s there were literally no opportunities for a Black actor or actress my age for leading roles and to have their own show unless perhaps they were a comedian or musical artist. Now, there are multiple shows with Black leads and Black casts where the actors get to play people they actually KNOW and not characters created in exclusively white writer’s rooms. I am so happy for this generation of Black actors and I know there is more work to be done.
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Do you have a favorite memory from your time on “Angel?”
I recently shot something at the Paramount lot where we made “Angel.” It was like returning to high school or college, places where I learned so much and for which have fond memories.
What was it like acting in “Giants,” a show you wrote, directed, and produced? Was it harder or easier than acting in works others have written?
Because I wrote a lot of my own dialogue with the creator of “Giants,” I assumed it would be easier to act. Boy was I wrong. I still found myself having to do all the same work I do on a script I didn’t write. I understood why I wrote certain dialogue from a story point of view but then I had to figure out how to say it from my character’s point of view. I would joking say, “Who wrote this shit?”
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You’ve portrayed an attorney in four different series – is this a role you’re particularly attracted to? Were there similarities/differences in preparing for and playing these roles?
It’s funny. People will say of me, “You always play ‘x’…” Either, “you always play a sci-fi, superhero” because of ANGEL, AGENTS OF SHIELD and now, VAMPIRE ACADEMY. Or “you always play a lawyer” because of the four shows you mentioned. Or “you always play a singer” because of THE TEMPTATIONS or WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE. One day, I expect someone to realize those are all wildly different things and I hope to be acknowledged for my versatility.
What was it like working on a Marvel set? Do you have a favorite episode from your time on “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”?
I was deeply connected to my character on “Agents of Shield.” Probably because when I got the part, I was in a career lull just like my character. In that time of adversity, I discovered how resilient I am and Mike Peterson had this belief in himself even though his world was crashing down around him. I don’t know, there was something spiritual about my connection to him. The timing was eerie. I desperately want to keep playing him. I have more to say as that character but I’m sure Marvel will hire a new actor if they use the character in the cinematic universe. We’ll see.
20 years ago you played a vampire hunter on “Angel” and now you’ve stepped into the role of the vampire himself in “Vampire Academy.” Is there anything you’re taking from your experience on “Angel” to this new role?
Nothing from Charles Gunn serves me as Victor Dashkov. Victor is a prince, a royal vampire with a lot of social power and status. Gunn was rugged, unpolished. They are so different and would hate each other.
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How did you prepare for your role as Victor Dashkov?
Three things: First, the script. The character was written in a slightly heightened voice. Second, the costumes, which were elaborate, beautiful, handmade creations. They had this contemporary and period look and feel. Lastly, wearing the costumes and speaking the lines in the castles, churches, and monasteries in Spain where we filmed. The locations were centuries old and gave me the posture and the identity of the character. Victor is regal and passionate.
Are there any other upcoming projects we can look forward to?
I just did a guest star on “The Rookie.” I hadn’t done a guest star in a long time and it was really enjoyable. Nathan (Fillion) is a friend and I know many people who work on the show. I play a DEA agent who’s been tracking his former partner’s murderer for the last decade. It was a fun role.
Social Media.
@jaugustrichards across all mediums.
CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Ben Cope
Talent: J. August Richards
Fashion Stylist: Mickey Freeman at The Only Agency
Barber: Antonio Bey
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Melissa Kaiser, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
