In the trailer forHulu’s new political drama,Paradise,actorSterling K. Brownplays Xavier Collins, the head of the President’s Secret Service detail — and the prime suspect in the President’s murder. This marks the second time that Brown has teamed up withDan Fogelman,creator ofThis Is Us,where Brown played Randall Pearson. BothParadiseandThis Is Us,along with Brown’s earlier work, highlight his impressive range and talent, but it was his portrayal asChristopher DardeninFX’sThe People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Storythat made Brown a household name andcemented his reputation as one of the best actors working today.
Sterling K. Brown Dazzles in ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story’
The first season ofAmerican Crime Storyfocuses on the infamous 1995 trial ofO.J. Simpson(Cuba Gooding Jr.), a case that took the world by storm. Sterling K. Brown plays Christopher Darden, one of the prosecutors in the case against Simpson for the double homicide ofNicole Brown SimpsonandRon Goldman. Brown masterfully portrays Darden’s internal struggleas he navigates the racial tensions and moral dilemmasof one of the most high-profile trials in American history. What makes his performance so compellingis his ability to simultaneously demonstrate strength and vulnerability,whether it’s in the courtroom or quieter moments behind the scenes, working closely with co-prosecutorMarcia Clark(Sarah Paulson).
The series also portrays Darden as a man torn between his duty to the justice system, his staunch belief in the evidence, and his personal identityas a Black man prosecuting a hero of the Black community, especially in the city of Los Angeles. This inner conflict is powerfully depicted in the series through a handful of intense scenes Darden shares withJohnnie Cochran(Courtney B. Vance), as well as in moments with Darden’s friends and neighbors, who all have different views on Simpson’s guilt.Brown’s immense talent brings Darden to life with authenticity, which is a daunting task, considering how familiar he was to so many people who already thought they knew him from the massive coverage of the case and trial.
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Playing Christopher Darden Gave Sterling K. Brown a Different Perspective About the O.J. Simpson Trial
When it comes to a massive andwidely publicized event like the O.J. Simpson trial, portraying real-life figures must be very difficult when audiences may already have a preconceived view of them. What’s great about the series, and Sterling K. Brown’s performance, is howthese characters become fully realized humans with personal struggles and flaws. When Brown’s co-star Sarah Paulsonspoke to Collider back in 2016, she touched on this very idea when she took on the role of Marcia Clark,someone who audiences certainly had biased notions about.
Brown echoed similar sentiments when discussing his portrayal of Christopher Darden. Inhis post-Emmy-win press conference, he shared that, as a young man during the trial, he was firmly on the defense side and admired Johnnie Cochran over Darden, even seeing Darden as a “traitor” to the Black community at the time. However, by 2016, his perspective had evolved and,in an interview with Deadline,he acknowledged the shift, saying,“I have a completely different perspective on the trial and a completely different perspective of Christopher Darden, and I’m very thankful.” Brown’sresearch into Darden revealed the complexity of his characteras a man who believed in the case and wanted to see justice for the victims and their families.
Along with his co-stars Courtney B. Vance and Sarah Paulson,Sterling K. Brown won a much-deserved Emmy for his portrayal of Christopher Darden, andThe People v. O.J. Simpsonseason ofAmerican Crime Storyis definitely a show worth revisiting. Since the series aired, Brown has delivered more standout performances, winning another Emmy for his role inThis Is Usand earning an Academy Award nomination for his performance inAmerican Fiction.While it’s too early to tell ifParadisewill score him another award, his track record suggests it is certainly possible. Either way,audiences will be able to see Brown in actionon television again when the series premieres on Hulu on January 28.
The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Storyis available to stream on Hulu.
American Crime Story
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