Pop-Culturalist.com

Julian Black Antelope is a multifaceted storyteller and trailblazer, known for bringing important narratives and characters to life with authenticity and depth, consistently challenging traditional stereotypes. A firm believer that if you want to create change in the industry, you have to be that change, he uses his platform to push for greater diversity and representation, both in front of and behind the camera.

Guided by this belief, he created Secret History, a docuseries that highlights overlooked Indigenous figures and stories. He currently stars in NCIS: Origins, further showcasing his commitment to bringing fresh, compelling narratives to the screen.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Julian about Secret History, NCIS: Origins, the importance of diversity in media, and more.

PC: You’ve had such an intriguing journey into the arts, starting with music as your entry point into the industry. But something about being on a film set truly captivated you. Do you remember what made that first experience so magical? How did it eventually draw you back in your mid-thirties?
Julian Black Antelope: Well, I was playing music at the time, so I was pretty much in my own head and focused on myself—young and impetuous. But the first time I stepped onto a film set was in Vancouver for Stargate SG-1. I had never been on a film studio set before. When I walked onto the set, I was like, “Wow, this is pretty wicked.” Everything looked real—the costumes and the whole machine as it was moving and playing out. It was unbelievable to me. But I never really thought about acting back then, which is funny. When people said, “You should be an actor. You should be an actor,” I was so into myself that I’d say, “No, I’m a musician. Can’t you see that?” I was stubborn. [laughs]

What drew me back in my thirties was reconnecting with my cultural roots. I was three months behind on rent, broke, and sitting in my apartment. I had a choice: call a number to work in the Calgary oil fields, making ten grand a month, or call a number for background work on a show called Into the West.

I’ve always been a bit stubborn, often choosing the hardest road. Most people would’ve chosen the easy option, but for me, that would’ve been a job just to get by. I couldn’t stand the idea of doing something I wasn’t passionate about. So I decided to give this a try—to see if there was something there for me—because I remembered my time in Vancouver. I thought, “Okay, maybe if I get back on a film set, I’ll find out if this is where I belong.”

PC: You followed your heart, which is such an important lesson for audiences. So much of what you do as a storyteller and actor is about bringing truth to your characters, drawing from your own experiences and processes. Since you began in music, how much does that medium influence the way you step into a role?
Julian Black Antelope: Playing music, especially live, is the same as acting in a way. You can’t go on stage and be half there or not feeling well—you have to give it 100%. That’s what being genuine is all about. I see it as an energy exchange. When I was playing music, I worked a day job as a masonry laborer, so by the end of the day, I was wiped out. Then I’d have to go pound on drums for an hour and a half. I was always tired going on stage, but the second I got up there, I came alive. The more energy the audience gave, the more I wanted to give back.

That’s how I see acting, too. I’m self-taught, but to me, acting is like a game of catch. You have to give just as much as you’re receiving, and then it becomes effortless—you don’t even have to look at each other, you just know where the ball is. It’s an exchange of energy, back and forth, and it has to be rooted in truth.

The audience may not know exactly what’s off about a performance, but they can tell if they don’t believe it. That’s why they might say, “That’s bad acting.” They can’t always explain why, but they know it doesn’t feel real. That’s how I approach my roles—by bringing that authenticity.

PC: You’ve consistently used your platform to celebrate diverse perspectives and voices that are often underrepresented in mainstream media. I really admire your belief that if you want to make change, you have to be that change, which inspired you to create Secret History. Tell us about the series, the stories and people you’re highlighting, and how it’s evolved from Season 1 into Season 2.
Julian Black Antelope: Secret History started as a combination of two different projects I was working on. It’s based on historical figures I grew up learning about—not in school, but through stories. A few of them were touched on in school, but I always felt like, “This isn’t the version I heard.” There was also a metaphysical and mystical element that I wanted to explore. So, I put those two things together to create a documentary series that showcases these figures from an Indigenous perspective—the way I learned about them.

The series offers that Indigenous viewpoint, and the deeper I got into the research, the more I realized that the real “secret history” lies in the truths that the Elders and speakers share. A lot of it is uncomfortable. History is messy, bloody, and ugly, but it still needs to be told.

The show is told through the eyes of the Trickster, who I play. The Trickster serves as a storytelling catalyst, easing tension when things get uncomfortable. It sets the tone, letting viewers know it’s okay to feel uneasy. The goal isn’t to point fingers—it’s to open the door and let in some fresh air, to spark conversation.

Season 1 focused primarily on male figures. Season 2 shifts the spotlight to Indigenous women because, let’s face it, the saying “behind every great man is a better woman” holds true. Women, especially Indigenous women, have often been swept under the rug in history. One of the Elders shared with me that these frontier wives—Indigenous women—were the reason many explorers survived. They took these women on, survived, and then abandoned them when they returned to their real families. I wanted to bring those stories to light.

Women are swept under the dug historically because it’s unbelievable women, especially Indigenous women. One of the Elders told me that these frontier wife were the reason why all these intrepid explorers were able to survive out here. A frontier wife is an Indigenous woman who they took on so they could survive, and then abandoned them when they went back to their real families. I wanted to bring that out into the light.

Season 3 will take a different direction. Each season stands alone, and Season 3 will focus on lore and legends—what conventional history calls mythology. While many view these stories as entertainment, in Indigenous culture, our mythology is a record of events. Season 3 will blend that perspective with our human origins and how we came to believe what we believe. It’s fascinating stuff.

PC: Your use of humor is brilliant. How did you find the balance in incorporating that humor, which makes these hard truths more digestible, as you were talking about?
Julian Black Antelope: [laughs] Thank you! It’s funny—going back to the first season, I never saw myself as someone who would host a show like this. I was trying to build my acting career, and I thought hosting a documentary series might take me out of acting opportunities.

A colleague I was working with pushed me, though. She said, “No, you’re the one to host this show. You have to find a way to make it interesting.” So I thought, how can I do that? Well, I decided to be a goofball. I’d play a character in the story—a jester, a trickster, a joker—who delivers the information. If there’s something cruel or heavy, it happens to me. I’ll be the butt of the joke. For me, that made it fun.

I just have fun with it and follow my instincts. Humor has always been a big part of my life—I’ve needed it. I use it instinctively rather than making a conscious effort. It’s not something I plan out; it just happens naturally.

PC: It feels so authentic to you. You’re also no stranger to working behind the scenes, with several writing and producing credits. I find it fascinating how the industry has shifted. In the past, if you were an actor, that’s all you could be, but now we’re really celebrating multifaceted careers. Having had those experiences behind the camera, how have they impacted the way you approach your work on screen, and vice versa?
Julian Black Antelope: It’s definitely helped me. Writing, directing, and producing give me different perspectives when I look at a character. I still read the character for what it is, but I’m also considering other elements. On set, it makes me a more autonomous actor because I really understand the collaboration it takes—the directors, producers, crew—everyone working together. If someone says, “Do you mind if I put a light right in the middle of your path?” I’m like, “Sure, I’ll work around it.” I understand what they’re doing, and I know everything is being done to make the actor look good and to tell the best possible story. It’s about being flexible and working with that.

As for storytelling, when I read a script now, I see the whole world of it. I respect that world and then figure out where I fit in. I ask myself, “This is my place in the story—how do I fit into it?”

PC: Beautifully said. Outside of Secret History, you’re also starring in one of the most highly anticipated shows this fall: NCIS: Origins. Were you a fan of the original franchise before this project came across your desk? What can you tell us about your character, and what excited you most about playing him?
Julian Black Antelope: NCIS: Origins is a monster of a show. I’ve seen episodes of the original over the years, and while there are so many spin-offs that it’s hard to keep up, I knew how big of a deal it was. It’s such a privilege to be part of it. I thought for sure it was a long shot when my agent sent it to me. But I figured, “It’s NCIS—how could I not give it a read?” It’s like someone asking, “Do you want to audition for Stormtrooper #88 in Star Wars?” Of course, you’re going to jump at it.

What really excited me about this role was the chance to play an Indigenous character with such depth. It wasn’t focused on his identity, but rather his position and the nuances of the role. I thought, “Wow, this is incredible.” How often do you get cast as the Chief Pathologist? You’re the boss of all the pathologists—how cool is that?

Plus, my character has this great camaraderie with Mike Franks. They’re tight, and there’s a mutual respect there. I thought, “This is going to be awesome.” I’m just happy to be part of it and excited to be along for the ride for as long as they’ll have me.

PC: You’re not giving yourself enough credit! Speaking of those nuances, it’s also been shared that your character has a complicated past, which allows you to explore his vulnerabilities as an actor. How did you create the space to tackle those more emotionally driven scenes and explore those different layers?
Julian Black Antelope: To do that authentically, I had to draw on my own personal experiences—everything I could relate to. For me, it’s about going into that dark place, sitting with those emotions, and letting the words and the character fall on me. A lot of that process is draining.

How do I get into that mindset? I guess I’m at a point in my life where I’m lucky enough to drop into it. I’m past the age of worrying about what other people think. I’m okay with exposing myself and being vulnerable. It’s never easy, but that’s part of the job. It’s about being believable, telling an honest story, and giving as much as I can to the audience.

PC: That’s such a beautiful sentiment about allowing the words to fall on you. You’ve also mentioned in previous interviews that characters like this don’t often come your way—especially someone living in this time period and the hard journey it would take to get where he is. But it’s also the responsibility of media to highlight these different walks of life because they do exist. What was your collaboration with the writers’ room like to bring that authenticity to the screen? And what have you learned about your own craft from playing this character?
Julian Black Antelope: First, regarding the media, they’re paying attention now, which is so important. To play diverse characters in nuanced ways, we need the opportunity to foster a cultural tapestry that can create significant change in society. Seeing is believing.

It’s crucial to show diverse characters as complex and layered—not just defined by their ethnicity. For example, Indigenous people are more than the ‘leathers and feathers’ often shown in Westerns. We’re doctors, lawyers, teachers, judges, and more. It benefits everyone to see that because it allows authentic storylines and narratives to be built. Regardless of race or background, audiences can identify with a character’s flaws, their ups and downs, and everything in between.

As a writer, that’s one of the reasons I started writing. I don’t consider myself a brilliant writer, but I knew it would give me the power to put the people I want in the driver’s seat. If I want an Indigenous person front and center, I can make that happen. Or if I want an Asian girl to be the hero and a brilliant physicist, I can make that happen too. By doing this, you can change the face of diversity in the industry. It’s a slow change, but it’s happening. More and more people are taking notice.

The change needs to start at the top. You have to bring more diverse writers into the room. They might be younger or less experienced, but they bring a unique perspective that experienced Caucasian writers just won’t have. That’s the smartest way to create believable stories—by allowing those voices to tell their own stories.

To keep up with Julian Black Antelope, follow him on Instagram. NCIS: Origins airs every Monday on CBS.

Photo Credit: Pooya Nabei