Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Lenny Thomas About Ruthless

Lenny Thomas is terrifying audiences (in a good way) with his transformative performance as the villainous Dikhan in Tyler Perry’s Ruthless. For several seasons, Dikhan has evoked the fear of hell in anyone he’s encountered and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Lenny about bringing Dikhan to life on the screen.

PC: When you’re working on a Tyler Perry production, you often get one or one-and-a-half takes at a scene. How challenging was that for you to adjust to as an actor? How beneficial was it to have your theater background?
Lenny: My theater background is what saved my behind. It’s made it possible to absorb a massive amount of text and make choices in the moment, even if I don’t know what the heck I’m doing. But doing it all in one take? Oh my gosh. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that pressure in my life—it feels like brain surgery. One false move and you’re going to look like an amateur.

Preparation is key. We never get designated rehearsals, so we have to find time ourselves before we shoot to run our lines. I’m thankful that everyone in the cast is obsessed with getting their lines down.

We hit the ground running the second season. I even reached out to some of my new castmates to give them the rundown. I was like, “Hey, this is how Tyler works. Whatever you need, hit me up. Feel free! I need you guys to feel like you are included because we’re going to lean and count on each other throughout this entire experience.”

PC: Love that! You’re somebody who couldn’t be any further from your character. For you as an actor, how did you prepare to jump into his mindset? Is it more fun to play the villain?
Lenny: Unfortunately and fortunately, it’s really fun to play the villain. It’s too much fun because I would never do any of the stuff that this guy does. In this world of make-believe, there are no consequences, so I can surrender myself to the work. But oh my gosh, there are some graphic scenes and some more violent scenes. Those were harder for me to do because some of the things that they had me do were hard to connect with. We may be acting, but it sticks with you afterward if you’re not careful.

For example, there’s a scene that happened in the Punishment trailer. I’m not going to say anything, but after the scene, I was traumatized. I was like, “Oh, okay. Something is off here. I need a moment.” Thankfully, we have intimacy coordinators on set to talk us down and help us get this energy out of us, acknowledge it, and move forward.

PC: You’ve said in previous interviews that this version of your character could have been you if you didn’t have strong Black women in your life. Who were they and how did they shape you into the person you are today?
Lenny: Mama is number one. She is the rock of my life. She was a single mom raising two boys; she was my mom and dad. She led with her heart and that was the most powerful example I had.

Then, grandma is number two. She’s so sweet. She’s a sweet little woman whose energy and voice will warm your heart. There’s a song called “Sadie”, and her name is Sadie. I swear that song was written for her because she’s the sweetest woman.

I also had a few teachers in elementary school who were powerhouses. I learned how to be a man through the strong women in my life.

PC: Like you were saying earlier, we’re introduced to a lot of new characters in Season 2. Which of Dikhan’s relationships has been your favorite to explore and why?
Lenny: Of the new characters, River is my favorite. He’s the only one who challenges Dikhan. He seems to have a leg up on Dikhan every single time, which I thought was impossible in Season 1. It didn’t seem like Dikhan could lose; he was constantly winning. Then, River comes along and throws a wrench in the gears. It turns Dikhan’s world upside down. So, now it’s like the mastermind has to rethink his plans.

Other than him, I don’t really get close to any of the other characters because he hates women. He doesn’t have a reason to converse with anyone outside of Ruth, since he seems like he’s falling in love with her. It’s an interesting swing to put on such a diabolical, heartless person—essentially cheating on his lover, The Highest, with Ruth. He can’t help himself when it comes to her.

PC: This series came to you at a pivotal turning point in your career. When you look back at the experience thus far, what’s been the biggest takeaway for you as an actor and a man?
Lenny: I would say I now know that there’s nothing I can’t do if I put my mind to it. I may not be the perfect person for the job, but I can fill every other void while trying to be the person for the job. If I’m not going to be the best actor, I’m going to have the biggest energy. I’m going to be the kindest. I’m going to be looking out for my castmates. I’m going to be making the squad better while trying to serve the role. The community aspect has ridiculously strengthened in my mind.

PC: If you could write a storyline for Dikhan, what would it be and why?
Lenny: I want to find out how he got to where he is. What wronged him as a child or as a young man that led him to this dark place? Clearly, he has a heart; he’s falling for Ruth. Where did he bury that part of himself? I want to see that. I want to see the story of him and The Highest in jail, actually. How do they even get to where they are? How did he even come up with the Rakadushi?

To keep up with Lenny, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Catch new episodes of Ruthless every Thursday on BET+.

Photo Credit: Nuru Dorsey