Pop-Culturalist.com

Up-and-coming talent Mitchell Edwards has worked his entire life for a project like Spinning Out. The sports drama follows a figure skating Olympic hopeful who struggles to balance love, family, and her career as she strives for gold. It’s Mitchell’s first go as a series regular and, as he describes, the “most informative experience” in his career to date. Pop Culturalist caught up with the fast-rising star to chat about Spinning Out and his character’s arc in Season 1.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Mitchell: It’s funny because my family and I discovered it all at the same time. It was during my cousin’s eighth-grade graduation party. I was eleven years old at the time, and “Trapped In The Closet” was a very popular song. It was a hip-hop opera or musical. The song flipped between several different characters. Initially, I was supposed to perform with my cousin, but once everybody came into the room and the music started, he bailed on me. Luckily, I knew all the words, so I did it myself, flipping back and forth from each character. Right after that, my family and I were like, “Yo! Acting is what you need to do.” That’s when I discovered it was a passion for me.

PC: Who or what has been the biggest influence in your career?
Mitchell: There have been so many. Like I said, my family and I discovered my passion at the same time and on the same day. Ever since that day, they have been incredibly supportive, and that has been so influential to me keeping my faith and keeping my focus going forward in such a lofty career. Also, my representatives have been very supportive; they have taken me under their wings both professionally and personally and have helped me grow since day one of me moving out here to LA. And also, I’ve met and worked with some great people, and I made some great friends on set—dope people who I’ve gotten to learn from and learn with, most notably my brother Trevor Jackson. So my community of supporters has been the most influential, and I owe their presence to God, so we can give credit to him.

All American

PC: You’re currently starring on the CW’s All American. How has Cameron grown from Season 1 to Season 2? What can you tease about his storyline this season?
Mitchell: First, American is a great show to work on. Its cultural influence from Season 1 alone has been so uplifting, and I’m proud to be a part of it.

As for my character, Cameron, in Season 1, he was hungry for his shine and recognition. He was the talented kid from Crenshaw who is called to replace Spencer after he left for Beverly. Cam was clearly just as talented as Spencer but not as fortunate. Because of that, Cam resented Spencer for his opportunities and sought out his own opportunities to be recognized. For example, in the combined episode, Cam expressed how football was his only way out of his hardship. During that episode, we got to see how talented he was as he beat out the great Spencer at the majority of the exercises and deepened their rivalry.

In Season 2, Cam retains his malice towards Spencer but less threateningly and more tauntingly. Cam is less of an on-field concern for Spencer this time and more of a mental obstacle. Cam taunts Spencer about his estranged father’s tight relationship with Darnell, Crenshaw’s new QB1. Cam’s angle to best Spencer transitions from on the field, where he tried hard to outshine him, to in Spencer’s mind, where he’s looking to distract Spencer by stirring up some family drama. As for spoilers, you’ll have to watch every Monday night! [laughs]

Spinning Out

PC: You also have a new show out now. Tell us about Spinning Out and what attracted you to the project.
Mitchell: Yes, Spinning Out is dope! They gave us screeners for the first couple of episodes, and I am a fan. I think people will really take to it. It is a show about an ice skater played by Kaya Scodelario, who had an unfortunate accident on the rink in the past. The show tracks her journey to overcome that embarrassing moment and reach new heights in the sport.

I was attracted to the project because I was drawn to my character, Marcus. The show was presented to me like a dark tale of resilience for Kaya’s character. My character is meant to serve as charming light relief. I was eager to have such an opportunity, given a lot of my other roles have been more menacing or dark, and Marcus is certainly not that. He is a very charming character with brighter colors than I typically play, and it was a great role to take on.

By the time we got around to shooting, Marcus’s storyline had been expanded to a regular, and I was called to carry out some of the darker, more visceral themes of the show. I was excited about that, and that’s what ultimately gauged my interest at first.

PC: What should fans know about Marcus?
Mitchell: I think a lot of fans will be drawn to Marcus’s more sweet, caring, and charming side, that is one of my favorite parts of the character, so I can understand that. But there is also a side to Marcus that is more complex. For instance, he struggles a lot with being an icon for black athletes in winter sports. There is no secret that there are not a lot of widely known black skiers and Marcus happens to be one of them in his town and a really good one—and so he’s faced with the cultural responsibility to be a representative for black people. That isn’t something that he necessarily wants. Witnessing that journey will be interesting. It is very relatable. A lot of people of all races, like Marcus, want to do what they love to do, follow their desires, without the added pressure of being a role model or icon for others. I, Mitchell, I believe that representation is essential, and it’s going to be nice to see if/how Marcus comes to realize that for himself in the latter half of the season.

PC: It’s one of your first big roles as a series regular. Did that bring any added pressure? What was your biggest take away from the experience?
Mitchell: I am so excited that you asked that question! Pressure? Yes, but the pressure you really, really, really want. I have been training since I was eleven years old to be a professional actor, and to be a series regular was a dream come true. It has been the most informative experience of my career to date. As a regular, the director, the crew, and the production staff all put more faith and more trust in you and your performance. So when you are called to set, everyone is relying on you to execute. I have practiced acting for a long time—at home, at school, and anywhere else I could. It was a dream come true to be on set or in front of the camera. It felt good to have the pressure of everyone counting on you to deliver. It adds an added sense of adrenaline to the performance as well as a great deal of gratitude to have the opportunity. There was no way I was cracking; I was too humbled by the experience. As for the biggest takeaway, for me, it was learning how ready or prepared I was to deliver. The trust of everyone I mentioned was encouraging and gave me more confidence as an artist.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Mitchell: On My Block. It’s a low-key teen comedy, and I’m not a teen. [laughs]

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Mitchell: Mean Girls

PC: Favorite book?
Mitchell: The Purpose Driven Life

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Mitchell: Play: Fences. Musical: Aida.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Mitchell: Ed Sheeran. Everyone is shocked by that, but dude’s my favorite.

PC: Who would play you in your life story?
Mitchell: I would call on my guy Brett Gray, see what he could do. [laughs]

To keep up with Mitchell Edwards, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Catch Spinning Out on Netflix.

Photo Credit: Jason Willheim // Stylist: Toye Adedipe // Groomer: Bethany Garita