Chris Redd may be best known for his comedic chops on Saturday Night Live, but the actor and comedian is proving his range with a dramatic turn in Power Book III: Raising Kanan. In this interview, Redd opened up about his transition from sketch comedy to the gritty Power universe, his approach to playing Early Tyler, and what drew him to this intense new role.
Stepping into a dramatic world filled with crime, power struggles, and raw emotion was a major shift for Redd, but one he fully embraced. While fans may be used to seeing him bring laughs, Redd’s portrayal in Raising Kanan showcases a different side of his talent—one that leans into the complexity and high stakes of the Power franchise.
From behind-the-scenes stories to the challenges of adapting to a more serious role, Redd shares insights that make this performance one to watch.
Obviously, you’re at the top of your game with comedy, but man I loved seeing you in a different light.
Chris Redd: Oh thank you man, I really appreciate that, it was really fun to do.
How did this part come to you? Were you looking to pivot to something more dramatic?
Chris Redd: Well, I’ve always loved drama and I’ve done some stuff like Chicago PD, but I hadn’t but I hadn’t done it a long time. I love comedy, so I don’t want to do it to the point where people forget that’s what I do but I’ve always been interested in dramas. I watch them more than I watch anything else, so it was just an exciting challenge to be able to see if my chops could translate in that way and I was excited to be able to have an opportunity.
You’ve got this great comedy mind, when you’re doing something dramatic, is your instinct to like try and like squeeze in something funny or do try and tamp that down?
Chris Redd: Yeah, absolutely. I talk sh*t up for a living and I make a living off of being able to improvise at any moment, but that was what was interesting about drama… I knew that drama writers are so particular about their scripts and how you say every single word and wanting every single word to be said, so it was about knowing that I was coming to this job with a different set a different of tools and that some of my some of my skill set’s not going to work here. At the end of the day, it’s about trusting the writers and knowing that the writers know this story way better than I do. What I’m building here is a vision that was here before I was, so as long as I can deliver that, I’ll feel good.
So, it was just knowing and being aware that I have things to learn. I felt like being funny was the last thing they wanted me to do, you know what I mean? And it was something that I didn’t want to have to lean on, I just kind of wanted just to find the character.
I feel like a lot of times comedic actors can make or have turned into some of the greatest dramatic actors around.
Chris Redd: I feel like a lot of us comedians can do that if given the chance. I feel like I’ve seen a lot of comedians and comedic actors that are just really good actors and it’s cool when we’re given the chance to show that.
You’ve floated around with dramatic stuff before but not having done it for a little bit, did you feel like that part of your acting was a little rusty when you first got on set?
Chris Redd: Not rusty, I just I think there are things that I haven’t done a whole lot of. I came in there knowing that I was going to be trying to learn from the people I’m watching. I had to do a lot of studying, knowing my lines and being prepared so that I could switch and give the director what they’re looking for or try out my different takes on what the scene is going to need.
I watch a lot of these shows so I kind of know the tone and I know what I’m going for, so it’s kind of the same techniques I use for comedy only I’m not looking for moments to make you laugh. I’m looking for moments to feel something or make you feel something or make sure a point is getting across, so a moment is layered and not just one note.
When you first walked on the set were there any nerves? Did you feel like you had to prove your dramatic chops to everybody?
Chris Redd: Hell, yeah. I’m sure of myself and I was like, I know I can do this, but I’m also around these people who are just brilliant. Patina, Autumn, Young Curtis, all of them are just brilliant. I just want to make sure I don’t feel like I’m slacking off, you know?
I might not be as comfortable with drama but I’m very comfortable with competition. I’m competitive. I see Joey acting his ass off, like Joey’s cut up and across from me and acting his ass off bro and I’m like, ‘all right, he ain’t gonna just out act me like that.’ So I’m just trying to bring it up so when people see the scene they could be like, ‘yeah, they were acting their ass off.’
I just wanted to make sure I was bringing my part to it and to stay open and stay self-aware. I think was the best way to go.
