Exclusive Grand Crew Clip & Interview With Phil Augusta Jackson!
NBC’s new hit series Grand Crew has been making its mark and bringing audiences together through the lens of a group of male friends just trying to navigate life, and the show returns tonight at 8:30/7:30c!
From Phil Augusta Jackson (Writer/Producer/Director, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”) and Dan Goor (Creator, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”) follows the group of young black professionals dealing with drugs unpredictability of life and love in Los Angeles – and they always find time to gather at their favorite bar to “wine down” and unpack it all. There’s Noah, a hopeless romantic too eager to settle down; Nicky, a go-getter in real estate who’s adventurous in romance; Sherm, a low-key genius who plays the dating odds; Anthony, whose true love is his career; Wyatt, who’s relieved to be married and out of the dating scene; and Fay, who’s recently divorced and looking to start fresh in LA. And just like wine, their friendship gets better with time.
We had a moment to pick Phil Augusta Jackson’s brain about the hit show; the importance to shine a light on the experiences of strong black men and telling a different side to an important story.
What’s important about telling this story?
I think stories about Black friendship are always going to be important to see on screen. And stories that work against stereotypes and preconceived notions of what it is to be a Black man are important. Also, there is no singular Black experience, so my hope with the show is to reveal a unique tone and point of view on friendship and the world that people can enjoy.
How is Grand Crew similar yet different from some of the shows you’ve worked on?
Grand Crew is different from other shows that I’ve worked on in that it delves into friends connecting over wine, which is something I do in real life. Also topically, the show dives into themes relevant to the Black community in each episode which is different than some shows I’ve worked on. I think Grand Crew is similar to stuff I’ve worked on in that it’s all about interpersonal relationships — and it’s also about heightening the relatability of everyday life.
It’s great to see a story about a group of black men, what was the inspiration behind it all?
I meet up at a wine bar to talk about life with my friends, and that was the inspiration for the show.
What do you want audiences to take away from this season?
I’d love for people to connect with our characters played by our amazing cast and feel like they’re a part of the crew. I’d love for people to laugh and see the show as a feel-good escape. And I’d love for people to connect with the deeper themes as well as the more light-hearted stories too.