Richard Tyler
Throughout the season, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali will be responding to questions submitted by viewers like you. Visit Mahershalalhashbaz's Ask the Cast page to submit your question now. Then be sure to return to this page to see if your question got answered - new questions and answers will be posted throughout the season!
Q: How is your name pronounced? Where does it originate from and what does it mean?
- Cynthia, California
MA: Maher - shalal - hash - baz. Mahershalalhashbaz is the symbolic name of the Prophet Isaiah's second son. It can be found in Isaiah, Chapter 8: Verses 1 and 3. One of many definitions is "swift are the spoils, speedy is the prey."
Q: When did you decide to pursue a career in acting?
- Corbi Milligan, Tennessee
MA: I decided to pursue acting about nine years ago, while serving as an apprentice in the California Shakespeare Festival.
Q: What are the challenges of playing a man from a time when the range of possibilities accepted for a black man were more limited than they are now? Is it difficult to submerge your own reality under that of a man 53 or more years out of his time?
- Jeff Frawley, Potomac, Maryland
MA: The challenge with Richard is embracing his reality. I have to ground myself in each moment and accept whatever obstacles he may be dealing with at the time. I've found that connecting to what the character wants tends to fuel my creative choices. History, and more specifically his personal story, are all tools; his struggle becomes sort of a manual, or user's guide.
Q: What, if any, personal experiences informed your creation of this character?
- Stephen McLeod, New York City
MA: I try to approach what's on the page; much of the work is already done for me. Richard's story, along with 4399 others, is inherently rich. I have the good fortune of being able to negotiate what his intentions may be, as well as making a few physical or vocal adjustments, and in turn a character begins to take shape.
Q: Will your character one day reveal some powers other than being a strong rock for Lily and the baby to lean on?
- Meshun Wright, Woodland Hills, California
MA: Stay tuned...
