Throughout his career, Luke James has portrayed a variety of characters, from sex symbols in his music to his complexed role in Lena Waithe’s The Chi.
However, his latest role in Them: The Scare marks a significant departure.
Playing Edmund, a mentally deranged character in the horror anthology series, James showcases his versatility by stepping away from his usual image, proving his ability to captivate audiences in diverse roles.
When James was approached about the role, he mentioned being a fan of the first season of THEM and eagerly embraced the chance to challenge himself as a performer by stepping out of his comfort zone.
Some things are just a job, but this was another opportunity to stretch as an artist,” he says. “And when I read the scenes to it, I was moved by this character and I found it to be a challenge, and usually I’m game for things that feel so outside of me. I just wanted to be a part of this.”
“Rather than just initially going, ‘Oh, I’m doing a horror movie. I’m doing a scary character,’ I took it as: this is a man who is in search of answers to know why he even exists and who he is, and at the same time, he’s a struggling, aspiring actor, and I know what that is like, the rejection,”
“Even outside of that, in my own personal life, just rejection in life, to not feel wanted, to not feel like you have anyone to call your own, or someone that will look after you and love on you when you need it. Someone just to call. You’re watching a man who’s by himself, who only has his own thoughts, who only has his imagination and the dream of being a movie star, but even also a person not knowing where they’re from and their background.”
His character Edmund, grew up in the foster system which we learn early in the series and as a result is desperate to both learn more about his origins and fill the void created by coming of age without a family.
“In search of that, he found purpose in this art form where he didn’t have to be himself,” James says. “He could be the billionaire that he watches on TV. He could be Eddie Murphy. He could be any one of those great actors and pivotal people of that time, especially in the ’80s and early ’90s, because those people got a lot of love. For Edmund, he just wanted to be loved. And we all can resonate with that. We all want to be loved.”
“Everything else was just following the script. It is going to do what it does as long as I lead with: he wants to be loved. It is never his intention to hurt anyone. It was just love. It was just about love and being seen.”
“I’m an only child and a bit of a loner. A bit of a loner,” he says, repeating that last bit as if he’s catching himself in a lie before going on to correct it: “I’m fully a loner and can be a bit awkward.”
Luke James says his life experiences are what prepared him for his role in “Them: The Scare.”
Check out the full interview: https://t.co/0xgeG2JNut pic.twitter.com/ni8akcpfca
— The Quintessential Gentleman (@theqgentleman) April 26, 2024
Social Media Is Impressed By Luke’s Performance
Luke James played tf outta his role but ima need him to leave the scary shit alone for a while ????????#ThemTheScare #themonprime #them pic.twitter.com/W4wAxAZO2R
— Jas ???? (@thatgworlj) April 28, 2024
and
After this performance on “Them”, the floodgates of roles should open up for Luke James. He should be able pick what he wants. This guy embraced this role from beginning to end. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
— Erik Tee (@erikteeshow) April 28, 2024
and
Luke James is tearing this role up!!! #Them pic.twitter.com/AjLsMNKMM7
— ll HANDS ll DÉŞ (@ThaBestWay) April 26, 2024
and
The price just went up for Luke James, homie is acting his ass off in #Them pic.twitter.com/776MstgWAH
— ????????????????????’???? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????? (@xclusivestories) April 27, 2024
and
luke james is playing this role a little too fucking well in them: the scare… somebody check on this man STAT! #ThemTheScare pic.twitter.com/wq4LFOrPBx
— ♡ (@laacolee) April 26, 2024
If you haven’t seen “THEM: The Scare” yet, watch the trailer below:
