Creating Johnson: How Friendship and Vision Brought the Show to Life

Life is a comedy, a tragedy, and everything in between. For the cast and creative minds behind the television show Johnson, life is painted with hues of perseverance, resilience, and unwavering brotherhood. Our story begins nearly a decade ago in the ever-unpredictable landscape of Hollywood where dreams are both built and crushed.

Deji LaRay, an actor and screenwriter noted for his profound understanding of Black male perspectives, first conceived the idea in 2014. "Johnson started the original pilot, started in 2014," he begins, reflecting on the journey in a tone steeped in nostalgia and grit. "It's a pilot that I wrote to just to offer a more balanced perspective on Black men, representing Black men that I knew that I had in my life and representing myself. You know, I just felt like there was a void on television." And so, the seed was planted—a seed that would take years to grow.

The initial pilot lay dormant for several years, "sat on my laptop, probably even changed laptops two or three times," LaRay reveals, a sentiment known too well by creatives whose work often languishes in the purgatory of unrealized potential. The turning point arrived in 2017 with a fateful introduction to former NFL running back and budding actor, Thomas Q. Jones.

"I had already known Omar's, I had already known Philip," Deji continues, referring to Omar Kinnebrew and Philip Smithey, two actors he had long admired. "These are two guys who I really respected as actors. I worked with them on multiple projects." The confidence in this ensemble would be further cemented by Jones, who envisioned his role beyond acting. "Thomas was interested in way more than being an actor. He wanted to be an executive producer and to help push this narrative forward for him, it was bigger than just being on screen. It was changing the narrative."

Jones' transition into Hollywood was more than a career change; it was a mission imbued with a sense of purpose and urgency. "It just spoke to me as a Black man and the importance of the narrative," Jones says. "Just his vision as a creative, you know, his experience, the fact that he took the time to write a series like this, that he cared enough to write it about Black men, to write it, it said a lot about his character and integrity."

The journey from script to screen was far from linear. As Deji recounts, he and Jones "shot an independent pilot in 2017," investing their own money—a gamble that would serendipitously pay off. Cedric the Entertainer's production company, A Bird and A Bear Entertainment, and Bounce TV would become crucial partners. "Johnson. Season one was greenlit and started airing in 2021," LaRay triumphantly notes.

But building Johnson was more than a professional endeavor; it was an emotional odyssey, demanding tenacity and trust in an industry notorious for its fleeting allegiances. "Nobody really had to audition for the show. These are all people who I had known for years," Deji emphasizes, attributing the seamless on-screen chemistry to deep-seated real-life friendships.

As we delve deeper, individual narratives emerge, each actor revealing the personal stakes involved in bringing these characters to life. The show was not just a job but a transformative experience for its cast. Omar Kinnebrew describes his evolution, "I was never going to get to be this complex of a person, not for the roles that I was going out for, you know, trying to be a guest star on this spot or trying to be, you know, victim number one." The character arcs, as Kinnebrew explains, provided "an opportunity to give us a fair shake at having a positive representation and giving us. Giving us a chance to be heard."

Philip Smithey echoes this sentiment, recounting his initial awe upon reading the script. "This is the first time where I got to play a character that was swaggy, successful. He still was cool, you know, and he had made money, and I loved that."

Within this alchemy of vision and camaraderie lies the unique bond between Deji and his cast. For Kinnebrew, every day on set meant "making art with your friends, which is at first, what this was." Their shared history fortified the project, underscoring lessons LaRay often espouses: "you don't network up, you network out."

Of course, the journey wasn't free of trepidation. Playing Jarvis, a character with controversial viewpoints, often challenged Kinnebrew. "It was definitely scary season one," he admits, having to internally reconcile with playing "the hated person on the show." Despite these challenges, he embraced the role, evolving alongside Jarvis, "to see him continue to evolve and elevate and grow as a man and confidence."

Deji commends Kinnebrew, noting his character's impressive growth: "he is just killing it. You know, season four is just like... it's just full-fledged commitment."

As a collective, the cast shared daunting yet fulfilling experiences. Rashod, one of the hosts, poignantly observes: "Nobody wants to be the bad guy," a sentiment that resonates with the internal struggle actors face when portraying less likable aspects of humanity. Even so, these experiences led to a greater understanding and depiction of multifaceted Black men—individuals with virtues and vices, strengths and follies.

Jones summarizes this powerfully: "It's giving, you know, perspectives based off the tough conversations and the sensitive, provocative conversations." It’s a commitment not just to art but to authenticity and representation.

LaRay and his castmates fought ardently to maintain their creative vision. Deji recalls Hollywood's attempts to shape the project into something unrecognizable: "There was a vision that we had to stick to and we had to kind of filter through the noise and keep pushing forward."

It was this steadfast commitment that led to the ultimate realization of Johnson. Deji reflects on the journey: "Now that we have four seasons under our belt, it is a huge accomplishment. I’m starting to really realize what we've done and all the people that we've given opportunities to."

These opportunities are not mere checkmarks on a career list. Deji expresses a deeper ambition: "The next project is to continue to give people opportunities and put them in a position where they can recognize, you know, their God-given talent. Too often in this business, they don't get those chances."

True to the spirit of the show, that camaraderie extended beyond the set, creating long-lasting impacts in their personal lives. In a moment of reflection, Kinnebrew muses, "being on this show and being part of this group has made me want to be a better friend." It’s a sentiment echoed by many who've experienced the alchemy of shared purpose and unyielding support.

Johnson dared to blend humor with hard-hitting issues, offering viewers both conviviality and contemplation. "The show's hilarious, by the way," Deji quickly adds, wanting to ensure the audience knows they can still find joy amidst the introspection.

The pivot from laughter to poignant real-talk is a testament to the finesse in which the show handles pressing societal issues. Thomas Q. Jones’ assertion affirms the importance and power of unvarnished conversation, "whether it's ... relationships, whether it's, you know, abuse, whether it's, you know, mental health... we run straight at it."

The bond among the cast was tangible. From LaRay's meticulous attention to each character's development to Jones snacking on chips off-camera, the authenticity was palpable. This authenticity extended into writing, with LaRay's deep understanding of his team making his job easier. "I know everybody's voice, how people talk, what they would say, what they wouldn't say."

It’s these relationships that breathed life into Johnson, transforming it from a mere script into a pulsating, impactful narrative. The dedication and brotherhood forged through this journey go beyond screen time, touching real lives in profound ways.

As Rashod astutely notes, "the fact that we can watch your show and then take the conversation from the show into the friendship and into like, text groups and things like that and start asking those questions and making sure that not you're on the same accord, but, like, you understand people's perspective that are in your circle."

For Deji, the journey was not just about creating a series; it was about mobilizing dialogue and understanding. "We're sending a message, we're telling the story, we're trying to convey something that means something to us, and we hope those stories mean something to humanity,” he shares, emphasizing the transformative power of meaningful representation.

From its conception to the screen, Johnson is more than a show; it's a mission to reflect nuanced Black male identities, challenge deep-seated stereotypes, and foster an inclusive conversation. It stands as a beacon for what can be achieved when courage, creativity, and camaraderie converge.

As we conclude, Deji's reflection captures the heart of this journey: "The ultimate goal for me is with this project, and the next project, is to continue to give people opportunities and put them in a position where they can recognize, you know, their God-given talent."

In the tapestry of Hollywood's rich narrative, Johnson emerges as a testament to enduring friendship, uncompromised vision, and the power of authentic storytelling.