Brian Tyree Henry can’t help but laugh when asked about taking a break. Known for his breakout role as rapper Paper Boi on FX’s “Atlanta,” he has since become a prominent figure in Hollywood. Henry has worked with acclaimed directors like Barry Jenkins, Steve McQueen, and Chloé Zhao, and shared the screen with iconic stars such as Brad Pitt, Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Hemsworth, and Melissa McCarthy. His talent has earned him nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards, as well as a Tony and an Oscar.
Most recently, Henry stars in the Apple TV+ limited series “Dope Thief,” which premieres Friday. In the series, Henry and Wagner Moura portray Ray and Manny, two friends from Philadelphia posing as federal agents to conduct fake raids in order to steal drugs and money. Their life of easy scores takes a dangerous turn when they target the wrong people and end up hunted by both the DEA and a formidable drug kingpin, all while trying to protect their families from harm.
Henry recalls his first encounter with Moura as electric, saying, “The minute that Wagner and I met, it was instant… We just felt like we knew each other all our lives. That is exactly what you needed for Ray and Manny.” The first episode is directed by Ridley Scott, with a script by Peter Craig, adapting a novel by Dennis Tafoya. Craig praises Henry’s acting range, likening it to a jazz musician: “It’s fantastic for a writer because he can incorporate all kinds of added moments seamlessly.”
Even though Henry was prepared for a much-needed hiatus from TV after finishing “Atlanta,” the opportunity for “Dope Thief” was too compelling to pass up. At the same time, he was participating in another FX series, “Class of ‘09,” playing different stages of a character’s life, which left him exhausted. “Television is hard,” he confessed. “You become very attached to your character over time.”
Henry first encountered the script for “Dope Thief” during a demanding night shoot for “Class of ‘09,” at 3 a.m., while wearing prosthetics for his character’s older self. Yet, he felt drawn to the storyline within the first ten pages, especially to the character Ray and his bond with Manny.
Although taking time off isn’t his usual style, Henry notes that he has experienced two significant breaks from acting—one during the lockdown phase of the pandemic and another during the Hollywood strikes. “When you’re constantly on the move, and the universe tells you to sit down, you listen,” he observes. “I don’t think I would have stopped otherwise.”
While filming “Dope Thief,” the Hollywood guild strikes of 2023 commenced, yet Henry opted to remain in Philadelphia. “I didn’t go anywhere. I made sure to stay close to the local crew,” he stated. As an executive producer for the first time, Henry ensured he was available, arranging activities such as a cookout with bouncy castles. In exploring the area, he also discovered a quaint town called New Hope with a delightful ice cream shop, Moo Hope, allowing him to relish life’s simple pleasures.
On set, Henry forms bonds not only with the crew but also with his fellow actors, often making new famous friends like Julia Roberts, with whom he’s currently filming a movie in London. “She’s someone I truly cherish,” he admits.
Henry finds it surreal to be acknowledged by such illustrious actors, describing it as “weird.” The challenge, he reveals, is accepting compliments from them: “When they tell me they’re fans, I’m just like, ‘Shut up!’ I actually tell them that.”
One of the most profound realizations for Henry is recognizing his place among these seasoned actors. “At the end of the day, these are now my peers, my contemporaries, and I can’t continue to downplay my presence among them. I also appreciate that they affirm this for me,” he concludes.
