“The Crossing” Actor Marcuis W. Harris On Inspiration, Working Steadily & His “Chopped” Skills

Premiering after American Idol last month, there has been a lot of buzz around the new ABC series The Crossing. Actor Marcuis W. Harris is a series regular on The Crossing, which may look to many to be Harris’ big break. However, Harris was working steadily prior to landing The Crossing, having appeared on a variety of shows including HBO’s Vice Principals, FX’s The Shield and It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, and ABC staples Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy. Beyond The Crossing, Harris will be appearing the upcoming Apple TV series Vital Signs, a semi-autobiographical miniseries about Dr. Dre.

On behalf of The Hype Magazine, I had the pleasure of doing Q&A with Marcuis W. Harris via e-mail. More on the Los Angeles-based actor can be found on the ABC website.

How did the opportunity to work on The Crossing come about? Had you worked with anyone from the show before?

Marcuis W. Harris: In typical fashion, my agents submitted me for the role of Caleb and I got an audition. I knew right away that it was a good script with a strong story and great characters, so I absolutely wanted to be a part of it.. All I could do at that point was wait and pray for a callback. I did get the callback, and this time I auditioned for a room full of people: the director, the writers/exec producers, casting. There were a lot of people in the room. Eventually, I did a network screen test and the rest as they say, is history in the making! Jay Karnes, best known for his work on The Shield and I have never worked directly together — but we were a little familiar because I appeared in three episodes of The Shield.

How would you describe The Crossing to someone who has not yet watched the first episode?

Marcuis W. Harris: I would say get some popcorn and a drink and prepare for an exciting ride. There’s action and intrigue and mystery. It’s socially and politically relevant. And at its core, the show explores the journey of a group of survivors who risk everything for the hopes and promise of a better life. AND it looks at the effect these newcomers will have on everything and everyone they come in contact with. I believe it’s an idea that has universal appeal..

Is there a highlight for you in that first episode?

Marcuis W. Harris: There are a couple of very suspenseful moments that I think will have audiences coming back for more. All I will say is, things get interesting when we reveal the powers that be coming out of the shadows. No spoilers.

How many episodes have already been filmed?

Marcuis W. Harris: We shot a pilot plus 10, so 11 episodes total.

The Crossing aside, what is coming up for you career-wise?

Marcuis W. Harris: Next up, you can catch me in the upcoming series Vital Signs. It’s a semi-autobiographical, six part mini-series about the life of rap legend Dr. Dre, produced by Apple TV. I’m also working to produce a feature film that I co-wrote with my writing partner. We’re just beginning the fundraising process, and if the stars and timing align, we’re hoping to get it shot this year.

What made you want to become an actor in the first place? Was it a particular person or movie?

Marcuis W. Harris: I saw Cooley High and Cornbread Earl And Me in a double feature when I was about seven years old and it absolutely blew me away. Seeing all of those powerful young black actors on screen… It had a much bigger and more profound impact on my life than I realized. As a result, I think deep down I desired having that effect on others. Fortunately, I had the good fortune of being raised by an incredibly-talented mother who was a painter and sculptor, so she supported all levels of artistic expression and always encouraged me to chase my dreams.

What was your first paying role as an actor?

Marcuis W. Harris: My first professional job was at The Kennedy Center in the role of Henry Blake in The Darker Face Of The Earth by the American Poet, Laureate Rita Dove.

When not busy with acting, how do you like to spend your free time?

Marcuis W. Harris: When I’m not acting, I try to spend as much time as I can writing. I mostly love hanging out with my family: watching movies together, whether it’s the recent phenom, Black Panther or an old favorite like The Sound Of Music. On any given day, you can also find me chopping it up in the kitchen. By no means am I rushing out to audition for Chopped or MasterChef, but if you give me a box of mystery ingredients, let’s just say, everybody’s gonna eat well! I also appreciate donating my time to organizations like the L.A. Mission, that are dedicated to fighting the homeless problem in Los Angeles.

Is there something you wish more people knew about Marcuis W. Harris?

Marcuis W. Harris: I really can’t wait to share my journey and encourage others to follow their dreams and pursue their goals despite any obstacles or challenging circumstances they may be up against. I can personally attest to the fact that dreams don’t have expiration dates.

Finally, Marcuis, any last words for the kids?

Marcuis W. Harris: Don’t conform to other people’s idea about who you are. Define yourself and embrace your uniqueness.

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Tags: Apple TV, black panther, Chopped, Dr Dre, Marcuis W. Harris, The Crossing, The Shield, Vital Signs

About the Author

Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."