Returning to Broadway after his acclaimed run on “The Chi,” Luke James is entering a new chapter while honoring the history behind his latest role.
Speaking exclusively with Atlanta Black Star, the Grammy-nominated singer and actor shared his excitement about starring in “Wanted.”
The soulful, high-stakes Broadway musical is inspired by the largely true story of sisters Mary and Martha Clarke, notorious outlaws now taking center stage.
He portrayed Johnny Gill in “The New Edition Story,” Sean “Diddy” Combs in “Unsolved,” and Victor “Trig” Taylor across six seasons of “The Chi.”
Now James is ready to take on the role of Elijah in “Wanted.”
Set in 1893 Texas, the production follows Black twin sisters who pass as white and become outlaws to protect their family’s legacy.
For James, the role offers another opportunity to honor Black history and bring Black stories to the stage.
“I’ve been blessed in my career as an actor to play characters that feel, in a way, invisible,” James tells Atlanta Black Star. “And I think that is across the board for most Black men. In totality in the world, right? That is a lot of our experience in different ways, but a lot of us don’t feel seen in a capacity to be our full selves.”
“I haven’t really seen much of it from us, right? And also [it’s] an opportunity to give flowers to our ancestors, [like] Elijah, you know, men that have come before me for me to even exist today,” he continued.
The New Orleans native is intentional about choosing roles that spotlight underrepresented stories while pushing him creatively and personally.
Rather than shy away from unfamiliar challenges, James embraces them as opportunities to grow both on and off the stage.
“There’s nothing I can’t do. There’s nothing I can do,” he declared. “And if it frightens me, that’s the thing I’m supposed to do. I need to accept the challenges because it will help me grow as a human being, as a partner, as a father.”
James began as a background vocalist for Tyrese before launching a Grammy-nominated solo career and an impressive acting résumé. Playing Johnny Gill reignited his passion for music when he began losing faith in the industry.
“I was having a hard time with the industry and not really having a good time, not really seeing a future anymore. I wasn’t dreaming anymore,” he revealed about his role on “The New Edition Story.”
He shared how the role of Gill changed his perspective:
“And this opportunity came to not think about myself anymore, but think about someone else. And in that, I learned more about myself. It brought me back to music, and I gained brothers,” James said.
James wanted to cry when he wrapped on Lena Waithe’s “The Chi,” expressing his love and pride for the series. He cherishes his time in Chicago with the beloved cast and crew.
Trig remains one of the actor’s most cherished roles. Asked which character he’d cut from his résumé, James subtly hinted at his portrayal of Sean “Diddy” Combs in “Unsolved.”
“I’m gonna have to let go one person, and you already know [who that is],” James said.
Catch James alongside Solea Pfeiffer and Liisi LaFontaine as the Clarke sisters, and Grammy-winning singer Ledisi as Tallulah Clarke, in “Wanted.”
The Broadway musical begins previews October 15, with opening night set for November 8 at the James Earl Jones Theatre. Get tickets HERE.
