INTERVIEW: Emayatzy Corinealdi, McKinley Freeman & Joseph Sikora Talk 'Reasonable Doubt' S3, Career Roles +More

Summary

The Breakfast Club – Emayatzy Corinealdi, McKinley Freeman & Joseph Sikora Talk 'Reasonable Doubt' Season 3, Career Roles + More

Date: September 18, 2025
Hosted by: Charlamagne Tha God, Jess Hilarious, Lauren LaRosa (DJ Envy absent)
Guests: Emayatzy Corinealdi, McKinley Freeman, Joseph Sikora
Topic: The cast discusses "Reasonable Doubt" Season 3, their careers, and insights on representation, personal growth, and working in television.

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Breakfast Club sits down with the stars of "Reasonable Doubt" Season 3—Emayatzy Corinealdi, McKinley Freeman, and Joseph Sikora—to explore the show’s evolution, their character journeys, and broader themes around acting, identity, and handling complex roles. The conversation covers career pivots, the impact of legal dramas, personal research into complicated relationships, and Black representation on-screen.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Journey to Season 3: Growth and Gratitude

• The cast reflects on the challenges and blessings of reaching a third season of a scripted series, emphasizing the strong collaboration and camaraderie on set.
• Joseph Sikora shares his gratitude for longevity:

  "We started the journey when I was 37. I'm 49 right now, so it's like 12 years." (03:17)

• The importance of good writing and bringing characters to life is highlighted.
  Sikora:

  "Ramila Muhammad does such an amazing job at making a 360 degree character..." (03:53)

2. Typecasting and Career Flexibility

• Sikora opens up about the risk of being pigeonholed after his long-running role as Tommy in "Power," but stresses the importance of versatility and constantly pushing boundaries.
• Sikora:

  "Nobody likes to work hard, and everybody likes things that are easy. So I feel like to break out of the shell, you have to do both of those things." (05:25)

3. The Legal Drama Effect: Perspectives on Justice (05:42–06:42)

• The actors discuss how working on a law-centered show has deepened their understanding of the justice system, inspired conversations about legal inequities, and drawn parallels with real-life cases.
• Emayatzy Corinealdi:

  "It makes people talk about, you know, the justice system and why it's working or why it's not." (06:10)

• McKinley Freeman:

  "There's always been something interesting happening legally [in the world]... so it's definitely shed a light on that topic for sure." (06:29)

4. Jax as a Character & Black Women in High-Pressure Roles (06:54–09:01)

• The group explores Jax’s (Emayatzy’s character) drive, her need for adrenaline and challenge at work, and the relatable pressure many Black women feel to constantly "figure things out.”
• Corinealdi:

  "She is a woman who thrives...on the adrenaline of things not going the way they're supposed to go. She likes the mess..." (07:07)

• The need for real courtroom drama fuels her character’s best work and sense of accomplishment.

5. Blurring the Personal and the Professional—Relating to Jax (09:01–10:52)

• Corinealdi discusses how she connects with her character’s driven nature, yet notes their differences, reflecting on the challenge of portraying a woman who stays with a partner through betrayal.
• Corinealdi:

  "The fun part of being the actor is...you get to peel back all those layers and not judge this woman." (09:41)

6. Research and Realism—Understanding Difficult Choices in Relationships (10:52–11:45)

• Corinealdi goes deep into Internet research, including “side baby” group chats to accurately portray the emotional reality when a partner stays after infidelity.
• Corinealdi:

  "Especially the women that I found that were married...they really felt like, you know what? I made this vow. I have children. I'm not going to let him take this whole thing down..." (11:09)

• The panel agrees that the outside world rarely understands the full context of private decisions to stay or leave.

7. Gender Double Standards & Relationship Morality (11:45–13:58)

• The cast and hosts playfully debate the “cheating is cheating” question, and acknowledge the differences in how infidelity by men and women is perceived and portrayed.
• McKinley Freeman:

  "There's a line that women won't cross, where it's like, 'Oh, Lewis is wrong because he had a baby, not because he cheated.' I'm like, wait a second..." (12:00)

• Charlamagne Tha God:

  "They were separated. We can't do that, though!" (13:46), calling out the shifting standards.

8. Influence Over the Story and Writing Process (14:09–15:06)

• The cast credits showrunner Ramla Muhammad and her writers, who encourage open dialogue and feedback on dialogue authenticity, but otherwise keep the story tightly in writers’ hands.
• Joseph Sikora:

  "She's so unbelievably open...yet so incredibly intelligent and a master storyteller..." (14:42)

9. Not Letting a Role Define You—Actor's Identities Beyond Big Characters (15:14–16:33)

• Sikora shares how, as a classically-trained actor, he never fears being boxed in by a role, focusing on the craft and his ability to transform.
• Sikora:

  "I don't think about myself as being pigeonholed. ... What other people think about me is none of my business." (16:14)

10. McKinley Freeman: From Corporate America to Acting (17:15–18:51)

• Freeman tells his story of leaving a successful corporate career to pursue art, driven by an inner voice and the desire for fulfillment.
• Freeman:

  "There's a voice on the inside...you can check all the boxes, but there's still something missing. ... The whisper of something missing is louder than the screams of the things that you have." (18:14)

• He emphasizes the importance of risk, growth, and not wanting to meet the end of life with regrets.

11. Portraying Black Male Grief On-Screen (18:51–20:34)

• Freeman talks candidly about showing a Black man's grief on television, battling stigmas around male vulnerability, and how crucial it is to express authentic emotions.
• Freeman:

  "There’s definitely a weight, weights that we're not meant to carry. ... You don't— that weight could cost you your life." (19:42)

• Corinealdi:

  "I think the hardest thing for men to say is, 'something hurt.' ... It's hard to look at another man and be like, 'Yo, you hurt my feelings.'" (19:58)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Joseph Sikora:

  "I came for Michael Ealy, I stayed for Emi Ozzy. She is everything that a number one on a call sheet should be...ultra prepared, ultra kind, and you can't put anything in front of her she can't tackle and conquer." (03:53)

• McKinley Freeman on life purpose:

  "The whisper of something missing is louder than the screams of the things you have." (18:14)

• Freeman on not being afraid to pivot:

  "The two most powerful words in the English language are 'too late.' ... I don't want to get to the end and be like, damn, I wish I would have tried." (18:31)

• Charlamagne Tha God:

  "Because that's probably part of the gift...as an actor, you want...a character that resonates with people." (16:22)

• The “Side Baby” Group Chat Moment:
  • Corinealdi and the hosts laugh about researching real women’s group chats for role authenticity, making for a candid and relatable exchange. (11:09)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:09] – Cast Introductions & Initial Reactions
• [03:17] – Sikora on Longevity in Acting
• [05:42] – Conversation on Legal Drama Influencing Perspectives
• [06:54] – Jax’s Character Arc and Black Women in Professional Roles
• [10:01] – Research Behind Jax’s Relationship Choices
• [11:45] – Gender Double Standards Around Cheating
• [14:09] – Open Writing Process on the Show
• [17:15] – McKinley Freeman’s Career Pivot From Corporate America
• [18:51] – Portraying Black Male Grief
• [21:15] – Season 3 Premiere Plug & Final Thoughts

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Conclusion

The episode offers an engaging look at the intersection of acting, personal experience, and the real-life issues reflected on "Reasonable Doubt." The cast members’ openness brings depth to the conversation—exploring identity, accountability, vulnerability, and the evolving standards of television representation.

Season 3 of "Reasonable Doubt" premieres September 18th—tune in to see these themes play out on screen.

Transcript

[Charlamagne Tha God]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Joseph Sikora]

From producer Jordan Peele. The horror movie of the season is him, which asks the question, what are you willing to sacrifice for greatness? Find out September 19th when him hits theaters. Starring Marlon Wayans in a role of.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

A lifetime as the greatest football player of all time, AKA the Goat.

[Joseph Sikora]

Tariq Withers also stars as his up and coming protege.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Directed by Justin Tippen and produced by Monkey Paw Productions.

[Joseph Sikora]

Never Meet yout Idols hymn hits theaters September 19th.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Hey, everybody. This is Matt Rogers and Dawon Yang.

[Joseph Sikora]

And you're never gonna guess who's our.

[McKinley Freeman]

Guest on Las Culturistas.

[Paola Ramos]

It is Elle Woods.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Tracy Flick herself, Reese Witherspoon. Reese, we must go on a girls trip.

[Paola Ramos]

I have to have a tequila.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

We must. Whoever said orange is the new pink? Like, seriously?

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Listen to Las culturistas on the iHeartRadio.

[Joseph Sikora]

App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[McKinley Freeman]

I'm Jorge Ramos.

[Paola Ramos]

And I'm Paola Ramos.

[McKinley Freeman]

Together we're launching the Moment, a new podcast about what it means to live through a time as uncertain as this one.

[Paola Ramos]

We sit down with politicians, artists and activists to bring you death and analysis from a unique Latino perspective.

[McKinley Freeman]

The Moment is a space for the conversations we've been having as far as and daughter for years.

[Paola Ramos]

Listen to the Moment with Jorge Ramos and Paola ramos on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Short on time, but big on true crime. On a recent episode of the podcast Hunting for Answers, I highlighted the story of 19 year old Lashay Dungey. But she never knocked on that door. She never made it inside. And that text message would be the last time anyone would ever hear from her. Listen to Hunting for Answers from the Black Effect podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Hold up.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Every day I wake up. Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club.

[McKinley Freeman]

Y' all finish or y' all done.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Yep, it's the world's most dangerous morning show. The Breakfast Club. Charlamagne. Tha God, Jess. Hilarious. DJ Envy is not in today, but Lauren LaRosa is. And we got some special guests in the building. The cast of season three of Reasonable Doubt. Y How are y' all feeling, man?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Fantastic.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Joseph Zakora, McKinley Freeman and I always mess the name up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I'm a Yahtzee, I'm a Yahtzee, I'm.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

A Yahtzee, I'm a Yahtzee. Girl.

[Paola Ramos]

He was messing up, you know, he.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Got a little lisp.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

How y' all feeling this morning.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

We feeling fantastic. Excited to be here, man.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Season 2 of A. A scripted show is a very hard.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Season three.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Three, yeah. Of a very. Of a scripted show is a very hard task. How does it feel, man?

[McKinley Freeman]

It's good to be working, I'll tell you that. And also to be working with such amazing collaborative people like Emiyatzi and Joseph Kerry Washington, Larry, it's been a blessing. So hopefully the fans love it because we definitely put the time in. You know what I mean?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, it's been a lot of fun. It's been a lot of fun. And so to get to do it three times, you know, and to feel that love from the audience and everything and then, you know, meet additional just people who come on the show and bring great energy, you know, it's been cool.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

When have you not worked? When is the last time you've worked? When is the last time you've not worked?

[Joseph Sikora]

I've been super lucky and grateful to land in the Tommy role, but legitimately Charlamagne and we were just talking about that, that it's like it's. I was, I started. We started the journey when I was 37. I'm 49 right now, so it's like 12 years.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Not. Damn that 49 is old, but you just don't look 49. But damn, I wouldn't have guessed this year. 49.

[Paola Ramos]

Talk about how long you've been working, especially in that role. Power, right? How hard is it when you go into other sets for people not to just see Tommy all the time?

[Joseph Sikora]

It's funny, I think that the power show is so pigeonholed in a lot of ways that when I was on Ozark, people had no idea the crossover audience wasn't there. However, on this, this is gonna be the one where Tommy plays the lawyer, which is fine with me too, because it's so well written that Ramila Muhammad does such an amazing job at making a 360 degree character that, that it's. Regardless of how you feel about Bill Sterling, my character on season three of Reasonable Doubt, it's a different character and it's a real human being because she writes real human beings in real situations. This is only the second time in my career where I joined a cast where I was a fan of the show. I mean, I came for Michael Ealy, I stayed for Emi Ozzy. It's like she's a brilliant. She is everything that a number one on a call sheet should be. She's ultra prepared, she's ultra kind, and you can't put anything in front of her she can't tackle and conquer. So it's been amazing, and I learned a lot by being around her.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You know what? I wish people at my job would hype me up like that. That is amazing.

[Paola Ramos]

See what he just did there, Charlemagne?

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Well, she's always on set, I'm sure. Every day. Okay. She doesn't miss him a lot of days.

[McKinley Freeman]

Oh, man. Okay.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

All right.

[Paola Ramos]

You right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You mean a black man. He loves you.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

You said something interesting, though. You said that, you know, when you did Ozark, there wasn't a lot of crossover there. So I wonder, does that hinder you from getting certain roles? Because they feel like, oh, that's Joseph. People might think this is a, you know, power franchise spin off.

[Joseph Sikora]

I don't even think about that. I feel like my job as an actor, I don't think about that. And getting more and more into producing, those are some of the factors. I mean, I think you're spot on Charlamagne, thinking that people are. People love to categorize stuff because it makes it easy. One thing I've learned in this business is that nobody likes to work hard, and everybody likes things that are easy. So I feel like to break out of the shell, you have to do both of those things. You have to do things that are difficult, and you have to want to work. So that's all I want to. All I do is I try to progress and keep working.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Does working on a law Senate show challenge y' all views of, like, the legal system?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Absolutely. Absolutely. I mean, because, for one, I've just learned a lot more about law. You know, as each season has gone on, you know, you learn a lot more. And again, the writing, it makes you kind of dive into that, you know, but just the system as a whole, you know, each season brings a new case, and with the new case, you have different challenges and, you know, how the law is working with you or against you and those kinds of things, you know, so it really does highlight that. And that's one of my favorite things about the show, is that it makes people talk about it. It makes people talk about, you know, the justice system and why it's working or why it's not. And that's, again, one of the. One of the benefits of a show. It's not just this simple legal drama. You know, you have this woman who's a lawyer. There's so many more layers to it.

[McKinley Freeman]

And oddly, like, over the course of shooting the last few seasons, there's always been something interesting happening. Legally so there's always something in the world where we're like, oh, they come together.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah.

[McKinley Freeman]

So season two and season three, so it's definitely, you know, shed a light on that topic for sure.

[Paola Ramos]

Emayati. The last. So the last season before this one, you end on, like, a high. You. You bring your. Your friend home and all the things, and then this season opens, and it's like you want more drama.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes.

[Paola Ramos]

But you also end the last season with a lot of drama.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah. No, you don't understand. We, as women, you know, I was about to ask you. We want to have it all. I think Jax as a character, she is a woman who does thrive in a lot of ways on the adrenaline of things not going the way they're supposed to go. She likes the mess of all of that in her professional life.

[Paola Ramos]

Yes.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You know, but when it does bleed over into the personal, that's where things get a little tricky. But she's been missing that, you know, from the last season. She did get her girlfriend off and everything, and. And now she's just, you know, everyone's pleading out. There's nothing really happening. She likes to be in that courtroom, you know, so I can understand that. You know, at work, you want a. You want to feel like you are doing your best. And for Jax, she's at her best when she's in that courtroom, standing right in front of someone and letting them know whether or not she's going to win this case. So that's where she. Where she wants to be. She lives in that space.

[Paola Ramos]

I've had conversations with my friends because of reasonable doubt just about how, like, as women at work or black women at work, we always feel the need to, like, be the, like, successor in the room or we're figuring it out, or how does your role and what you do going into this new season with all this new drama speak to that? Like, that I need the mess because I need something to figure out so I can look like I'm accomplishing or really accomplished.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Well, see, I think it's almost the opposite. I don't know if I would say that. I feel like Jax needs the mess to feel like she's doing something. I think there's more. So she's already feeling like she's not valued at her job. You know what I mean? So she knows that she can get in these rooms and obliterate anyone who's in front of her, you know, and she's. She really fights for the people, the clients that she believes in. So I think she Wants to have more of those opportunities to do that. And when we open up in season three, that's not where she is. You know, everyone is pleading out. She's kind of more so just in her office and that kind of thing. So she wants to have a bit more of the excitement, so. So that she can make money for the firm, be her best, you know, show everyone what she's capable of. Because, again, that's why she's a partner. You know, her name is on that building, so she's not at her best just, you know, helping clients plead out in that kind of way.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

You know, I always wonder, like, what parts of Jax resonate with you personally? And does that change from season to season? Does it feel like you're covering new territory?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, I discover something new about this woman each year, for sure. You know, every. Every episode, it's like, oh, Jax. You know what I mean? It makes. It makes me have those conversations with myself. There are a lot of ways that we're alike, you know, in her, in her ability to get things done. You know, she's about her business. She's very strong, straightforward. You know, I can relate to her in that way. The way she goes about it at times. You know, we may differ a little bit. You know what I mean?

[McKinley Freeman]

You said may differ.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

We may differ a little bit. You know, but that's the fun part of being the actor, is when you get to peel back all those layers and not judge this woman. Okay, why does she decide that she gonna stay with this man after he done went and had this whole side baby? You know, it's tough. It's tough, but it happens. And people do that all of the time. And so that's what makes it exciting.

[Joseph Sikora]

Well, Miyase was telling me about the research that she did and found the group chat of these women whose partners had stepped out or had been given a little leeway.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Find a side baby. Group chat.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Okay, they're there. They're there. I had to dig. I was there.

[Paola Ramos]

I did it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah.

[Paola Ramos]

Yep.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah. Side baby.

[Paola Ramos]

I didn't have a baby. I did not have a baby. But I got back with someone who had a baby while we were, like, in a weird space. And you do find that there are a lot of women who do it. They don't talk about it because you have to deal with people being like, well, why would you do that? But it's a whole community out there.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, there is. And I had to keep it real because I couldn't make it make sense. But I can't judge this woman.

[McKinley Freeman]

We all.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You know what I mean? And so when I found it, it made sense and I understood. And then I could portray it from a real perspective.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

What was the reason I want to know, like, what was, what did you find in that group chat that you could tap into to say, okay, this is why I would take them?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, well, that's easy. I mean, you find that outside of there still being loved there and all of that kind of stuff, it's more so things that other people may not understand. You know, they may not understand that I have history with this person and all these things. But beyond that, especially the women that I found that were married, you know, when this happened, not in just long term relationships, they really felt like, you know what? I made this vow. I have children. I'm not going to let him take this whole thing down. And, and also, I believe this is something, that this is a mistake, you know, and we can get through this. We can get through this, you know, and when you have marriage that's been. You have years invested in this, you can understand why people will feel like, you know what? I'm not gonna throw this whole thing away.

[Paola Ramos]

And it's just not that easy.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's not that easy to walk away. Yeah, yeah.

[Paola Ramos]

McKinley, did you have a thing. You had a thought?

[McKinley Freeman]

I thought that. No, I, you know, I've been a side person.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

I've been the guy.

[McKinley Freeman]

I've seen the guy. No, no, no. I think the thing is, it's just funny hearing Imiyati talk about it because I think about all the conversations that are had on set and in comment sections about Lewis and the baby and Tony and what's happening with Jax. And the thing that I find interesting is the divide where there's a line that women won't cross, where it's like, oh, you're. Lewis is wrong because he had a baby, not because he cheated. I'm like, wait a second. So I was going to say Embayati. Jack spent the whole season with Michael Ealy then as, as the see. But this is the thing with Damon, not with Michael. But my point. But my point. But my point, though is that, like, it's interesting to see how conversations evolve because Charlamagne asked a great question. It's like, what do you look at this season that's evolved? And I think one of the things in this relationship is like, how do you stand in the face of all the things that you've built up in terms of the ideas that you. What you will and won't do. And are you willing to knock those down to keep the thing that's most important, which is what you vowed with? So it's like, it's interesting to hear people reconcile their choices, but also still make the most of the present to recognize the opportunity they have to change things.

[Joseph Sikora]

And this is the level of intelligence I have to deal with. Don't come off like, I'm smart.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

So I often wonder if love really is the deciding factor in all of those things. Right. Because if you really love the person, you probably would have been more careful. You wouldn't have cheated to begin with.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Right?

[Paola Ramos]

You can say that about a lot of things.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

That's what I'm saying.

[McKinley Freeman]

Go a little bit further on that. If she really cheated, what happened?

[Paola Ramos]

What if she really care when women cheat. I got you, sis. When women do their thing is different.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's convenient. Hell, yeah.

[Paola Ramos]

Just because I love Jax. That's what I'm saying.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Is cheating. Man.

[Paola Ramos]

Woman.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Other cheating. Is cheating, cheating. They were separated. You forgot.

[McKinley Freeman]

Where's the king?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

They were separated.

[McKinley Freeman]

This is what I'm talking about. Charlemagne.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Like, we can't do that, though. They were separated.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Pregnant, though, getting, you know.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, yeah, he was dead wrong.

[McKinley Freeman]

Now she pointed at me. Lord, listen.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Okay, but so with the progression of the show, right, all the way from, you know, season one, it seems like y'.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

All.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Well, y' all were already, like, melted into y' all characters.

[Paola Ramos]

Do y' all have anything to do.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

With the, like, writing.

[Paola Ramos]

Writing process, like, after season two or anything like that?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, well, we cannot take any credit for the. Right. That's Rambla Muhammad in the fantastic writing room that. That she has assembled. They all of the writing. What she does allow is room for it to breathe if something doesn't come out of the mouth. Right. You know, she's open to that, to changing and that kind of thing, but, yeah, the. The base core of it. That's all.

[McKinley Freeman]

That's all she allows us. She definitely allows us to settle into a true perspective for sure. And, like, if something doesn't seem right in the words before, right. Get there. We can have. There's phone calls and conversations.

[Joseph Sikora]

She makes it such a safe space that I, I, you know, without naming names or, you know, looking at resumes or anything like that, she is so unbelievably open to saying if you have a question. I just. I just didn't totally trust it at first. She's like, is everything okay? I was like, yeah, you're so. You're so, like, open to this Stuff, and yet so incredibly intelligent and a master storyteller that's still open to saying, like, maybe I. Maybe there's a better way to do it. Yeah, she's incredible.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Because you find on sets they don't usually do that. Right? No, you stick it. Stick to it. This is what I wrote. This is what it is. I love that, though.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Joseph. I know, you know, being on Power all these years has been a blessing, right?

[McKinley Freeman]

Amen.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

But do you ever feel like, you know, I don't want it. I love the character Tommy. I just don't want to get boxed in as the character Tom.

[Joseph Sikora]

Yeah. Again, it's like I don't even think about that. Like, I had spent so many years, as we talked about before, like 25 years in the business before I got the Tommy role to get. I got me out of debt, paid my bills. I still love Tommy too, because he's a complex character. And again, talking about writing, Gary Lennon, who writes the Tommy character for the Power four show and was the co showrunner of the original Power show, is you. Is a son of native New York, son of Hell's Kitchen. And he just writes such a real character. And is this. It's endlessly entertaining for me to discover new parts about this character. And still as a guy that comes from the theater, that's a classically trained actor and all that stuff, it's like I still never. I don't think about myself as being pigeonholed. And I think that that's the most important thing, that I'm like, I can still play Bill Sterling. I can still play Frank Jr. I can still be all of these other things. So in my mind, it's. I don't feel boxed in at all. Even though if other people judge me again, it's like, it's like what other people think about me is none of my business.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Because that's probably part of the gift. You know, as an actor, you want to have a character that resonates with people, that they just, they identify you with that and that you can live with and then still go on to do other things. But that's a part of the gift.

[McKinley Freeman]

Yeah.

[Joseph Sikora]

You know, there's probably more parts of Tommy that. There are more parts of me that are closer to parts of Tommy than parts of me that are closer to both. Sterling. Well, I mean, I think in terms of emotional, not dealing copious amounts of marijuana and wetting people up, but, but it's, it's fun to try to, to, to stretch, to get. Have a guy who was Special Forces in the Coast Guard. And this wonderful backstory of going to Georgetown for law school and really kind of diving deep in there and also losing kind of like trying to restructure my body and losing, like, 20 pounds for the character to be a guy who was in the military and trying to work out the way that people in the Coast Guard Special Forces would have to see if that physically changes the body to the character to let the vessel be something different. So it's a lot of fun, great challenges.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

McKinley, is it true that you started off in corporate America, Right?

[McKinley Freeman]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

So you got into the industry late?

[McKinley Freeman]

That's. Well, yeah, I got into late. I was. I got a bachelor's degree in finance and MBA in marketing and information technology. So I was working for, like, a Fortune 5 company, traveling around the world, building marketing program, sales programs for stuff. And then I just started modeling and got bored. And then that was kind of the introduction to it all. And then just kind of like Joseph was saying, I'm a bit of a student to everything, whether it's jiu jitsu, acting, whatever. So I knew that there was a lot that I didn't know, and I just took it as an opportunity to kind of learn and see where it could go. But it was very much about. For me, it's a. Like a lifestyle, being present. Like, what is it that I can do today to get me closer to tomorrow, which will get me closer to my destiny? But, yeah, but also not being afraid to pivot, you know, can you speak to that?

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Because it's like, you know, you accomplished so much, right?

[McKinley Freeman]

I don't know if I've accomplished so much.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

I mean, from an educational perspective, definitely. Right. So. But what is it in you? What's that nagging feeling that's like, no, you should. You should be doing something else. You should be doing this.

[McKinley Freeman]

I think there's a voice on the inside. There's a thing where it's like. There's a point where you can check all the boxes and things could be going, right, but there's still something missing. And I think the voice of the. Some. The whisper of something missing is louder than the screams of the things that you have. So for me, the opportunity is to kind of dive in there to see where it could go. Cause to me, the biggest thing is Martin Luther King said the two greatest words, the two most powerful words in the English language are too late. So, like, I don't want to get to the end and be like, damn, I wish I would have tried. So I'M going to leave it all on the table, wherever it is, whether it's acting, business, whatever. But yeah, the willingness to be free and to see where the waves go, that's where I'm at.

[Paola Ramos]

McKinley, how important has it been or was it to show Lewis's grieving process from the loss of his son?

[McKinley Freeman]

Yeah, I think the, the, you know, grieving is hard anyway, and I think sometimes we all just kind of put it in the bag and keep moving, never really thinking about how much it weighs. And I think specifically for Lewis, in this situation with grieving, the loss of a, of a son, there's a lot of things connected to that. I mean, we, we think about things in a vacuum, but one son is connected to another son. The Spencer's still alive. It's like, oh, man, this, this young man could have grown up to be this age. And there's a, I think there's, there's a, there's a, there's a weird stigma when it comes to expressing how we feel as black men. And there's, there's definitely a weight, weights that we're not meant to carry. And my biggest piece of advice is to put them down because you don't. That weight could cause, could cost you your life. So I think for me, grieving, being honest about how a person feels, being present with our feelings, and learning to be a clear communicator of, of that so that other people around are aware, to me that's important. It also makes you more of a vessel for other folks as they're going through.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

I've been exploring that a lot. Right. Like, you know, as a black man, just as a man in general, I think the hardest thing for men to say is something hurt they feel. And it's hard to say that to another individual. It's hard to look at another man and be like, yo, you hurt my feelings.

[McKinley Freeman]

Well, I think the bigger thing is, I agree with that, but I think one of the things that's dangerous is camping in feelings. My biggest, my bigger thing is what is the foundation that the feelings come from? There's a root of it. What is the root? Because that root might not be something. My root may very well be something that we weren't supposed to have. Right. Whether it's fear, insecurity, whatever it is, like, deal with the root of that because then you don't have to deal with that area of the garden anymore once you get the weeds out.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And that that space was a challenge story wise on the show for Jax as a character to allow him to have the space to do all of that. So without her feeling some type of way about. Well, is he. Did he really want to be with her? Is he really, you know, all those questions and realize it's not about you in that moment, it's really about him having this opportunity to grieve. What happened?

[McKinley Freeman]

Well, it's interesting, and that's actually how beautiful the story is. It's actually. It is about me and it's about us. So it's like sacrificing something for the bigger picture, even if it doesn't make the most sense on paper, you know, because we read scripts and it happens just like when y' all see it, like, wait a minute, what's happening? Me and Emma Yachtu would be like, wait a minute. What is this? Ramla, where is this going?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Right?

[McKinley Freeman]

It's always fun, for sure.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Yeah. Well, listen, it's the cast of reasonable doubt. Season three premieres September 18th.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Here.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

When's the 18th? Friday. Thursday. Tomorrow. Damn, boy, time be flying.

[Paola Ramos]

I just want to say, and I.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Want to say I did something for reason.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Oh, yes. J, over here. Let's go.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

How many you hear on the radio? Oh, yeah, I'm paying attention to the case. You know what I'm saying? I'm the voice that pay attention to the.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

The case.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So listen out, okay? Y' all gotta make sure y' all tune in, period. Thank you.

[McKinley Freeman]

Thank y'.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

All. Thank you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Hold up.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Every day I wake up. Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club. Y' all finished or y' all done? Hey, everybody. This is Matt Rogers and Dawen Yang.

[Joseph Sikora]

And you're never gonna guess who's our.

[McKinley Freeman]

Guest on Las Culturistas.

[Paola Ramos]

It is Elle Woods.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Tracy Flick herself, Reese Witherspoon. Reese, we must go on a girls trip.

[McKinley Freeman]

I have to have a tequ.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

We must.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Whoever said orange is the new pink seriously disturbs.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Listen to Las culturistas on the iHeartRadio.

[Joseph Sikora]

App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[McKinley Freeman]

I'm Jorge Ramos.

[Paola Ramos]

And I'm Paula Ramos.

[McKinley Freeman]

Together, we're launching the Moment, a new podcast about what it means to live through a time as uncertain as this one.

[Paola Ramos]

We sit down with politicians, artists, and activists to bring you depth and analysis from a unique Latino perspective.

[McKinley Freeman]

The Moment is a space for the conversations we've been having as father and daughter for years.

[Paola Ramos]

Listen to the Moment with Jorge Ramos and Paola ramos on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Short on time, but big on true crime. On a recent episode of the podcast Hunting for Answers, I highlighted the story of 19 year old Lachey Dungy. But she never knocked on that door. She never made it inside. And that text message would be the last time anyone would ever hear from her. Listen to Hunting for Answers from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Joseph Sikora]

I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael F. Florio and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast.

[Emayatzy Corinealdi]

Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season?

[Joseph Sikora]

Then you need the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips and winning strategies.

[McKinley Freeman]

Whether you're a rookie manager or a.

[Joseph Sikora]

Fantasy vet, we've got the insight to help you crush your opponents. Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[McKinley Freeman]

Toyota the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit toyota.com NFL now to learn more.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

This is an iHeart podcast.