FROM: BlackVoices.com -- When actor Jensen Atwood
signed up for the groundbreaking Logo Network's original series 'Noah's
Arc,' he never imagined the show would take off the way that it did.
I have a little disbelief really that we've come as far as we have," the actor told me.
The
cable series was about four friends dealing with the challenges of
life, love and professional advancement as gay men – think the hipper,
younger and black version of 'The Golden Girls' without them living in
one house.
Despite
developing a huge following and having a who's who list of guest stars
that appeared on the show, Logo decided to abruptly cancel the show
after only two short seasons.
"I'm still disappointed that we got canceled after the second season," he confessed.
Shortly
after Logo nixed the television version of 'Noah's Arc,' buzz began
that the network intended to wrap up its storyline in a feature film.
After
the rumors were substantiated and plans were in place to shoot the
feature-length spinoff of the show, reports surfaced that Atwood
wouldn't be appearing in the film. "Well,
the biggest reason why that was being said is because there was a lack
of communication between me and the network," he explained. "I
didn't know until two months until we were supposed to start the
production that I was going to be a part of it because I hadn't heard
from anyone. The last I had heard from them was that our season had got canceled. This was after we were supposed to do like five or six seasons. They were talking about doing a feature film and then I hadn't heard from them for almost a year. In different interviews and people asking me what was going on, I didn't have an answer for them. And so that was the biggest reason why I had the fear that I may not be a part of it." Inevitably things
worked out and the South Central Los Angeles-bred actor headed to the
Canadian province Nova Scotia to bring his character Wade to life on
the big screen in 'Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom.' "It was unbelievably cold. I mean, we were almost in
Alaska. We shot it in one month. But we had only like 15 days of actual shooting. That's basically unheard of for a feature film. We were pressured to do a whole lot in a little bit of time," he offered. For those
unfamiliar with 'Noah's Arc's' storyline, Atwood's character Wade was a
straight man that discovers he is gay when he falls for the title
character, Noah (played by actor Darryl Stephens).
Atwood, who also starred in Oprah Winfrey's made-for-TV adaptation of the Toni Mo
rrison
novel, 'Their Eyes Were Watching God,' believes that his character
resonated with fans because of its non-stereotypical depiction of a gay
man "My character Wade is a masculine representation of a community that's thought to be just feminine," he conveyed. "What I've learned from this project and what I've gained from it is just the need for representation of that community. I've
been approached at every single event that I do by men who appreciate
what I've done for them and for the community as far as relations and
understanding in their own lives to have people watch 'Noah's Arc' and
they are able to learn about their brother and learn about their son."As a straight man, the actor who studied theater both at California State University Long Beach and Playhouse West in Los Angeles believes you don't have to be gay or even be familiar with the 'Noah's Arc' back story to see the film spin-off of the series."They can take a chance to learn about humanity. They can see lives that are unlike there's, but are exactly like there's," he expressed.With
'Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom' presumably being the end of the 'Noah's
Arc' franchise, Atwood admitted he is sad to see it finish."If this is the end, it's a poignant way to bring it to some sort of closure with a feature film. Now,
we're five years down the line from when we first started 'Noah's Arc,'
so if this is the end, I couldn't imagine a better way to end it," he
said.There could always be a 'Noah's Arc: The Divorce' if this film performs well, right?"I guess so," he laughed.But beyond 'Noah's Arc,' Atwood is eager to expand and take on new Characters.
"I'm ready to continue working," he declared. "Whatever that brings me, and hopefully its diverse roles like I've already been able to play. I feel like the skies the limit and I'm ready to work." Among the projects the former music video model has lined up includes a role in the forthcoming Los Angeles gang drama "I.E." opposite Snoog Dogg. The 32-year-old talent is also up for a role in a Will Smith film that he believes is called 'The Last Farrow.'
"I'm trying my best to land that part," he proclaimed, before adding: "Hopefully this Jawn Murray interview will help it out!" Atwood, who recently participated in the Black Perspectives Tribute to Sidney Poitier and Jennifer Hudson during the 44th Chicago International Film Festival, has been making appearances and hosting parties to promote his new 16-month calendar 'Jensen Atwood on White.' "It was probably a year in the making and brought on by the demand of the fans. I worked on it with a photographer named Jerris Madison who had complete creative control and has come up with some unbelievable images. I've been touring all over the with the calendar and doing different parties. I couldn't be more appreciative with the response," he said. For more on the calendar, visit www.menoferos.com.
