Octavius J. Johnson Discusses 'Ray Donovan', Singing vs. Acting, More (EXCLUSIVE)
Octavius J. Johnson is a performer on the rise. As an actor, singer, rapper, and overall musician, the man is multi-talented, and it shows on Showtime's Ray Donovan, where he plays the role of the brash, charismatic Marvin Gaye Washington. It's the culmination of a career that has included roles on HBO's The Wire, CBS's Intelligence, and roles in such diverse films as Diary of an Ex-Child Star, Drainpipe Dreams, and the upcoming 59 Seconds.
In Season 2 of Ray Donovan, things are changing for Marvin Gaye Washington, as he's become an overnight rap sensation, and struggles to come to terms with his sudden fame, particularly as it affects his relationship with girlfriend Bridget Donovan, Ray's daughter.
Octavius took the time to speak with me yesterday about Season 2 of Ray Donovan, and how his role has changed from last season, among other subjects:
Credit: Showtime
Could you tell us a bit about your character, and how you approach the role?
Just as an actor myself, and based on the craft, I looked at the first season and things I wanted to grow on. So I made some adjustments -- some good adjustments, additions to Marvin Gaye's personality over the person he was last season. It was fun to do that. It was a challenge as an actor to fall into Marvin more. As far as what goes on with Marvin this season, he sees Bridget more and they get to be themselves together. He does get to come back to Calabasas, and that doesn't end up too well because Ray Donovan doesn't like him too much, so that can get a little messy.
But he just loves his music, he loves having fun, and he's a big shot now. He's become a rap sensation in just a few days with his song, so it was fun to play that too. He drives cool cars, has a different style, it's all cool.
You're an actor, a singer, and a musician, but do you have a bigger passion for one than the other? Or do you prefer the integration of music and acting?
It's definitely an integration that I enjoy. I don't like one more than the other. I'm always asked that, and it's a funny question, but I really enjoy doing them both. And I'm so glad that I get to do them both together.
What's the most difficult part about playing Marvin?
I guess -- I don't know if I want to label it "difficult," because you have actors that stay in character all day, and that's a challenge, and I think that's difficult. But Marvin is definitely different than who I am, but I'm grateful I can kind of click back out of it if I want to. I just need a few minutes before we're actually on set, or we're a minute away from filming, to have that quiet time to myself. But he definitely does a lot that I don't do, as far as the cursing, and the smoking, and the way he talks. That's just not me, so to do that is just what being an actor is. But that can be tough. I would say, if Marvin was a more intense character, it could be draining. So I give props to Liev Schreiber. He just had an interview about how his character is, and how it's just staying focused all day, like his character can be draining.
But Marvin is more charismatic, so I'm trying to just stay in that mindset all day. It's more fun to me. But I really give props to the actors who have to go to a dark place all day.
Credit: Showtime
How do Marvin's relationships evolve or change in the second season?
I think you see a maturity level that you didn't see -- or that you started to see until Ray Donovan took Marvin and threw him back to Compton. You started to see in the relationship between Bridget and Marvin grow, and you really started to like how they interacted with each other. But that relationship definitely matures. It's really cool, you're like, "Oh my goodness, it seems like a marriage, a little bit." Bridget gets a little jealous of how Marvin handles his fame in the beginning. You'll see that. That whole interaction with how Marvin deals with it is really cool. And it's a lot of Bridget and Marvin this season, and the relationship with Recon -- oh! Oh man, that changes too. I don't want to tell you too much, but that changes. Just imagine you've got this guy who bought you, now he's your dad, telling you what to do.
Credit: Showtime
Do you have anything else coming down the pipeline that your fans can look forward to?
Just follow me on Twitter right now. My Twitter is @OctaviusJ_OLord and my Instagram is OctaviusJJohnson1. There's a big thing I'm very excited to have a director's session a few weeks ago, and I'm just working on some things. Like with Ray Donovan, it's definitely leading to other things, so I'm grateful that casting directors know me when I walk in the room now. It's a great industry-watched show as well, so it's been great to be noticed.
Definitely. Congratulations on all your success.
Thank you so much. I appreciate it. Thanks for interviewing me and taking your time.
Absolutely. Thank you!
Ray Donovan airs Sundays at 9pm on Showtime.