Kingston Rumi Southwick on series, co-stars and more

Posted in: Apple, TV | Tagged with: Apple TV, David E. Kelley, exclusive, interview, Jake Gyllenhaal, Kingston Rumi Southwick, Innocent Suspicion, Ruth Negga

Kingston Rumi Southwick (9 Full Moons) spoke to Bleeding Cool about his work on Apple TV+ and the David E. Kelley drama Presumed Innocent.

Kingston Rumi Southwick wants to inspire the audience, share his joy in his performances and hopes that others will follow him and do the same. Since his debut in the indie film 9 full moonshe landed his first episodic television series in Apple TV+’s From presumption of the innocent as Kyle Sabich. Based on the novel by Scott Turow The story of the same name was first directed by Alan J. Pakula and co-author Frank Pierson in the Warner Bros film from 1990 with Harrison Ford, Brian Dennehy, Raul Julia, Bonnie Bedelia, Paul Winfield, And Greta ScacchiThe 2024 TV series comes from the experienced legal drama producer David E. Kelley, with Jake Gyllenhaal in the role Ford originally played as Rusty Sabich, a prosecutor who becomes the prime suspect in the murder of one of his colleagues. Southwick spoke to Bleeding Cool about how the TV series differs from the novel and film versions, expanding his character, working with Kelley, what he learned from his co-stars Gyllenhaal and Ruth Negga (Barbara Sabich), his influences and his future.

From the presumption of innocence: Kingston Rumi Southwick on seizing opportunities

Bleeding Cool: How does it feel to be performing again now that you’re cast in For Lack of Evidence?

It’s great. I always have a lot of fun acting, especially on work of this magnitude. It’s a wonderful learning experience with the cast and crew.

Have you read the original novel by Scott Turow or seen the movie with Alan J. Pakula?

I’ve seen the movie and read parts of the book. My character wasn’t in the movie or book as much as he was in this show. We took a lot of themes from the book and the movie (for the show).

What was it like working with David E. Kelley and how did he help you get used to episodic television?

It was interesting. David is a smart writer and we talked on set about how the audience would receive the scene. What David E. Kelley does well is write a script that touches on every element of a subject. We had elements of family, law, law in the family, family in the law, love, lust and all these different things. It was interesting to see him working as a writer but also as a collaborator.

Did you have the opportunity to learn from your more experienced co-stars on Jake or Ruth?

I have learned so much as an actor but also as a person. They have helped me a lot to know that with hard work I can achieve as much as I can. I am in contact with them and they are a great help to me every day. Jake helps well in other roles. Ruth is such a beautiful soul. She always helps me with personal things and when I see her. They are excellent at what they do and help me with my future as an actor.

What are your influences as an actor?

My upbringing. I live in LA, my mom is a producer and my dad used to be an acting teacher. Now he’s an interior designer and I always grew up around those elements of art with my parents, friends, family and family friends. I loved creating something of substance that people would like and relate to. That’s what I love about acting. When I was watching movies as a kid, I was influenced by ‘Cinema Paradiso’ (1988), ‘La La Land’ (2016), ‘Forrest Gump’ (1994), all those wonderful movies. It made me feel so good and special. Whenever I act, I feel that and I want to convey that same feeling and passion to others to do what I do. That’s a big part of why I keep doing it.

Are there any projects you would like to implement across genres?

I love comedy. That would be fun. I touched on that topic in a show called Based on a True Story, which is a thriller comedy. I got to put little comedic elements in it and I had so much fun. I got to work with Chris Messina, the funniest guy I’ve ever met. I laughed so much with him and the comedy was so entertaining. I still love drama, so maybe a dramedy?

The finale of the first season of From presumption of the innocentin which the main roles also play Bill Camp, OT Fagbenle, Chase Infiniti, Nana Mensah, Renate Reinsve, Peters Sarsgaard, Elizabeth MarvelAnd Lily Rabe, Premieres Wednesday on Apple TV+.

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