LOS ANGELES — The role of Charles Flenory was brought to life by Russell Hornsby, a seasoned actor with a diverse career spanning stage, screen, and television in the hit Starz series “BMF,” executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. In “BMF,” Hornsby portrays the patriarch of the Flenory family, navigating the challenges of raising his children, Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory, Terry “Southwest T” Flenory, and Nicole Flenory, with his wife/ ex-wife Lucille Flenory (Michole Briana White), amidst the allure and dangers of inner-city life. He showcases the family’s struggles and their determination to rise above their circumstances.
Hornsby shared his insights into the complexities of the show and his approach to portraying such a multifaceted character. While navigating through the controversies that arise within the “BMF” storyline, Hornsby emphasized the importance of understanding the context of the characters’ lives.
“Well, for me, it’s more about understanding what life is,” Hornsby explained. “It’s more about understanding where these people come from and where they draw their inspiration from. I mean, when I looked at when I’m dealing with Charles Flannery.”
His respect for the executive producer, 50 Cent, was also evident.
“The thing I admire and appreciate about 50 is that he wants the best. He wants to work with the best. He wants the best for his projects, and he wants the best for those individuals he works with. And I believe that when you’re working with 50 [Cent], you are indeed within a partnership.“
Hornsby also discussed working with young actors like Demetrius “Lil’ Meech” Flonery Jr., who plays his father in the series. He spoke about instilling a sense of professionalism and dedication in the younger generation.
“I think a lot of it has to stem from the idea of do as I say and do as I do. You know what I mean? Help him understand that there is a right way and a wrong way about approaching the work as a professional… amateurs get trophies and pros get paid. So if you’re a pro, there’s a way you have to conduct yourself. There’s a way you have to show up on set. And that’s really all that it comes down to. And that’s with him and all the young actors. Honestly, it’s his tenacity and his willingness to work. When you show up, he comes ready to work, and that’s all you can ask for.”
Addressing the off-screen tensions that sometimes arise, Hornsby maintained a grounded perspective when discussing the tension between Lil Meech and 50 Cent.
“You know, for me, quite honestly, I’m a 50-year-old grown man with two kids and a wife. You know, I am an artist and a theatrical actor of the first order. I ain’t got time for bullsh*t.“
Looking ahead, Hornsby expressed a desire to portray untold stories of unsung heroes. “Maybe the unsung heroes, if you will, you know what I mean, that need to be told. And I think we can flesh those stories out and get it to the people so we can, you know, lift us up a bit.”
Fans can catch Russell Hornsby weekly on “BMF,” streaming on Starz with the season finale airing on Friday Aug 16.
