Actor, Director, and Writer James Bland has captivated audiences for more than a decade. Best known for creating and starring in the Emmy Award-winning drama series Giants, James Bland is a towering figure in the world of storytelling and a multi-hyphenate creative whose thumbprint is on cultural touchstones cherished by millions. As a director and producer, he helmed the HBO documentary special Insecure: The End which takes an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the making of the last season as well as the cultural impact of Issa Rae’s hit comedy series Insecure.
As a writer, he co-wrote the final episode of The Best Man: The Final Chapters which holds the distinction of being Peacock’s biggest-ever original series debut. Both projects received an NAACP Image Award nomination. Bland also wrote on the second season of Uncoupled for Showtime.
I often think about the trailblazers (past and present) that decide each and every day to walk within their purpose. Especially now, during a time when our stories are being tested from those who’re simply too afraid of authenticity. Growing up, I rarely saw stories that allowed me to dream without limitations but I remember the first moment I did. It forever changed my life, reminding me daily to walk in my purpose freely; trusting that my steps were/are ordered! This my friends, is the ever growing gift of representation and the sweet gift it bestows.
And now, check out our chat below where we further explore Blands’ career, mental health practices, and his new role within the film High Tide.
GLAAD x James Bland:
GLAAD: Congratulations on such an impactful journey thus far! From creating, directing, AND starring in Giants to writing and producing the HBO documentary special Insecure: The End and so much more. The lane you’ve created for Black Queer Creative speaks volumes and allows generations to come to believe they can too. Thank you for sharing your greatness with the world!
High Tide has audiences raving! With additional releases gearing up soon, can you tell our readers a bit about this film and your character?
James Bland: This film is a touching and intimate story of heartbreak, companionship, and self-discovery, that paints a vibrant and heartfelt portrait of queer lives intersecting on the beaches of Provincetown. My character, Maurice, is a nurse from New York who finds himself in P-Town on holiday with friends before moving abroad for a fellowship. On the surface, he’s there to have a good time — sort of a last hurrah — but underneath that he’s also mourning the death of his father and coming to terms with some of the challenges of being a Black man in America. While on the beach one day, he meets a Brazilian immigrant, Lourenço, who is living in P-Town following a painful breakup. Lourenço is in limbo with his immigration status and desperately wants to stay in America, which of course contrasts where Maurice is on his journey. Over a week, these two men with very different backgrounds open their hearts to each other, find common ground, and a beautiful yet heartbreaking love story ensues.
GLAAD: What drew you to this character? How did you prepare to step into the shoes of Maurice?
James Bland: What drew me to this character was how honest and authentic he felt on the page. He felt like me in many ways, from the words he spoke to the emotions he carried and the things that bristled him. He felt very familiar and that’s a gift for an actor. It makes my job easy. I also appreciated that Marco (the writer/director) did not shy away from conversations about race in the film. Often we see interracial couples written in a very color-blind manner which isn’t an honest reflection of the world we live in. Race matters especially for people of color living in a country that disenfranchises and discriminates against people because of their race. It also brings up cultural differences that couples sometimes have to work through. Playing Maurice was a gift. We wear the same size shoes so it wasn’t hard to step into his.
GLAAD: Last year, we were able to host our Black Queer Creative Summit in Los Angeles that supported 150 Black Queer Creatives from around the world. This moment proved there isn’t a shortage in creatives but opportunities. What advice would you give to creatives navigating their creative journeys?
James Bland: Create your own opportunities to work. Make that short film, that web series, that indie feature, and self-distribute if you have to. I came up from the web series era where creating our own projects is what got us found in the crowd. To this date, creating Giants is the absolute best thing I did for my career. It was an artistic gym and a launching pad that continues to provide opportunities to this day. Marco Calvani (the writer/director of High Tide) found me because of Giants. He was searching for Maurice, discovered Giants, and invited me to audition for the film. Work begets work and you can not wait for Hollywood to cast you or hire you — create the project you want to see and let Hollywood come to you.
GLAAD: Before we close, I love to include intentional moments on the importance of mental health for communities of color. As you navigate daily tasks, the demands of work, and self; How are you intentional with nurturing your mental, physical and emotional health while maintaining a career within film and television? Ensuring you show up as your best self.
James Bland: I prioritize my mental health by stepping away from work and the industry. I take trips. I go to the gym. I go to the spa. I listen to gospel music. I spend time with friends who aren’t in the industry. I spend a lot of time in D.C. these days. I also find time to get silent to quiet all of the noise (that includes social media and the inner saboteur in my head). For me, the noise is the biggest threat to my mental health because once the voices start in my head it’s really hard to shut them up. And the voices are typically coming from a place of fear and lack. I know that. I remind myself that often and I work to ground myself with gratitude and abundance. That always lifts me up and out of a dark place.
GLAAD: Thank you again so much for your time, energy, and words!
Be sure to keep up with James Bland on Instagram, and get your tickets for High Tide now playing in New York City and Los Angeles with selected cities releasing in November 2024.