I don't believe in typecasting. Just because all my characters may come from the other side of the tracks doesn't mean they are all the same. You don't stereotype people and generalize people, everyone's different.
I have a very healthy appetite for good writing and good characters. Having weak writing is my biggest fear.
My job is to bring to life the character, not to put the words on the paper.
I'm looking for diversity, all my characters may or may not be on the wrong side of the tracks. It doesn't mean that they're all the same.
You have to put your character to rest after x amount of years.
For me, my past characters been hard, the way they died, being murdered, the sadness that goes around, the death. It's a very hard thing to do.
Music is always a part of my characters' make-up.
Ending a television character that you've been, especially someone like Omar Little, it hurts. For me, it's a huge thing. You feel like a part of you is gone.
I'm totally comfortable today with the success that Omar and 'The Wire' have brought me - living with that character, being recognized and remembered for that character.
All my characters have playlists.
My only goal is to stay focused on my craft and make sure my life is as sharp as it can be to attack any character that is given to me.
People say they love the characters I've chosen in my career. But I didn't choose anything. I just happened to be working and these were offered to me.