Nick Cannon making scripted TV back for the first time in a decade with Fox’s Accused – and he rose to the challenge.
“I’m a fan of the show. It’s great television. It makes you think and it keeps you on the edge of your seat,” Cannon, 44, said exclusively. Us Weekly about what drew him to the role of Marcus in the latest episode, which airs Tuesday, October 22.
Cannon is excited to “jump back into the dramatic space” after shifting his focus to hosting shows in the past.
“It is a departure from the big public persona that I have created over the years,” he explained to us. “And everything I do when acting, I always look for that challenge. Something that I can only remove myself from what people naturally know me as. So, to do it is really fun.
The actor certainly found what he wanted with his new role. (Fun fact: Cannon’s last role before a decade-long scripted hiatus was a character named Marcus in another FOX series titled Brooklyn Nine-Nine.)
“When it comes to dramatic work, I always want to be challenged. The best thing about the character of Marcus is that he can experience every emotion in an hour,” said Cannon. “They are excited, they are happy, they laugh, they cry, they are sad and depressed. There are many things you can experience. The fact that I get the opportunity to do all of them in one setting, I am really ready for the challenge.
Basically Jimmy McGovern‘s 2010 English series of the same name, each episode from Accused introducing the accused – who are always just ordinary people – without revealing their crimes or how they will be judged. The audience then sees the events that led to her being there from the defendant’s point of view.
Cannon stars together Patrick J. Adams in the third episode of season 2. The synopsis for the episode, entitled “Marcus Story,” teases the tale of a successful tech entrepreneur (Cannon) who finds himself in the trial after creating facial recognition software, which leads to devastating consequences.
“(Marcus) is completely different from me. The beauty of acting is that where I would go left, this character might go right,” Cannon said. “So just being able to step outside of myself and make completely different decisions and take a journey that I wouldn’t have taken, I think that’s where you’re at your best when you’re in character.”
The overarching story is also something Cannon is proud to be a part of.
“I hope the audience takes (the message) so that they can be self-reflective. It doesn’t matter whether it’s travel and what status, financial benefits, race or family, when you’re in a certain situation, you have to question your character and integrity,” he said. “It’s a journey for Marcus. I think you’re going to be sitting at home like, ‘Man, what would I do in that scenario?’ And I’m sure everyone’s answer is different.”
Besides AccusedCannon has hosted such unscripted shows The Masked Singer and Wild ‘n Out. Cannon said he hopes to continue flexing his muscles as an actor with work that requires him to dig deep.
“I just love acting and I think you’re going to see more of me in this space – specifically in drama,” he said. “I always cook anything. But any time I can just dive in and dedicate myself to the role, I’m ready.
Accused airs on Fox Tuesdays at 9 pm ET.