As Big Teak, Stewart brought an incredibly poignant character to Chucalissa.
The most recent episode ofP-Valleywas its most shocking yet.
The shock of the event sends him to Uncle Clifford’s door covered in blood.
John Clarence Stewart as Big Teak on ‘P-Valley’.Kyle Kaplan/Starz
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What drew you to the role of Big Teak?
JOHN CLARENCE STEWART: I knew Katori Hall’s work and I was excited about that already.
The scene that made me excited was an extension of the piece from the episode 204 monologue.
J. Alphonse Nicholson as Lil Murda and John Clarence Stewart as Big Teak on ‘P-Valley’.Kyle Kaplan/Starz
I was more than intrigued, I was enthralled.
What was important to you about telling this story?
Everything was important to me.
You get to see all these different shades of his turmoil.
I know [the] feeling of navigating depression, anxiety, and darkness in my time living.
I know a lot of Black men who have friends who have navigated the same waters.
Some have taken their lives, some are still making their way through.
It’s something that is very much a part of our story in our community.
What did you think about how Big Teak’s story would end?
What was your initial reaction?
I knew what I signed on for.
Katori told me it was going to be five episodes and be very finite.
She told me what her intentions were for the character and my mission was set before day one.
I didn’t know how it was going to end, but I knew it was going to end.
I texted Katori and was like, “Wow, wow, wow.”
It felt so true.
What was developing the very complex relationship between Lil Murda and Big Teak like for you?
It’s an amazing professional relationship.
I have the utmost respect for [J. Alphonse Nicholson] as an actor and artist.
He has the same respect for me.
We joined forces on behalf of these men and everything was about telling their truth.
I did want to mention the light they bring out in one another.
Scenes like the date in the diner.
What was shooting that like and showing what they meant to one another?
These are two men who have hardened in the world.
They have sensitive souls.
Lil Murda has an artist’s soul and spirit ad Teak is a porous and sensitive soul.
The world they live in wasn’t made for sensitive souls in Black skin.
One thing we didn’t get to see is Uncle Clifford [Nicco Annan] and Big Teak together.
Did you give any thought to what that encounter would be like?
I didn’t know if I would ever meet Cliff.
That would be paramount.
I have that about [them meeting].
I wonder if they would chop it up or become friends?
Would they have misunderstandings?
I think they are similar in the sense that the world was not made for either of them.
Cliff has rules for the Pynk that she created.
There is an ecosystem that she’s created that is in alignment with who she is.
What will you take with you from your experience onP-Valleyin your work moving forward?
So much of my career so far enabled me to do that and play Teak.
What I’m taking from this specific experience is that I love working with Black people.
I believe that when storytelling is very specific it makes it universal.
I think Katori has done that.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
P-Valleyairs Sundays on Starz.
