cast
Ryan Jamaal Swain - Pose (2018 - 2021)
Ryan Jamaal Swain is an American film, television and theater actor and activist. He studied acting at Howard University (2012 - 2016) and the British American Drama Academy. He is known for his role as Damon Richards-Evangelista, a gay dancer, in the popular Ryan Murphy FX television series Pose (2019 – 2021). Pose has been praised for its authentic and skillful portrayal of queer and trans life on television.
Following the success of Pose, Swain has been seen in the television show “The First Lady” opposite Viola Davis, on Broadway in Choir Boy and on numerous Off-Broadway stages.
As an activist, Swain was named to Forbes' "30 Under 30" list for his LGBTQIA+ work on and off the screen. In addition, he has won awards from the Human Rights Campaign, Howard University, Trevor LIVE and TV One. Swain also takes pride in being a Stonewall Inn Ambassador. In his efforts to deepen his charge to protecting and liberating young Queer people, he created a national campaign with the It Gets Better Foundation titled #48HoursOfLove—sharing uplifting messages of hope, empowerment and support to LGBTQIA+ students during the stressful back-to-school season all over the country.
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney - Jungle Fever (1991)
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney is a veteran American film and television actress and comedian. In film, she is known for her memorable supporting roles in New Jack City (1991), Jungle Fever (1991), Malcolm X (1992), What’s Love Got to Do with (1993), The Inkwell (1994), Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), and How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998). She has also appeared in Talkin’ Dirty After Dark (1991), Bad Ain’t Bad (2002), See Dick Run (2009), My Teacher’s Wife (1999), Trapped: Haitian Nights (2010), Dolls of Voodoo (2013), Pound of Flesh (2014) and the short films Tendrils (1996), The Tale of Four (2016) and Dana’s Story (2017).
In television, she has appeared in the television movies Gun Hill (2014) and Clippers (1991) and the television series The Ms. Pat Show (2022), Shameless (2021), Glenn Martin DDS (2009), Zane’s Sex Chronicles (2008), Linc’s (1999), New York Undercover (1994), Law & Order (1993), Great Performances (1991), New Attitude (1990), The Women of Brewster Place (1989) and The Cosby Show (1987).
Miss Stickney is also a stand-up comic who appeared on Showtime at the Apollo (1986) and performing on BET’s Comic View (2005).
Gilbert Glenn Brown - Respect (2021)
Gilbert Glenn Brown is a veteran America film, television and theatre actor with Jamaican parents. In film, he is known for starring as Martin Luther King Jr. in the Aretha Franklin biopic Respect (2021) with Jennifer Hudson and Forrest Whittaker. His other notable film credits include Best of Enemies (2019) starring Taraji P. Henson and Dreamgirls (2006) starring Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Danny Glover, Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce. In addition, Bobby G. Can’t Swim (1999) and Raising the Heights (1998).
In television, Gilbert originated the role of R&B singer Jett Slade on The Young & The Restless (2019). He is also known for appearing in All American (2024), BMF (2024), Genius (2024), The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (2023), Mayan M.C. (2023), Stargirl (2020), General Hospital (2022), Bosch: Legacy (2022), NCIS (2021), S.W.A.T. (2020), The Passage (2019), The Inspectors (2015), Dynasty (2018), The Resident (2018), Valor (2017), Queen Sugar (2017), Stranger Things (2017), Good Behavior (2017), Survivor’s Remorse (2016), Mercy (2010), ER (2006), Shark (2006), CSI: Miami (2006), The O.C. (2005), Cold Case (2004), The Shield (2003), The Parker (2002), and Roswell (2001).
Tristan Cunningham - The Conners (2023)
Tristan Cunningham is a season film, television and theater actor and trained circus performer. In film, she is known for appearing in the short films The Hard R (2023), Trapped in Motion (2023), Jerome (2023), Menorah in the Middle (2022), Black Zombie Movie (2022), Let’s Not Go There (2020), Inside Voice (2019), Maji (2019), Welcome Back, Mr. Buzzcock (2018), Red Queen (2018), The Rage (2017), Clean (2013) and 9 Digits (2010).
Her appearance in feature films include The Last Inn (2021), Outside (2021), Zoom.Mov (2020), A Bridge to a Border (2014), Courting Chaos (2014) and A Leap to Take (2013).
In television, she has appeared in Phoenix (2024), The Conners (2023), American Auto (2023), CSI: Vegas (2023), Sleeping with Strangers (2022), S.W.A.T. (2022), Normal Ain’t Normal (2022), Promised Land (2022), Reasonable Doubt (2022), Family Reunion (2021), NCIS (2021), 9-1-1 (2021), The Fugitive (2020), Solve (2020), All Rise (2019), Prowess (2019), and Lethal Weapon (2018).
Matthew Risch - Tales of the City (2019)
Matthew Risch is an American film, television and theater actor. In film, he is known for appearing in Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022), Stranger Out of You (2019), All We Are (2018), Sad Studs (2015), Homeward (2014), Test (2013), The Devil’s Bitch (2012) and Sex and the City 2 (2010).
In television, he is known for appearing in Saint X (2023), Bonding (2018), Tales of the City (2019), Younger (2017), How to Get Away with Murder (2016), Rosewood (2015, Looking (2014), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2014), Modern Family (2013), Submissions Only (2011), Blue Bloods (2011), Gossip Girl (2009) and Lipstick Jungle (2008).
Dalila Ali Raja - 9-1-1 (2021)
Dalila Ali Rajah is an American veteran actor for film, television and theater. In film, she is known for appearing in the short films Her Curve (2023), Time (2023), Agents of Change: Project Polymer (2023), Missing (2023), Noah’s Arc: The ‘Rona Chronicles (2020), Other Loving (2019), Solstice (2019), Getting Started (2018), Like Father (2017), The Good Time Girls (2017), Quite As Kept (2016), Do It for Us: Election 2016 (2016), Secret & Toys (2014), Door Prize (2009), Echoes (2006) and Tantalize (2001).
Her appearance in feature films include She Wasn’t Last Night (2009), Hot Guys with Guns (2013) directed and produced by Doug Spearman, Coffee House Chronicles (2016), 9. Bullets (2022), Another Coffeehouse Chronicles (2022), Amsterdam (2022) and Missing (2023).
On television, she has appeared in 9-1-1 (2021), All Rise (2019), NCIS: Los Angeles (2018), Scorpion (2018), Criminal Minds (2018), Scandal (2018), NCIS (2016), American Crime Story (2016), How to Get Away with Murder (2015), The Young and the Restless (2015), Cherry Boom (2008 – 2013), New Girl (2012), Grey’s Anatomy (2010) and ER (2002).
Indar Smith - The '90s Show (2023)
Indar Smith is an American actor and model with Trinidadian heritage. In film, is known for staring in The Godfather Buck (2022), Daisy Boy (2021), Wetstone (2020), The Quiet Room (2018) and Boyfriend (2017) written and directed by Kyle Krieger.
On television, he has appeared in That ‘90s Show (2023) and 13 Reasons Why (2018).
As a model, he has appeared in print campaigns and fashion editorials in fashion and lifestyle magazines.
Amanda Hunt- Saint X (2023)
Amanda Hunt is a Jamaican-born film, television and theater actor known for appearing in Saint X (2023), The Sound of Southside (2023) and April Again (2019).
Matthew Wilkas - Bros (2022)
Matthew Risch
Kareem Ferguson - The Chadwick Journals (2019)
Kareem Ferguson
Damian Thompson - Wedding Season (2022)
Damian Thompson
French Davis - The Voice (2011)
French Davis is an American film, television and theater actor and singer. She came to public attention in 2003 as a contestant on the singing competition show American Idol. Davis began performing in Rent on Broadway and was a member of the cast for four years. In 2011, Davis reached the top 8 on the first season of singing competition The Voice.
Frenchie is a featured artist in the Tony Moran single "You Are" that was released December 1, 2009, and peaked at number 5 on the Billboard hot clubplay chart. "You Are" was the debut single from Moran's album Mix Magic Music.
Davis released her debut solo single, "Love's Got A Hold On Me" in 2012. The song peaked at #12 on the Billboard Dance Chart.
Davis graduated from Howard University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
Secret cast member (TBA)
Secret cast member (TBA)