By 
Actor Carl Lumbly’s remarkable career spans more than four decades. He has starred in major Hollywood blockbusters, beloved TV series, and acclaimed stage productions. From his early days alongside Danny Glover in Escape from Alcatraz to his impactful TV role as Detective Marcus Petrie in Cagney & Lacey, and his voice work as Martian Manhunter in Justice League, Lumbly has always chosen roles that resonate. Now, in I’m Charlie Walker, he takes on a story that is both timely and deeply connected to the historical struggles that shaped his own experiences.
In director Patrick Gilles I’m Charlie Walker, Lumbly is Willie, a man whose admiration for the film’s titular character, played by Mike Coulter, is mixed with a deep sense of fear and self-preservation. Lumbly’s nuanced performance as Willie captures the complexities of navigating a racially charged environment in 1970s America. In sharing what drew him to the role, he told me: “Willie is a Black man who has come from another tradition and does not carry that kind of courage. He admires it and is attracted to Charlie and his cause, but at a certain point, he’s also very afraid.” Willie’s reticence, Lumbly noted, adds a layer of realism to the story. “People are entitled to their weakness, are entitled to their fears. Sometimes, it’s wonderful, even if you can’t jump on board the bus, to admire the skill of the driver.”
The story of I’m Charlie Walker is grounded in a real event: the massive oil spill that rocked San Francisco in 1971 and the efforts of a determined Black entrepreneur who fought against institutional forces to turn a dire situation into a triumph. The film, Lumbly explained, is about more than one man’s fight. It’s about resilience and hope in the face of systemic oppression. “Charlie Walker had a tremendous zest for life as well as he had a sense of righteousness,” Lumbly said, highlighting how Coulter’s portrayal captured the essence of a man who found joy even in the struggle for justice. “That’s perhaps a different personality from my own, but one that I can really appreciate.”
Working with director Patrick Gilles
Steven Wiig, Leslie Ford, and Dylan Baker in I’m Charlie Walker (2022).
Lumbly’s admiration for his director, Patrick Gilles, is clear. He speaks passionately about Gilles’ vision and the care he brought to telling a story from a culture different from his own. “Patrick’s zeal and his sense as a white filmmaker looking at the story of a Black man… there was so much to be learned, gained, and identified in this story,” Lumbly said. He praised Gilles’ approach to art as a vehicle for growth and understanding: “His sense of that importance is what can drive the project.” Gilles’ dedication to portraying the story authentically helped unify the cast and crew. Lumbly emphasised, “What higher purpose is there for art than to make people feel, think, and increase their experience of the world in which we live?”
Although I’m Charlie Walker addresses critical issues like environmental disaster and systemic racism, Lumbly admitted that his career isn’t solely motivated by activism. “It’s important, but it’s not necessarily what I’m always looking for,” he reflected. The actor, whose diverse body of work includes roles in everything from Alias to Supergirl, spoke candidly about the exhaustion that can come from continually playing characters who must fight to survive. “Sometimes it can be a little tiring, playing people who are fighting for everything – fighting for justice, fighting to be recognized, fighting to maintain a hold on what little piece of agency they’ve been granted.” Yet, he acknowledged the impact such roles can have, both personally and culturally. “It’s always a joy when I have an opportunity to participate in something that does bring awareness and elevate the conversation.”
Reflecting on the significance of the 1970s
Mike Colter and Willie L. Brown in I’m Charlie Walker (2022).
The 1970s is an era Lumbly remembers vividly. “I graduated university in 1973. I entered the workforce at that moment, and much of the work that had been done during the civil rights movement was still going on,” he said. The struggle for equality was palpable and ongoing. The 1970s were marked by a sense of urgency, as Black Americans were encouraged to stand up and assert their rights. “That sense of pride and that sense of urgency helped to move things along, but it also helped to increase the resistance,” Lumbly observed. It was a time of immense change and, inevitably, backlash. “There were many people who felt threatened by the opening up of opportunities for people who had not had the chance to participate before.”
The backdrop of the 1970s informed how Lumbly approached his character. The era, he said, was full of contradictions and tension, with both triumphs and setbacks. “It was a shifting territory,” he recalled. As society struggled with change, there was a sense of instability. “The 70s felt like a time to pick up the baton and charge forward.” Yet, the fight for equality also created friction, and the existing power structures resisted progress. Lumbly captured this duality in his portrayal, offering a glimpse into the lived experience of that tumultuous time.
One of the film’s most compelling aspects is how it uses a lesser-known historical moment to tell a universal story. Lumbly believes that I’m Charlie Walker can inspire modern audiences by reminding them of the interconnectedness of history and the present. “We carry those records, all of us do from whatever our point of view,” he said. He hopes the film will resonate with diverse audiences, offering both pride in progress made and a reflection on the work still to be done. “There are things to feel proud of, and there are things to regret, question, wonder about, and carry forward.”
A story of timeless struggles and hope
Safiya Fredericks and Mike Colter in I’m Charlie Walker (2022).
Lumbly also acknowledged the complexity of the film’s themes. Institutional racism and environmental issues remain relevant, and I’m Charlie Walker invites viewers to engage with these ongoing struggles. Yet, he also sees the film as a celebration of the human spirit. “Charlie Walker’s story isn’t just about fighting against something; it’s about fighting for something – community, dignity, and the possibility of change,” he emphasised. This balance, between hardship and hope, makes the film a poignant and enduring piece of cinema.
Reflecting on his storied career, Lumbly expressed gratitude for the opportunity to bring such layered characters to life. He has portrayed heroes, mentors, and men facing incredible odds, always seeking the humanity in each role. Whether he’s voicing animated superheroes or playing real-life figures like Willie, Lumbly remains committed to his craft and the stories he tells. I’m Charlie Walker is a testament to his enduring ability to imbue characters with authenticity and heart, ensuring that audiences not only watch but feel and reflect.
In I’m Charlie Walker, Carl Lumbly once again delivers a performance that transcends the screen. His portrayal of Willie, a man caught between admiration and fear, mirrors the struggles of the era while offering insights that remain pertinent today. The film, like Lumbly’s career, stands as a reminder of the power of storytelling to illuminate, challenge, and inspire. “Sometimes,” Lumbly concluded, “film gives you a sense of history living with us rather than history as a series of artefacts. That’s what makes it beautiful – and what makes it last.”
I’m Charlie Walker is out now on Digital in the UK courtesy of Miracle Media.
See more Top 10 Films interviews here.
10 Important Films About Black Lives & Racism In America
Here we take a look at 10 important films that address the issue of racism and black lives in America.
MORE INTERVIEWS
87 Takes And A Song: Scatman Crothers Reflects On Making “The Shining”
Scatman Crothers takes us behind the scenes of The Shining, revealing Stanley Kubrick’s meticulous directing, his bond with Jack Nicholson, and the thrills of playing Dick Halloran.
Comments