Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
Until Baldwin shakes him out of his stupor.
As Chalk puts it: James is a powerhouse, and Capote must be faced with a powerhouse.
How much did you know about Capote and his Swans before the show?Very little.
I had no idea, truly.
Forgive my North Carolina education.
I had to learn a lot as an older man during this project.
I imagine theres a very different answer to that.Well, now were talking, baby!
we still read some of his books.
And he spit it back out through his brilliant little brain.
He just wanted to be heard.
There is so much Baldwin out there to enjoy and watch.
But theres infinite research!
I never stopped researching.
Ill research up until we call action.
And then the transatlantic, fake accent this era created this all affected him.
But when he listens, he listens with his whole soul.
When he speaks, he speaks with as much of his heart as possible.
Theres no word, no breath, wasted.
Thats a fun person to play.
These people really lived in their personalities.
Did you talk with writer Jon Robin Baitz about the need to bring in Baldwin to tell Trumans story?
One: Its a show full of white people.
So lets bring some color to the show.
Two: Who else can stand against Capotes ego?
Imagine if you bring in Gore Vidal thats his competitor!
James is a powerhouse, and Capote must be faced with a powerhouse.
Lets just pay attention to what were doing here.
Which is a wink at the audience, in my opinion.
Thats how I saw it, reading it.
Like, how could you be mad at Jimmy?
He is, yes!Tom is just the best.
Wake up, my friend, youve been deluded.
You swallowed too much of the blue pill or the red pill, whichever pill in that awful analogy.
The only person who can get into this space and write this story is Truman.
And wouldnt it be amazing to expose this privileged, white American, capitalist world?
That would be too spooky.
Ive got to play it as a real guy.
Then you get to interpret it however you want to interpret it as a watcher.
This is not the first time Ive heard this sort of sentiment.
Its fun that an episode has been written that asks that question.
Its better for me to just play him as written, as a real human.
What does it feel like to deliver a line like that in 2024?
Which is meant as a cutting compliment, an empowering one at that!What does it feel like?
Thats a funny thing to ask.
Well, what a guy to say it!
Who else could say it in 2024 besides James Baldwin?
You know what I mean?
They put it in the right characters hands.
Personally, I wouldnt say this line.
Are you kidding me?
And it encompasses their world.
Thats who they are in this world.
If he was saying it to a Black person, he would have said the N-word.
Because thats who they are in the world of the Swans: They are their adjectives.
Theyre not their humanity.
But we havent gotten as many depictions of Baldwin though theres an upcoming biopic with Billy Porter attached.
Everything happens in waves, you know?
Maybe because hes TikTok famous and thats not even a joke!
But whatever the reason is, its important.
And thank goodness we have people who will play him with such grace and compassion and generosity.
I imagine Billy will put his foot in his version as well.
Because we all honor this guy and love this guy.
Hes a pretty genius man.
And, unfortunately, a lot of his words still need to be heard.
And action taken with them in mind.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
