IN CONVERSATION WITH QUENTIN PLAIR

interview by JANA LETONJA

Quentin Plair enters this season with two powerhouse performances that showcase his growing range and dynamic presence on screen. He stars in the survival drama ‘Not Without Hope’, which came to theaters on 12th December, and in Hulu’s hit new comedy ‘Chad Powers’. Following breakout roles in ‘Welcome to Chippendales’, ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’, and ‘Apples Never Fall’, Quentin is cementing himself as one of Hollywood’s most compelling rising actors, one whose performances consistently balance emotional weight, charisma, and humanity.

‘Not Without Hope’ tells a devastating true story. What drew you to this project, and what responsibility did you feel portraying real-life events? 

I have always been drawn to true stories and portraying real people. I feel a real responsibility when I do it. Marquis was a father, a son, a husband, and a teammate amongst many other titles. I wanted to do my absolute best to honor all of those things and tell the story of the man he was and not just the moment the movie is about. 

What was the most emotionally challenging part of stepping into a narrative rooted in such intense survival and loss?

The biggest challenge was the responsibility to the people who knew these men. My main goal while filming this movie was to not add more pain to anyone who knew Marquis.

What do you hope audiences take away from the film beyond the survival narrative?

I hope that people come away reminded of the fragility of life. We must truly cherish every moment that we get because we don't know when will be our last. 

We’ll also be seeing you in ‘Chad Powers’ Coach Byrd is such a charismatic and grounded presence in the show. How did you approach balancing comedy with authenticity?

Firstly, thank you for that. With ‘Chad Powers’, I have been in the football world for so much of my life, so these people are very real to me. My history with it keeps it grounded. Being able to have real thoughts and being rooted that way allows for the comedy to shine through. 

The series deals with reinvention, second chances, and identity. What can you share with us about the show and its story?

That is a great observation. The show really does deal with, at its core, identity, the idea of wanting to reinvent yourself, and wanting to escape from reality in a sense to become someone else. But at some point, that reality will always catch up to you.

What do you think makes Coach Byrd different from the usual on-screen sports mentor archetype?

I think the biggest difference is the fact that Coach Byrd doesn't have things together himself. He is a big neurotic, insecure mess at times and he has to hide that so he can lead his men. 

Your work across ‘Welcome to Chippendales’, ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’, and ‘Apples Never Fall’ shows incredible emotional range. How do you choose the roles that push you?

To be completely fair, I am not really at a stage in my career where I can “choose” my roles. I have honestly been extremely lucky to this point that a lot of the roles that chose me were great challenges. I have been able to do things and go places I never would have otherwise through this career, and I am thankful for that. I am an actor who likes to push myself, so I am truly grateful to some of the productions who have given me that opportunity. 

Has your perspective on your craft changed as you’ve moved through heavier dramas to comedic roles and back again?

Each genre definitely requires different things and possibly different tactics, but I believe the core and heart of whatever you do while acting is truth. No matter comedy or drama, truth is what I will always be in search of and what I will always be striving to portray.

What’s a character or genre you haven’t tackled yet but would love to explore?

Even though they scare me when I watch them, I think horror could be a lot of fun. Anything that allows me to really suspend belief and fully commit, go all in. That’s what I want. That and fantasy. Sign me up.

What excites you most about this moment in your career?

I am so excited to have a movie coming out in theatres. I fell in love with movies in the theatres. and the fact that I will now be able to go to the theatre, get my usual ICEE and Buncha Crunch and see myself. It's truly going to be a real career highlight for me.

What can fans look forward to next from you, either on screen or behind the scenes?

We are about to start up season 2 of ‘Chad Powers’ starting in January and obviously ‘Not Without Hope’ in out in theatres now. Can’t wait.