Aaron Jennings The Breakout Star from “Grand Crew” talks about the series, the highly anticipated season 2 and his journey in Entertainment 

Aaron Jennings is the breakout star from “Grand Crew” on NBC. He plays the character of “Anthony Holmes”. “It’s been a blast playing Anthony. I think he represents many Black men who don’t get portrayed as much in network television,” said Jennings. “Anthony” isn’t your typical Black man portrayed on television. He has a very neurotic and sophisticated nature but, simultaneously, is a Black man on his own. Aaron said, “to quote the pilot; this character has layers on layers to him.”  

“I thank Phil Augusta Jackson (Creator of “Grand Crew”) all the time for this show and the opportunity to play a character such as Anthony,” added Jennings.  

But could we imagine Aaron playing any other male character on the show? 

I asked Aaron whether this role felt like it was made for him. He told me he actually came in initially to read for “Noah” and then tested for “Wyatt”.  Aaron said, “It was interesting for me because I had read, and tested for other roles all the while trying to find my rhythm.” Once he began working through all the character work and development for “Noah” and “Wyatt”, he was presented with an opportunity to read for “Anthony”. “I finally found my groove after a while with “Anthony”, and realized that we are actually pretty similar,” said Jennings.  

This is the testament to continue showing up and working on your craft. You hear that all the time, but Aaron’s journey just to secure the role of “Anthony” is one that many others probably would have felt defeated by or given up on. Remember, he showed up for the same show for three different characters – without guaranteeing one of them would be his.  

“I think we all are playing heightened versions of ourselves on the show,” said Jennings. After recognizing how many personal traits he and his costars shared with their respective characters, he had more comfortability to show more of Aaron in “Anthony”. From there, it was smooth sailing for him. Aaron said, “I have fallen increasingly in love with “Anthony” as time has passed.” 

Aaron continued,” I got the role meant for me.” 

Focusing on his art, His Origin Story 

Aaron isn’t new to the entertainment industry. Unlike most, his parents are actors, so he grew up in this world. However, “it wasn’t until I was sixteen that I went all-in and focused on the arts,” said Jennings. Basketball was his first love that he put his time and effort into whole-heartedly before transitioning into acting. For Aaron, dedicating himself to a craft, whatever that may be, means giving it his all, no questions asked, and no holds barred.   

“Although I had my parents as a shining example and I watched them go through their ups and downs and could somewhat mentally prepare for my own, it was still a struggle for me”, said Jennings. Off first glance, while it may seem like children of industry, or industry-adjacent parents have it “easier”, Aaron demonstrates that it absolutely still is a challenge. The ebb and flow of the industry still affected him, alike anyone who moves to Los Angeles hoping to make it big. As Aaron shared, “It was over those years that I developed that mental fortitude that helps me persevere in this industry.” Whenever someone asks him for advice, he tells them that “no one can ever be prepared for this, and you just have to dive in and go for it.” 

“That’s a never-ending experience,” said Jennings, when I asked him if he ever had moments of doubt or thoughts of calling it quits, due to the nature of the industry. This is something he said he’s experienced at great lengths at times, but it’s his love and passion that keeps him going. Giving up is never an option when you know that what you’re working towards and working on is exactly what you are meant to do.  

Aaron loves the craft of it all, but the collaborative environment means the most to him.  

“I love collaborating on set with everyone. The entire cast, crew and creative team is top notch”, he added. Being around other passionate people daily, making and bringing something to life, is priceless.  

“I take so much joy in all of this, and that’s what has allowed me to persevere,” he added.  

“As my grandma used to say, idle time is the devil’s playground,” Jennings noted. Technically, when a show is off, and an actor doesn’t have any other working projects, they are ‘unemployed.’ During that time, many can get depressed, but Aaron finds his center by keeping up with his hobbies. Though auditioning is still the goal during those down times, Aaron works to keep himself engaged in other activities such as writing and exploring other creative sides of himself. It’s about staying ‘stimulated,’ he said.  

Whether he’s working on a booked role or experiencing down time, the focal point of his life is family and friends. “They keep me grounded,” said Jennings. These are the people who know him best and keep him constantly uplifted.  

Before ending our conversation, I asked Aaron how I could describe him as an actor to others. Aaron replied, “Honest and vulnerable – well, that’s at least what I strive for.” I was intrigued why that was his answer. As Aaron then explained, he has to be honest and vulnerable in his actual life, so it organically translates into an audition or on-camera scene with a character he’s playing. For him, the goal of acting and executing the craft is to show humanity in its entirety – the good and the bad. The only way that can be showcased is if the actor is truly in touch with themselves on the deepest level with no pretense. Always at the forefront of his mind, this is what Aaron strives to emulate on every set and through every character he touches.  

Photo credit: Rowan Daly