Star on The Rise, Elijah Rashad Reed Speaks on latest role in DC’s Doom Patrol

Cox: Elijah I’m excited about your new role as Deric in DC’s Doom Patrol on HBO Max! How does this feel for you?

Reed: I’m a huge comic buff and stepping into this role in the DC universe is something I didn’t know I needed to experience. This DC universe is magical, gritty, and funny. 

Reed (contin): That’s the beauty of a show like Doom Patrol because everything is blurred with these characters. These characters have a reason for what they are doing but just like life there are always complications. I mean you can have a clear color on what is but later on everything becomes gray. 

Cox: And how did you prepare for it?

Reed: Outside of my normal preparation I looked for the idiosyncrasies of different people and communities in Detroit. I found and studied as much information as I could find. My goal was to bring this character to life who has lived experiences I haven’t experienced. But I am pretty techy so there is that commonality between me and Deric.

Reed (contin): But I have to give a lot of credit to Joivan Wade who was an incredible cast mate. He opened up his home to me and we just did a lot of scenes study together to prepare. His generosity made me feel like I had been working on the show for the last four seasons. 

Cox: Speaking of four seasons, how was that coming on to a show with several seasons under its belt & dedicated following?

Reed:Ironically during my sophomore year at college in Washington I transferred to Loyola Marymount where I got my degree. So I have that experience of coming into an environment where things are already established. 

Reed (contin): But I have to give it to Joivan again (laughs). He didn’t directly tell me to relax but he let me know I needed to relax. When I went there, I was ready to go, like give me whatever you all have because I will not drop the ball. Joivan reminded me we are here now so all we can do is relax, study, and perform. 

Cox: You are fairly new to television acting, less than four years. What advice do you have for those who are just getting started but want immediate success?

Reed: You just want to give it time. The moment you try to keep hitting and pressing that gas you will eventually burn out. Trust me, I’ve burned out a few times. This is because of my basketball background. I was taught that if I do these techniques hundreds of times, I will get better at it. That’s true in sports but not in the world of acting. Yes, I will get better at my craft, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to translate into more roles. But roles kind of find you. 

Reed (contin): I learned all you can do is relax, work on your craft and let the roles find you. Plant seeds along your journey and force nothing. Plant it, leave it alone, and see what’s at the harvest.

Cox: Speaking of sports, how else has your sports background shaped the way you show up in acting?

Reed: My coaches used to tell me, “Once you are in these four lines you leave everything else outside of them.” So it doesn’t matter what I’m going through personally or what is happening on set. I’m able to leave what happened on set on set and whatever is going on in my personal life outside of my gig doesn’t make it to set with me. 

Reed (contin): In sports the team is family and if something is dire, I know I will need to speak up and ask for help. This goes the same for when you are filming with a crew. 

Cox: Coming from a theater background, how would you describe the difference between that and television acting?

Reed: It’s more visceral. In theater you get to feel the people’s energy. You know instantly if what you are doing is good or bad to them. In television it’s different because of all the various pieces it takes to make it happen. As an actor you do your best to show up prepared and ready for day. But it’s tough sometimes on television because things can change quickly and you have to learn new lines without notice. I would say that these are the biggest differences honestly. 

In this industry where everyone is trying to force themselves on the screen, Elijah suggests people take the time to find who they are as an actor and what’s unique to them. He compared it to music where the artists who truly understand themselves and their gifts create something that can’t be duplicated. “You can transcend all those auditioning for the same role when you truly know yourself and what you bring to the table,” said Reed. This part right here hit home because in most environments outside of acting we are challenged with competing against people with the same level of skills and education or even more. But when we truly understand what makes us unique and how we want to show up in the world then no one else matters in the room but you.

Photo Credit: Birdie Thompson