The Harlem Times spoke exclusively with actress Wunmi Mosaku, who plays Annie in the movie Sinners, and Miles Caton, who plays Sammie in the same film, about working with Michael B. Jordan, Ryan Coogler, and others.
What were your first thoughts when you read the script, and what attracted you to the role of Annie?
First of all, I was attracted to the fact that it was a Ryan Coogler project. That, to me, means it’s going to be culturally relevant. It’s going to be beautifully shot. It’s going to be a cinematic experience. And when I read the first seven pages that I was sent, it was a scene between Annie and Smoke. I was bowled over by the depth and breadth of their humanity—love, grief, fears, joys, similarities, and differences. In seven pages, to have written that so succinctly and clearly without any battering over the head with exposition, I’ve never read anything quite like it. You see so much of their world, their lives, the history, in seven pages. I cared about them in those seven pages so deeply. I loved them. And when I was given the whole script, I fell in love with absolutely every single character on the page. They were all so well-written, rounded, and grounded. All, good or bad, had all shades of everything within them.
Talk about working with Michael B. Jordan’s Smoke.
Michael is such a passionate leader and a diligent and detailed actor, so as a scene partner, I couldn’t ask for anything more. We created such a safe, creative space that there were no wrong answers. If I were scared, if he was scared, we’d talk about it, and we’d say there is no wrong. If you have the instinct, just go for it. And that was quite liberating and scary—but also scary in a good way—because we were really pushing ourselves, challenging ourselves, and trying to make sure we weren’t sticking in our zone of comfort. He’s really great at that and inspiring everyone to push. Whether it’s professionally or personally, his work in this is so clear and detailed. I could tell if he was Smoke with my back turned. I could tell the moment he walked onto set, with or without his costume, which character he was going to tackle first. His energy, his vibration—everything was so specific.
Talk about working with Ryan not only as a director but as a writer as well.
Ryan is such a strong and clear leader, but he does it in such a gentle way. He creates family first. We are here to share and create, and he trusts each person in their role—whether it’s the set design, whether it’s the DOP, whether it’s an actor, whether it’s catering. He treats each person, each character, each role on set as a head of department. That you are equipped to do your work brilliantly—that is how he makes you feel.
What was your experience working with the cast in general and Michael B. Jordan in particular?
Working with the cast was incredible. I mean, you’ve got Delroy Lindo, Omar Miller—these are people that I grew up watching. And to be able to work with Mike (B. Jordan) was really inspiring, man. Every day on set was a chance to learn something new and to see the work ethic up close and see how certain things get done. So it was an honor.
What was your experience working with the film’s writer and director Ryan Coogler?
Ryan—he’s a huge inspiration, man. One of my favorite directors. I grew up watching Creed and Black Panther, so to be able to work with him was really incredible, man. He’s a leader on set; he’s hands-on throughout the whole process. Each scene, he’s there, and he is always there for questions and for support and just always pushing me to be greater, to take chances—not to be safe. It was dope getting to work with him.
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