In an interview with BET.com, Lindo shares his insights on portraying imperfect family dynamics in ‘UnPrisoned,’ the importance of therapy in the Black community, and finding humor in heavy subjects. Delroy Lindo has built a storied career over nearly five decades, with standout performances in films like “Malcolm X,” “Da 5 Bloods,” and “The Good Fight.” Yet, it wasn’t until his role as Edwin Alexander in Hulu’s “UnPrisoned” that he truly explored the space for generational healing. In this series, Edwin, recently released from a 17-year prison sentence, strives to rebuild his relationship with his adult daughter, Paige. The father-daughter relationship highlights the complexities of generational trauma, showcasing how humor and acceptance can emerge from these complications.
Lindo’s portrayal is deeply personal. Reflecting on his own complex relationship with his father, Lindo tells BET.com that the imperfect dynamic between Paige and Edwin is one of the series’ most valuable aspects. “That’s the goal, that it isn’t perfect,” Lindo explains. “We’re struggling mightily to try to find how to be with each other in the face of a really complicated history.” He emphasizes the importance of relatable storytelling, aiming to resonate with audiences who have their own complicated parental relationships.
Season two of “UnPrisoned” delves further into these themes, with Edwin and Paige attending family therapy alongside her son, Finn, who has no relationship with his father. The show underscores the importance of therapy in the Black community, tackling the stigma and showcasing therapy as a necessary step toward healing. Lindo notes, “First of all, admitting to oneself that one needs therapy, and then going about the business of finding the appropriate therapist. So recognizing that, as a topic inside our community, it’s still an issue.”
One standout episode in the second season features a therapy session turning into a WWE-style fantasy sequence, illustrating the family’s struggles in a humorous, exaggerated manner. This blend of humor and heavy subject matter is a hallmark of “UnPrisoned,” with fantasy scenes used to diffuse tension and make the content more accessible.
Lindo, who also serves as an executive producer on the show, hopes that audiences leave “UnPrisoned” feeling seen, entertained, and informed. “I felt that it would be important to present some of this content comedically so that people didn’t feel like they were being preached to or that it was too heavy,” he says. His goal is to play the reality of the situation authentically, allowing the comedic aspects to naturally emerge from that authenticity.
For those looking to explore these themes further, “UnPrisoned” season two is now available for streaming on Hulu.
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