Deon Cole, the acclaimed comedian known for his straight-face comedy, is taking a thrilling leap into the dramatic waters with his upcoming BETPlus series, Average Joe. As the leading star of this unique drama series, Deon showcases his versatility like never before. BLEX had the privilege of catching up with the talented artist just before he premiered an episode of Average Joe at the prestigious 2023 American Black Film Festival (ABFF). Join us as we delve into our exclusive interview below, where Deon shares insights into his captivating new project.
Average Joe follows blue-collar plumber Joe Washington, played by Deon Cole, as he uncovers a secret life his father led and the millions of dollars he stole before his death. The dangerous people whose money was stolen believe Joe knows where the money is, leading to a bloody confrontation and a race against time for Joe and his circle of friends to uncover the truth and the stolen millions.
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Tammy Townsend, Malcolm Barrett, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, Michael Trucco, Ashley Olivia Fisher and Pasha Lychnikoff have also been cast in the series. The series is executive produced by Robb Cullen, McG, Mary Viola and Corey Marsh. Eric Dean Seaton, Christoph Schrewe, Marshall Tyler, David Katzenberg, and Joy T. Lane serve as directors.
Tammy Townsend plays Angela Washington, Joe’s loving wife who is battling a painful illness, while Malcolm Barrett portrays Leon Montgomery, Joe’s best friend and a somewhat hapless hardware store owner. Cynthia Kaye McWilliams plays Cathy Montgomery, Leon’s ball-busting wife, and Michael Trucco plays Benjamin “Touch” Tuchawuski, Joe’s long-time best friend and a police officer with a vice for painkillers and heroin.
Ashley Olivia Fisher portrays Jennifer Washington, Angela and Leon’s daughter, who recently got accepted into Carnegie Mellon and is dating an innocent Russian boy, Dimitri, played by Pasha Lychnikoff. Lychnikoff portrays Nicolai Dzhugashvili, a ruthless Russian mob boss and Dimitri’s father, who will stop at nothing to find his son and the stolen money.
The show is created by Robb Cullen and McG, inspired by Cullen’s life, and is written by Cullen. The series is executive produced by Robb Cullen, McG, Mary Viola and Corey Marsh. Eric Dean Seaton, Christoph Schrewe, Marshall Tyler, David Katzenberg, and Joy T. Lane serve as directors.
Average Joe premieres on BET+ on June 26 with new episodes dropping weekly until the season finale on Aug. 10. Check out the trailer below.
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