Brian Tyree Henry, known for his performance as Paper Boi in Donald Glover’s Atlanta, took on a complex new challenge in Apple TV+’s crime drama Dope Thief. The series offered him an opportunity for Brian Tyree Henry grief recovery after the profound grief he experienced following his mother’s death in 2016. Playing the character Ray allowed Henry to reclaim his identity while moving beyond previous roles.
Exploring the Deep Bond Between Ray and Manny
Created by Peter Craig, Dope Thief follows the story of two best friends, Ray and Manny, played by Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura. Their characters share a history of incarceration as teenagers and engage in a dangerous con pretending to be DEA agents to rob drug dealers. Henry explained the emotional foundation of their relationship, saying,
“You have these two men who were not only incarcerated when they were 15-year-old boys, but stripped of their freedom. This system has told them that they ain’t gonna be s–t. And you have to feel that need and that longing for one another. You have to feel that kind of reaching out to see if the other one’s there.”
—Brian Tyree Henry, Lead Actor
Henry noted the constant closeness between the two characters throughout the series, from scenes in cars to church settings and buses, emphasizing the real connection that develops between men who share a history of incarceration. He also mentioned how the actors wanted to challenge viewers’ preconceptions, especially with Moura’s association with the role of Pablo Escobar, showing a more vulnerable and scared side.
The Emotional Layers Behind Ray’s Vulnerability
Ray’s character reveals emotional depth, including moments of crying and visible struggle. Henry pointed out that neither Ray nor Manny are professionals in crime or law enforcement, which adds to their vulnerability:
“They are in over their head, and they really don’t have systems in place to care for [themselves]. And the systems that they do have, they manipulate.”
—Brian Tyree Henry, Lead Actor
The actor connected personally with Ray’s battles, particularly with addiction and grief, mentioning Ray attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings while still struggling with substance use. He said,
“To see his struggle with grief and loss was real to me, to see him struggling with being an inconvenient [parentless] child. It was important to me to see him battling addiction and battling with the truth.”
—Brian Tyree Henry, Lead Actor
Henry expressed his strong desire for Ray’s survival, resisting the narrative that too often claims Black men as statistics:
“I really wanted to see Ray make it on the other side. I didn’t want him to be another Black man lost to a statistic and to be a number that was just forgotten.”
—Brian Tyree Henry, Lead Actor
Filming the Final Moments and Coping with Loss on Set
The show‘s finale lacked the presence of Manny’s character, who died earlier in the series, and Henry shared how difficult it was to film the closing scenes without Wagner Moura. Reflecting on Moura’s last day on set, Henry recalled an emotional goodbye filled with a personal celebration:
“I came to set that day and I sat outside of that cell the entire time, sitting on the ground. I had a whole party for him, like, four cakes, all the Brazilian food that anyone could eat. I carried a boombox — like Say Anything — playing Brazilian music. I think I put a Cat in the Hat hat on top of him. And to see the joy on his face, everyone felt it. I was determined to send him off with a bang, and we did.”
—Brian Tyree Henry, Lead Actor
The Lasting Impact of ‘Dope Thief’ on Henry’s Career and Healing
Serving also as an executive producer, Brian Tyree Henry received an Emmy nomination for Lead Actor in a Limited Series for his work on Dope Thief, adding to his previous nods for Atlanta and This Is Us. Beyond awards, the role provided a valuable platform for Henry’s Brian Tyree Henry grief recovery, helping him to regain his personal identity and confront his pain through art. The portrayal of Ray’s vulnerability and struggle has resonated deeply, marking an important chapter in Henry’s career and emotional journey.
