Actor André Holland is poised to captivate culture enthusiasts in New York City during late summer 2025 as he steps into rehearsals for the play The Brothers Size, written by Tarell Alvin McCraney, the acclaimed writer behind Moonlight. The Shed, the theater hosting the production, has already sparked interest by sharing Holland’s professional headshot widely across social media in anticipation of the show.
As Holland prepares for this stage return, he is simultaneously promoting his latest film, Love, Brooklyn, which is scheduled for release on August 29. His recent visibility on platforms like Instagram highlights how prevalent his presence has become among audiences, a fact noted even by his own friends, though Holland himself has not yet experienced that digital saturation firsthand.
Selective Career Choices Reflecting High Artistic Standards
Known for his discerning selection of roles, Holland has built a reputation that aligns with film critic Roger Ebert’s respected Stanton-Walsh rule: every movie featuring Harry Dean Stanton or M. Emmet Walsh in a supporting role tends to be worthwhile. Holland’s body of work—including award-winning films like Moonlight, as well as Selma, Passing, and Bones & All—has consistently drawn attention from cinephiles who appreciate his impactful presence.
While not new to leading roles, as with his work in High Flying Bird and Exhibiting Forgiveness, Holland described his character Roger in Love, Brooklyn as a thoughtful challenge. Roger is a writer based in Brooklyn, juggling complex relationships while racing against time to finish his manuscript. Holland’s ability to bring authenticity and depth to his role matches the intimate, real-life settings of director Rachael Holder’s debut feature, which explores the lives and loves of three Brooklyn residents.
Embracing New Voices and Expanding Artistic Horizons
Holland stressed the importance of embracing projects that offer fresh opportunities and allow him to collaborate with creatives who share his work ethic and vision.
“I tend to be attracted to things that allow me a chance to do something new,”
he said, emphasizing his preference for working with people who prioritize fairness, creativity, and a positive working environment over rigid hierarchical structures commonly found in Hollywood.
His recent collaborations with many first-time solo narrative feature directors are a deliberate choice. Holland explained that this pattern is driven both by his passion for championing emerging talents and the demands of his ambitious career path.
“Let’s get out here and try to figure out how to make something,”
he shared as a guiding approach, highlighting his proactive attitude in creating meaningful work alongside eager new directors.
Navigating Film Sets with Experience and Flexibility
Holland’s seasoned perspective offers him a role not only as an actor but also as a supportive collaborator on set. He recounted his experience working with Titus Kaphar on Exhibiting Forgiveness, where Kaphar’s unfamiliarity with directing was balanced by his strong visual sensibility and openness to input.
“He was always asking questions and trusted his actors and his producers to help him make the best movie he could make,”
Holland noted.
He contrasted this with directors who prefer strict control, saying,
“Sometimes you encounter directors who aren’t necessarily that way, who really want to control things themselves. They feel like, ‘This is my thing, and I want to do it my way.’”
Holland aims to foster an environment of openness on his projects, explaining,
“Let’s try it your way, and then I also want there to be space to try it some other ways so that we give ourselves some options.”
Working Across Mediums with Cross-Disciplinary Artists
Collaborating with artists fluent in multiple creative disciplines, like Rachael Holder who is also a playwright, brings additional layers of richness to Holland’s performances. He described the advantage of working with directors such as Titus Kaphar, whose understanding of visual storytelling added comfort in knowing the final work would be visually compelling. However, he also acknowledged that artists rooted in theater might sometimes struggle to adapt quickly to changing conditions on set, making nimbleness a valuable skill.
Holland credited Steven Soderbergh, with whom he has worked on 20 episodes of television and the film High Flying Bird, for reinforcing this adaptability. He explained how Soderbergh taught him the importance of flexibility in a business where unexpected challenges often arise, and the ability to pivot is essential to making a project succeed.
The Ongoing Influence of Steven Soderbergh’s Mentorship
Though Holland’s direct collaborations with Steven Soderbergh have been spaced over the years, the producer-director continues to be a major influence and supporter. Serving as a producer on Love, Brooklyn, Soderbergh has played a vital role in Holland’s growth beyond acting into producing.
“When I expressed an interest in producing, he was the first one to be like, ‘Alright, let’s do it. Let me help you figure it out,’”
Holland revealed.
Their partnership involves late-night conversations about filmmaking and shot selection, as well as logistical support in getting projects off the ground.
“I feel really indebted to him for believing in me and being willing to stick his neck out for me,”
Holland stated, acknowledging the depth of Soderbergh’s impact on his personal and professional development.
Holland’s Evolving Process for Embracing Complex Characters
When discussing his approach to inhabiting a role like Roger in Love, Brooklyn, Holland described a fluid methodology that adapts to the unique demands of each project. Grounded in the classical Stanislavski technique, but expanded with physical theater and Shakespearean training, his process is a diverse toolkit for accessing emotion and character through both language and body.
He emphasized the importance of pursuing specificity in performance, rejecting shortcuts like reliance on charm or broad ideas.
“There’s positively no replacing specificity. It reveals everything, and when it’s not there, everybody suffers,”
Holland remarked. His dedication to refining every detail underscores his commitment to fully realizing the character and the narrative world.
Looking Ahead: Continued Growth and New Opportunities
As André Holland embarks on his return to theater and promotes Love, Brooklyn, his career path reflects both a steady passion for storytelling and a desire to nurture emerging voices. His ongoing relationship with Steven Soderbergh mentorship impact highlights the profound influence mentorship can have in shaping an artist’s journey. Holland’s ability to balance thoughtful selectiveness with a willingness to explore new creative territories signals a promising future both on screen and the stage.
With projects that challenge him and collaborations that inspire, Holland remains a compelling figure in contemporary acting, embodying a blend of discipline, openness, and ambition that resonates with audiences and peers alike.
