Joe Pickett has hooked Spectrum Originals audiences with its adaptation of the hit C.J. Box novels, and its great casting. One of the standout performers is Mustafa Speaks, who portrays Nate Romanowski—Joe’s best friend as well as a hero in his own right. Where other actors might fall into the sidekick trope, Mustafa has given Nate his own strong personality.
What pulled him into joining the Joe Pickett universe in the first place? That’s one of the questions I asked him in our video interview. We also discuss whether or not actors ought to read the books their TV shows are based on in the rising age of book-to-screen adaptations, and I learn a bit more about Mustafa’s research process for this particular series. Get to know the man behind Nate Romanowski and how he brought Nate to life by playing the video included here.
Joe Pickett is the second C.J. Box adaptation on the airwaves; the ABC crime drama Big Sky is based on one of the novels from his popular Hoyt/Dewell series. But Joe Pickett skews more toward its own, edge-of-the-world type style that will appeal to fans of FX’s critically acclaimed Elmore Leonard adaptation Justified, and features some wonderful performances from an incredible cast. Mustafa certainly takes his work to another level with this role.
If you missed the series premiere, the first three episodes are still available through Spectrum Originals. You can also learn more about the show in my interview with series stars Michael Dorman (Joe Pickett) and Julianna Guill (Marybeth Pickett).
Joe Pickett airs Mondays on Spectrum. The first four episodes are available on demand now.
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