Euphoria’s Darrell Britt-Gibson Plays a ‘Ninja in a World of Cowboys’

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Once known for its edgy portrayal of teenage life, the show Euphoria now delves into a darker world of drugs, sex work, and serious violence. It’s within this dangerous environment that we meet Bishop, first encountered by Zendaya’s character, Rue, at the Silver Slipper strip club, owned by Alamo. As Alamo’s trusted right-hand man, Darrell Britt-Gibson plays Bishop with a quietly threatening presence, making it clear he’s a force to be reckoned with and fiercely loyal to his boss.

This week, Bishop tries to resolve the escalating feud that began when Laurie (Martha Kelly) angrily called Alamo a rude name. Alamo responded by sending a large pig into Laurie’s home, which was later shot at the Silver Slipper. Bishop is then asked to poison Laurie’s pet parrot, Paladin. Despite his affection for animals – shared by Britt-Gibson – Bishop manages to do it quietly and efficiently.

What really stands out in Euphoria’s move towards more crime-focused storylines is actor Jahkara Smith’s dedication to his character, Bishop, and the little bits of humor he brings to the role. To prepare for the part, Smith drew inspiration from Javier Bardem’s performance as Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men, as well as from cartoons and the classic film Seven Samurai by Akira Kurosawa. He wanted to create a character who felt mysterious and imposing. As he puts it, “I imagined Bishop as a ninja in a Western setting. How can someone have a strong presence without constantly talking, and how does that affect the other characters around them?”

When I first joined the new season of Euphoria, it was a bit overwhelming considering all the hype. I hadn’t actually seen the show before, but I was definitely aware of it – it’s hard to avoid! I had just finished promoting my film, She Taught Love, which was a really demanding process. I poured my heart and soul into getting people to see this Black love story, and it took a huge physical and emotional toll on me. Honestly, I was exhausted and needed a break, so I was actually considering stepping away from acting to just rest and recharge.

I was so surprised when the audition for Euphoria came my way! I immediately started trying to figure out what kind of role I’d even be right for – they’re all high school students, and I wondered if I’d be playing a teacher or something. But everyone encouraged me to just go for it, so I sent in a self-tape. Honestly, I didn’t think much about it after that and kind of forgot about it. Then, out of the blue, I got a call saying they loved the tape! Sam Levinson, the creator, wanted to Zoom with me. I even showed him a funny picture of me dressed as a cowboy when I was a little kid, because the show was touching on some similar themes. A couple of months went by, and they told me I was too young for the role I originally auditioned for. But Sam really liked me and wanted to create a character specifically for me! I think Bishop was a character they had in mind already, but he wasn’t fully developed – Sam really fleshed him out into what he is now.

So you originally auditioned for Alamo?
Yeah.

The current season draws heavily on classic American Western themes. How did you see Bishop fitting into that established world? I imagined Bishop as a ninja-like figure in a cowboy setting. I did a lot of research on samurai and Buddhist monks to inform the character. Javier Bardem’s performance in No Country for Old Men – specifically his calm and deliberate movements – was a major influence. I kept asking myself, what would a samurai look like in the Wild West? I shared all these ideas with Sam, and unlike what sometimes happens on set, he was completely on board with every single one of them.

Bishop is a bit of a mystery. He’s secretive and hard to read, but we’re slowly learning more about him. I wanted to portray that calmness, so on set, I always focused on keeping my own heart rate below 65 beats per minute. That level of composure is essential to his character, as he needs to remain calm in every situation.

Rue first encounters Bishop when she enters Alamo’s world. In the initial episode, there’s a compelling conversation between Bishop and Kidd where Bishop confronts Kidd about counting cards and dismisses the idea of luck. This immediately signaled to me that Bishop was a character to pay close attention to. I don’t think Bishop believes in luck at all; he seems to believe in fate – that everything is predetermined and unavoidable. When Kidd says, “I got lucky,” Bishop sharply counters that luck doesn’t exist.

If you truly believe that, then there’s nothing to be afraid of. That’s right. This character is remarkable because he acts without any fear at all – it’s what makes him so compelling.

Bishop is a really smart and brave character, while Alamo and G are more outgoing. It was fantastic working with Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Marshawn Lynch and seeing how they played off each other. I genuinely love those guys – they feel like family. I remember our first day on set – just me, Marshawn, and Adewale – and we instantly had a great connection while rehearsing a scene. Everyone came prepared with a clear idea of their character, and it just clicked. It’s refreshing because often Black characters are portrayed as all the same, but these are all very different people, which is what makes the show so engaging.

This week’s episode features a major clash between Bishop and Laurie’s group. The conflict is rooted in racism, as Laurie and her followers are portrayed as openly prejudiced characters. I’m curious how this racial dynamic influenced your direction of the scene. Bishop isn’t intimidated by any environment, so he confidently enters a room full of racist and extremist individuals. He isn’t fazed at all. In that moment, Bishop acknowledges he’s outnumbered, but firmly believes everyone in the room should fear him more than he fears them.

In that scene, Bishop has a dual purpose: to poison the bird and to intimidate Laurie’s team. It was a strong character moment for him, showing a more proactive side than we’d seen before. He genuinely frightens Laurie, and everyone is left wondering what just happened.

The team is already aware of Alamo and has dealt with him in the past, so they know his reputation. Bishop’s arrival as this unexpected, unsettling presence amplifies the threat Alamo poses. They understand how to provoke Alamo, but Bishop’s appearance throws them off – it’s something they didn’t anticipate. Bishop remains completely unfazed by what he perceives as danger. His movements are graceful and efficient, with no wasted energy.

I was interested to see how I’d fit in, especially since my character, Bishop, is so important to the story. The existing cast had been working together for a while, so I wondered what the atmosphere would be like. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with incredible actors like Daniel Kaluuya, Sam Rockwell, and Frances McDormand – I consider them family. I never feel nervous walking onto a set; I always tell actors they’ve earned their place there. This set was no different. Everyone was incredibly welcoming. Working with Zendaya felt like being with family, and I never felt like the ‘new kid.’ From the moment I arrived, I was embraced with so much love that I never had a chance to feel out of place.

The chemistry between Rue, Alamo, Bishop, and G feels incredibly authentic. It’s a situation where everyone pushes each other to improve – you need to bring your A-game because you’ll be working alongside some truly talented people, and you don’t want to be the weak link.

Bishop’s love for animals is a surprising common ground with Laurie. He’s a man of integrity and duty; as a soldier for Alamo, he feels compelled to follow orders, even when they conflict with his true nature – a genuine kindness towards all creatures.

Let’s discuss that scene with the pig. My favorite moment is when Bishop looks at the pig, covered in blood and lying on the floor, and says, “It’s a beautiful pig.” What was it like filming that day? There were actually twin pigs used – they were quite large and ran around the club set. I really love animals, so I always made a point of talking to the people handling them. Whenever I’m on set with animals, they immediately become my main focus. I truly enjoy being around them, so those days are always the best for me.

These pigs were enormous, but also incredibly beautiful. It reminds me of the movie Babe – truly one of the best films ever made! Whenever it’s on, I have to drop everything and watch the whole thing. What’s amazing is that being on set turned these pigs into actors, and that saved them from being slaughtered. Now they get to live full, natural lives, which is wonderful. I could talk about animals all day – I actually wanted to be a zookeeper when I was growing up, so I’m really passionate about them.

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2026-04-29 22:56