Born outside of Boston, Justin Swain was raised in New Hampshire before he returned to Boston to attend Emerson College.
Currently starring in Netflix’s Luke Cage, which follows the story of Carl Lucas aka Luke Cage, a former convict with superhuman strength and unbreakable skin who now fights crime.
Season Two premiered June 22, 2018, and you can check out the trailer featuring Justin below.
https://youtu.be/sB1in0KkoG4
You play “Detective Mark Bailey” on Marvel’s ‘Luke Cage’. What can you tease about Season 2 for those who have not binged it yet on Netflix?
This season takes things to the next level. Everything is changing in Harlem. There is a new gun in town that is bigger and just as badass as Luke Cage. He is messing up the power dynamic. My character has been promoted and I have a new partner, Nandi played by Anotique Smith. Nandi has a history with Misty Knight, so I’m caught in the middle of some old grudges. It’s a gritty season with everyone dealing with new status but trying not to lose their soul.
What was your favorite scene to shoot in Season 2?
Well, Season 2 was really different for me. My character gets out of the office a lot more, so I was able to work with Mike Colter and Alfre Woodard a bit. And of course, I also had some really fun stuff with Simone Missick, who is awesome, and Karen Pittman. There is a scene in a later episode that is in an interrogation room. Some stuff has gone down and my character is in a bit of denial. It’s a fun scene, some sparks fly, check it out!
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would like to have power like Gambit in the X-Men comics. I just think he’s cool. I actually think they are making a stand-alone movie with Channing Tatum.
You recently appeared in the Oscar-nominated film “The Post”. How was that experience?
That was really cool. I was able to work with Steven Spielberg for a day. It was pretty awesome to hang out and shake the hand of a legend.
You are also a writer. What would be your dream series to write for?
There are a couple series right now I would love to write for. I’m a big fan of Ozark on Netflix. I also love Handmaid’s Tale and Westworld.
Justin Swain’s additional acting credits include the Oscar-nominated film “The Post”, HBO’s “Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight”, “The Blacklist”, “Forever”, “Boardwalk Empire”, “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: SVU”. Alongside with his acting career, Swain has written for film, television series, and he has also developed pilots under the guidance of Christina Wayne (“Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad”) and Academy Award and Emmy winning producer Cary Brokaw (“The Player”, “Closer”, and “Angeles in America”).
