In a recent interview with Bashir Salahuddin, the multi-talented actor, writer, and producer opened up about his role in Hulu’s new comedy series How To Die Alone, created by and starring Natasha Rothwell. Salahuddin plays Brian, the brother of Melissa (Rothwell), and their relationship dynamic is complex, to say the least.
Salahuddin reflected on how Rothwell reached out to him about the role after recognizing his talent, which, in turn, led to what he calls some of his best work.
“I am lucky enough to say that I’ve been a fan of Natasha since she was doing the characters on Netflix,since she was the fanned-out scene stealer on social White Lotus, and many, you know, other places in film and TV. And while I was enjoying her work, I’m grateful that she was aware of mine. And yeah, she reached out. She said, I’m looking for somebody to play my brother, and that conversation has led to me doing some of the best work of my life.”
How To Die Alone follows the relatable antihero Melissa as she goes through the motions of life in her thirties while tackling difficult subjects like loneliness, fear of failure, and self-acceptance. Salahuddin spoke warmly of Rothwell’s writing of his character Brian and how it resonated with his own experiences with family.
Sibling relationships can be tricky. “No matter how composed you think you are, there’s always that one sibling who knows how to make you crazy,” he said with a laugh. He noted that while the role required tapping into his dramatic side, the script was so strong that it allowed for moments of natural improvisation without straying too far from Rothwell’s vision.
Salahuddin’s approach to Brian, and the tension overbearing tension present between him and Mel conveys a more nuanced storytelling, a skill he attained through his experience as a writer on shows like Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, The Last O.G., Sherman’s Showcase, and South Side.
He admitted that his writing background influenced how he played Brian, particularly in appreciating how much effort goes into crafting great scripts. “Great writing is rarely immediate,” he said, adding that Rothwell and her co-creator Vera Santamaria “poured their whole souls into it.” Seeing the dedication of Rothwell and her team that went into crafting this series inspired Salahuddin to step outside of his usual style of comedic storytelling, and deliver an emotional yet striking performance.
But his vversatilitydoesn’t just extend to How To Die Alone. He’s also known for his work on his Max original comedy series South Side. Created and written alongside his frequent collaborator Diallo Riddle, South Side was a masterclass in comedy. It followed the everyday lives of two friends on the South Side of Chicago who work at a rent-to-own store while dreaming of better days.
The show racked up a loyal fanbase due to its clever portrayal of a predominantly Black working-class community, unique characters, and authenticity. It was a necessary fresh take on life in Chicago. Yet, that still wasn’t enough to keep the show on air. After three seasons, South Side was canceled in February 2023.
In 2019, Riddle and Salahuddin also created Sherman’s Showcase which premiered on IFC. However, after two seasons the sketch comedy show was unfortunately canceled, as well.
Both cancellations sparked widespread disappointment across social media, especially given the show’s rising popularity and cultural relevance. Although frustrated about both series being cut short, he acknowledged that his feelings were bittersweet. He also recognized the clear bias in the TV industry towards black shows focused on black stories.
“South Side never lost a fan. Our audience grew every season,” Salahuddin said, blaming the cancellation on a much larger issue involving the industry’s decision-makers not reflecting the communities they’re serving. He emphasized the importance of having more diversity in those positions of power to control what gets greenlit and sustained in Hollywood. “We need to be the ones making the decisions,” he asserted.
Despite the setback, Salahuddin remains optimistic. He hinted at a future media venture based in his hometown of Chicago that aligns with his goal of keeping things original and unapologetically black like his work on South Side and Sherman’s Showcase. He’s eager for more, stating that despite both shows ending prematurely, he feels proud of what they accomplished. “We never compromised,” he said. “That’s a beautiful thing.”
The first four episodes of How to Die Alone are now streaming on Hulu.
