After being renewed for a new season after just a few days after its premiere, “The Deuce” is back for season two on HBO. The show follows the journey of pimps and their girls in New York City during the seventies.ย
The Knockturnal had the opportunity to sit down with one of the stars on the show, Gary Carr, to talk about his character, a pimp named C.C. Carr also gave some insight on what to expect in the upcoming season, and his opinions on his character.ย
The Knockturnal: From your point of view, how does The Deuce differ from other TV series?
Gary Carr: I think itโs great detailed work. I haven’t seen many other TV shows of this time period, but itโs thorough. David (Simon) and George (Pelecanos), theyโre really good at writing those pieces that really reflect the time. I think all the departments have done the highest quality work. From costumes, set design, to hair and makeup; all of those elements really do help you invest in the show and believe in the world youโre watching. The Deuce does that really well.
The Knockturnal: All of those elements must require a lot of research. What was your research process like?
Gary Carr: I did pretty much what the heads of the departments would do. I collect everything from books of the time, news publications, magazine articles, documentaries, films, music. Iโd research what the climate was like to be an African American at that time in the 70s in New York, as well as the social and economic climate.
The Knockturnal: In terms of character, C.C. doesnโt let his race or any circumstance affect him. He has an arrogance about him. Do you think itโll be his downfall?
Gary Carr: Yes, but I think heโll try to dodge it the way C.C. does. C.C.is always trying to survive and considers himself to be โThe Mack.โ By the time we come to season two, I donโt even know if the pimp game really exists anymore. I think heโs trying to figure it out, and I think the audience is going to try to figure that out as well. But heโs got this swag to him, he needs that to drive him.
The Knockturnal: With that being said, what does being a pimp mean to C.C.? Or what did you as an actor decide what being a pimp meant to your character?
Gary Carr: Right now, for him, it means to survive, to be alive, to be the best at what heโs doing on a superficial level, and make as much money as possible. I feel like, yeah, C.C. did choose this profession, but at the same time, I thought his background or his upbringing was one that gave him no choice. Maybe he was exposed to that world at a young age. What I love about C.C., it sounds crazy, but heโs always trying to be the best version of himself. In season one, we hear him speak about his dreams of living in a different city, and having a house. Heโs thinking of that stuff and thatโs really interesting. He has ambitions that go beyond the pimp game.
The Knockturnal: So you donโt think heโs in the game to stay?
Gary Carr: No. I donโt know, I donโt think so.
The Knockturnal: When do you think enough will be enough for C.C.?
Gary Carr: If itโs not circumstances, then I think that itโll be when heโs reached his goal. I imagine heโs had this idea in his head like, yeah, I just need to make this amount of money and advance to the next part of my life. Heโs very fierce and stern about how he works his girls. But I think we see them struggle in season two and thatโs really interesting to watch.
The Knockturnal: Struggling in terms of?
Gary Carr: In terms of being the number one pimp. In terms of the pimp game, I donโt think heโs really killing it anymore by season two; Laurieโs working for the studios now.
The Knockturnal: How does he feel about that? He seems to love her, if not, she definitely seems more special than the others in C.Cโs eyes. What is it about her?
Gary Carr: Any way you look at it, I donโt think heโs happy about it. Itโs crazy because, itโs bringing him a good source of income right now, but I think he knows itโs not sustainable. The more success she obtains, the more it leaves him in a position where he doesnโt really have a place, or a say, or a voice; or any kind of power or clout. Thatโs shutting him down completely, so I think thereโs a lot of fear, insecurities, a lot of jealousy as well over her success. Itโs a big deal that his girl really stepped out on her own. She doesnโt need him and thatโs whatโs not being said. Heโs always trying to enforce his power.
The Knockturnal: So is he in love with her? Or is Laurie, like the other girls?
Gary Carr: I think heโs in love with what they are. We donโt see C.C.โs story before season one, episode one, but we know him and Laurie meet at that time and they very much decided to be a team very early on; and that was exciting for him. Over time I think he developed strong feelings. Sheโs ride or die, sheโs proven that and thatโs a big deal for a pimp to have someone completely depend on you; but sheโs independent as well, heโs got a lot of respect for her. Heโs got a lot of respect for Ashley as well. I think C.C. does love these women. I donโt think we can understand that world really because weโre not in it, but there are these genuine relationships with the girls, and itโs real, very human. Thereโs love there, itโs mutual, and thereโs an understanding.
The Knockturnal: Is C.C. a villain?
Gary Carr: I donโt see him as a villain, I really donโt judge. I donโt think any of them are bad people. I empathize for them, if anything, actually.
The Knockturnal: How does this show speak to modern day issues such as patriarchy and womenโs rights in the workplace, etc.?
Gary Carr: There are a lot of things being highlighted in the series now, things that occurred in the seventies, that are actually still current now. Whether it be female empowerment movements, or equality across the board; from race, sex, gender, everything. All of that stuff was happening in the seventies and is very current today. I think the show does a really good job of reflecting the time, which happens to be very similar to now. I think though, itโs a positive thing because in the seventies there was so much change and so many progressive things happening and I feel like thatโs happening now. I know everyone doesnโt think so, but I think itโs positive a lot of things are being said and people are being heard.
The Knockturnal: Anything you want people to look out for?
Gary Carr: Iโm just interested to see how people react towards him. I was really interested in comments that were made first season. People seem to really like the character, theyโre like, โI like him, but I donโt want to like him because you know, heโs bad, heโs a pimp,โ but I was like cool because I think that means the writers and performers definitely humanized these characters. I hope people still like it
Tune in to The Deuce on Sunday, September 9th at 9pm EST on HBO.ย
