Last time we checked in with Timothy Richardson, it was 2018. He was two years out of college and pursuing modeling and acting. Since then, Richardson went to film school at Georgia State University, became a director of photography, and still shoots movies while acting. In fact, his upcoming film, B-Boy Blues, directed by Jussie Smollett, is set to make its world premiere at this year’s American Black Film Festival. B-Boy Blues follows the turbulent relationship between Mitchell Crawford (Richardson), a 27-year-old journalist, and Raheim Rivers (Thomas Mackie), a 21-year-old bike messenger and B-boy – or banjee boy. Richardson is excited for viewers to watch Raheim and Mitchell fall in love. 

“In the movie, you can see these two men navigate through the difficulties of what it’s like to be in a relationship and try to make that work. You get to see two people fight for something. You get to see their individual ways and how they fight for love.”

On the surface, one might look at Richardson and his character, Mitchell, and only see differences, but this isn’t the case. In fact, Richardson said, “[One of the most rewarding things about playing Mitchell was] getting the chance to play a character who, ostensibly, there’s no significant differences between us two, but internally, we have some differences. I loved getting to explore Mitchell’s differences. I love reaching the point of understanding that his differences aren’t so different from mine. That’s what I feel was most rewarding … stepping into a character, becoming them, and really getting to see what their life is like. It makes you look at your own life and realize, ‘Okay, we’re not that different.’” 

Richardson also notes that one of his favorite things about working on this film was getting to work with director Jussie Smollett. “We became brothers during the shooting, and he is so anointed as an artist,” Richardson told us.

Now that his time as Mitchell has come to an end, Richardson is going to miss some of those elements of Mitchell’s life. 

“I’m gonna miss his everyday life. He’s a head journalist at a magazine. His day-to-day life is always going, so it was nice to integrate myself into the streets, like in the life of New York, and have the coffee in my hand. I’m submerging myself into the natural environment of what it is to be a New Yorker.” 

Mitchell’s business is something that resonates with Richardson. As a filmmaker, Richardson relates to the passion Mitchell feels for his work, but he also has those moments when the work he’s so committed to feels a little bit daunting.

Throughout his acting career, Richardson has taken on roles that haven’t always aligned with his personality. 

“I was on a crime reenactment show. I played a character called Aaron. He was almost like a controlling, abusive boyfriend. He was a complete 180 of what I am. And then, the second one I think of is the first season of David Makes Man on the Oprah Network. I play a professor who kind of disowns his child in front of his wife. And I didn’t judge any of these characters because this is real life. These are real people who go through hard things. I think that’s the first rule to be an actor. I don’t judge these characters,” Richardson stated. 

Despite the breadth of his acting experience and all the lives he’s gotten to take on, his favorite character to play has been Mitchell. 

“I got to experience Mitchell’s love, him falling in love. I got to experience all those emotions that Mitchell was feeling, and he was just such a beautiful person. Day in and day out, he was trying to get [his personal life] together. His professional life was great. Being a filmmaker and entrepreneur, I feel that sometimes I don’t have a full grip on the business aspect, my professional life, but then personally I feel like things are going great. So, for Mitchell, it was a switch; his business life brought so much success. And then, he was having to really figure out his personal life. It was nice, bringing the love from my own life into that.”

So, what’s next for Richardson? While he can’t give too many details, his next role will be in the action genre. He’s also already slated to pursue his dream of being a director of photography. He’s booked to shoot his first feature film soon. Richardson is also revamping his nonprofit Ties for Change into a mentorship program for young film students in Orlando.

To follow along with Richardson, you can find him on Instagram @timothymrichardson. B-Boy Blues will be available worldwide in 2022.