New York native EDWIN HODGE is causing scenes on both the silver and plasma screens. He stars in the highly anticipated NCIS spinoff “NCIS: RED” as tech expert Kai Ashe, and teams up with noir cult hero Ethan Hawke in “The Purge” which hits theatres this summer. Editor ToneSwep caught up with the laid-back Edwin and his sly 5-Burrough smile for this DOPE Magazine “Ever After” Issue Exclusive.

Read the Full Interview

(ToneSwep: TS) Ed, we gotta start with “NCIS: RED” man, a hot project hitting living rooms worldwide real soon. Bring us up to speed.

(Edwin Hodge: EH) They got a lot of secrets on lock down, but basically my role is to play Kai Ashe, a technical wiz. The Red Team is a band of mobile agents going around the country fighting terrorism. My job as a techie is to make certain everything gets done in a timely fashion. It almost mirrors my brother’s (Aldis Hodge) role on Leverage. As for the series, you can expect everything from explosions, car chases, gun fights, hand-to-hand combat and some humor. The producers maintained a formula with the previous shows, a formula that draws 16 million viewers every week. The Red Team is a close knit group, a unit that spends 24-7 with each other and grows to become confidants.

(TS) Talk a little about “The Purge” with Ethan Hawke. How was it working with him in this speculative thriller?

(EH) That was an interesting experience. I actually auditioned for a different role and ended up landing a co-star role, which was great. The Purge takes on the ideas in our society in terms of social standards. We have a morbid twist on things. You have a guy who survives only at night, on the fringes. Due to a government sanction, there is an annual 12-hour period where everything and anything, including murder, is legal. People are allowed to do criminal activities without prosecution. My character is a homeless who ends up seeking sanctuary in Ethan Hawke’s home. We have the choice of either lending our helping hands to bring change, remain outcasts, or follow in line with what is happening in society.

(TS) You don’t typically do comedy, though you recently guested on “Cougar Town” with Courtney Cox.

(EH) That whole team is fun. A different lane from what I’ve been doing. That whole camp is wild man, they made the entire process fun. I’ve known Dan (Byrd) since I was 15. And Courtney was very, very welcoming. I don’t do comedy, you’re right. But they opened their arms and made me feel comfortable. It was fun to take on a different aspect of my career as an actor.

(TS) You’re a New York City native. Now you live and work here in Los Angeles. How are you liking the change of scenery 3000 miles away from the Rotten Apple?

(EH) I will start off by saying that I’m a true New Yorker to my heart. I think the lifestyle and hustle are a lot different here than at home. Growing up, everyone in New York was trying to figure out a way to make it, to make some money. LA is a little more lax. And we New Yorkers are more true about our feelings. If someone doesn’t like you, they will just tell you. Either that or they won’t deal with you at all. LA is more on the politically correct side. The only thing I like more about LA is I get to go out year round because of this beautiful, perfect weather. But I have met some really great people out here. I am glad I have been afforded the opportunity to work on some great projects too.

(TS) Ok so, being an NYC kid I’m sure you grew up a Knicks fan. Now the Nets are in Brooklyn though, homie. So where you at man? Knicks or Nets? How’d Jay say it – “Who You Wit”?

(EH) (Laughs in an uproariously!) Man! I’ve thought about this before. (Laughs some more!). I’m a Jay-Z fan so I have a little bias towards the Nets. You know, we have Deron Williams, Brooke Lopez. But I still respect the Knicks, but I have to go with the Nets now. That’s my team. Whatever Jay-Z has going on I’m supporting.

(TS) As we talk differences between NYC and LA, how about the ladies. What’s the difference between NYC chicks and LA chicks?

(EH) Man, dude. You’re really trying to get me in hot water now (Laughs!). If I said what I really wanted to say I would get in big trouble. No matter where you are, you have those ladies you can actually vibe out with and chill with, and those who are superficial and materialistic. I find that second type a little more here in LA. Hasn’t been too easy dating in LA, but I have a met some nice girls though.

(TS) Your brother Aldis stars on “Leverage”. Your parents must be super proud of you two? How’d it happen where two brothers were both drawn to acting and ended up starring on TV shows and in films? I can’t think of many examples of such outside the Wayans brothers.

(EH) They would have been proud of anything we did as long as it was positive and we enjoyed it. Our parents divorced when we were at an early age, but we still have a good sense of family. My father remains in contact. My mom, on the other hand, has been with us every step of the way. She has been the foundation, the commander and chief. My brother is an amazing artist and poet, with musical instruments as well as acting. I was more the athletic one. She backed us in whatever we wanted to do, gave us all the tools we needed to be active with it. We both deal with a lot of politics as Black male actors. We run into a lot of stereotypes. She told us that we are better than those stereotypes. That’s all we’re trying to do, be better than the stereotypes. We took a lot of roles growing up: Psychotics, criminals, athletes, execs, and students. We wanted to present more of a positive image of Black men in the roles we take on as adults.

(TS) If you weren’t an actor working in Hollywood, what profession would you have chosen?

(EH) I’m addicted to golf. Now that I know you can become a billionaire like Tiger Woods, get ladies, and have the big endorsements playing golf I probably would have pursued it (Laughs!). Golf back then was kind of a geeky suburban thing. So, if anything I would have been a golfer. I also loved football growing up and wanted to be a cornerback and wide-receiver, but I got hit a little too hard one time coming across that middle man (Laughs!).

(TS) Ooooh! One of those Ray Lewis joints. BAM! Car wreck.

(EH) Right and that was my last game (Laughs!).

(TS) How about away from acting? What are you up to in your down time?

(EH) I do a lot of writing. I like to write screenplays. I like to cook, golf, read. I’m an OG in that way, I like my privacy. Chill with friends and keep it simple. My career is busy enough. So when I have a little time I like to just do the simple things you rarely if ever get to do. Like laundry (Laughs!).

COPYRIGHT © 2010-2013 Pure DOPE Label / Pure DOPE™ / Luxury Label / Brand Enterprises. All Rights Reserved

Information About Copyright on the Web