Philemon Chambers joined Series 2 of Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black, playing Andy in the Netflix show, with Part 2 releasing on 19th March, and he works alongside a cast including Taylor Polidore Williams as Kimmie and Crystle Stewart as Mallory Bellarie, with Tyler Perry as one of the executive producers. For Philemon’s first screen regular character, he played Augustus across every episode of Walker: Independence (prequel to Walker), and he was previously part of the 2023 short film Cupcake. In the 2021 Netflix romantic comedy Christmas release of Single All the Way, Philemon played the co-lead character Nick opposite Michael Urie as Peter with Barry Bostwick, Kathy Najimy, Jennifer Coolidge and Jennifer Robertson also in the cast. We caught up with Philemon, who spoke to us about joining Series 2 of Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black, playing Augustus in Walker: Independence and his co-lead character of Nick in Netflix romantic comedy Christmas film Single All the Way.
How has it been joining the cast of Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black for Series 2, and can you tell us about your character Andy?
Joining Beauty in Black was a dream come true for more reasons than one. It’s one of Netflix’s number one shows led by two Black leads, I’m working alongside friends, and I get to work with Tyler Perry – my millennium was made.
Andy comes in as a baby face, but he’s involved in much more than just transport for Mallory and security for the club. You haven’t seen anything yet – just wait until Part 2 releases March 19th.
How much did you know about Beauty in Black before booking the role of Andy, and what is the series like to be part of?
I grew up on everything Tyler Perry, so I was already very familiar with Beauty in Black. When the first season came out, my partner and I binged Part 1 in literally one sitting – I was hooked.
When the call came in, I got excited. I hadn’t initially auditioned for Beauty in Black – I auditioned for Divorced Sistas. Then I got the call that Kim Coleman and Tyler really wanted me for Beauty in Black. It was a straight offer for Andy. As unexpected as it was, it turned out to be exactly what I was supposed to do.
Across every episode of Walker: Independence (the prequel to Walker), you play regular character Augustus, what was it like having Augustus as your first on-screen regular character, and how was it developing the role throughout the series?
Walker: Independence will forever have a special place in my heart. It was a full-circle moment because, growing up, the way I bonded with my dad was by watching Westerns. Getting to be part of something I knew he’d watch and enjoy meant the world to me.
I modelled Augustus after my dad, so I had a strong reference point. With my dad being from Louisiana, I already had the accent, but even that evolved into Gus’s true voice over time. Our showrunner, Seamus Kevin Fahey, really wanted to honour my dad, and he and the writers would add little touches that made it all the more meaningful.
Can you tell us about the 2023 short film Cupcake and what it was like to film?
CUPCAKE! We had just wrapped the pilot for Walker: Independence and celebrated the night before – all night. At the airport, I got a call from Larry Teng, our executive producer and director on the pilot and several episodes. He doesn’t just call, so I was nervous.
Turns out he was doing AD work for a friend and they wanted me for the part. I immediately said yes – you don’t say no to Larry Teng, the GOAT, aka the MF sorcerer.
We shot a few weeks later and I had the best time. I got to work with the writer, Emily Burton, who starred in it as well, and she was an absolute gem. The set created such a safe space to play and explore. Plus, I got to bother my co-star Matt Barr, which I always enjoy.
What are some of your stand-out memories from working on Single All the Way as Nick, and how was it filming opposite Michael Urie and the rest of the cast?
My first starring role – phew. I have so many stand-out memories that I hold close to my heart. My favourite moment actually wasn’t during filming, but between takes. We were shooting during COVID and masked the entire time, but that didn’t stop the hangouts – sorry, COVID officers.
One day, we all piled into a room in the filming house, and I happened to have my iPad because I was finishing the original Planet of the Apes. Barry Bostwick asked what I was watching, then Michael (Urie), Kathy (Najimy), and the girls joined, and suddenly we were all on the bed, chairs and floor watching together. The crew even started coming in. It was such a wholesome moment before we had to get back to work.
Michael Urie is a godsend. He protected me, made me feel included and elevated my entire experience. I’m so happy he’s getting the recognition he deserves. I’ll forever be in his corner.
How was it telling the story of Single All the Way, and did you have any favourite scenes to film?
It felt important to tell a story that wasn’t rooted in trauma or homophobia – just characters living in acceptance. A part of my inner child healed through that film, and it still drives how I move through life: leading with understanding, kindness and acceptance. The lessons in that story are endless, which is why it resonated so deeply.
I want to say every scene is my favourite, but I know that’s cheating. Getting to work with Michael meant every scene felt special. And I have to shout out the big four in my book – Barry Bostwick, Kathy Najimy, Jennifer Coolidge and Jennifer Robertson. Mind blown. Every moment with them was a masterclass. I was learning from people I’d watched my whole life, and it still doesn’t feel real.
Do you remember how you felt finding out you’d booked the co-lead role of Nick, and what was it like watching the completed film for the first time?
Do I remember? I cried. I cried. Getting that call from my manager and agent left me flabbergasted. I’d hoped they liked me after the chemistry read with Michael, but booking it was a different level. I was probably insufferable for a week – not obnoxious, just proud. This business is hard. Extremely hard. When you get wins, celebrate them. Callback, pin, hold – celebrate all of it.
Watching the finished film was nerve-racking. I’m my harshest critic, and I honestly feared I’d never work again because I wasn’t proud of my performance. But seeing the reception, the messages, the emails, the nominations – it completely shifted my mindset.
How did you get into acting, and did you always know you wanted a career in the industry?
I fell in love with acting after seeing The Lion King at the Pantages Theatre when I was six. From that moment, I knew what I wanted to do. I didn’t start professionally until I was 13, but this has always been the dream. I’m 32 now, so yeah – it’s been a lifelong thing.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I’m a big family man. Any time spent with the family I’m building with my partner, or with our extended families, is time well spent. I love travelling and experiencing new things. I was super cautious growing up – no drinking, no experimenting. One of those has changed. I’ll take a tequila soda with a splash of cranberry and lime, thank you.
I just want to experience everything the world has to offer. That’s my thespian answer.
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