Chuks Joseph: There Are No Small Roles, 

Only Small-minded Actors

Nollywood actor, Chuks Joseph, has been having an impressive run following a “wakka-pass” role he landed on the popular Flatmates TV series in 2020. Within four years, he has appeared in more than 10 film projects, quickly making a name for himself as an actor to watch out for with scene-stealing performances. He tells Ferdinand Ekechukwu about his budding career, inspirations, his dream roles, and more. Excerpts:

How did you go from studying Microbiology to acting?

I think it happened because it was supposed to happen. I completed my service in mid-2019 and was retained by my organisation to continue research work. The project wrapped up around December of that year, so I began applying for jobs at companies like Zenith Bank and KPMG. That same month, I went with a few friends to audition for a role on the popular TV series Flatmates. I was also going to interviews back and forth, but the job-hunting process was unfulfilling. So, I considered going back to modelling, maybe on a bigger scale, since I modelled in school and became Mr. SUG in my first year for the whole Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO). One of my friends encouraged the idea; he even got a form for me to be part of Mr. Ideal Nigeria 2020, where I ended up being the first runner-up. That same year, around April or May, I got a call from the Flatmates team letting me know I had gotten a “wakka-pass” role. I was so excited because I wasn’t even an actor. The whole process fascinated me, from getting the scripts and rehearsing to filming. At that time, simultaneously, I had already applied for Mr. Ideal Nigeria, so when I became the first runner-up, I had the option of either doing a fashion thing for a couple of weeks or going to film school, Royal Arts Academy film school specifically. My experience on the set of Flatmates had piqued my curiosity, so I chose the latter to see if it was something I could do. That’s where everything started for me.

Why was it necessary for you to go to a film school?

I am not a control freak, but I like to be in control even if I’m not in total control of things happening around me; I like to be aware. I like to know my options and what I’m doing. After Royal Arts Academy, which was like an introduction to acting, I figured I needed more training to go far or be a bit different and better in general, so I went to EbonyLife Creative Academy that same 2021, around July. As a Microbiology student, I learned certain things not during the lecture but when I went for practicals in the laboratory. I figured the same thing applied to acting. So, if I wanted to be a good actor, I needed to learn, train, and gain some hands-on knowledge.

Most of your roles have been what some might call ‘small’ roles. What is your opinion on ‘small’ roles, and what’s your key to stealing the show in non-lead roles?

One thing our acting coach at EbonyLife Creative Academy used to say was that ‘there are no small roles only small-minded actors.’ When it comes to these seemingly small roles, as long as you have screen time and a part of the story, even if it’s a teeny weeny bit, you are very, very monumental in that story as long as you’re able to bring your character’s elements to life and make it believable so people can resonate with it. That’s how I approach those ‘small’ roles. When they come, and I see that I don’t have as much screen time, I ensure I Chop Am (Nigerian slang). I try to make the scripts more interesting. There is no trick; I go into every project determined to do my best.

How do these “small” roles build up to that big, undeniable leading role?

I think these ‘small’ roles go to show that I can do this. After seeing what I can do with just a few roles, people can tell I have what it takes. I am just happy to be here acting. So, if you want to make me the lead, I will take it and kill it. I will do the same if I only have a few lines. Over time, this has become my entire life. I have fallen so deeply in love with the process of acting and filmmaking that I don’t think I’ll stop doing this thing any time soon.

If you could play anyone, what would that character be? 

I would love to play a doctor or a man of God who looks perfect on the outside but has secrets; a character slightly similar to the one in Bolanle Austen-Peters’ Man of God. Also, I would love to play a doctor with mental issues who is a master of his craft and has done ground-breaking things but occasionally makes mistakes that people overlook because of how skilled he is. I also want to play a military man, a young rebellious officer who doesn’t want to conform to how things are done. I want to shave my head and go bald. I just want roles with depth.

What’s next for you?

I am in the upcoming season 5 of The Men’s Club, which is already out of the bag with the recently released trailer. I also have a tech film where I play a very good boy, influencer, and soft boy, which is more like the real me. I am looking forward to the release of the movie because I can’t wait for people to see a different side of me.