10 Questions: Barry Shabaka Henley

The new Lt. Castillo in Miami Vice.

Character actor Barry Shabaka Henley plays Lt. Martin Castillo in writer-director Michael Mann's big-screen version of the TV classic Miami Vice. Henley previously worked with Mann on Ali, Collateral and the short-lived TV series, Robbery Homicide Division. You might also recognize Henley from such films as The Terminal and Four Brothers or from the TV series Barbershop.

Mr. Henley was kind enough to speak with IGN FilmForce and answer our 10 Questions.

1. What is your favorite piece of music?

"Sketches In Spain."

2. What is your favorite film?

That is really a hard one. I love the film Z by Costa-Gavras. I also love The Man Facing Southeast and The Godfather, Part II. Those are my three favorite films.


The Larry Sanders Show, without question.


For me, the most important is being able to use my influence and popularity to help people that need a hand. And sometimes just popularity makes it easier for you to have access to be in a position to do that.


That's a hard one. I'd have to say Barbershop but for different reasons. I thought it was a great show and I was very surprised that it wasn't brought back. It had nothing to do with the quality of the show; it had more to do with the decision of someone who's behind these kinds of things.

6. What is your favorite book?

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Marquez.


Extras would be treated a lot nicer.

Barry Shabaka Henley as Lt. Martin Castillo; click on the pic for more images from the big-screen version of Miami Vice.


I would have to say no one person. It was a combination of the kindness of strangers. Like Blanche DuBois said, "I've always depended on the kindness of strangers." There have been a lot of strangers who have been kind and who have become lifelong friends, and Michael Mann is clearly at the top of that list.

9. What is your next project?

I'm producing a documentary film on the African-American, Latino history of Santa Monica.


The life of Alexander Pushkin. In this play I'm doing, Jungle Bells, there's a section about Pushkin where's preparing for the duel that ends his life.