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| The cast of 'Young Rock' |
By Darlene Donloe
Dwayne Johnson is letting it all hang out as he puts his life on display in the new NBC series, "Young Rock," set to debut Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 8 p.m.
The show takes a comedic look at Johnson's life during his formative years and centers on him growing up in a resilient family and surrounded by all the wild characters of professional wrestling, playing football at the University of Miami, and becoming the person he is today.
The show is executive produced by Johnson (DJ) and Nahnatchka Kahn (NK) and features cast members Adrian Groulx (AG), Bradley Constant (BC), Ana Tuisila (AT), Joseph Lee Anderson (JLA), Stacey Leilua (SL), and Uli Latukefu (UL).
I recently caught up with the executive producers and the cast to talk about the upcoming comedy.
Q: Dwayne and Nahnatchka, can you talk about being able to cast such wrestling legends as both within Dwayne’s family and whether we night see any actual wrestlers make cameos down the line.
NK: Yeah, it was an amazing and incredible challenge. I want to give a shout-out to our casting directors Anya Coloff and Michael Nicolo because they killed it. And it's a tall order. It's iconic, legendary wrestlers we're talking about.
And Matt Willig playing André the Giant, Nate Jackson playing Junkyard Dog. We have so many amazing wrestlers coming down the pipe that you don't even see in the pilot. We've got "Macho Man" Randy Savage. We've got Iron Sheik. We've got the Wild Samoans. We've got so many amazing characters, and I think that it was just part of the fun, really, of a show like this. And, you know, it was a casting challenge and we were happy to fulfill it because I think those guys just crushed it.
DJ: And to add to what Nahnatchka was saying is, you know, from my perspective, it was truly a love letter to professional wrestling, which is a business that I grew up in and a business that I've loved all of my life and learned some of my most valuable, while very unorthodox, lessons coming out of the world of pro wrestling, so to be able to highlight and showcase these men who were, in essence, my superheroes. They didn't wear capes when I was a little boy. They were these men in the professional wrestling world.
And I will say that you know, of all the actors who we cast, all of them really, truly embodied these professional wrestlers. Because in many ways, this was the very first time you were seeing these wrestlers portrayed certainly in primetime.
And I will say that for Joseph Lee Anderson to play my dad in such an uncanny way and, not only that, but all of our actors were so committed to these roles. As Nahnatchka was saying, it was a very tall order, especially for Joseph because he had to go from not being a professional wrestler to actually learning how to wrestle professionally, which is an incredibly difficult thing to do. And my dad was a bad dude in the game, and he had a lot of charisma and he had tons of athletic ability, and Joseph really did a tremendous job. I'm embarrassing him now, but I was really quite proud of not only Joseph but so proud of our entire cast.
Q: The premise makes it look like the show is going to be set in an interview format. Is that true?
NK: No. I think we’re going to be following candidate Johnson on his 2032 presidential campaign. So, for the course of Season 1, we’re going to be at different press events with him and Randall (Park) is going to try to get some insight into who Dwayne the man is in the future. But we also are going to have some other elements coming in and to sort of vary it up that way, but really following him on the campaign tour, on the campaign trail is what’s going to carry us through that 2032 timeline in Season 1.
Q: Dwayne, how important was it for you to subvert the perfect sitcom-dad trope and portray something that was really quite complicated and quite real?
DJ: The most important thing, two years ago, when I first sat down with Nahnatchka as well as Jeff, was to really understand why and what is the real reason why we're going to do this? How can we create something for audiences that hopefully will entertain them, but also allow them with a bit of a takeaway afterward? And once we had identified that and I felt good with that and comfortable with that, then we moved forward. So, to answer your question, I thought, well, I didn't -- let's not take the easy route. My life, you know, we use these terms wild and crazy and there's such -- you know those are great sizzle words we use as we promote this thing, but it was incredibly complicated and it was incredibly tough growing up. And, you know, we specifically went with these timelines in my life that were very defining times at 10 years old, 15, and 18. And, again, if we are, universe willing, lucky enough to come back for another round of this thing, there's a lot of other things in between those years that took place. But it was complicated, and the relationship that I had with my dad was incredibly complicated, which was fueled by tough love. My dad was kicked out of his house at 13 and he was homeless, so that then shaped the man who then raised me. And in that complication, then came an extraordinary life that was full of travel.
I lived in 13 different states by the time I was 13 years old. I also lived in New Zealand. And we have -- there was so much breadth to this life that I had. And after sitting down with our creators and Natch specifically, and Jeff, and to figure out the right, creative pathway to get into that, but then not only that. But also, I think, to your point is really the willingness to rip some things open and realize that vulnerability is going to be one of those factors, but also, through that, I think, really, when I look back on this and I can reflect this, the series has really allowed in a way me to appreciate those hard times that much more. Because through the brilliance of Nahnatchka and Jeff, they were able to craft something that still made audiences -- I hope and I think and fingers crossed -- feel a certain way and know that, you know, that we all go through these tough times. And sometimes when we're going through tough times like this, sometimes when you're in it, you're in the bubble. Sometimes when you see somebody else going through it, it just adds. It just gives a different perspective. It's almost like you take that “Kaleidescape” -- kaleidoscope, rather, and you just click it a few times and you see something in a different perspective. So long story long, we didn't want to take the traditional route or the typical route of what you might think this could be. But, still, let's talk about the complications. Let's reveal things. But then also, very important, let's talk about the good stuff. Because there was so much good stuff now when I look back at it and the good stuff of growing up in this wild world with these characters who are larger than life, who, all of these men and women. My grandmother, who Ana Tuisila did such a tremendous job playing, she was one of the first pioneering women in the world of professional wrestling. But all of these men, so successful what they did, but yet, interestingly enough, they played that role 24 hours a day. Even if that meant they lived in small apartments. Even if that meant they lived paycheck to paycheck. So, there was this -- again, I look back with such profound gratitude that I'm able to share these stories. So, again, very long story long, but it was –
And last thing, I will say this. I've celebrated one year of the loss of my dad. My dad died one year ago this month last year. He died suddenly. And he's obviously featured throughout the show, and Joseph Lee did a tremendous job playing my dad. He would have loved this. He would have loved this and he would have been so proud. Because for the first time, certainly in primetime, we are showcasing this world that he and all of his brothers of the ring, so to speak, of those men in the '70s and the '80s, that they gave their life to and, you know, to showcase it like this and to showcase it through the lens of something that's positive I know would have meant a lot to my dad. Because a lot of times the world of pro wrestling isn't always looked at through that lens in a positive way, and there's a lot of positive that we can take out of this. So, thank you for asking the question.
NK: I just want to say, DJ, also that you are incredibly open and honest as a person, and the fact that you were willing to allow us to tell these kinds of stories, you know, and be a little vulnerable in moments, I think
that's really what I'm very proud of the show. And it's like, yes, it's entertaining and it's funny hopefully, but also it feels real because it is real. And, so, credit goes to you for that.
Q: What is the plan for future seasons of “Young Rock” from a casting perspective? The three guys playing Rock are going to age.
NK: We're going to do that, like, you know those face melds where you, like, meld two people, we're going to like morph. Like, look at these two little faces right here, like, Adrian and Bradley. We're just going to -- we're going to create an uber-Dwayne once we meld them together. No. I think that's a good question. I think like Dwayne alluded to, his life is so big and there are so many stories to tell that, you know, I imagine there's even a season maybe pre-Adrian. You know, there's more seasons to tell in Hawaii. There's a lot of places we can jump to in Dwayne's big book of life. So, I think once we sort of determine these next stories and these next timelines we want to tell, I think that's going to be our kind of plan moving forward.
DJ: Yeah. I think we have a real opportunity if we were to go on after this. I mean, there is pre-Adrian, 5, 6, 7, 8, and, again, in this world. And then, from 11, 12, 13, 14, those were my years where I was the star of getting arrested all the time, so, I mean, we have so many stories there. And, of course, the University of Miami and playing there and then post-university Miami when I made the decision that I felt like I might have something to offer the world of pro wrestling and then we get into the WWE of it also. There's a good amount of stuff. All along, I'm bringing the fanny pack, though, guys. Don't you worry. Nobody worry. I'm bringing the fanny pack.
DJ: Talk about the importance of telling stories about these kinds of families?
NK: I mean, listen. I think that so many of us from diverse backgrounds really appreciate and gravitate towards seeing ourselves reflected and our stories reflected on screen. And I think Dwayne -- Dwayne's upbringing forming who he is today is so, so crucial, and he'll be the first to tell you his family was everything and being able to really honor that. I mean, we're following a road map. And I think for us it was very important to get it right, to get the details right, and to get these stories on screen and to, you know, get characters that you haven't seen before featured in a way and centered in a way that they haven't been.
DJ: And, you know, yes, it was important for us to showcase diversity and -- but, also, it was important for us to be real and authentic and this, it is my life and it is who I am. And I'm half Samoan and half Black and that combination and considering the families that came together in the world of pro wrestling. Where, as you see, we have the Iron Sheik from Iran. We have André the Giant from France. We have the Junkyard Dog. We have my dad. We have the Wild Samoans from Samoa. And these are the ones that we just showcase in the pilot, and there's more to come down the road.
But I think the responsibility that we had as -- well, as the inspiration of the show but certainly, the creator with Nahnatchka is just to be authentic and make sure that we're authentic around every corner and everything felt real. And we reached out to all of our wrestlers. And the ones who are no longer here with us, reached out to their families and made sure that they knew that they were going to be portrayed in a positive way, because that was important to us, and to be authentic.
Q: This question is for Adrian Bradley and Uli. How did you stay in touch with each other to get the consistency of behaviors and ticks of doing accurately? And, how much coaching did Dwayne give you on how to play him?
BC: I think the coolest part was us all being there together. We got to hang out. I and Adrian played plenty of Xbox together. There's plenty of dinners together, me and Uli and Adrian, and we got to know each other. And once we kind of got a feel for how each other acted, that really gave a good insight into where we lean into going forward. And, of course, DJ gave great insight into what it was like to be him at that age as well.
AG: I definitely agree with you. Yeah, once we really got to know each other and we got used to each other's presence, we formed this bond to, like, sort of talk to each other on how we are going to play the role but still have our similarities. And Dwayne did a really good job of coaching us on how to play the roles.
UL: Yeah. I mean, Dwayne was incredibly open and helpful with everything, really. Made himself available at all hours. So, he didn't really give any kind of guidance other than just to be true and have fun with the role, and I think that's -- you know, in terms of consistency, I think it's there.
DJ: And I will say this. Now that I'm watching these three guys talk and I met with them all individually, spent time with them all individually, but never before have we all been on a Zoom together in this format, and it's so surreal when I sit back and I look at this. I've got the kid who's playing me at 10 years old and that little, innocent boy who just needed guidance but who loved the world I was in. I loved the bad guys of pro wrestlers, of pro wrestling. I love my dad. He was my hero. Never understood that things were actually tougher than they appeared in terms of lifestyle. I never knew.
And that's the blessing that I have with mom and dad, who never, you know, really hit me to what happened, to what was happening. And then now, I'm looking at Bradley at 15 and it's a kid who had some anger issues but also thought he was really cool. Clearly had an identity crisis. I didn't want to be known as Dwayne when I moved from high school to high school. I called myself Tomas. Girls used to call the house and ask for Tomas and my mom would go, "I'm sorry. There's no Tomas here." And I would run, "No, no, no, no, no. That's me. That's me." I'd get on the phone, "Hey. Yeah, hey, hey. It's Tomas." And she would be like, "What are you doing?" And then, of course, Uli at 18. I remember telling Uli, just remember, I was just so determined to make something of myself. That was so important to me.
And, you know, these guys nailed it, so I'm just -- it's so surreal and I want to give these guys so much credit. Never in my wildest dreams, number one, would I have ever had the career that I've been lucky enough to have. I'm a lucky SOB to have this career. Never did I ever think I'd be in this position where people are bringing to life people in my life and my loved ones. So, these guys did such a tremendous job. And everyone too, by the way, I mean, when you look at it like Stacey, Leilua playing my mom. Really, truly, she is the rock of this entire thing. It all comes down to my mom, who, by the way, she's still going strong and she's here. And every time she sees a trailer or any one of these episodes, she starts crying and she's like, you know, "Don't take pictures of me ugly crying." I'm like, "OK, mom."
So anyway, I just had to give it up to this cast.
Q: Dwayne, you talk about there being tough times in your life. When you look back on your life when was the hardest time?
And then I wound up going to Nashville, Tenn. Then I went up -- then we were forced out of Nashville. Then I went up to Bethlehem. And as we were forced out of Nashville, that summer I had already just turned 15 years old. We thought we were going to make a home in Tennessee. It didn't work out that way. Things happen. And then we left for Bethlehem, Penn. So, within the course of about, you know, nine months, I was in three different cities, from Hawaii to Nashville then to Bethlehem. And, you know, things were really -- there was a real instability in Bethlehem when we first got there. So, I would say around that time period.
So, you know, I give Bradley, our actor, a lot of credit, because, as you saw in the pilot, it was important to me that I -- you know, I -- at that time, I was still -- I was still taking -- I was still stealing because I wanted to present myself in a way that truly wasn't me or that I thought people would want to see, so, you know, we go through all that stuff. But, anyway, I would say that, around that time period, about 15. And then, you know, a few years later when I was -- I did not get called up to the NFL. That was a pretty big loss because when you're done with your college career, you're done. You don't get another shot at it. You can't come back. And there was no NFL for me. Instead, I went to the CFL, which we'll get into a little bit of that in this series. So that was a tough time too because then I was cut from the CFL. And then that's when I had the infamous seven bucks in my pocket. So, 15, I would say. Then 22.
Q: Dwayne, how did you get the nickname Dewey?
DJ: So Dewey, when I was a little baby -- and I was born in the Bay Area, San Francisco area, Hayward, Calif., to be exact. I was with my godparents and I was probably, from what I'm told, you know, 6 months old. And my mom had said to my godmother, "Is his -- is he wet? Is his diaper wet?" And she goes, "No, he's just a little dewy." (Snap.) And in my existence for years, when my parents would come around in front of my girlfriends or friends or anyone, "Hey, Dewey." It came automatically. Because it's a name -- it's not like, you know, "That's a powerful name." Automatically, people were like, oh, God.
