In a captivating interview with Pop Culture Unplugged, seasoned actor Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine sat down to discuss his recent roles in Smoke (Apple TV+) and Dexter: Resurrection (Paramount+), reflecting on his career journey, transformative performances, and the challenges—and joys—of inhabiting wildly different characters on screen.
“I’m Grateful Just to Be Busy”
Opening up about the industry's post-strike landscape, Ntare expressed appreciation for staying active:
“We went through a big double strike. I have friends who haven’t been back to work since before the strike... I’m just grateful to be here talking to you about two, three actually new shows coming out now.”
Ntare's humility shines through as he describes still having to hustle for roles—even with major projects lined up.
A Career Sparked in Second Grade
Ntare's acting journey began in an unexpected place—Pierce School in Brookline, Massachusetts.
“They were doing Peter Pan, and I auditioned. I didn’t get the role—ended up a pirate—but that experience gave me the bug.”
Though his first role had no lines, the thrill of being on stage stuck with him for life.
Becoming Freddie Fasano in Smoke
In Smoke, Ntare plays Freddie Fasano, a reclusive character with a dark past. He described the audition process as humbling, filming in his garage and working again with casting director Alexa Fogel—whom he met over 30 years ago.
“Dennis Lehane described him as ‘the loneliest man on the planet.’”
Ntare physically transformed for the role: shaving his eyebrows, dropping nearly 40 pounds, and wearing prosthetics to become the emotionally and physically deteriorated Freddie.
He revealed:
“There was a monologue that was so gut-wrenching, it got cut because it stopped the show cold.”
Still, his performance left a major impact—even his own kids didn’t recognize him in character.
Facing Off with Taron Egerton
Ntare shared admiration for co-star Taron Egerton, calling him “a vortex” of talent.
“You just get sucked into his energy. I wanted to make sure I could hold my weight opposite him. Hopefully I did.”
Though they didn’t share advice on set, the mutual respect was clear.
From Freddie to Blessing in Dexter: Resurrection
Fans will also see Ntare take on a starkly different role as Blessing, a character in Dexter: Resurrection.
“If Freddie is cursed, Blessing is literally the opposite. They’re polar extremes.”
Blessing becomes a rare friend to Dexter, forging a bond that deepens as the season unfolds.
“There’s more story to Blessing’s character that comes up, tying him even closer to Dexter. It’s exciting.”
Ntare is thrilled to be part of the Dexter universe, especially sharing a connection with series star Michael C. Hall, who also went to NYU’s grad acting program.
“It felt like an alumni reunion more than anything.”
Range on Full Display
With Smoke and Dexter: Resurrection airing around the same time—and Hulu’s Washington Black coming soon—Ntare is showcasing a stunning range.
“It’s a dream for an actor, to have projects that are so different and so rewarding.”
What’s Next?
In addition to the Dexter premiere, Ntare hinted at his personal project—a documentary titled Memories of Love Returned, which he hopes to bring to his hometown audience.
Final Thoughts
Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine is not only a versatile actor, but a storyteller grounded in passion, humility, and transformation. Whether he’s portraying a weathered loner or a family man forming unlikely friendships, one thing is clear: his moment is now.
Stay tuned as Ntare continues to captivate audiences across genres and platforms—and if you think you recognize him in two very different roles this summer, trust your instincts. It’s all part of his brilliance.
📺 Smoke is now streaming on Apple TV+.
🩸 Dexter: Resurrection premieres on Paramount+.
📽️ Washington Black debuts on Hulu later this July.