Brad Benedict talks ‘The Oval,’ ‘A Jazzman’s Blues,’ and ‘Shark Academy’

Still of Brad Benedict as Kyle in ‘The Oval’ on BET. Photo Courtesy of ‘The Oval’ on BET.

Actor Brad Benedict chatted with Digital Journal’s Markos Papadatos about the remaining half of Season 2 of “The Oval,” which premieres on July 20, and being a part of the upcoming film “A Jazzman’s Blues” and “Shark Academy.”

‘The Oval’ on BET

In “The Oval,” Benedict plays the sexy and sadistic Secret Service Agent Kyle Flint. “This role has been the coolest experience and the biggest gift of my life,” he said.

“I can’t wait for Season 2 of ‘The Oval’ to come,” he exclaimed. “I don’t know if I am more excited or my elderly grandmother, she is a huge fan of the show. The second half of this season is good, it’s going to be fun. It keeps ramping up.”

Benedict had great words about working with Bill Barrett, who plays Secret Service Agent Max Carter. “Bill is great. He was a brand new actor when ‘The Oval’ came about and he is doing a phenomenal job. He is a sweet guy and I enjoy doing fight scenes with him. We had a blast working together, he is really cool,” he said.

The same holds true with his co-stars Lodric Collins, who portrays Chief of Staff Donald Winthrop, and Derek A. Dixon, who plays Dale on the show. “Lodric and I have become really close friends,” he said. “We just trust each other and we’ve become buddies. Derek has also become a really great friend, he is a talented writer too. Everybody in the cast has a good attitude on that show.”

“I am hooked watching this show, as a fan as well. I can see how the fans get into the storylines. I am hoping we do this for the next 10 years, we will see what happens,” he added.

‘A Jazzman’s Blues’

Benedict is looking forward to the upcoming Tyler Perry film “A Jazzman’s Blues.” “Once I read the script, I thought it was the greatest thing that I ever read,” he said. “I play a sheriff and it’s set in 1947. It’s probably the coolest scripted movie I have ever been a part of. I am excited for everybody to see that one. It was shot beautifully.”

‘Too Close to Home’

Benedict described the series “Too Close to Home” as his introduction to Tyler Perry. “We shot our pilot season in 2016 and that changed everything for me,” he said. “That was my big break and the first time that I got to be a series regular on a show. I think the fans liked that show a lot.”

He praised his former “Too Close to Home” co-star Brock O’Hurn for being a “sweetheart” and a “nice guy” who is “very welcoming.” “He’s a big ole Viking baby,” he said.

‘Shark Academy’

He is excited for “Shark Academy” on the streaming service discovery+. “A big part of my identity is sharks,” he said. “I have been fascinated with them since I was a kid and the ocean in general. In six weeks, I learned all about sharks and how to interact with them. I spent six weeks living in a boat on the Bahamas.”

The first five episodes are streaming live on discovery+. “Shark Academy” is the first-ever “Shark Week” series.

To learn more about actor Brad Benedict, follow him on Instagram.