Spotlight on James Bland

You may recognize James Bland as Kelly’s love interest in the final season of Insecure. Perhaps you know him as Malachi in Giants, a series he not only starred in but also created. And soon, you’ll see him in Unconventional, an original comedy series streaming exclusively on Revry, the world’s first LGBTQ+ streaming network. PS: It’s also the most-watched series to date.

Keep reading to find out what the FAMU graduate has been up to lately.

Dan is the quintessential gay male overachiever, driven by a compensatory need for success to counteract feelings of inadequacy. It’s The Velvet Rage—a must-read if you haven’t already. A lawyer from a well-off family that prioritizes image and respectability, Dan has spent his entire life striving to meet his parents’ expectations. Now, in his 30s, he’s beginning to realize that those expectations don’t always align with the man he wants to be or the life he wants to live. Throughout the series, he’s coming to terms with what he wants, which includes being a dad and growing his family, but he doesn’t know if his husband, Noah, is fully on board.

I was drawn to the role of Dan for several reasons, but first and foremost, I saw a deep relatability in his journey. His struggle to reconcile external expectations with his true desires is something so many of us experience, regardless of background. At the same time, representation matters, and playing a fully realized Black gay character navigating career, marriage, and fatherhood felt like an important and meaningful opportunity. Roles like Dan don’t always get the depth and complexity they deserve, and I wanted to bring authenticity to his story. Lastly, I was excited by the challenge—Dan is a character unlike any I’ve played before, and stepping into his world allowed me to explore new emotional layers as an actor.

Working with Kit has been amazing. He’s the kind of scene partner every actor hopes for—open to rehearsals, improv, and genuine creative collaboration. Beyond that, he’s a powerhouse storyteller who champions LGBTQ+ narratives in a way that’s both inspiring and necessary.

I’d say one of the biggest challenges is getting networks and studios to see the value in Black gay stories. It’s still rare to see a Black gay character as the lead or the heart of a narrative. I’ve been lucky to play characters like Dan and Maurice in the film High Tide—both complex, well-rounded roles that deserve to be seen on screen. Bringing them to life has been an honor. My hope is that the success of Unconventional will open doors for other creatives telling stories with underrepresented queer characters at the center.

Currently, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Traitors, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Married to Medicine, Abbott Elementary, The White Lotus, and Paradise.

I don’t really rewatch shows. I want to start. I have a list of shows I want to spin the block on like Game of Thrones, I May Destroy You, The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, and The Wire.

Don’t wait on Hollywood; make your own art.

Giants :).

I honestly don’t know what’s next—I don’t have any new projects lined up at the moment. But I’m always writing, creating, pitching, and pushing to get my art made. Nothing is officially in motion yet, but (manifesting again!) let’s just say fans can expect a feature directorial debut from me in the near future.