WARNING: This post contains spoilers for episodes one and two ofThe Best Man: The Final Chapters.
Quentindidget married, but not to who we expected.
“They’re both kind of selfish and needed to learn how to be accepting of one another.”
Terrence Howard and Melissa De Sousa in ‘The Best Man: The Final Chapters’.Everett Collection
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Was it hard to step back into the dynamic after a decade?
TERRENCE HOWARD:No, it’s easier because you’ve thought about this.
They’re still growing in you and waiting for an opportunity.
The ones that you truly let into your heart stay.
MELISSA DE SOUSA:It stays with you, that’s right.
It had to be more for me this time around.
HOWARD:I didn’t see her as one-dimensional.
I wanted to show other colors.
Shelby is a trickster, the scene-stealer who always has a zinger.
I still got to do those zingers, but I wanted more for her this time around.
What do you remember about filming that moment?
DE SOUSA:Originally that was written and Terrence and I were like “no.”
We needed to touch on what was really going on there and have a real conversation.
It needed to be more than jokes.
We both had our own ideas about what was going on and what was lacking.
Shelby hits a wall and Quentin calls her on it.
There were real reasons for why they were treating each other this way and reacting how they were.
Nicole Ari Parker is amazing as Xiomara, and you both had such great scenes with her.
What was it like working with her on this?
DE SOUSA:We’ve know her for a long time.
I did a TV show with her and her husband Boris Kodjoe back in 2000.
I played her best friend and he did a movie with her many years ago.
HOWARD:Yeah, in 1998.
We starred in a film together [calledSpark].
It was a beautiful friendship that blossomed into this life long bond.
DE SOUSA:We knew her already, so we were comfortable being silly.
We just had a great time.
Shelby has an incredible dance scene in the second episode.
Talk to me about filming it.
DE SOUSA:What was it like for you?
HOWARD:I thought the double they had was really, really good.
I used to dance professionally when I was younger.
It was something I wanted to do and asked Malcolm to do, so I looked forward to it.
I wasn’t doing handstands or anything like that, so it wasn’t hard for me.
I had a great time.
Also, [Terrence] didn’t know anything about it.
Even at the first rehearsal, I kept my robe on.
HOWARD:It was a great day.
Quentin professes his love for Shelby at the airport.
Tell us about filming the characters' big romantic moment.
HOWARD:That was the most challenging scene I’ve ever had in the entirety of my career.
I hope that it pays off.
I gave it my very best.
DE SOUSA:They both had to put their weapons down.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
The Best Man: The Final Chaptersis currently streaming on Peacock.
