Dwayne Alistair Thomas, a Swan Point resident, is set to appear on the international stage with a recurring role in the upcoming Apple TV+ series “Bad Monkey,” which premiered this week.
He will appear in four episodes of the show. This marks a significant milestone in his acting career and brings a bit of Southern Maryland to the massive streaming platform.
“This has been a big leap forward in regards to not just my role, but this association with this kind of production,” Thomas said. “You know, I’ve done an Apple TV production before, and they’re a very stand-up company to work with in regards to their commitment to the craft of making brand new content and how they treat their employees.”
“Bad Monkey,” based on Carl Hiaasen’s 2013 novel of the same name, is a drama-comedy series that follows a former detective turned restaurant inspector in South Florida played by Vince Vaughn.
Thomas plays the role of Charles, a local Bahamian bartender who knows the island like the back of his hand. Charles is a trustworthy confidant of the character Neville, played by Ronald Peet, who is optimistic and determined to live life on his own terms.
“I’m excited to be part of ‘Bad Monkey’ and to represent Charles County on such a big platform,” Thomas said. “Southern Maryland has become my home, and I’m grateful for the warm welcome and support I’ve received from this vibrant community.”
Originally from Brooklyn, N.Y., Thomas has become an active member of the Charles County community, volunteering his time and participating in local arts events. His involvement includes artwork contributions to the National Harbor’s Arts’tination Exhibit, volunteering at Chef Selby’s annual community Thanksgiving dinner and collaborating with local musicians to produce music available on Apple Music.
“Acting is such a very, very mental game,” Thomas said in an interview with Southern Maryland News. “New York kind of just presses on your mind a lot. Being out in Charles County now has freed up a lot of bandwidth, and I’ve been able to keep working out here. The funny thing is, it’s like, I’ve gotten more work out here than I did when I lived in Philly or New York.”
Thomas said that Southern Maryland is more relaxing than the bustling city environment and that he’s been able to breathe better, analyze roles better and get into the culture a little bit more.
“Dwayne has been a wonderful addition to our arts community,” members of the Charles County Arts Alliance said in a release. “His dedication to local initiatives and his success in the entertainment industry inspire both long-time residents and newcomers to our area.”
Thomas also shared some hopes for performers and actors within Charles County.
“I got to see some plays at Port Tobacco Theater, and you know, I’ve seen some other local films,” he said. “I would love to see more of a filming and production presence in Charles County. There’s a lot of beautiful areas to film and there’s a lot of good talent out here as well.”
Thomas said that moving to Charles County has been good for his mental state, and therefore better for his career.
In addition to his new role in “Bad Monkey,” Thomas has appeared in episodes of “The Americans” and “Blue Bloods” along with a host of other shows and movies.
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