Have you been watching the MGM+ series Emperor of Ocean Park?

This highly-anticipated new thriller stars Academy Award-winning actor, Forest Whitaker, who leads a stellar ensemble cast of talented players including Grantham Coleman, Paulina Lule, Tiffany Mack, Bryan Greenberg, Torrey Hanson, Keith Powers, and Jasmine Batchelor.’The ‘Emperor of Ocean Park’, adapted from Stephen L. Carter’s best-selling debut novel, premieres this Sunday, delivering intrigue, excitement, and a high-stakes narrative built around Coleman’s character, Talcott Garland – an ambitious law professor drawn into a dangerous world of political power play, personal vengeance, and familial tragedy after his father’s mysterious death.

Global Grind Sr. Content Director Janeé Bolden spoke with Emperor of Ocean Park stars Jasmine Batchelor and Torrey Hanson about Season 1 of the MGM+ series.

Torrey Hanson Had No Idea Forest Whitaker Would Star In ‘Emperor Of Ocean Park’

Hanson, who plays Jack Ziegler, a close friend of the late judge, who carries the weighty combined baggage of both a scandalous past and questionable motives, told us that he wasn’t even aware he’d be scene partners with Forest Whitaker until shortly before production.

“Forest was a dream come true,” Hanson told GlobalGrind. “I didn’t know when I auditioned for the role who would play the judge. When I found out, we actually had a Zoom call that preceded the first read through and I’m just going through the Zoom boxes- I was like, ‘Forest Whitaker!!!’ My wife was upstairs, I was like,[feigns typing] ‘It’s Forest Whitaker!’ But no it is the coolest thing and I’m just really, really grateful that this all came together and I was able to be part of the project. Like I said — a dream come true.”

Source: Courtesy / MGM +

‘Emperor of Ocean Park’ Stars Jasmine Batchelor And Grantham Coleman Are Old Friends

While Hanson was having his first encounter with Whitaker, Jasmine Batchelor, who plays an even more mysterious character known only as Maxine, Emperor of Ocean Park reunited her with an old friend — Grantham Coleman.

“The homie!” Batchelor told GlobalGrind. “He’s an incredible actor, he’s a wonderful person. I’m so excited to see him on this journey. I was excited just to see my friend do such beautiful work, but yeah I’ve known Grantham since we were in school, so it was so nice to finally work with my friend and to have that instant trust and bond and to be able to do those scenes with like such ease and grace it was so much fun. So much fun.”

We don’t want to give you guys spoilers but their scenes are also a lot of fun to watch.

Source: Courtesy / MGM +

Both Jack and Maxine are tied up in some seriously shady dealings and it’s hard to discern whether they’re assets or liabilities to the Garland family — which means every time they’re in a scene we’re keeping a close eye.

“I’m an actors actor and I’m going to say any time I’m playing a character it’s an asset, but specifically in this one I think I’m definitely an asset,” Batchelor argued. “I am biased but I think it’s an asset. Now I’m not saying she can’t be a little dangerous, but I think it’s an asset overall.”

Hanson also argued in favor of his character’s value.

“I know that Jack is someone who has a good heart,” Hanson told GlobalGrind. “So anything that he does that has a perception of ill intent, he’s either a really great actor or he really does do things altruistically but I think his relationship for example with Talcott is one of affection. but there’s a limit to how much he can feel affection when he might feel threatened. So that’s the balance — between how much I need to protect myself even if I wish to protect the family, I’m not going to let myself become vulnerable. So that’s the trade-off with me.”

We’re excited to see how this drama unfolds! Emperor of Ocean Park is streaming now on MGM+