Before 'Paradise,' Watch Sterling K. Brown's Emmy-Winning Performance in this True Crime Drama Series

In the trailer for Hulu's new political drama, Paradise, actor Sterling K. Brown plays Xavier Collins, the head of the President's Secret Service detail — and the prime suspect in the President's murder. This marks the second time that Brown has teamed up with Dan Fogelman, creator of This Is Us, where Brown played Randall Pearson. Both Paradise and This Is Us, along with Brown's earlier work, highlight his impressive range and talent, but it was his portrayal as Christopher Darden in FX's The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story that made Brown a household name and cemented his reputation as one of the best actors working today.

Sterling K. Brown Dazzles in 'The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story'

The first season of American Crime Story focuses on the infamous 1995 trial of O.J. Simpson (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a case that took the world by storm. Sterling K. Brown plays Christopher Darden, one of the prosecutors in the case against Simpson for the double homicide of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Brown masterfully portrays Darden's internal struggle as he navigates the racial tensions and moral dilemmas of one of the most high-profile trials in American history. What makes his performance so compelling is his ability to simultaneously demonstrate strength and vulnerability, whether it's in the courtroom or quieter moments behind the scenes, working closely with co-prosecutor Marcia Clark (Sarah Paulson).

The series also portrays Darden as a man torn between his duty to the justice system, his staunch belief in the evidence, and his personal identity as a Black man prosecuting a hero of the Black community, especially in the city of Los Angeles. This inner conflict is powerfully depicted in the series through a handful of intense scenes Darden shares with Johnnie Cochran (Courtney B. Vance), as well as in moments with Darden's friends and neighbors, who all have different views on Simpson's guilt. Brown's immense talent brings Darden to life with authenticity, which is a daunting task, considering how familiar he was to so many people who already thought they knew him from the massive coverage of the case and trial.

Playing Christopher Darden Gave Sterling K. Brown a Different Perspective About the O.J. Simpson Trial

When it comes to a massive and widely publicized event like the O.J. Simpson trial, portraying real-life figures must be very difficult when audiences may already have a preconceived view of them. What's great about the series, and Sterling K. Brown's performance, is how these characters become fully realized humans with personal struggles and flaws. When Brown's co-star Sarah Paulson spoke to Collider back in 2016, she touched on this very idea when she took on the role of Marcia Clark, someone who audiences certainly had biased notions about.

Brown echoed similar sentiments when discussing his portrayal of Christopher Darden. In his post-Emmy-win press conference, he shared that, as a young man during the trial, he was firmly on the defense side and admired Johnnie Cochran over Darden, even seeing Darden as a "traitor" to the Black community at the time. However, by 2016, his perspective had evolved and, in an interview with Deadline, he acknowledged the shift, saying,"I have a completely different perspective on the trial and a completely different perspective of Christopher Darden, and I’m very thankful." Brown’s research into Darden revealed the complexity of his character as a man who believed in the case and wanted to see justice for the victims and their families.

Along with his co-stars Courtney B. Vance and Sarah Paulson, Sterling K. Brown won a much-deserved Emmy for his portrayal of Christopher Darden, and The People v. O.J. Simpson season of American Crime Story is definitely a show worth revisiting. Since the series aired, Brown has delivered more standout performances, winning another Emmy for his role in This Is Us and earning an Academy Award nomination for his performance in American Fiction. While it's too early to tell if Paradise will score him another award, his track record suggests it is certainly possible. Either way, audiences will be able to see Brown in action on television again when the series premieres on Hulu on January 28.

The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story is available to stream on Hulu.

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