In episode two of ESO: Welcome to Derry, Chris Chalk first appeared as Dick Halloran, leading some fans to believe that the character has a deeper meaning.
Now with the release of episode three, confirming what some had previously speculated (he’s the younger version of Dick) of the 1980 psychological horror film. The Shining.
in a talk with Varietysays the actor, referring to his character, “Everything I do is going to have some dignity.”
It’s worth noting that both The Shining and It are based on Stephen King’s novels.
Meanwhile, Chalk also explains how his interpretation of Dick Hallorann in It: Welcome to Derry It differs from Scatman Crothers’ portrayal in the Stanley Kubrick-directed film, which was criticized for featuring a token black character.
“It’s literally magical black,” the star notes. “But the problem with a magical black man is that he’s the only damn black person in the movie.”
However, for the creators of Welcome to Derry, Chalk adds, they made sure to remove the old outdated trope.
Now, Dick is not a supporting role in the story and is part of a group of black characters in the HBO show.
And he continues: “To already have this great selection of black humans in the narrative, not just as accessories, but as something essential to the narrative.”
“I know we’re going to avoid these tropes, because tropes don’t exist if everyone there has a purpose.”
“I happen to be a magical black man, but in a world full of black people, that’s not so gross.”
TI: Welcome to Derry airs on HBO Max.
