THR’s #NextBigThing: jermellesimon⁠ ⁠ When most actors talk about life-changing roles, they’re referring to projects that catapulted them to new levels of success or critical acclaim. Starring as Bernard “Benny” Upshaw Jr. in #TheUpshaws certainly did that for Jermelle Simon as his first main role in a TV series. But it was portraying an initially closeted character who eventually comes into his identity as a gay man that truly transformed Simon.⁠ ⁠ “That was the first moment where I realized, this is really freeing, and there’s no limit to how far I can go.”⁠ ⁠ Full interview at the link in bio.