Abi Morgan’s Eric has stirred new interest in McKinley Belcher III’s decade-long career. He stars as Detective Michael Ledroit alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, Gaby Hoffmann, Dan Fogler, and Ivan Morris Howe in the psychological crime thriller. Released on May 30, 2023, the Netflix miniseries revolves around 9-year-old Edgar Anderson who’s inspired by his father’s artistry, no less than his behavior terrifies him. When Edgar goes missing, Belcher’s character begins to investigate his whereabouts.
Upon linking Edgar’s disappearance to an unresolved case of another missing child, Det. Michael uncovers an underage sex ring involving several high-profile clients. Belcher’s character arc added substance to the narrative, enriching the series with side stories that pushed the plot forward. His transformation from a mellow queer cop to a crusader for justice highlights the depth of his talent, perhaps as much as it left viewers curious about sexuality and acting resume before Eric.
1. McKinley Belcher III Is Queer In Real Life
The actor’s character in Eric is a partially closeted gay cop caring for his sick partner while dealing with prejudice at work. This was partly what attracted Belcher to the role. Being a Black queer man, he identified with Detective Michael Ledroit’s struggles, which informed his stellar performance. In an interview with PinkNews, Belcher praised Eric’s positive depiction of a Black gay man. “If I saw this show when I was in my teens, I would have felt seen in a way,” he said. “It would have been healing…to watch someone go on a journey where, by the end, they land in a more hopeful place…,” added the actor.
2. He’s Married To An Artist From The Bahamas
McKinley Belcher III is queer and proud. Although he once struggled with his orientation, he’s fully embraced his sexuality. In January 2023, he wedded his partner Blake Fox in an intimate ceremony officiated by André De Shields, his costar on Death of a Salesman. Belcher’s husband is a visual artist from Long Island, The Bahamas. According to his profile on the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, he’s also a visual arts educator with interests in photography, painting, and writing. Belcher and Fox have been together since at least 2019 and are genuinely in love.
3. McKinley Belcher III Fell In Love With Acting At Nashville’s Belmont University
Athletically inclined as a kid, McKinley Belcher III ran cross-country in high school. He also played jazz but didn’t discover his passion for performing arts until he went to college. The Atlanta, Georgia, native fell in love with acting at Belmont University in Nashville where he studied communications and political science.
Recalling how he got involved with acting, Belcher told Garden&Gun he got hooked after participating in a production of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. “…A friend invited me to audition for it,” he said. “I didn’t do any more plays while I was there, but I did speech and debate, and that sort of nurtured that creative acting side.”
4. His Original Plan Was To Become A Lawyer
McKinley Belcher III didn’t aspire to a career in acting until his freshman year in college. He fell in love with acting after playing George Murchison in a student production of A Raisin in the Sun. This disrupted his plans to pursue a law career. Belcher intended to attend law school after graduating from Belmont University. Conflicted on what path to take, he interned for a law firm in Atlanta after Belmont. With this, he gained clarity and settled for acting. Belcher then attended the USC School of Dramatic Arts where he obtained an MFA in acting. This was in 2010.
5. McKinley Belcher III Prefers Acting On Stage
McKinley Belcher III has portrayed several memorable characters on the small and big screen. From PBS’ Mercy Street to Fox’s The Passage, The Art of Racing in the Rain, and Ozark, he has quite a robust screen resume. However, he prefers performing on stage and once described it as his first love. “That sort of instant gratification and energy you get when you’re on stage compares to nothing else,” he told Garden&Gun.
Belcher has performed professionally on stage since at least 2008, when he played Marcellus in James Thomas Gilbert’s Hamlet at the Gangbusters Theatre Company in Los Angeles, California. His performance in Marco Ramirez’s The Royale at Lincoln Center earned him a Drama Desk Award in 2016. Belcher made his Broadway debut in 2020, playing Private Louis Henson in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Charles Fuller’s A Soldier’s Play. Check out shows to watch if you like Dead Boy Detectives.
Follow Us
