Washington Black episode 2 tribute explained: Creator remembers Kamar de los Reyes
Selwyn Seyfu Hinds told RadioTimes.com about the actor's powerful final scenes.
Washington Black is now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, with the second episode of the adaptation paying tribute to a cast member who sadly passed away while the series was still in production.
Kamar de los Reyes appears in the series as the embattled Captain Alvarez, who crosses paths with Wash (Eddie Karanja) and eccentric inventor Titch (Tom Ellis) as they fled dangerous pursuers.
Life aboard the ship proves to be no holiday either, as Titch is thrown in the brig on suspicion of being a spy and ordered to work relentlessly on repairs, despite limited supplies and knowledge of the vessel.
Captain Alvarez is the final performance from De los Reyes, filmed prior to his passing from cancer on Christmas Eve 2023, aged 56.
RadioTimes.com spoke to Washington Black creator Selwyn Seyfu Hinds about the late star.
Washington Black episode 2 tribute explained: Who was Kamar de los Reyes?
Kamar de los Reyes was an actor best known for his roles in soap opera One Life to Live, fantasy drama Sleepy Hollow, detective hit The Rookie and sports series All American.
Most recently, he appeared posthumously in Daredevil: Born Again as Hector Ayala aka White Tiger, who is notable for being among the first Hispanic superheroes to feature in American comic books.
Washington Black marks his final screen appearance, with creator Selwyn Seyfu Hinds reflecting on the collaboration to RadioTimes.com, sharing that he was a "beautiful, beautiful, beautiful soul".
"It still rocks me to this day," the screenwriter continued. "Especially because, when I think back, he knew what was going to happen [regarding his own health], right?
"And he's playing a character who, even though we leave his fate sort of up in the air, you can assume is probably getting off [the ship]... to find his end."
Hinds recollected: "When he did those scenes, we were all so shaken on set, and now I kind of understand why. He really played those scenes of a character who sees this end on the horizon with a kind of truth that was eerie."
"So that is what I will remember," he added. "I will remember that moment of him, decked out in his uniform, saluting the crew and descending off the ship. I'll remember that forever."
De los Reyes was survived by his three children and wife, Sherri Saum; a fellow actor known for her roles in The Fosters, Good Trouble and Netflix's Locke & Key.
Washington Black is available to stream on Disney+.
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Authors
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
