Bodhi Rader Teases “Engaging” Storyline With Deputy Chris Friendly In Apple TV+ Hit ‘Sugar’

Our current favorite show!

If you watched the first season of the Colin Farrell-lead Apple TV+ thriller ‘Sugar’, then you need to tune into Season 2. And why, you might ask? Well, because Bodhi Rader has joined the cast as the mysterious Deputy Chris Friendly. This series has already been filled with adrenaline and twists and turns, and Bodhi’s new role is going to kick it up a notch.

We had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Bodhi about being challenged as an actor, advice to aspiring performers, and more!

Your background is so fascinating! While achieving so many impressive feats, including serving in the Air Force and earning a black belt in karate, was a love for TV and film always in the background?

B: “This wonderful question immediately makes me think of childhood moments sitting around the TV and sharing a movie as a family. That moment when the initial fanfare of the classic opening logos appeared felt so special to me. Everything slowed down. To this day, that moment gives me a sense of peace and wonder. It wasn’t until I was older and allowed myself to think about
non-traditional careers that I realized that is likely where the affinity for being a part of that magic came from.”

It doesn’t seem like much would challenge you, but have you had a filming experience or acting role thus far that pushed you to a new height?

B: “Acting often still makes me nervous, so no matter the role, I find a challenge in being better than I was last time. However, I recently played a historical figure that required speaking English with a German accent, and German throughout the film, which was loaded with emotional and touching story lines centered around my character. That one definitely pushed me every day! PS: a sequel may be in the works!!”

Congratulations on your newest role in Apple TV’s ‘Sugar’! Do you think you have anything in common with your character, Deputy Chris Friendly?

B: “The more I think about it, I really do. It wasn’t written in the script, but through filming over months, I found Chris’ ambition and a desire to gain the respect of his team and leader. On the flip side, Deputy Friendly also got involved in something that compromised his core, and I’d like to think I personally wouldn’t let myself dive that far.”

Private detective/investigation shows are truly one-of-a-kind! From Magnum P.I. to Bosch, do you have an all-time favorite detective drama (Outside of ‘Sugar’, of course!)?

B: “I love how those shows and films are having a revival of sorts! I was so excited by the first Knives Out and would love to be part of a story like that. There are so many detective dramas I still want to explore, so I don’t know if I have a favorite. But it makes me think of the fun I had watching Columbo with my dad; that’s the first that came to mind.”

For obsessed fans (us included) who are looking forward to seeing how Season 2 plays out, is there anything you can tease?

B: “Well, my storyline doesn’t take shape until a couple of episodes in, which I think is going to be such an engaging reveal as the show progresses. I will say, I share scenes with the talented Tony Dalton as Lieutenant Vega, and we push Colin Farrell as Sugar to reckon with how far he will go to do what’s right.”

Given your experience and success, what advice can you give to aspiring actors pursuing the field later in life?

B: “Be ready to be surprised by the blessings that meet you when you courageously follow your internal voice. When I talk about acting, I light up and that light to me means I am using my time and talents in a way that gives me joy. My service in the military also gives me immense rewards and challenges, not to mention a great set of technical skills should I need to fall back on them,
which is partially why I continue to serve. It also provides a financial cushion to be fair. That light and engagement I mentioned was absent in my traditional jobs, and while my life was comfortable, the nagging lack of contentment is not something I wanted to haunt me later. So that’s a long-winded way of asking you to check in with yourself.

Are you willing to sacrifice some comfort to try to find something that lights you up? And when you are lit up, don’t you think that energy will manifest so many surprising new paths and opportunities for you? If so, give it a try. And no one says you have to quit everything about your life, move to LA, live in your car, and embrace the inevitable long-challenging-rejection-filled path that you also need to be ready for. You can do it in pieces, test it out, learn about being on set, and jump into student films and plays. That is such a long answer, and I would be happy to help your fans think it through more, but I would say listen to that inner voice and trust yourself.”

You can binge-watch the entire first season and watch Bodhi in Season 2, available only on Apple TV+!

Photo Credit: Megan Kamauoha Rader

Je’Kayla Crawford– Founder and Director– Je’Kayla has been a journalist for years and decided to start a publication of her own, New Scene Magazine, back in October 2020. When not helping her team and working on their print issues, you can find her watching a movie on Netflix or baking using a viral TikTok recipe.