Photo: Vanie Poyey
Darnell Kirkwood is an actor who hails from Kansas. He first got his kick start in acting through modeling in Europe and South Florida. He most recently played the role of Jordan Wilde on The Young and the Restless. Kirkwood got married approximately two years ago and Soap Opera News caught up with the talented actor to discuss his career, married life, his time on Y&R and much more. Check it out below!
Greetings Darnell. Let’s talk a little bit about your
background. Where you’re from? Where you grew up and how got into acting?
background. Where you’re from? Where you grew up and how got into acting?
Darnell: I was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. I got into
acting through modeling in Europe and south Florida. The entertainment market
in South Florida is not considered a major market like LA and NY but to me, it’s
great for a person aspiring to build a resume of experience. It allowed me to
go out on castings and auditions for modeling, commercials, television and film
without directly competing with the major markets. I booked more as a model at
first, which opened doors to start doing commercials. I knew it was time to
invest in myself and get into acting classes to learn more of the craft of
being a working actor. Again, being a smaller market, the commercial casting
offices would also cast for television and film. So these casting directors
would also bring you in to audition for small roles for television shows and
films. Which I did and built a respectable resume to now take my passion to
compete in the highly competitive market, LA.
acting through modeling in Europe and south Florida. The entertainment market
in South Florida is not considered a major market like LA and NY but to me, it’s
great for a person aspiring to build a resume of experience. It allowed me to
go out on castings and auditions for modeling, commercials, television and film
without directly competing with the major markets. I booked more as a model at
first, which opened doors to start doing commercials. I knew it was time to
invest in myself and get into acting classes to learn more of the craft of
being a working actor. Again, being a smaller market, the commercial casting
offices would also cast for television and film. So these casting directors
would also bring you in to audition for small roles for television shows and
films. Which I did and built a respectable resume to now take my passion to
compete in the highly competitive market, LA.
I see your first acting gig was as a Guard in the series Burn
Notice in 2011 – can you tell us about that and how you have transitioned into
the actor you are today?
Notice in 2011 – can you tell us about that and how you have transitioned into
the actor you are today?
Darnell: Burn Notice was great because it was my first job on a network
show. The cool thing about this job was I was originally cast and shot a
smaller role the season prior. But the editors cut my scene out of the final
edit so I did not technically have any face time on the show yet. This allowed
me to audition for a bigger role on the show the following year, which worked
out for me because I had more lines and was in a scene with the three lead
actors. These are the type of gigs where you are there to push the story along
and hopefully gain experience of being on a major set.
show. The cool thing about this job was I was originally cast and shot a
smaller role the season prior. But the editors cut my scene out of the final
edit so I did not technically have any face time on the show yet. This allowed
me to audition for a bigger role on the show the following year, which worked
out for me because I had more lines and was in a scene with the three lead
actors. These are the type of gigs where you are there to push the story along
and hopefully gain experience of being on a major set.
You’ve done films, primetime and daytime – what can you share
about each of these aspects of your career?
about each of these aspects of your career?
Darnell: Doing work on films, primetime and daytime pulls out different
strengths of your craft, but to me, each body of work for an actor is about “Can
you tell the best story and entertain us while doing it? If so, do it.” Then
it’s up to the audiences to either align or disagree with the team’s
assessment. Being able to consistently do that across the board makes you a
true asset in this business.
strengths of your craft, but to me, each body of work for an actor is about “Can
you tell the best story and entertain us while doing it? If so, do it.” Then
it’s up to the audiences to either align or disagree with the team’s
assessment. Being able to consistently do that across the board makes you a
true asset in this business.
One of your most recent work is that of Jordan Wilde on The
Young and the Restless, can you share how you landed the role?
Young and the Restless, can you share how you landed the role?
Darnell: Landing the role of Jordan Wilde was about the alignment of
being the role and trusting yourself. I say being the role because generally
casting directors and the decision makers on a show have an idea of who the
ideal person looks like. So if you fit that physically, before they even see
you act they are at least interested to see if you can act as well. If you can
and you’re able to take direction from the casting director, this helps them
see you as being their ultimate choice. But to do that you have to trust
yourself in your work to be able to bring your best self into the room. When I
walked into the casting room with Sheila Guthrie, I just knew I was Jordan
Wilde and just trusted that before I walked out she would agree. Then I just
let it go and put it in God’s hands.
being the role and trusting yourself. I say being the role because generally
casting directors and the decision makers on a show have an idea of who the
ideal person looks like. So if you fit that physically, before they even see
you act they are at least interested to see if you can act as well. If you can
and you’re able to take direction from the casting director, this helps them
see you as being their ultimate choice. But to do that you have to trust
yourself in your work to be able to bring your best self into the room. When I
walked into the casting room with Sheila Guthrie, I just knew I was Jordan
Wilde and just trusted that before I walked out she would agree. Then I just
let it go and put it in God’s hands.
The character of Jordan clearly meant very much to you, what
would you say most stood out among his attributes for you?
would you say most stood out among his attributes for you?
Darnell: Coming from humble beginnings and finding a way to have his
talents afford him the ability to make a living. Also having to learn the hard
way about the dangers of being in the grey area between actions of love or
lust. Personally and in his business.
talents afford him the ability to make a living. Also having to learn the hard
way about the dangers of being in the grey area between actions of love or
lust. Personally and in his business.
Now, his partner in crime Chelsea is returning in a few weeks
– what does this mean for Jordan? Any idea? And, would you be open to
returning?
– what does this mean for Jordan? Any idea? And, would you be open to
returning?
Darnell: I was happy to hear the news of Chelsea’s return. I am a fan of
Melissa and wish her nothing but continued success. She has a loyal following
and I know everyone is very excited for her return. I’m not sure what that
means for Jordan. Their history was never detailed so that always leaves room
for them to reconnect. I’m not sure if Jordan will be making an appearance but
if so, I look forward to seeing what he has been up to. LOL
Melissa and wish her nothing but continued success. She has a loyal following
and I know everyone is very excited for her return. I’m not sure what that
means for Jordan. Their history was never detailed so that always leaves room
for them to reconnect. I’m not sure if Jordan will be making an appearance but
if so, I look forward to seeing what he has been up to. LOL
Do you think you would ever do another soap role? If so,
what’s your dream soap role?
what’s your dream soap role?
Darnell: I don’t know what body of work my talents as an artist will take
me next. If it were to be soaps, my dream role would be a self-made savvy
investor that struggles with an interesting vice that is putting his marriage
on the rocks. Then he has a major life revelation and works to create a new way
of life.
me next. If it were to be soaps, my dream role would be a self-made savvy
investor that struggles with an interesting vice that is putting his marriage
on the rocks. Then he has a major life revelation and works to create a new way
of life.
Can you share any details on your digital series where you
play Desi?
play Desi?
Darnell: Desi was a small role I had on a digital series that was Mel
Jones directorial debut. I got to play a more buttoned-up character. I was able
to tap into my “nerdy” side. It was a fun role to perform and great crew to
work with.
Jones directorial debut. I got to play a more buttoned-up character. I was able
to tap into my “nerdy” side. It was a fun role to perform and great crew to
work with.
Do you have any upcoming projects that you can talk about?
Darnell: I have a quicken loans commercial coming out this year. I shot a
role on a film, but I am unable to speak about it. I am doing voiceovers now
and working behind the camera as well. I can’t wait to be able to share more
about my upcoming projects.
role on a film, but I am unable to speak about it. I am doing voiceovers now
and working behind the camera as well. I can’t wait to be able to share more
about my upcoming projects.
Outside of acting what keeps you busy? We know you’re a
happily married man – how is married life?
happily married man – how is married life?
Darnell: I am working on a project to build a foundation that donates
to/develops different youth programs aiding to empowering the next generation
of influencers. I’m constantly expressing myself with different forms of art. I
meditate and strengthen my spiritual being. Marriage life is amazing. I truly
got blessed to be in a love union with my wife Danielle. She is extremely
beautiful inside and out. I taught her everything she knows in the kitchen, I
know she will take credit for her creations of amazing meals, but… we all know
who the real “Master Chef” is! We truly
do have a lot of fun being each others best friend. She’s also the most amazing
mom to our 3-year-old puppy Mister. We both are entrepreneurs growing our
businesses. The one thing I will say about marriage, it has definitely demanded
me to learn and appreciate a proper way to communicate within your union, not
through the sums of each others experiences. If that makes any sense.
to/develops different youth programs aiding to empowering the next generation
of influencers. I’m constantly expressing myself with different forms of art. I
meditate and strengthen my spiritual being. Marriage life is amazing. I truly
got blessed to be in a love union with my wife Danielle. She is extremely
beautiful inside and out. I taught her everything she knows in the kitchen, I
know she will take credit for her creations of amazing meals, but… we all know
who the real “Master Chef” is! We truly
do have a lot of fun being each others best friend. She’s also the most amazing
mom to our 3-year-old puppy Mister. We both are entrepreneurs growing our
businesses. The one thing I will say about marriage, it has definitely demanded
me to learn and appreciate a proper way to communicate within your union, not
through the sums of each others experiences. If that makes any sense.
Is there any message that you would love to leave with your
fans?
fans?
Darnell: Thank you for welcoming me and Jordan Wilde into your lives.
Thank you for continuously supporting and encouraging me along this journey in
time. I look forward to sharing more life with you! Bless It
Thank you for continuously supporting and encouraging me along this journey in
time. I look forward to sharing more life with you! Bless It
So, fans are you excited about the possibility that we might see Jordan again?
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