John David Washington Felt a 'Lot of Pressure' Taking Over Samuel L. Jackson's Role inThe Piano Lesson(Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

John David Washington and Samuel L. Jackson.Photo:Steve Granitz/FilmMagic; Jason Mendez/Getty

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic; Jason Mendez/Getty

John David Washingtonis opening up about acting in a roleSamuel L. Jacksonoriginated.“I’m not going to lie to you, it was a lot of pressure,” the actor tells PEOPLE at the Tuesday, Nov. 19 Los Angeles premiere of Netflix’s adaptation of theAugust WilsonplayThe Piano Lesson. John David, 40, stars in the movie as Boy Willie opposite Jackson, 75, who played the role when the play first opened at the Yale Repertory Theatre in 1987.In the new film, Jackson portrays family patriarch Doaker Charles, while John David’s brotherMalcolm Washingtondirects in his feature film debut. “I felt it early days, early stages. This man is a giant. I mean, he deserves anAcademy Award,” John David says of Jackson, a longtime friend of his parentsDenzel WashingtonandPauletta Washington.“I don’t know why he hasn’t had one yet, it’s insane, and so I’m standing on his shoulders, Michael Potts' shoulders,” John David adds. “He’s a legend. He should be getting more credit for what he’s done.“John David Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Potts and Ray Fisher in The Piano Lesson.David Lee/NetflixJackson and his wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson previously teamed up with John David and Ray Fisher toreviveThe Piano Lessonon Broadwayin 2022. Denzel, 69, is a producer on the new film, and Fisher, 37, also costars in the new movie along withDanielle Deadwyler,Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith, Jerrika Hinton, Gail Bean andCorey Hawkins.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“Knowing that he originated the role — he being Samuel Jackson in 1987 — knowing that Charles Dutton did it in the nineties, I have some big shoes to fill,” John David says. “So I was nervous, but I went for it. That’s the challenge I signed up for.“Danielle Deadwyler, Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington and Ray Fisher in The Piano Lesson.Courtesy of NetflixThe new movie is quite the Washington family affair; John David and Malcolm’s sister Katia, 36, is also amongThe Piano Lesson’s producers. “It made it so much fun and a bit nerve-racking because I want to do so well for them because they’re so brilliant, but that was a part of the fun challenge,” John David tells PEOPLE of working so closely with his family members.The Piano Lessonbegins streaming on Netflix Nov. 22.

John David Washingtonis opening up about acting in a roleSamuel L. Jacksonoriginated.

“I’m not going to lie to you, it was a lot of pressure,” the actor tells PEOPLE at the Tuesday, Nov. 19 Los Angeles premiere of Netflix’s adaptation of theAugust WilsonplayThe Piano Lesson. John David, 40, stars in the movie as Boy Willie opposite Jackson, 75, who played the role when the play first opened at the Yale Repertory Theatre in 1987.

In the new film, Jackson portrays family patriarch Doaker Charles, while John David’s brotherMalcolm Washingtondirects in his feature film debut. “I felt it early days, early stages. This man is a giant. I mean, he deserves anAcademy Award,” John David says of Jackson, a longtime friend of his parentsDenzel WashingtonandPauletta Washington.

“I don’t know why he hasn’t had one yet, it’s insane, and so I’m standing on his shoulders, Michael Potts' shoulders,” John David adds. “He’s a legend. He should be getting more credit for what he’s done.”

John David Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Potts and Ray Fisher in The Piano Lesson.David Lee/Netflix

David Lee/Netflix

Jackson and his wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson previously teamed up with John David and Ray Fisher toreviveThe Piano Lessonon Broadwayin 2022. Denzel, 69, is a producer on the new film, and Fisher, 37, also costars in the new movie along withDanielle Deadwyler,Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith, Jerrika Hinton, Gail Bean andCorey Hawkins.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“Knowing that he originated the role — he being Samuel Jackson in 1987 — knowing that Charles Dutton did it in the nineties, I have some big shoes to fill,” John David says. “So I was nervous, but I went for it. That’s the challenge I signed up for.”

Danielle Deadwyler, Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington and Ray Fisher in The Piano Lesson.Courtesy of Netflix

Courtesy of Netflix

The new movie is quite the Washington family affair; John David and Malcolm’s sister Katia, 36, is also amongThe Piano Lesson’s producers. “It made it so much fun and a bit nerve-racking because I want to do so well for them because they’re so brilliant, but that was a part of the fun challenge,” John David tells PEOPLE of working so closely with his family members.

The Piano Lessonbegins streaming on Netflix Nov. 22.

source: people.com