Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
Spoilers ahead forSundays episode ofInsecure.
The #LawrenceHive launched a viralpetitioncalled Wheres Lawrence?.
Lawrence was something new for TV.
Hes a strong black man who also isnt afraid to be emotionally vulnerable, it read.
This mess needs to be cleaned up… its time to get loud to bring him back!
It collected over 12,000 signatures.
Their prayers have been answered.
Of course, his return isnt just good news for devotees.
Why are you here?A couple of reasons.
Ive always loved tennis.
Also, Nole [Djokovics nickname] is a friend, so Im here for him.
Im super excited to watch him play.
And obviously, Grey Goose.
What are you eating?
A lobster roll?Im gonna eat the lobster, not the roll.
Thats sad.You find new ways to enjoy eating.
Maybe thats a better way to put it.
So when you do eat carbs, youre splurging?
How often does that happen?One day a week.
Anything The Rock does, I do.
So what are you doing the diet for?Its forTop Gun.
Do you like flying?I love flying, actually.
My dad now works for American Airlines and his brother also works for it.
You must be so excited aboutTop Gun.Oh yeah, Im super-excited.
So lets talk aboutInsecure.
Tonight, you returned to the show.
Why was your character gone for so long?Its something that happens in real life.
You break up with someone and you take a break.
Thats just the nature of relationships, the seasons of relationships, and the seasons of life, right?
Thats what we were seeing with Issa and Lawrence.
What did you think of the fan reaction when your character disappeared?
There was a petition!
Did you see all of that?Yeah, somebody put a petition on Care2.
Also, they reached out to me about it.
Theyre really lovely people.
Theyre actually really, really cool people.
There were two dudes standing outside protesting, obviously petitioning like crazy.
I mean, the articles wereinsane!
My Twitter feed was, like, blowing up for weeks and weeks and weeks!
It still pops in every episode where are you?
Whens he coming back?
Why isnt he here?
We need him back!
I dont think Ill ever be able to fully explain it.
It must make you feel so wanted.
I mean, thats the word that comes to mind.Its more than being wanted.
I think being wanted could be dangerous mentally.
Youre in a vacuum, you do the work, and its gone.
Theres nothing it’s possible for you to do about it.
Its not about the feeling of being wanted.
Its about, Oh shit.
People actually care about that guy.
They want to know whats happening to him.
They want him back.
That, to me, is what is the feeling.
So when did you know that you were going to be back on the show?
Or did you always know?I always knew.
So there was no anxiety.No, no anxiety.
Just wanted to talk to you.
And I was like, Guys, its OK. Dont worry about it.
its OK. Its fine.
Ill see you when production starts, Ill take an extra-long vacation, which was exactly what I did!
Whered you go?I went to Europe.
What did you do on vacation?Chill.
I wrote a lot, actually.
I got a lot of writing done.
I was prepping for a couple of pitches and looking for a house.
Im an actor, so I love working.
[But] the break was nice just because it allowed me to take care of some personal things.
It allowed me to spend some time with my family, and my house, get that situated.
When we leave you onInsecure, Lawrence is navigating the tech industry.
Did you do any research on Silicon Valley for that aspect of the character?A ton.
I called a good friend of mine I actually call her all the time now about stuff.
Hey, what about this?
So if this were happening if it were a takeover, how would this all work?
Im constantly calling her.
I watchShark Tanka ton.
I know episodes by heart.
Even seeing businesses, I can go, Oh, they wonShark Tankseason two, episode four.
One of the biggest moments for your character last season is theepisode where Lawrence has a threesome.
I havent seen her in forever.
And now like, her music career has BOOM!
Shes turned into this massive pop star.
She played at Coachella!
Shes going on a European tour in a few weeks!
We shot that threesome scene together.
It was the first time she ever shot a sex scene on television.
Did it bring you closer together?It definitely brought us closer together.
How do you even prepare for a scene like that?No carbs, lots of push-ups!
No, I think you gotta have open, honest conversations with people.
Its obviously insanely intimate.
Coming in as a guest cast, youre not.
You dont know these people and it may be your first time shooting.
And its just like, Hey, is there anywhere you dont want me to touch?
This is where you’ve got the option to touch me.
I was thinking I was going to touch here, or grab here, or bite there, whatever.
[Its] having those conversations and seeing what people are comfortable and not comfortable with.
Are there any parts of the show you connect with as a person?
Watching that, I thought, Oh man, thats what I needed.
Its like a billion things rush through your mind at one time.
What do you say?
Do you want to say they look great?
Did they break your heart?
Did you break their heart?
Do you just turn around and act like you didnt see them?
Theres so many things racing through your mind at one time.
But yes, Ill be around.
Ill always be here.
So what are people going to see next?
Youre gonna see some insecurities from multiple people!
It really, really is.
Your gut is going to, Oh, I know what that is.
Ive been there before.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
