‘The First Purge’ Actor Patrick Byas Teases Role In The Film Franchise

Independence Day in America means it’s time for a new “The Purge” film to drop from the franchise. Back in 2013 the first film starring Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey was released and followed a particular family during Purge night, a night in America where for 12 hours all crime is legal, even murder.

The film has since spawned three more films, “The Purge: Anarchy” in 2014, “The Purge: Election Year” in 2016, and now “The First Purge,” a prequel in theaters today, July 4. Actor Patrick Byas from the latest film teased his secret role and if he would participate in the Purge if it was real.

Byas caught the acting bug during junior high when an actor from “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” came by the school to talk to the students. “He was the African-American man who was holding the detonator and blew up in the office… when he spoke about the movie, I immediately looked at him and said I’m going to be that one day.” And that he did.

The South Bronx native then learned the business the best way he could. He got a head shot, took classes and began to work on his resume. He landed roles in The Blacklist, Blue Bloods, Billions, Person of Interest, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Time After Time, Chicago P.D., and now his first major feature film role in “The First Purge,” but he couldn’t give too much detail about his role.

“My role is…. I was told and agreed on paper that I can’t speak about the characters [laughs], but I think it’s going to be a surprise and I hope all of my good friends, family and supporters like what both I, the cast and the crew brought to the screen,” Byas teased. He continued to talk about working with director Gerard McMurray, who he says is “real dope” and cool to work with, also the writer James DeMonaco, who impressed Byas with what he did with the script. “The whole crew treated me great and it was a bunch of craziness within the movie happening. I can tell you one thing, I was freezing my nipples off filming,” he said with a laugh.

The question remains though, would Patrick participate in the Purge if it was real? He said, “Heck no I would not want to purge! [laughs]. First off I’m not trying to hurt anyone and second the stuff in this movie is beyond crazy that I would have to just move across the globe during a Purge night with everyone I know if it was ever true.”

Right now, Patrick Byas is getting ready to shoot a feature film and aspires to model his career after Denzel Washington who he appreciates as an actor in the industry who also inspires others. “I want every young person who have walked the same path as I to know that they can do anything they want as long as they believe in themselves and put their minds to it. The world has enough space for folks to be great as long as they apply themselves. We all got this! One Love!”

Keep up with Patrick by following him on social media @PatrickByas and Twitter @PatrickByas. Also on Facebook at Facebook.com/Mr.PatByas. Check out “The First Purge” trailer in the clip below and tell me if you spot Patrick when you check out the film this week. Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Photo: SMPhotography