Troy Kotsur on Playing a Mobster in ‘Black Rabbit’ (Exclusive)

Troy Kotsur continues to pave the way for others. 

Kotsur, who made history as the first deaf actor to win an Oscar in 2022, landed his latest role as mobster Joe Mancuso in the new Netflix crime thriller Black Rabbit. Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE at the show’s New York City premiere, he says he hopes his role will create new opportunities for other deaf performers. 

“I’m sure folks in the audience have really never seen a mobster who happens to be deaf. It was really fun and exciting for me to create this character,” the actor, 57, shares.

Kotsur adds that he is looking forward to the conversation that will come out of his unique role, both among the viewers and others in the entertainment industry. 

“It was really fun for me to develop this character, a fresh take and a new perspective. It will open up new roles in the future, I hope. We’re not just actors who use sign language, we’re characters and we can play all different types of characters,” he says. 

Kotsur is no stranger to the screen, having starred in the latest season of Foundation. The actor also appeared in guest roles in Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Mandalorian, Criminal Minds and Scrubs. He has two movies set to release this year, In Cold Light with Maika Monroe and Helen Hunt, and Primate. 

However, Black Rabbit pushed Kotsur to new limits as an actor, as he had to carefully channel some heavy emotions.

“There were several scenes that we worked on that were very emotional. But of course, Joe Mancuso’s in control. All of his emotions are under the surface and a bit buried,” the CODA star says of his kingpin character.

“Every scene, my goal was for the audience to feel the emotion,” he continues. “What I was trying to do was keep it simple. Less is more. I’m glad that I approached things that way and remained in control in these extremely emotional scenes. Because Joe Mancuso is the boss, he didn’t want to be too upset or over the top. He had to keep under control and be aware of his power at all times.”

Taking place in New York City, the show follows two adult brothers. Jude Law plays the charismatic Jake Friedken, the owner of the titular restaurant and bar, while Jason Bateman plays Vince Friedken, who returns to the family business with trouble in tow.

The synopsis teases that Vince’s return opens “the door to old traumas and new dangers that threaten to bring down everything they’ve built.”

The show, created by Zach Baylin and Kate Susman, also stars Amaka Okafor, Cleopatra Coleman, Morgan Spector, Odessa Young and more.

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Kotsur reveals who he wishes he got to spend more time with on set, saying, “I really enjoyed playing and acting with Jude Law and Jason Bateman.” Plus, the actor struck a tight kinship with his “gang,” who knew sign language.

“I loved to spend time with all of them. It was nice to give our interpreters a break, and just chat and joke around in sign language,” he says. 

Black Rabbit is now streaming on Netflix.