Kenric Green has quietly, but powerfully, become one of the most grounded and compelling actors of his generation. Best known for his unforgettable role as Scott on AMC’s cultural phenomenon The Walking Dead, Green returns to the big screen in a commanding lead role that’s bound to spark national conversation. In the upcoming Amazon MGM feature Sarah’s Oil, he stars alongside his real-life wife, Sonequa Martin-Green, portraying the parents of Sarah Rector—an extraordinary young Black girl who, at just 11 years old, became one of the nation’s first Black female millionaires after discovering oil on her Oklahoma land.
The film is based on a true story that blends American history, perseverance, and triumph over systemic greed. Green’s portrayal of Joe Rector—a man fighting to protect his family’s future—adds a rich emotional heartbeat to a film that celebrates courage, faith, and legacy.
And while audiences eagerly await Sarah’s Oil (releasing in over 800 theaters on November 7, 2025), Green also returns to television with a powerful turn in Boston Blue, a gripping new cop drama co-starring Donnie Wahlberg and Ernie Hudson, premiering October 17, 2025.
From the apocalypse to the oil fields to the streets of Boston, Kenric Green continues to redefine what strength and sincerity look like on-screen—and off.
Kenric, congratulations on your new film! What initially drew you to the story of Sarah’s Oil, and what does this film mean to you personally as a Black actor telling a piece of American history that’s rarely been shared?
Thank you!! It’s truly a dream and blessing to be a part of Sarah’s Oil. What drew me to the story has many layers to it—everything from lost American history to sharing a story that shows faith in action, to working opposite my real wife. I never imagined one project could check so many personal boxes for me. I’m very grateful. This film means a great deal to me. Movies have the power to challenge, reflect, and enlighten, as well as entertain. Getting the opportunity to take part in bringing Sarah Rector’s story to life is hard to put into words. I’m not of the mind that I can control how an audience responds to my work or the projects I’m a part of, but it’s hard to imagine anyone not being impacted by Sarah’s story. As an actor, it doesn’t get any better, in my opinion, than telling stories that have real impact in people’s lives.
You and your wife, Sonequa Martin-Green, play Sarah’s parents in the film. How did it feel to collaborate on a project that’s both historical and deeply emotional, and how did your real-life chemistry translate to the screen?
Oh man… being Sonequa’s husband on and off screen is the absolute best! Acting is so collaborative and malleable. She is a brilliant artist, and being opposite her automatically raises my game. She brings a depth of truth that’s undeniable, and because of the trust and love we share in real life, it allows us to go deeper together in the story. Being married in real life allowed for us to have a closeness and intimacy in our prep, work on camera, and in between takes that wouldn’t be appropriate with an actor that isn’t your spouse. That was invaluable and I think really helped us tell the story more authentically.
The story of Sarah Rector is incredibly powerful — an 11-year-old girl outsmarting titans like J.D. Rockefeller! What message do you hope young viewers, especially young Black girls, take away from this story?
My hope is that young viewers understand the importance of a relationship with Jesus and walking out your faith with conviction even when others may see things differently than you. With God, nothing is impossible.
You’ve played in worlds filled with walkers and danger before (The Walking Dead), but this film deals with real-world dangers like greed and racial injustice. How did preparing for this role differ from your previous work?
One of my favorite things about being an actor is the many hats I get to wear that otherwise would be ridiculous. Researching Oklahoma in 1914 was such an education. I learned so much while preparing for this role that I wasn’t expecting. What’s documented about the Rector family during this time is sparse, so you really have to dig to make sure what you’re finding is true. This is the first real-life person I’ve played, so there is a responsibility to honor the person properly, but since there was very little to draw from, I also had to fill in the blanks for myself to bring Joe to life in a way that made sense for the story but stayed true to the reality of Black people in America during this time. That was an emotional and enlightening journey.
Sarah’s Oil dives into themes of faith, family, and resilience. Were there moments on set that personally moved or challenged you as an actor?
Absolutely! Working with Naya, who plays Sarah, and Adyan, who plays Junior, was such a joy. Speaking of the benefits of working with Sonequa, we were able to foster our movie family off-camera, and sometimes the conditions were rough. I had never been to Oklahoma, let alone experienced what summer is like there, but woah… that heat is no joke. I thought going through the Georgia heat on The Walking Dead was enough to prepare for the heat of Oklahoma, but I was wrong… haha. We really had to lean on each other and look after one another in those conditions. Additionally, having to deal with the theme of racism in such a palpable way really required us to lean on one another and understand the importance of God and faith for the Rector family. It was really galvanizing for us in a beautiful way.
The cast is stacked — from Zachary Levi to breakout talent Naya Desir-Johnson. What was the dynamic like on set, and what did Naya bring to the role of Sarah that made her performance so memorable?
This whole cast was a dream to work with! If I had Naya’s confidence and charisma, I could rule the world! I was so impressed from our first day of rehearsal with her earnestness and honesty. The role of Sarah is not an easy one, and Naya delivered on every level. I’m very proud of her. The set dynamic was wonderful. Dealing with heavy themes like greed and racism can be tough, but off-camera everyone was so fun, joyful, and generous that it really laid the foundation of trust for us to go to the uglier places for the sake of the story.
You’re also part of Boston Blue, a new cop drama premiering this October. What can fans expect from your role in that series, and what makes it stand out from other police dramas we’ve seen?
Boston Blue! Well, the first thing I’ll say is that it couldn’t be further from Joe Rector and Oklahoma 1914, haha. In BB I play Charlie Price, chief of staff to the DA. What stands out to me about this show is it’s more about the people and relationships than it is about what’s happening. Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of excitement and intrigue with the plots and solving cases, but what makes it exciting to me is what the cases do to the characters and relationships as the story progresses.
Balancing major projects in both film and television — how do you choose roles that challenge you while still staying true to your creative spirit?
I look at my ability and opportunity to act as a gift from God. I’m at a place now where I want my creative spirit to serve Him in whatever way possible. Allowing Him to take the lead in the roles and projects I do presents all types of excitement, challenge, and fulfillment that I don’t think I could facilitate on my own.
You and Sonequa have both built powerful careers that intersect art, activism, and family. How do you both maintain that balance and still find joy in the chaos of Hollywood?
Our foundation in Jesus has been everything in regard to navigating our lives in this industry. The chaos of Hollywood brings the unexpected almost daily, haha. And with it, the idea of balance feels impossible. I can’t honestly say we are achieving “balance” now. There are so many things out of our control—like when and where we work, time together with our children, among other things. We have no choice but to trust in Jesus that it all will work together for our good, as He promises. So we put our joy in that rather than what may be happening in our lives one day to the next. It’s not always easy by any means, but it’s the most reliable security we have in the midst of the chaos.
With Sarah’s Oil and Boston Blue both hitting audiences this year, what’s next for Kenric Green? Are there stories you’re eager to tell—maybe even behind the camera?
Well, I can’t give any specifics yet, but Sonequa and I are working on some things from the producer side that we are very excited about! We love acting and will continue to do so, but we want to expand to creating our own shows and movies as well.
Instagram: @IamKenricGreen
Photos: @DimitryL