Jamal Akakpo isn’t just working; he’s living. He exists across universes, genres, and decades. Recently, he made an impressive debut on NBC’s popular show Chicago Fire during the network’s largest crossover ever, drawing in more than 6 million viewers, the season high.

Playing the role of a confident and enthusiastic young firefighter named Jamie Holt, Jamal took his audience by storm. Holt appeared just as a scary viral outbreak was unfolding on a plane, only to join Truck 68 alongside familiar characters such as Macy Vasquez, Kidd, Cruz, and Capp. Showing immediately that he belongs among the best, he has since gotten an additional gig returning to Chicago Fire and participating in a training exercise at Firehouse 51 with Capp and Cruz.

But before all of this, Jamal had been building his reputation in the TV industry. Appearing on Marvel’s Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. in 2017, in HBO’s Watchmen, directed by none other than Damon Lindelof, where he portrayed Bass Reeves, and in Black Lightning, SWAT, Atlanta, and Florida Man, he proved that he is a man worth watching.

In our exclusive interview with Where Is The Buzz, Jamal talks about ambition, dreams, and roles with meaning.

He has already participated in two of America’s biggest franchises, so it goes without saying that Jamal doesn’t need to be reminded about how much of a privilege this is. Still, it wouldn’t be a surprise if there were another world that he would like to join.

“I’ve been fortunate to be part of both the DC and Marvel universes on television, which is something I don’t take lightly at all. If I had to name a dream franchise outside of those worlds, I’d say something within The Hunger Games universe,” Jamal said.

It would have been hard to guess, but after this response, you cannot help but agree with him.