If you’re watching TV this summer — and let’s be honest, you probably are — you’ve likely seen Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine.
Maybe you just didn’t know it.
That’s the thing with Ntare: he disappears. In an era where so many actors are instantly recognizable no matter the project, he vanishes into every role.
One minute, he’s Dexter Morgan’s too-good-to-be-true neighbor Blessing Kamara, and the next, he’s breaking your heart in the darkest corners of Smoke.
Soon after, he’s back in time portraying a house slave navigating brutal contradictions in Washington Black. And somehow, you believe all of it — every time.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better showcase of range and versatility,” Ntare says. “And I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to be working with, who elevated my work in the process.”
That kind of gratitude runs deep in his voice, and it’s genuine. After over 30 years in the industry, this moment feels hard-won — and even he admits the timing feels otherworldly.
All three shows, filmed years apart, are airing at the same time. “It’s divine intervention,” he says. “This wasn’t planned. The fact that they’re aligning at this moment is in the stars somehow.”
A Blessing Named Blessing
The highest-profile of the three is Dexter: Resurrection, where Ntare plays Blessing, a neighbor whose very name sets the tone.
“The show needed an element of levity and joy and some blessings,” he says with a knowing smile. “And I think that’s what my family’s addition to the show brings.”
That family includes characters named Joy, Constance, and Abundance — names the writers clearly didn’t choose by accident.
Whether they’re meant as a literal light in Dexter’s dark world or something more complex remains to be seen. “I think they did it on purpose,” Ntare says. “But where it goes from there, I think, is anyone’s guess.”
Fans are already suspicious. Some have taken to social media convinced that Blessing is too nice, too sweet, too steady to be trusted. Ntare just laughs.
“I’ve seen rumors online, but I think the writers anticipated people might try to forecast things. I don’t think anyone’s going to guess exactly what his story is.”
One thing’s for sure: audiences are noticing him. One fan outlet even named Blessing their favorite new character.
“That means the world,” he says. “Especially coming off the strikes. I have friends who still haven’t been back to work. So I’m counting my blessings — literally.”
A Master of Disguise
The fact that many viewers haven’t made the connection between Dexter and Smoke is, frankly, astonishing. The transformation is total — both emotionally and physically.
“For Smoke, I went all in,” Ntare shares. “I shaved my eyebrows, cut my eyelashes, dropped 40 pounds… I just thought, wouldn’t it be amazing to go as far as I can in the other direction?”
That extreme physicality helped him embody the deeply broken Freddy, a man operating on the margins of society and his own sanity.
And when it was time to shift into Dexter’s Blessing — a healthy, grounded man at the center of his family and community — Ntare pivoted just as fully. “I hit the gym, started putting muscle back on,” he says. “It was about rebuilding after stripping everything down.”
The result? Even seasoned industry veterans have failed to recognize him.
“At the Dexter premiere, the editor said she watched Smoke and didn’t realize it was me until the second episode,” he laughs. “Another editor on Smoke didn’t realize who I was while we were talking at a party. I had to spell it out.”
That’s how deeply Ntare disappears into his characters. “You hope for that,” he says. “That’s the dream.”
Still, he knows the moment of full realization hasn’t quite landed for most viewers — yet. “Once episode six of Dexter: Resurrection airs, and episode seven of Smoke… that’s when it hits. That’s the head-to-head comparison,” he teases. “That’s the peak.”
A Role Rooted in Complexity
He’s not done yet. On “Washington Black,” which will also air new episodes this summer, Ntare plays a house slave — a role with deep emotional layers and historical weight.
“House slaves have often been vilified for selling out, but this role shows the precarious balance they had to live with,” he explains. “Trying to protect both the family and the household… it gives you a new window into that experience.”
It’s a role completely different from Blessing. Completely different from Smoke. And somehow still feels like the kind of work only Ntare could deliver.
A Career Built on Substance
Ntare’s resume includes standout work on Treme, The Chi, Heroes, and countless others. But even with those critical darlings, this moment — this triple-punch summer — feels like the real arrival.
And he knows how rare that is.
“You never know when your past comes to haunt you,” he laughs, recalling how his casting on Dexter came full circle from old connections: a former grad school classmate, a fellow telemarketer who’s now an executive producer.
“If you’re not waiting tables, you’re working in a call center,” he quips. “We were all running in that crowd.”
Now, he’s leading it. And for viewers, the only real challenge is keeping up with just how far Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine can go next.
And We’re Just Getting Started
Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine is having a moment — one that’s been 30 years in the making.
With three powerful roles airing simultaneously, he’s finally getting the long-overdue spotlight. And yet, he’s still giving performances that surprise even the people cutting the footage.
We’ll be diving deeper into Freddy’s heartbreaking final arc when Smoke Season 1 Episode 7 drops, including the extreme lengths Ntare went to for one of the year’s most devastating scenes.
For now, just know that what you’re watching on Dexter: Resurrection, Smoke, and Washington Black is the work of a true master at the top of his game.
Stay tuned.
-
Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine Talks Dexter, Smoke, and the Gift of Transformation
Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine opens up about his powerful roles in Dexter, Smoke, and Washington Black — and why this summer marks a career high point.
-
Dexter: Resurrection Season 1 Episode 3 Review: Nobody Likes a Backseat Driver
Dexter struggles as a rideshare driver, stalks The Imposter, and lands an invitation to a killer dinner party — just as Harrison needs him most.
-
5 Reasons Dexter: Resurrection Premiered to Killer Ratings (…And Why It Was Smarter Than Continuing With Harrison)
Dexter: Resurrection debuted to record-breaking numbers, but the real win is how it course-corrected the franchise. Here’s why returning to Dexter (not Harrison) was the right call — and why this bloody reunion is the best one yet.
The post Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine Talks Dexter, Smoke, and the Gift of Transformation appeared first on TV Fanatic.
![I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) [Review]](http://wickedhorror.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/I-Know-What-You-Did-Last-Summer-group-shot-side-of-the-road-1.jpg "I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) [Review]")
