Exclusive Interview: Nick Barrotta Talks Tyler Perry’s Duplicity, The Oval Seasons 6 & 7, and More!
- Tammy Reese
- Apr 14
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 16
Nick Barrotta on Growth, Gratitude, and His Journey from The Oval to Duplicity
Nick Barrotta is no stranger to our screens or our hearts. As a fan-favorite on Tyler Perry’s hit series The Oval, he’s brought depth, growth, and undeniable charisma to the role of Allan — an underdog character who’s now found his voice in a chaotic political world. Recently, Barrotta’s star power expanded even further as he took on the role of Sam in Duplicity, another powerful and timely project from Tyler Perry.
To be a working actor is a major accomplishment in itself, but to be part of not just one, but two of the most relevant and talked-about projects today is a true testament to Nick’s talent and work ethic. In this exclusive interview, Nick shares how grateful he is to be living this dream, how these projects have challenged him as an actor in the best way, and why the stories told in The Oval and Duplicity resonate so deeply with audiences — especially during such turbulent times.
From your perspective, what is the overall message of Tyler Perry Duplicity?
Nick: I feel like there’s a lot of layers to it, right? So with the trailer, I feel like it led the audience to kind of expect the film to go one way, but in fact, it really was a lot deeper than you kind of see on that surface level. Tyler Perry’s big at always sort of having these underlying messages in his films and his work. So I feel like this is just another example of that.
The film itself, I believe, really just focuses on right being right and wrong being wrong. I think today there’s a lot of hidden agendas in a lot of these narratives that come out. There’s a lot of hate that leads to these narratives. So this kind of stripped all of that.
A lot of people are using these political agendas and these different kinds of racial differences to create this divide when really, most of the case, not what we’re dealing with. Again, it’s just right is right and wrong is wrong.
Please tell us about your experience portraying the role of Sam in the film.
Nick: It definitely was intense at times. I have to give a shout out to Meagan Tandy who plays Fela in the film because she really brought it every day on set. One scene in particular, when we were at the hospital, when she finds out that her husband Rodney was murdered, man, she really delivered.
And I think everybody on set at that point in time really had to take a step back and catch their breath because you felt the weight of that scene really throughout the rest of the filming schedule. It was powerful.
And I know Megan too, who has become a dear friend of mine. We had a lot of fun offset because I feel like, especially for her character, she kind of lived in this grief and this darkness onset that she really needed to separate herself from that when we weren’t filming. So I give her a lot of credit. She’s very talented and it was really inspiring watching her work because she really showed up and did her thing.
What would you say to those who haven’t seen it yet? What should they brace themselves for?
Nick: Just a rollercoaster, you know, in typical Tyler Perry fashion. Just being on the edge of your seat throughout the whole thing. There’s a lot of twists and turns, especially at the end. We won’t give it away for those who haven’t seen it, but I believe this film from beginning to the end keeps you guessing and really keeps you at the edge of your seat. The film is just one of those when you think you know, you don’t.
Were you dual filming and are there any The Oval updates you can provide at this time?
Nick: Season six of The Oval is airing right now. We were not filming them together. There was a little bit of a break in between The Oval and Duplicity.
I really feel like Tyler Perry Studios now has become my home away from home. I’m so blessed to call that my workplace. We’re getting ready for season seven to come out next which we’ve already filmed. We don’t know a premiere date yet, but season seven is in the books. And I’ll tell you this, just like every season, when you think it can’t get any crazier, it does. We’re excited to keep that train moving. To think that we’ve been doing this for seven seasons is a dream come true for me. We’re really just enjoying this ride.
Let’s talk about Allan. Do you ever find yourself defending Allen’s choices and how does Nick feel about Allen at this point in the story?
Nick: That’s a great question. You know, early on in the series, I felt like Allan was a little timid. He kind of got walked all over on by Donald. Even Ellie early on before she was taken out. But what I love about Allan now is that he really has his voice.
He’s not so afraid anymore because I feel like he’s realizing finally that everybody else is freaking crazy in this place. He’s going to get a little crazy himself. So as far as Nick goes, personally, I’m happy that he is finally walking around a little bit with his chest poking out as opposed to sort of tiptoeing around. Because I know me, I wouldn’t have been allowing myself to get kind of played around with for that long. But I’m proud of him.
What have you been watching as of late?
Nick: There’s been a few I’ve been really locked into. I loved Paradise on Hulu. Very, very good. Sterling K. Brown, I’m a big fan of. He did such a tremendous job in his role there. Also, White Lotus. There’s this huge rave that’s going on around the White Lotus. It takes a little time to build up, but it’s a fun watch for sure.
Please tell our readers about your family’s restaurants.
Nick: The restaurant’s been amazing. We have The Ivy Kitchen and Bar which is in two locations. One in Huntington on Long Island and one in Rockville Centre. Then we have Barrotta’s Supper Club, also in Huntington which has been so cool. It’s got like this sexy, intimate vibe to it, live music, so it’s a lot of fun.
What else would you want our readers to know about what’s going on in Nick’s world?
Nick: I just want to take this opportunity to really thank the fans who have been riding with us on The Oval for six going on seven seasons. If you were to ask me when we first started, if we would be going this long, I would have told you that’s crazy to think about, but it’s because of the viewers that keep showing up every week that we’re able to do this. And The Oval’s changed my life.
I’m so blessed and grateful for the experience. And even with the cast, we’ve become such a family. And we really talk about the show and the storyline so much, but it really comes back to the fans.
So I definitely want to shout out all the Oval fans that support us and have been for so long. So hopefully we keep that going. But as far as me personally, between The Oval and Duplicity, I’ve kind of lived in this drama, dark sort of tone genre, if you will. I’m hoping the next project is a rom-com. That’s the dream to get into something lighter. And I think a romantic comedy would be so much fun.
As our conversation with Nick Barrotta came to a close, one thing was clear — his gratitude is as genuine as his talent. Whether he’s navigating the madness of The Oval or diving deep into the layered world of Duplicity, Nick continues to evolve as an artist while staying grounded in appreciation for the journey. With almost seven seasons of The Oval and an unforgettable performance in Duplicity under his belt, Nick Barrotta is undoubtedly an actor to keep watching. And if his dream of stepping into a rom-com next comes true? We’ll be right there for the ride.
