Tan France, widely known for his role as the fashion expert on the hit show Queer Eye, is making his scripted television debut on the Hulu series Deli Boys, showcasing his versatility as he steps out of his comfort zone. France, who plays Zubair, is no ordinary criminal; he is the leader of a rival cocaine gang who has come all the way from London to settle scores and search for his missing cousin.
This exciting new comedy drama, created by Abdullah Saeed, follows two pampered Pakistani-American brothers, Mir (played by asif Ali) and Raj (played by Saagar Shaikh), who unexpectedly inherit their late father's criminal empire after discovering he had been using his convenience stores as fronts for cocaine distribution. The series explores their reluctant transition from oblivious heirs to reluctant players within the family's criminal legacy.
France's experience with the role was eye-opening, as he revealed to Entertainment Weekly, "I had, no joke, the best experience of my career doing this. This challenged me in ways I never expected." Taking on such a character, he found himself undertaking stunt work, which by his own admission was both exhilarating and painful at times, especially during one memorable fight scene with fellow cast member Poorna Jagannathan. France recalled how he sustained a wrist injury during filming, stating, "No one knows this; I didn't want anyone to think I was weak: I really hurt my wrist. I had a bruised wrist for a few days when I went back [to the Queer Eye set]. I stacked a load of bracelets, so you can’t see it. But it was so worth it!"
The comedic aspect of Deli Boys shines through the narrative as the brothers navigate this tumultuous new lifestyle with the guidance of their formidable aunt, Lucky, played by Jagannathan. At its core, the show is about family and the bonds formed within immigrant families. Saeed expressed, "The thing that binds brothers, especially in immigrant families, is this deep love...that bond will never break." France echoed this sentiment, noting the unique opportunity the show presents to showcase multifaceted South Asian characters, stating, "It gives a window into our world...that we are funny, dramatic, angry, [and] we are full people."
The long road to bringing Deli Boys to screens was not without challenges. Executive producer Jenni Konner stated, “We went everywhere. Onyx [Collective, the company behind various Hulu originals] loved it. No one else did, but we wound up getting really lucky.” The series faced significant production delays due to the pandemic, labor strikes, and studio changes. Nevertheless, she remained optimistic, saying, “It’s very hard to get something made, but I think people respond to unique voices, and this is what Deli Boys is.”
France's performance as Zubair is starkly different from how audiences are accustomed to seeing him. He is eager for viewers to see this other side of his personality. “Everyone expects Tan France to be walking, talking sunshine,” France mused. “It’s so rare you see me without a smile on my face...I hope they don't realize it’s me for the first couple of scenes.” Nader, another executive producer, shared her enthusiasm about France’s role, exclaiming, “When he walked in on set the first day and had his first lines, I looked at everybody, I was like, ‘He’s a star.’ I’m thrilled for people to see him this way.”
France’s ability to embody Zubair goes beyond just his acting; he even had to master his Cockney accent for the role. He humorously shared, "It was not my choice to do it, I didn’t volunteer the accent!" He attributed part of his successful accent to watching shows like EastEnders, stating, "I did watch a lot of EastEnders. That was my soap, so I could always do a good Babs, behind the counter at the Vic."
With each episode, France hopes to captivate audiences and take them on this wild ride as the brothers become embroiled in both comedic and dangerous circumstances. Despite his intense character, France wants to highlight the interwoven themes of family and loyalty central to the series, which seems to reflect his own commitment and passion for this significant new role. The show premieres on March 6, 2025, and promises to be one of the most inventive new crime dramas of the year.
Finally, with the clear love and bond between the characters and dynamic storytelling, France's debut performance is shaping up to capture hearts and show viewers the rich narrative of hijinks and high stakes, all underlined by family ties. Don’t miss what promises to be both entertaining and enlightening!