Who Does RJ Cyler Play on Peacock's The 'Burbs, and Why You Probably Recognize Him
It takes talent to go toe-to-toe with comedian Keke Palmer!
If you've watched Peacock's new mystery/thriller series, The ‘Burbs (streaming now!), starring Keke Palmer (Nope) and Jack Whitehall (The Afterparty), then you know that the supporting cast is also outstanding. The ensemble includes veteran comedians like Paula Pell, Julia Duffy, and Mark Proksch. And there's also at least one noteworthy scene-stealer: RJ Cyler, who plays Uncle Langston.
In case you're unaware, the series is loosely based on 1989 Tom Hanks' film of the same name (also streaming on Peacock). It's a contemporary take on modern suburbia, centered on newlyweds and new parents Samira (Palmer) and Rob Fisher (Whitehall). They find themselves relocating from the city to the suburbs to settle into Rob's family home in Hinkley Hills, "the safest town in America."
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For Samira, the move is an entire life disruption: leaving the city and her legal career, and experiencing the realities of postpartum. One of the anchors to her old life is her brother Langston, who makes his presence known in Hinkley Hills with an eventual visit.
Though he's only a recurring character, RJ Cyler makes every moment with Langston count. Below, we dig into his career.
What has actor RJ Cyler been in?
RJ Cyler is the first person in his family to pursue acting. His big break came in 2015 with his performance as Earl Jackson in the indie film Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. He was then cast as Billy Cranston / Blue Ranger in the big screen reboot of Power Rangers. He co-starred in the dramedy series I'm Dying Up Here, and played Todd Green in the superhero series, Black Lightning. In the series Scream: Resurrection, Cyler got to play twin brothers Deion Elliot and Marcus Elliot. In film, he's co-starred in The Harder They Fall, The Book of Clarence, and more.
Who does RJ Cyler play in Peacock's 'The Burbs series?
In 'The Burbs, Cyler plays Langston, the little brother of Keke Palmer's Samira Fisher. He still lives in the city, and remains her lifeline by phone, discussing all the disconcerting experiences she's dealing with in the quiet, mostly white suburbs, including the strange, abandoned house across the street that holds many a secret.
Throughout Season 1 (all of which is now streaming on Peacock), Samira touches base with her brother to update him on the weirdness she's investigating, and to get his advice on how to interpret what she's learning. He finally gets so worried for her, that he heads to Hinkley Hills for a day trip to give her a rest from her baby Miles, and to get personally involved in all the drama with her neighbors. Cyler and Palmer mesh like they are siblings in every scene they share, with their inside jokes and back-and-forth humor. His observations get big laughs, and Langston leaves every scene making you want more of him.
RELATED: How to Watch Keke Palmer's New Mystery/Comedy The ‘Burbs, Streaming Exclusively on Peacock
Is RJ Cyler married?
Since 2021, Cyler has been married to Nariah Francois. Known professionally as Nariah, she's a hip hip and R&B singer. While they don't frequent public events together, Nariah does share peeks into their special bond on her TikTok account.
Get your fill of sardines by catching both The 'Burbs series starring Keke Palmer and The 'Burbs film starring Tom Hanks, streaming now on Peacock!
