Harold Perrineau

Harold Perrineau plays Augustus Hill, the narrator of Oz. His direct addresses give the series a voice outside its immediate arguments, but he remains a person within the prison rather than a detached commentator. Perrineau can move between reflection and the pressure of an ordinary exchange without making the two feel unrelated.

He went on to play Michael Dawson in Lost, Damon Pope in Sons of Anarchy and Boyd Stevens in From. Those roles use markedly different aspects of his presence: vulnerability, controlled intimidation and the strain of taking responsibility.

His film work includes Mercutio in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet and Link in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. The variety is worth remembering when watching Oz. Hill's measured delivery is one choice among many, not the limit of what Perrineau can do.