Ricco Ross Says Beauty in Black Is Exploring Horace's Sexuality in Season 3
Season three of 'Beauty in Black' is digging into the complicated sexuality of family patriarch Horace Bellarie, according to TVLine. Actor Ricco Ross described his character as a 'very complex man' whose past is now coming to light through a tense new storyline.
The season sees Horace react with homophobia after discovering his son Charles is having an affair with their family lawyer, Varney. As Ross explained, Kimmie then suspects Horace's anger stems from his own repressed desires, bluntly asking him if he's bisexual. The actor credits a new, younger character in Horace's life for pushing him to confront feelings he had long ignored.
Ross told TVLine that Horace is from a generation that didn't discuss such things openly, leading him to bury his own history. The tension peaks when Charles catches a half-naked male stripper, Angel, trying to seduce Horace, highlighting the patriarch's hypocrisy.
The actor also revealed that the show was saved from cancellation by fan outcry, per TVLine. Netflix reversed its decision to end the series after season three, a move Ross attributes directly to passionate viewer feedback.
He added that Horace was originally supposed to be killed off at the end of season one. Showrunner Tyler Perry changed his mind after seeing the on-screen chemistry, asking Ross to stay on as a series regular.
