Wendell Pierce says he aims for an annual “trifecta” across TV, film and theater, as he stars in Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Othello

Wendell Pierce said he is setting his sights on an annual career “trifecta” that would keep him moving between television, film and theater, describing the approach as both a challenge and a response to time. In an interview with NPR published June 23, Pierce said he is motivated by what he called the “ticking clock of mortality,” alongside a desire to keep work varied rather than settling into a single lane.

Pierce is currently starring in a production of Othello with the Shakespeare Theatre Company. The theater company’s staging is central to his current schedule, and Pierce described the importance of remaining active in live performance, which demands a different kind of stamina and rehearsal rhythm than screen work.

In the same conversation, Pierce framed his “trifecta” concept as an effort to test himself as an actor by taking on distinct forms of storytelling. He did not describe a fixed calendar in the NPR item, but he indicated he wants the pace of his projects to remain steady across mediums rather than clustering only one type of role.

Pierce’s comments also highlight a practical reality for working performers who balance multiple industries. Television and film can involve long lead times, location shoots and post-production schedules, while theater requires sustained performances and ensemble coordination during the run. By linking his goals to an annual rhythm, Pierce’s plan, as described, emphasizes continuity of work rather than episodic appearances.

For audiences, Pierce’s stated focus means that theater-goers may see him continuing to appear on stage while screen audiences watch for future releases, but the timing and scope of any next film or television projects were not specified in the NPR report. The immediate, confirmed engagement in the article remains his ongoing involvement with Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Othello production.

The NPR interview places Pierce’s theater work within a broader statement about artistic drive. Rather than discussing any particular plot turn or production controversy, the focus of the report is his stated motivation and his intention to keep seeking roles that differ in craft demands, from stage performance to screen acting.

Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Othello, as referenced by NPR, therefore serves both as a current showcase for Pierce’s craft and as a snapshot of the career strategy he described: to keep working across formats on a recurring basis, while staying engaged with the live demands of theater.

The NPR piece was published June 23, and Pierce’s comments were presented as his personal account of motivation and goals. A full picture of the “trifecta” timeline, including whether he will pursue television or film projects each year as described, would depend on future casting and production announcements beyond the facts contained in the NPR report.