Taye Diggs stars in Netflix's new film "Set It Up." He joined "Salon Talks" to discuss how he prepared for his character, Rick, a total jerk, and a big departure from his sweet spot playing the likeable love interest on screen. "Set It Up," which feels like a throwback to rom-coms of the 2000s, centers around a romance between Diggs' character and Liu, who also plays an uptight executive. Their relationship is masterfully designed by their overworked assistants. "I've been lucky to be in this business for a minute and I've been a part of stories that have been re-used. This is a refreshingly original idea," Diggs told Salon's Rachel Leah. "That's why playing that character was so great," Diggs added, "because I got to be the person that I'm afraid to be in real life."

The "Rent" and "Private Practice" star has a slew of other projects in the works. He's starring in a new football-centered sitcom called "All American," out this fall on CW, is directing for the stage, and is in the process of publishing his third children's book, which centers on his personal experiences of co-parenting after divorce.