Local Actor Scores Role in The Dougherty Gang Film

NEW ORLEANS - Dec. 12, 2018 - PRLog -- Lance E. Nichols is a No-la native whose busy acting career landed him a coveted supporting role as the gruff and uncaring Officer Willie Spencer in the upcoming docudrama movie, "The Dougherty Gang".  This film is produced by Big Cat Production and Charlie Baby Productions.  Directed by Sean McEwen, best known for producing Another Happy Day (2016), Bernie (2011), and Graceland (2012), among others.

Filming of this project took place recently in the Louisiana city of Shreveport, which offered a similar environment as the gangs' original southern coastal home of Florida.  Mr. Nichols is a veteran method actor whose vast experience lends inspiring believability to his character of Officer Willie Spencer.  Officer Spencer's career experience with convicted felons on parole has left him both jaded and uncaring.  He fully expects his clients to be repeat offenders and will not waste his precious time with polite understanding and general good will towards men.

Lance's character is introduced to Dylan, the youngest member of the Dougherty family's sibling trio in the beginning of the film, and unfolds the true-life tale that led to the legendary multi-state crime spree.  Dylan is now 21, and whose youthful indiscretion at age 19, lands him with a sex offenders' record and life-long probationary restrictions.  This meant he would not be allowed to be near his soon to be born child, nor would he be able to be present at the future birthday parties where children will be attending. The ankle monitor that Officer Willie Spencer outfitted him with cost a quarter of his meager monthly carpenters' wages.  He needed to have a direct mailing address at his home residence where there was no mail delivery service.  This combined with Officer Spencer's grim uncaring attitude drove the youngest sibling to contact his older brother and sister to try and figure out a way for him to support his young wife and unborn child.

These three siblings had no real positive role models in their lives.  They relied solely upon each other while growing up and are extremely devoted to one another.  They were doing the best they could with the tools they were given.  They are survivors with a few battle scars for their efforts.  The age-old moral of this true to life epic is that good parenting and a solid family foundation is key to an overall good citizenship.  Left to their own devices, the siblings often-times did spontaneous and immature actions that resulted in disastrous consequences.  As was the case in this film when Lance's character, the hardened and unsympathetic officer Willie Spencer backed the youngest Dougherty sibling into a hopeless corner.

Lance is to be commended on a role well-played. His veteran skills often have him in high-demand.  His most recent portrayal of the villainous Otis in the 2018 fall episode of The Purge gave homage to a whole new kind of "bad dude".  He was most notable in his starring role as Dentist Larry Williams in the critically acclaimed HBO series Treme and as The River King in USA's Into The Badlands.

Mr. Nichols' busy career will see him in a guest starring role in the upcoming Streaming Series production called The Chosen, that depicts characters of biblical times with modern language.   The series will be shooting in Weatherford, Texas, just outside of the Dallas-Fort Worth area during the first week of December.

In between roles, Mr. Nichols and his wife Zardis manage their own production company Lanzardis Productions, where they mentor young artists into the entertainment industry, as well as create award-winning films. Their first TV pilot, Shepard, won Best Drama at the prestigious 2017 ITV Fest, where Lance also took home award for Best Male Actor in a Drama.

The talented stars of the New Orleans entertainment galaxy shine ever brighter with Mr. Lance E. Nichols in its stratosphere.  He brings a positive and motivational energy to the city of New Orleans and the entertainment industry as well.  There are great things in this actor's future.  You can see all the latest industry news on his website on IMDb.com   https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0629634/