‘Fightland’ cast opens up about the show’s biggest star: London (Exclusive)

fightland, The latest collaboration between Starz and executive producer 50 Cent is upon us, and it’s not stopping the attacks. The new TV crime drama follows Duke Kilroy (Howard Charles), a championship boxer whose life is changed forever when his brother is murdered and he sets out on a quest for vengeance. And he is not alone on his journey of payback.

Now, in an era where there are hundreds of television channels and a long list of streamers, new shows require fresh ideas, unique approaches and the ‘it-factor’ to stand out in the crowd. thanks for this Battle fieldThe theme of revenge mixed with the boxing ecosystem makes for a fresh story, and the “it-factor” comes in the form of the series’ other main character – London.

london as background Battle field is unprecedented, and for many Americans, the layers of the city will be exposed for the first time. While there are certainly prim and proper aspects of the metropolis, there’s also a grit and grind that you won’t find in popular images of royals, high tea and James Bond films.

Thanks to the amazing team at Starz, I got the chance to explore many aspects of London further ‘Fightland’The premiere featured a look at various aspects of London’s culture as well as talking to the show’s stars. From my own experience, I can say that this city is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, surpassing even New York. Speaking of NYC, London also has this charming high energy, whether it’s embodied in Piccadilly Circus (the city’s equivalent of Times Square), the funky Soho section (yes, there’s a Soho in London), or the 1,000+ year old Borough Market (which becomes a foodie’s paradise).

Beyond my experience, what proved interesting was listening Battle field Artists described London. Specifically, I asked Charles, Nicholas Pinnock (played Kingsley Marshall), Deborah Ayorinde (played Joey Marshall), and Charles Babalola (played Zeke Marshall) what they believed American audiences would be shocked by about the London culture seen on the show, and in some conversations, how their specific perspective on the black American experience contrasted with the black British experience.

Howard Charles talks about the duel of London

men’s journal: What do you think will surprise American audiences watching the show?

Charles: This is an interesting question. I think, you know, London is steeped in history. London has grandeur and beauty, but it also has filth and darkness. And I think the wide range of influences and colors, as well as the fact that it’s a multicultural city. I think it almost makes it a character of the show. Certainly provides the perfect backdrop for such a heart-felt revenge saga. We have glitz and glamour, and spunk and dirt.

Nicholas Pinnock insists that black English culture continues to exist

men’s journal: For black audiences in the US, who may have never been to Britain or lived in the city long enough to know, should they expect to see a difference in black culture?

Pinnock: There is a sector within African American culture that does not realize that there are black people in England, and they have a real stronghold on the culture that they bring to the country. Because sometimes I get asked questions like, ‘How is it there?’ And it’s like, well, you know, you just live your life. It’s pretty much the same; We don’t even have guns, you know. There are all those kinds of differences, so we don’t have to face certain challenges. But in that context most of the challenges are almost the same.

Deborah Ayorinde’s unique perspective: born in London, raised in America

men’s journal: Given your unique background of being born in London and raised in both London and the US, what would you say Black Americans might know about seeing Black UK culture Battle field?

Ayorinde: You know what? I feel really blessed to have the story that I have, because I feel like it allows me to be almost like a bridge in a way. At least I aspire to do so, because I love us so much. And to be able to have beautiful experiences in the UK, the US and Nigeria, you know what I mean, with my people, it makes me love us even more.

Although we have our differences, we are still very similar. There is like a connective tissue between all of us. And I think if we can find space to embrace both, I think that would be a really beautiful thing. Like I said, I’ve done this in my life. Going to Harvard and living here (London), and having it around us all the time, I feel like I’ve seen it in real time.

Especially at Harvard, where it’s like, you have people from everywhere. And become excellent by coming to this place. And you just see, wow, we’re so beautifully different, but we’re really like a family. We have that connective tissue. And I hope that we, I hope, that we feel that even more.

Charles Babalola notes the city’s diversity

men’s journal:what do you expect Battle field Clarification regarding any misconceptions black Americans have about black British culture?

babalola: I would say that, you know, there’s probably a perception that there’s no crime underworld with some people in London. Or ‘It’s not real, or it’s not as hard as, you know, maybe in America.’ But I would say it’s not just black urban crime going on. For example, London is a multicultural city, so there are different walks of life in London. You know, I think the show shows different sides of it.

All that being said, be sure to connect with Battle field But starz Starting July 31, and see the London experience for yourself.

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