ON LONDON TIME

SOPÉ .. . DÌRÍSÙ

THE BRITISH-NIGERIAN STAR OF GANGS OF LONDON TALKS BLOODTHIRSTY SCENES, DISNEY MOVIES, AND SWAPPING FICTIONAL GANG VIOLENCE FOR THE REGENCY ERA IN HIS LATEST ROLE

Heroin, torture, assassination… just some of the things you’ll see in a typical episode of Gangs of London, the gritty story of London’s criminal underbelly and one of the top five mostwatched series ever on Sky Atlantic. SopéẹDìrísù plays Elliot Finch, an undercover policeman who infiltrates the most powerful crime syndicate in the capital, and who will return in the upcoming second series of the bloody action-thriller. But Dìrísù, who was born in Edgware, is no one-trick pony; he speaks to Luxury London ahead of playing the titular role in Mr. Malcolm’s List, a frothy Jane Austen-inspired comedy of errors. Talk about range…

Why do you think season one of Gangs of London was such a huge

hit? I don’t think UK audiences have ever seen anything like Gangs before. The cinematography, the scale… it’s on another level. I also think we’ve always been good, as a culture, at crime and ‘gangster’ stories, but Gangs of London offers an entirely new perspective on that, which is refreshing.

It’s pretty dark at times. How was filming the more violent

scenes? Funnily enough, some of those ‘dark’ or ‘violent’ scenes were the most enjoyable to shoot. The atmosphere on set is so upbeat and positive, despite the work we’re creating – it’s often easy to forget that we’re making something so terrifying.

What can we expect from season two? The atmosphere of London has changed and our characters have to find a way to navigate that. There are some really incredible story arcs that even I can’t wait to watch.

Your next project, Mr. Malcolm’s List, couldn’t be further from

GoL. What attracted you to the period drama? The fact that it couldn’t be further from GoL! I wanted to ensure I have diversity in the work I do. But more importantly, historically, leading and nuanced roles in period film haven’t been so inclusively cast, and I had kind of resigned myself to that. So when Emma [Holly Jones, the director] came to me with this role, I leaped at the opportunity. I’m excited to be a part of the change so that others don’t have the same resignations that I had when I was younger.

North, South, East or West – which area of London is your

favourite? I’ve lived most of my life North and love it for a variety of reasons, but my friends will rush me if I don’t say South. So South, South-East specifically!

What’s your favourite London neighbourhood? Right now, it’s the janky square between Upper Street and Kingsland Road, below the Overground but above the canal.

Which law would you introduce to make London a better place

to live? I’m sure it’d be mad unpopular, but I’d pedestrianise the majority of Zone One between 8am and 8pm.

What is your favourite genre of film/television? Science fantasy.

What is your go-to television series to binge? Rick and Morty.

Favourite film of all time? This is a question I always refuse to answer because I can’t pick just one. There are far too many. Maybe the original Lion King? It’s the first film I ever loved.

You studied Economics and played American football at university. If you weren’t an actor, what job would you like to do? I love working with my body, so probably an athlete of some description – either a footballer or an American footballer, but I probably wasn’t good enough which is why I became an actor.

If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would

you be? With my grandma back in Nigeria.