Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù: “I’m excited to be a part of the change”
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 most-watched series ever on Sky Atlantic. Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù 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…
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.
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.
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.
The fact that it couldn’t be further from Gangs of London! 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.
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!
Right now, it’s the janky square between Upper Street and Kingsland Road, below the Overground but above the canal.
I’m sure it’d be mad unpopular, but I’d pedestrianise the majority of Zone One between 8am and 8pm.
Science fantasy.
Rick and Morty.
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.
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.
With my grandma back in Nigeria.
