The Circle

Not even two months from its release, and fresh off the news of a season 2, we are joined by Sheila Nortley and Michael Salami, producer and actor for Netflix fan favourite, Supacell. The duo step into the circle to talk respective journeys in the build up to joining the global no1 hit show, including a 13-year gap between their first project together 'Illegal Activity' created by Supacell directo...

Our Supa Weekender continues wIth an interview with man of the moment Rapman. The Writer/Director joins us at Acast Studios this week to speak candidly on his humble upbringings in Lewisham, finding passion and purpose in storytelling, how his viral Youtube series introduced him to Jeymes Samuel and Jay-Z/Roc Nation, music videos being the gateway into directing, what happened to that remake of Un...

This week actress Adelayo Adedayo steps inside The Circle with Leon and Akua to wax lyrical over a storied career. The East London native speaks on her love for theatre and literature, giving up law for her acting career, her breakthrough role in BBC Three's 'Some Girls', working with Tosin Cole across three different projects, scrutinising her own work, the importance of her team and behind the s...

In this special episode of The Circle, Leon teams up with guest co-host and actress Dani Moseley to speak with Adrian Lester and Enyi Okoronkwo - stars of Disney Plus series Renegade Nell. On the eve of it's release, we all waxed lyrical on the actors' approach to their respective roles, navigating accuracy and sensitivities of black citizens in the historical backdrop, merging genres and themes i...

Mid-season finale! Award-winning Actor and Writer Kiell Smith-Bynoe steps inside the circle with Leon and Akua. In between performances of his recent theatre project 'Kool Story bro' the prolific comedic juggernaut took time to wax lyrical with us over a storied career that has seen him seamlessly slide through cultural webseries classics including 'Hood Documentary' and 'Diary Of A Bad Man', to r...

IAG Talent Agent Nina Malone joins Leon and Akua in the circle. Celebrating seven years as an agent, she reminisces on her transition from modelling to managing talent. We talk demystifying the myth of pretty privilege, tips to becoming a competent agent, why she reps so many clients but never discloses how many, her working relationship with Femi Oguns, a love for tap dancing and the dos and don'...

Director, Writer and Producer Abdou Cisse joins Leon and Akua to wax lyrical on an astonishing start to his career. From transitioning from Architecture to Advertising to Filmmaking, wanting to put the mandem on the global map, paying it forward with his crossover production company with long time friend Akwasi Poku, shadowing on Season 2 of Gangs Of London, writing and directing award winning sho...

Executive Producer/Producer Dominic Buchanan steps inside the circle in our longest and perhaps most honest episode to date to wax lyrical on a storied journey that has seen him premiere and win awards at Tribeca and Sundance respectively. Further stories include how a deal offer from Paramount let him know his worth, the origin story of his multi-award winning series 'The End Of The F***ing World...

In between episodes, Leon and Akua discuss random but poignant topics usually reserved for their WhatsApp. This week we speak on Kenya Barris and the ongoing discourse around representation of dark-skinned women in his successful output of Film and TV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finally! We've landed on 30 episodes. To celebrate we have put together a few soundbites from some of our guests so far. A massive thank you to all of our listeners for tuning in. More to come! Special thanks to Theresa Ikoko, Akemnji Ndifornyen, Sherie Myers, Tahirah Sharif, Destiny Ekaragha, Zackary Momoh, Jade Anouka, Danielle Scott-Haughton, Damson Idris, Naomi Ackie, Paapa Essiedu, Kharmel Co...

Director Kibwe Tavares jumps into the hot seat with Leon and Akua this week. We speak on his transition from architecture to filmmaking, starting his own production company Factory Fifteen, his love for design and how it informs his style, a storied career that spans across a sundance winning short film, to directing a ballet run at Royal Opera House, to exec producing a book adaptation for BBC. W...

This week we are joined by producer, cultural commentator and founder of The Blacklist, Franklin Leonard. As we enter year 20 of his groundbreaking company which celebrates and supports screenwriters, Franklin reflects on a storied journey that brought him from Harvard all the way to stints at the Trinidad Guardian, Mckinzey & Company, and CAA, before a whirlwind jump into the industry via Mir...

Aaaand we're back! Our Season 3 opener is with writer, showrunner, executive producer and South East London native Lauren Sequeira. Three days off the premiere of her debut original series 'Domino Day' on BBC Three, Lauren speaks with Leon & Akua on a storied journey so far including penning a BAFTA nominated spin-off of The Dumping Ground, two episodes of Sky phenomenon Gangs Of London, a sch...

Your favourite carpenter and plagiarist are back with a special prelude before season 3 hits the airwaves. Akua and Leon talk award season, the controversy behind the Barbie nominations, black talent making waves at the Oscars and BAFTAs, and introducing a new segment in between guest episodes. Stick with us, we're back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Actress, Writer, Producer, Artist...oxygen, Nicôle Lecky joins us on this week's episode. After the release of her multi award-winning drama series 'Mood' on BBC Three, Nicôle waxed lyrical with Leon and Akua, of the series' origin in theatre as the previously titled 'Superhoe', how her upbringing in East London shaped her, the era of the writer/performer, advocating for black female writers, jugg...

Producer Bennett McGhee steps into the hot seat with Leon and Akua as he discusses early cinema trips forging his passion for film, his love for UK garage, forming a long time friendship with his now business partner Dominic Buchanan for production company Home Team, his first ever feature lock 'VS' written by Ed Lily, his method for chasing down Dionne Edwards to Executive produce on standout pro...

Back with a special episode as Leon and Akua are joined by the cast and crew of BBC & A24 series 'Dreaming Whilst Black'. Ahead of the series release, the duo wax lyrical with the show's creator and lead Adjani Salmon, producer Nicola Gregory, directors Joelle Mae David & Koby Adom, and lead actress Dani Moseley. Episode highlights include the origin of the lead character's name, the new b...

Multitalented Actor, Producer and Presenter Jimmy Akingbola joins the circle to wax lyrical on a career that started playing Elvis in theatre, honing his screen skills on BBC sitcom 'The Crouches', how he has managed to stay relevant and working in the industry on both sides of the Atlantic, breaking ground in playing the first black gay character on British television, the impact his company Tri-...

Actress and Director Thalissa Teixeira steps inside the circle to wax lyrical on her dual British and Brazilian heritage, the positives of creativity when dealing with mental health, colourblind casting, working alongside good friend Paapa Essiedu in Anne Bolelyn, her experience in groundbreaking BBC Drama 'Trigonometry', her directorial short film debut 'We Met Before' and more! And you finally g...

Producer and Writer Sheila Nortley joins Leon and Akua this week to speak on a storied journey which spawned award-winning short films, collaborations with talent including Aml Ameen, Shola Amoo, and Ashley Walters, gaining a three series development deal with Sky, producing two Netflix series 'Stay Close' and upcoming drama 'Supacell' and so much more! She also made history this episode with the...

Prolific director and all-round creative Sebastian Thiel steps inside The Circle this week. We discuss his entrepreneurial upbringing, how he managed to bring together the who's who of black talent for his debut short film 'Illegal Activity' a decade ago, the webseries renaissance, his first original TV series 'Just A Couple', directing BAFTA award-winning and International Emmy-nominated pilot 'D...

BAFTA Award-Winning Director & Writer Nida Manzoor joins Leon & Akua this week to talk everything 'We Are Lady Parts' and 'Polite Society", as well as the importance of comedy in south asian and muslim representation. upbringing in London & Singapore, key lessons in directing, overcoming naysayers and backlash for her exploration of her culture, that BAFTA win, and more! Another fire e...

The multi-faceted Kirby Howell-Baptiste steps inside the circle with Leon and Akua. We talk her upbringing at Anna Scher Theatre, switching between genres for her acting roles, her working relationship and friendship with Kristin Bell, kickstarting her career in U.S, her respective roles in Netflix's 'The Sandman' and 'Mr Harrigan's phone, as well as upcoming Disney Plus series 'Culprits' - and th...

On this week's episode actress, Deborah Ayorinde steps inside the circle. We wax lyrical on her upbringing and work on both sides of the Atlantic, being part of a heralded alumni at Howard University, groundbreaking roles and lessons on Amazon Prime's 'Them' and Netflix's 'Luke Cage'. her starring lead in upcoming ITV/Amazon drama 'Riches', advice from Mahershala Ali, staying grounded in prayer an...

Brand new season, same old greatness. BAFTA Award-winning Casting Director Aisha Bywaters joins Leon and Akua in The Circle. She waxes lyrical on being influenced by her mother, working with Shaheen Baig on Peaky Blinders and Black Mirror, the responsibilities and purpose that comes with casting fairly, the Daniel Kaluuya auditon that blew her away, getting the 'Everything I Know About Love' gig,...