The Circle

Actress and Writer Gbemisola Ikumelo steps inside The Circle with to talk career, drama school, being one of one in her community, the success of BBC Comedy series 'Famalam', resonating with her role in critically acclaimed 'The Last Tree', and her first major US production in highly anticipated Amazon series 'A League Of Their Own'. Great conversation! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...

Aml Ameen, the young veteran actor, producer and director steps inside The Circle with Leon Mayne and Akua Gyamfi. As part of the specially curated insta sessions during lockdown, we spoke with Aml on the healing process after the George Floyd incident, walking away from lead roles, extending his identity in Idris Elba's directorial debut 'Yardie', why he chose to star in Michaela Coel's 'I May De...

Super Producer Luti Fagbenle steps inside the circle with Leon & Akua to talk about the blessings of being part of the Nigerian 'Wayans' dynasty - the Fagbeneles, producing music videos for Beyonce, Snoop Dogg. Justin Bieber, Craig David, Jay-Z, One Direction. breaking into the TV industry with his brother OT Fagbenle, and creating a future legacy of black stories. A dreamer and executer Luti...

Prolific casting director Kharmel Cochrane stepped into The Circle with Leon & Akua to talk about the origins of her company, her quest to disrupt TV & Film's typical casting tropes, and her success stories which include casting for BAFTA-winning series 'The End Of The F***ing World', Oscar-nominee 'The Lighthouse', and music videos for the likes of Stormzy and Nicki Minaj. A trailblazer a...

Paapa Essiedu steps inside the circle with us this week! The prolific actor speaks on his late introduction to theatre, preparing for his roles in television and film, set life on Sky and AMC series 'Gangs Of London', growing up in the same neighbourhood as actress Naomi Ackie, and working alongside NYT friend 'Michaela Coel' on breakout series I May Destroy You. See how he manages to get to the t...

BAFTA award-winning actress Naomi Ackie steps inside The Circle with Leon & Akua. She talks through her holistic journey during lockdown, writing projects that centre black women, her dream role in Lady Macbeth, working with John Boyega to push a Janna & Finn 'will they, won't they' in Star Wars, and her breakout role in The End Of The F***ing World'. Some incredible personal and professio...

Damson Idris joins The Circle in a special lockdown insta live session. He waxes lyrical on auditioning for FX series Snowfall, life-changing words from the late great John Singleton, his process for his role in Farming, experience on set with John Boyega in Attack the Block, a hilarious encounter in LA with Tyrese, and how the U.S has embraced him as a talent and a person. Gems on Gems! Hosted on...

We step inside the circle with television executive and screenwriter Danielle Scott-Haughton as she discusses her journey from post-production worker to web series creator and development executive. Danielle gives Akua insight into the screenwriting process and how to get your project greenlit, and she provides an honest, detailed, and authored account of navigating the industry as a black woman....

Actress Jade Anouka steps inside the circle this week as she speaks on her love for the stage, breaking expectations in the television and film projects she chooses, auditioning for Steve McQueen and clinching a role in critically acclaimed anthology Small Axe, and her starring roles in ITV Drama 'Cleaning Up' and HBO & BBC Fantasy 'His Dark Materials'. Another goodie! Hosted on Acast. See aca...

A sitdown with Zackary Momoh, star of Seven Pounds, Harriet, and Doctor Sleep. We discuss old school sweets and chocolates, the similarities and differences in acting in the UK vs the US, being inspired by Regina King, having an industry support system, and the status of the previously highly anticipated series Americanah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We sit down with BAFTA award-winning director Destiny Ekharaga to talk about her new love for landscaping during lockdown, becoming one of only six black British female directors to have UK cinema distribution, her perseverance in choosing and fighting for her respective television and film debuts, and getting her bafta for directing The End Of F***ing World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

Step inside The Circle with Tahirah Sharif. In this week's podcast Leon and Akua speak with the actress on her starring roles in Netflix hit 'The Haunting Of Bly Manor', BBC series 'Waterloo Road' and the rights of passage soap 'Casualty'. We also unpack the booksmart talent's experiences on set, dealing with rejection, and redefining outside noise. Candid and Funny! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...

This week we wax lyrical with Development Producer Sherie Myers, whose career so far has seen her as script editor on Sky and CW series 'Bulletproof', story consultant on her friend Michaela Coel's critically acclaimed HBO & BBC series 'I May Destroy You', and development edit for new Netflix and BBC series 'The Serpent'. We talk career highlights, creating shows with IP, being black in develo...

Fresh off the success of her Theatrical and Netflix release of indie film 'Rocks', Leon and Akua speak to screenwriter Theresa Ikoko about her journey, background, and creative teachings as she reminds us to work smart not hard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BAFTA Award-Winning Writer, Producer & Actor Akemnji Ndifornyen. steps into the studio to speak on an illustrious career so far from being an extra on Eastenders to starring in breakout Netflix series The Queen's Gambit. We go in-depth with audience perception on his BBC shows 'Famalam' and 'The Crouches', as well as crossover into Hulu comedy 'Shrill'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...