The Circle

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. We also speak on a long running working relationship with Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya that has resulted in their feature directorial debut The Kitchen on netflix! Another good'un!

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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 Mirage Entertainment, John Goldwyn Productions, Leonard Di Caprio's Appian Way Productions, Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment, and Universal Pictures. As a conduit for over 400 produced scripts garnering over $30 billion in the box office, and 50 academy award wins with 40 golden globe wins, Franklin is both passionate and proud of his service. This episode is both eye-opening and educational, listen now and listen good!

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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 scheme that actually brought early success, and numerous milestones that saw her grow from budding director to prolific writer and the join the list of a golden generation of black British female showrunners. Come Through!

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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!

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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, juggling so many titles on her debut series, why she doesn't read reviews anymore and more! We've got ourselves another dope episode!

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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 project 'Pretty Red Dress' and the future of cinema and TV. Another dope episode!

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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 black British TV renaissance, casting a black love interest, how to direct a director and the journey from webseries to television. Another dope episode, but would you expect anything less?

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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-Force has made in inclusion and diversity in different fields and on screen, and of course his current groundbreaking run in ITV's The Tower, hosting projects 'Sorry I Didn't Know' and 'Handle With Care', and starring as Geoffrey in Peacock's 'Bel-Air'.

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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 get to hear where that game show theme song came from!

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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 most unique score on the game. Another dope one!

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