Movies

Is Sope Dirisu the Next James Bond? Inside His Rise to Stardom

BBG News

Originally labeled as British television’s “most violent” series and often compared favorably to “Peaky Blinders,” the show “Gangs Of London” is set to air again on Thursday evening.

The TV show unfolds the tale of internal conflicts among international crime syndicates tearing apart the capital, premiering on Sky Atlantic in 2020. A new season was released in 2022.

Moreover, it features an accomplished acting ensemble, with Joe Cole portraying Sean Wallace, Michelle Fairley taking on the character of Marian Wallace, and Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù playing Elliot Carter.

In 2023, Sope announced that they will be back for the third season. They hinted to The Standard that fans can look forward to something unique and exciting.

At age 33, the actor’s career has flourished significantly ever since he secured his role on the show. He has captured countless admirers with his exceptional acting abilities and daring stunts.

Born in London to parents from Nigeria, Sope pursued a degree in Economics at the University of Birmingham. Subsequently, he embarked on his professional journey in the arts sector.

He’s acted in several productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company, such as “The Whipping Man,” “Tory Boyz,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Hamlet,” “Red Riding Hood,” “Our Days of Rage,” “Fallujah,” and “Pericles.

On television screens, he’s had memorable appearances in shows like The Mill, Utopia, Humans, The Casual Vacancy, Siblings, Undercover, and the 2016 Black Mirror episode titled “Nosedive”, sharing screen time with Bryce Dallas Howard.

Additionally, Sope appeared in minor roles in hit movies such as The Huntsman: Winter’s War and Sand Castle, acting alongside A-list stars like Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Emily Blunt, Henry Cavill, Chris Hemsworth, and Jessica Chastain.

In the year 2020, he received praise from critics for his lead role in the horror movie “His House.” Later that same year, he was nominated for the BAFTA Rising Star Award, along with Kingsley Ben-Adir, Morfydd Clark, Conrad Khan, and Bukky Bakray. Interestingly, it was Bukky Bakray who ultimately took home the award.

He played the lead role in Mr. Malcolm’s List, and will appear in the third season of Slow Horses on Apple TV in 2023. More recently, he has been seen in The Gorge alongside Miles Teller, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Sigourney Weaver.

In the coming movies “Uncle” and “My Father’s Shadow,” he is set to take on prominent roles. Additionally, he will appear in the highly anticipated television series “Black Rabbit,” alongside Jason Bateman and Jude Law.

Previously, when asked about the types of projects he’d be interested in working on, Sope mentioned to Esquire that he aims to produce something similar to a Black Indiana Jones character, and incorporate genuine, forgotten African history into these movies.

He commented: “I have a fondness for uncovering novel experiences. I took part in ‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War’. It had a touch of the fantastical, which I found delightful; I’d be thrilled to delve into more fantasy projects.

‘The shows that come closest to science fiction for me are Humans and Black Mirror, yet neither of these series take place in outer space.’

I have a passion for crafting science fiction, romance, and fantasy tales, as well as any other story genres you can think of! The stories that bring a smile to my face are the ones I aspire to share. I’m confident there are countless such stories waiting to be discovered. Excitedly, I look forward to uncovering more of them!

One significant possibility he has noticed is being considered as a potential successor to James Bond, following Daniel Craig’s exit from the role.

It’s been noted that betting sites have significantly reduced the chances for Sope, as many spectators believe he could excellently portray James Bond.

In an interview with Radio Times regarding his role as the world’s renowned spy in 2021, he confessed: I genuinely relish action scenes and strive to perform my own stunts. I believe that the James Bond character – amazingly – represents the peak of such activities.

It seems that Barbara Broccoli and everyone at EON are consistently working hard to ensure James Bond remains leading edge within his genre.

‘I’m unsure if they’ll approach me with that opportunity, but I plan to keep myself prepared and do high-quality work that would make them think of me as a potential candidate. The work should be something that I find meaningful and that resonates with the audience. If it comes down to Bond, we’ll deal with it when the time comes.’

In 2022, he additionally shared with the Hollywood Reporter that discussions about him portraying Bond started when he was only 15 years old. He elaborated, saying, “My best friend pointed out during a school play where I played Macbeth that I’d make an excellent Bond.

Over an extended period, it’s become something that gradually developed. However, if you were part of a production like Gangs of London, suddenly, the whole world gets to witness your work.

Nevertheless, Sope openly acknowledged that he felt his odds of securing the coveted role were quite slim, noting that Pierce Brosnan and Daniel had previously held the position without much prior recognition.

As an ardent admirer, let me share my perspective: I’ve never been in a more precarious position than 6 to 1, and that’s dangerously close. Bond, in my opinion, isn’t just a title holder; he’s the one who shapes kingship – not the other way around. So, if the odds are stacked against me, it’s highly unlikely I’ll claim the role.

If you believe he would make an excellent 007, it’s like I can mentally adjust the character to suit him, and I have faith that he could handle the role well. This thought instills a sense of confidence in me that I truly value.

However, every time I become frustrated, it’s because I recall that it’s beyond my control. All I can do is give my best effort and wait to see what opportunities come my way.

In the much-awaited debut of Gangs of London’s third season, we find Sope reprising his role as the captivating character Elliot, promising a dose of intrigue and suspense throughout.

‘Elliot, once an undercover cop who later became a criminal boss alongside the Dumanis, finds their illegal operations disrupted when their cocaine shipment gets contaminated, leading to numerous civilian deaths throughout London.’

The turmoil that followed put immense pressure on the London gangs, a strain they had not experienced before. This strain would create far-reaching impacts, both personally and professionally, leading to dire outcomes for individuals like the Wallaces, Luan, Lale, and the city’s street gangs alike.

‘This was a targeted attack and it’s only the beginning, but the question is – who did it and why?’

The official trailer hints at the third season being exceptionally bloody, just as promised.

The initial season garnered attention due to its extreme instances of violence, with a total of 113 fatalities across its nine episodes. The majority were gunshot victims (approximately 96, most of whom died), while there were also 30 stabbing deaths and seven instances where individuals were strangled.

Lucian Msamati is back as Ed Dumani, Brian Vernel as Billy Wallace and Narges Rashidi as Lale. 

Furthermore, Pippa Bennett-Warner portrays Shannon Dumani, Asif Raza Mir takes on the role of Asif Afidi, Orli Shuka and Eri Shuka join as Luan and Mirlinda Dushaj respectively, Jahz Armando is cast as Saba, and Fady Elsayed plays Faz in our action thriller.

Amidst the turmoil caused by a treacherous act that threatens peace in London, the criminal underworld must tread carefully, balancing the need for revenge with their own survival as they have never had to before.

Recently, Sope declared that he encountered a formidable opponent during the filming of the season three fight scenes featuring the latest cast member, Andrew Koji, portraying the enigmatic assassin Zeek.

Speaking to Digital Spy this week, he admitted: ‘Going up against Andrew Koji was an experience.

He’s extraordinarily skilled in martial arts and impressively gifted as an actor. Just like I found a worthy adversary in my own field, I believe Elliot encountered a formidable opponent in the series.

‘I would say [Elliot] takes a lot more damage than he has in the series before’.

In the upcoming third season, Sope revealed that they’ll delve deeper into Elliot’s past, explaining: “We uncover a great deal about what truly transpired with [his family]… The tale he shared with Shannon in the first series might have contained some untruths, but it also contained truths, as far as his understanding went.

He went on saying: “I’m consistently amazed at the places he reaches. Each year, I find myself astonished by the depths he can plumb, which enables me to rediscover him and unveil more about him for our viewers. It’s like peeling back layers of an onion, revealing something new each time.

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2025-03-20 20:21

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