Claim Ownership
The Circle
The CircleSubscribed: 3Played: 73
Subscribe
© Copyright 2022 Leon Mayne
Description
Hosted by award-winning duo Executive Producer/Screenwriter Leon Mayne, and journalist/media chronicler Akua Gyamfi, The Circle features the two friends waxing lyrical with the hottest Black British talent across Television and Film - discussing weekly topics, their career journeys, the creative process, and what the future of TV, Film, and Digital holds. Informal, fun, and conversational, the episodes are a way to keep you edutained, and get otherwise open and new perspectives from UK talent. Catch the original roundtable series on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2onCOQiGkg&list=PLVp32ASh21hhWvQYCrasa8qXkrEB3kQym
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
37 Episodes
Reverse
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 reputational comedy including 'Enterprice' and 'Man Like Mobeen', to institutions such as 'Death In Paradise' and 'Friday Night Dinner' to BAFTA royalty projects 'Stath Lets Flats' and 'Ghosts'. Kiell is a one-stop shop for eclectic comedy series, and he has no plans of slowing down. A fun episode to say the least! Sound issues from the game onwards but we've drawn you in by then! Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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'ts of acting talent. Tune in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 shorts including 'Serious Tingz', his key to pitching himself as a director for a project, gaining his first television director credit for BBC3 series 'Grime Kids', being BAFTA nominated for his film 'Festival Of Slaps' and more! Another inspirational episode - we're giving you gold here! Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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, what led him to team up with a previous guest Bennett McGhee to form his production company Home Team, why he was ready to give on the industry as recent as last year, the hardships that come with being a black-led indie, the BAFTA debacle that nearly cost him a much deserved award and so much more! A special episode that will lead a lasting impression. Tune in! 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 Cochrane, Luti Fagbenle, Aml Ameen, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Aisha Bywaters, Deborah Ayorinde, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Nida Manzoor, Sebastian Thiel, Sheila Nortley, Thalissa Teixeira, Jimmy Akingbola, Adjani Salmon, Dani Moseley, Joelle Mae David, Nicola Gregory, Koby Adom, Bennett Mcghee, Nicole Lecky, Franklin Leonard and Kibwe Tavares Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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! 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, juggling so many titles on her debut series, why she doesn't read reviews anymore and more! We've got ourselves another dope episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 'Dreaming Whilst Black', and upcoming director attachments on ITV series 'Riches' and Netflix series 'Supacell". Honest. Funny. Introspective. We are getting good at this! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 episode, but duh! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 the pending release of two children's books she has authored. Another packed and memorable episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 and music, and so much more! Amazing chemistry between the trip this episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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, and her work on BAFTA award-winning 'We Are Lady Parts'. A great way to start the season! Tune in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 more information.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States