East London actor Charles Babalola has been steadily building his career for over a decade, thanks to persistent hard work. He’s continually taken the opportunities when they come and figured things out along the way. After training at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Babalola began building his screen career with roles in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation and The Legend of Tarzan, appearing alongside Margot Robbie, Alexander Skarsgård and Samuel L. Jackson. Since then, he’s moved between film and television with roles in Black Mirror, Endeavour, Gretel & Hansel and Stephen Merchant’s The Outlaws.

Now, Babalola is taking on one of his biggest roles yet in Fightland, playing Ezekiel ‘Zeke’ Marshall, the unpredictable son of Nicholas Pinnock’s Kingsley Marshall. Kingsley is a Jamaican-born, South London-bred criminal kingpin with his hands in boxing and gambling, and more than a few enemies. Zeke is growing up in that world, with all the volatility and expectation that comes with being Kingsley’s son.

The role has also pushed Babalola physically, requiring him to get into some serious shape for the series. Off camera, he found an unexpected connection with iconic rapper 50 Cent, who is behind the show, with the pair even attending the recent Benn v Eubank fight together at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier this year. It’s another chapter in a career that Babalola has built largely on his own terms.

In conversation with 1883 Magazine, Charles Babalola discusses Fightland, getting into shape for the role, working with 50 Cent, and the lessons he’s picked up along the way.

Tell us about what drew you to Fightland and the role of Ezekiel ‘Zeke’ Marshall?

What drew me to Fightland and Zeek was the complexities of Zeek and the opportunity to collaborate with 50 cent. I was drawn in by a young boxing promoter trying to forge his own path in the cut-throat world of boxing. I felt this was a chaotic world, but it was also filled with well-rounded characters. That was a fun combination for me to play with. Also, who doesn’t love a good boxing dram! I also liked the idea of collaborating with 50. He’s made his mark in a big way in television over the last 10 years. The opportunity to collaborate with him on his first venture in to the British market felt like am exciting move.

For most acting roles, there’s always a physicality to them, and you portray so much more through body language than just through words alone. What was your routine for obtaining the physique you have in Fightland and how did it help in your scenes?

Well, I get a good mix of weights and cardio in around three to four times a week. Unless you have a designated personal trainer (which I didn’t on this), you’ve got to get up before you head to set and put the hard work in. Staying consistent is key. Forcing yourself out of bed even though you don’t want to. And pushing yourself through that last rep.

I didn’t have any fighting scene in this series, but doing 12-16 hour days – if you include getting ready and travel – tests you physically. A big part of the day to day of the job is having the endurance to get through those long ass days. So keeping in shape contributes to me doing my job well.

Just to pivot from the show for a moment, would you mind recalling what made you fall in love with acting, do you remember the exact moment?

It would’ve been back in secondary school when I was in year 8. That was when I got my first introduction to acting. I just remember feeling it was something that I was genuinely good at. I felt the appreciation from my classmates and my teacher, which really meant something to me at the time.

I remember there was an excitement every time I walked in that classroom. I remember feeling that Drama studies was a class where I wasn’t bound to a desk, cramming equations into my head that I didn’t give a damn about. It was freedom. It was an artistic expression I was learning about. I would say all of the above contributed to me falling in love with acting.

What was it like meeting 50 Cent for the first time, did you find it easy to keep it professional?

50 was mad cool. He visited the set for a day at a location house in South West London, which doubles as the Marshalls mansion in the show. Me and Anita joy Uwajejh, who plays my sister in the show, sat down with him and just talked. I know you probably want to hear some exciting stories but it was actually just really chilled. Nothing crazy! He wanted to get to know us, so we talked about our work, our characters, life, music, the show, potential release dates. It was easy. I was grateful to have that time with him.

As someone who’s been acting for the last 12 years or so, what’s been the main golden rules that have helped you navigate and stay positive in an industry where you constantly have to audition and face rejection?

I’ve learned to understand that as an actor, the only control I have is making sure my preparation is on point. Leaving no stone unturned in getting ready to go in the room. Prep my ass off! Then when I get in the room I have to deliver! I wholeheartedly believe in myself, so I’m happy to carry that pressure. Everything outside of that is out of my control. You can lose out on roles because of a multitude reasons that are probably not even to do with your performance.

And that happens at all levels of this game. How can I control that? It’s almost like a mini miracle when you book a job in this business. I have belief in my work and when I give my offering, I make sure I don’t take it home with me. That gives me an inner peace.

What’s the main learning point from working on Fightland that you’ll bring into your future projects?

Ask for the trailer furthest away from everyone. That way I can blast my music and enjoy my space.

Finally, Black Mirror, Silent Witness, The Outlaws, and now Fightland are some of your biggest projects to date, what would you like to try your hand at next?

I want to do something that’s completely against the grain. Play a character that’s unlike anything I’ve ever played before. A real transformation, you know. A biopic would be cool. That would give me an opportunity for that transformation that I’m ready for in this part of my career.

Fightland airs from August 27.

Interview Cameron Poole