IN CONVERSATION WITH DEBORAH AYORINDE

interview by JANA LETONJA

Deborah Ayorinde has quickly become one of television’s most compelling leading actresses, known for delivering emotionally rich and unforgettable performances. She stars as Joy Marshall, the emotional heart of Fightland, the new STARZ crime drama executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. Set in the gritty world of boxing and organised crime, the series premieres on 31st July and follows a disgraced former champion on a quest for revenge. Beyond Fightland, Deborah is currently filming the BBC adaptation of Wahala and has earned critical acclaim for standout roles in Them, True Detective, Truth Be Told, Harriet, and Girls Trip. 

Fightland is set in the high-stakes world of boxing and crime. What drew you to Joy Marshall and this story? 

At the time the script was sent to me, I wanted to play a character who wasn’t the hero who’s meant to save everyone. A character who doesn’t have the answers. I wanted this character to need saving or help. Even if she eventually realises that the answers are within her, I wanted to play a woman who’s not just needed, but needs. Call it damsel in distress or whatever, but I wanted and maybe even needed to play a character who was allowed to not be strong. Joy is that. 

Joy is described as the emotional heart of the series. How would you describe her, and what makes her so compelling? 

Joy is mysterious. She’s not clearly a villain or a victim, but maybe a bit of both. That’s what makes her compelling. Everyone underestimates her, but that’s what gives her the biggest advantage. 

Without giving away spoilers, what challenges does Joy face throughout the season? 

When we meet Joy, she doesn’t really know who she is outside of being somebody’s someone. She thought marrying Kingsley was the answer. She thinks being with her long-lost love is the answer. But she eventually realises that the answer is within her and that’s where her true journey begins. 

What kind of preparation did you do to immerse yourself in the world of Fightland? 

I always use music as a way to connect to my characters. Joy was no different. I made a playlist dedicated to her. Songs that she would’ve listened to. Songs that spoke to her life, situation, heartspace and headspace. I might share the playlist one day. 

You’ve built a career playing complex women. What do you look for when choosing a role? 

I look for characters that feel truthful, that are built with compassion and true understanding of that character’s perspective. I don’t play characters who feel tropey or stereotypical, but characters that feel real even if they exist in a supernatural or fantasy world. I try to ground my characters in truth always, and if I honestly don’t feel I can do that, I will pass on the role. 

Your performance in Them earned widespread acclaim and an Independent Spirit Award nomination. How did that role influence you as an actor? 

It changed me. It made me so much more confident in my choices as an actor. It made me courageous. It showed me I can do so much more than I realise. Even now, I have so much more to give, but Them unlocked that for me, and I’m forever grateful for that experience. 

You’ve worked across horror, crime, historical drama, and comedy. Is there a genre that challenges or excites you the most? 

I’m quite open to hopping into those genres again, but I’d love to do a genre I haven’t really tapped into yet, like fantasy, action, adventure. I’d love to do more period pieces though, no matter the genre. I’m such a history nerd, so it excites me to immerse myself in a different time period.  

You’re also filming the BBC adaptation of Wahala. What can you tell us about playing Isobel? 

She is such an exciting character. She’s so dangerous. I love that about her. She’s so deeply flawed. Some would call her the villain, but she doesn’t think she is. I think the best villains think they’re heroes and the best heroes think they’re villains. 

How meaningful is it to portray multidimensional Nigerian and Nigerian-British women on screen? 

It feels so true to who I am. I’m a proud Nigerian first and foremost, and I’m British and spent so much of my life in America. All of those cultures shaped me and are a part of who I am, so to play that on screen feels truthful.  

As your career continues to grow, what kinds of stories or roles are you hoping to explore next? 

There’s so much. I’d love to play Storm in the Marvel universe. I’d love to play icons like Queen Moremi, Janet Jackson, Lola Falana. I’d love to do dark fantasy like Game of Thrones. The list goes on and on, and I’m just getting started. 

Finally, what keeps you busy and fulfilled outside of acting? 

I’m a singer and songwriter. My pseudonym is YNKÁ, which is a stylised version of my middle name Ọláyínká. I blend and explore genres, but soul seems to find its way to the centre of all of my music. I’m releasing my first EP in August, my birthday month, so I’m so excited and busy with that. Music is my first love, so it feels like a homecoming as well as a new journey. 

TEAM CREDITS:

photography DOMIZIA SALUSET