I'm of Nigerian descent, from the Yoruba tribe. Names are very significant in that culture. It basically states your purpose in life.
Wale means to arrive home. So the crown has arrived home. Akin is warrior or brave man. Nuoye is a brave man of chieftaincy and Agbaje means wealth and prosperity.
I remember when I first came to America, nobody had a clue what a black Englishman was. I was either South African or Australian to them.
Also, I'd like to play an athlete again, while I'm still physically fit, or a musician, like Nat King Cole, because I play the trumpet and sing. I'd like to incorporate that into a character.
I've played different nationalities, and everything from vulnerable to strong to crooked to demented. It just increases your possibilities of work because, if people know you can do just about anything, then you're going to get more offers. That's what I want to do.
With any character I do, I do my due diligence with research.
I don't really look at genre. I mean, sometimes you might be playing heavies a lot, and you're like, 'Hey, it'd be nice to do a romantic comedy.'
My father was a lorry driver, very rarely at home. The house was run by my mother, and because there were 10 or so kids, there was no time for individual attention. It was about survival. It was about where the next meal was coming from.
I've never been really great at trusting anybody, just because of the way I grew up.
What is a shame is that there isn't stuff that is as great as 'Oz' on a consistent level around today.
Certainly, I look for different characters 'cause I always like to keep people guessing, and I also don't like to get typecast.
I just want to keep the diversity and the options open. In terms of what I'm looking for, I'd like to do a lead action role.
I think that what 'Oz' did is it spawned a great generation of television production. But people know its place in television and just in great dramas. It's the foundation of my career. Most producers, show runners, directors, and casting directors put me in movies based on my performance in that show.
Personally, I love Toronto.
It's a significant question: should black people only adopt black children, and white people white children?
I wanted to wash off the experience of Africa but obviously I couldn't because that's who I was.
When a child wants to be accepted, he'll do anything. And if it means you're getting a certain amount of notoriety from a fight, that's what you'll do.
I was always led to believe you should take care of yourself, trust in your abilities and you're the author of your own destiny.
The only way I know how to deliver is to focus; some people can turn it on or off - I'd rather stay in character.
The only way you can influence your fate is to put your soul into your performance and hope it registers with the audience.
