Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù has landed a leading film role.
The fast-rising British actor — best-known for “Gangs of London” but recently seen in the third season of “Slow Horses” — will appear in “My Father’s Shadow,” the feature directorial debut of British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies, whose Sundance-winning short film “Lizard” was BAFTA nominated.
The film, co-written by Davies and his brother Wale Davies (who also co-wrote “Lizard”), is a co-production between “Normal People” and “Poor Things” banner Element Pictures, alongside BBC Film and the British Film Institute, and last year wrapped production in Nigeria, where it shot on location in Lagos. Rachel Dargavel, who produced “Lizard,” produces for Element. Mubi has already acquired the film for multiple territories, including North America, U.K., Ireland, and Turkey.
Variety understands that the film is semi-autobiographical and is about the relationship between a father and his two young boys over the course of a day in the Nigerian capital.
Dìrísù, who was born to Nigerian parents, has also earned plaudits for his leading roles in “His House” and “Mr. Malcolm’s List,” and has also appeared in “Mothering Sunday” and “Silent Night.”
Dìrísù is repped by Markham, Froggatt and Irwin in the UK, and in the U.S. is WME. Davies is repped by Lark Management in the UK.
