Sky Partners With STARZ On The High Impact Boxing Drama, Fightland
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Carl Roberts 
From executive producer Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson, Sky partners with Starz to bring audiences the high-impact boxing drama, Fightland.
Sky has secured the original series Fightland – set in the cut-throat, high-stakes world of British boxing – with its ongoing partner, STARZ. The crime drama is a gripping story of redemption, betrayal, and brutal ambition in and out of the ring. Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson takes on the role of executive producer through his G-Unit Film & Television.
The eight-episode high-octane series follows Maduka ‘Duke’ Kilroy (Howard Charles), a disgraced, formerly incarcerated boxing champion who returns to London to seek vengeance against the crime family he thinks betrayed him. With edge-of-your-seat action and a cast of dangerous characters, this is a world of money and power never seen before.
KATIE KEENAN
Katie Keenan, Group Director of Acquisitions for Sky UK and Europe, says:
“Fightland is a bold and compelling British production with a distinctive voice and the potential for true global impact. We are proud to partner with STARZ to continue offering premium, character-driven storytelling for our customers. This series is a natural fit for our growing Sky audiences who are drawn to ambitious, high-impact drama.”
KATHRYN BUSBY
Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming, STARZ, says:
“We’re thrilled to be stepping back in the ring with our partners at Sky and look forward to building upon the next chapter of our long-standing creative collaboration together. Fightland delivers a dynamic blend of action and fearless, character-driven storytelling set against the vibrant backdrop of British boxing. We’re proud to debut this bold drama as our first fully owned original series.”
CAST AND PREMISE
Howard Charles (Top Boy, Whitstable Pearl) will take on the lead role of Maduka ‘Duke’ Kilroy, a former heavyweight world champion. After a traumatic tragedy, he returns home to London to enact revenge. Nicholas Pinnock (Hedda, For Life) has been cast as Kingsley Marshall, a man with many enemies. He is a Jamaican-born, South London-bred criminal kingpin with his fingers in the worlds of boxing and gambling. Deborah Ayorinde (THEM, Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue) will play the role of Joy Marshall, Kingsley Marshall’s wife. She is trying to build her own empire. Charles Babalola (The Outlaws, Black Mirror) has been cast in the role of Ezekiel ‘Zeek’ Marshall, the brash and unpredictable son of Kingsley Marshall.
Anita-Joy Uwajeh (Vampire Academy, Atlanta) will play Cebella ‘Cece’ Marshall, the highly intelligent, business-savvy daughter of Kingsley Marshall. She runs the Marshalls’ gambling operation. Tahirah Sharif (The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Tower) will play Kim Harper, a confident ring card girl entrenched in the London boxing world. She befriends Duke upon his return to London. Tyler Conti (The Gentleman, Tell Me Everything) will play Justin ‘Jay’ Hall, Duke’s best friend, whose life has hit the skids in Duke’s absence. Duke’s return is a chance for Jay to rekindle their friendship, make amends and start anew. Richard Pepple (The Hack, Gangs of London) will play Gary ‘Gazzer’ Kilroy, Duke’s estranged father. He runs a community boxing gym in Streatham, London, where he trains amateur fighters.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson is executive producer through his G-Unit Film & Television, along with Francis Hopkinson (Wallander, Bancroft) and Kate Leadbetter (Woman in White, Catherine the Great) of Expanded Media, who also produce. Damione Macedon (Power, BMF, Genius: MLK/X) and Raphael Jackson Jr. (Power, BMF, Genius: MLK/X) are showrunners, executive producers and writers.
Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith serve as executive producers and writers. The series was secured for Sky by Facundo Bailez, Head of Acquisitions, and Rachel McCartney, Acquisitions Manager.
Fightland will air later this year on Sky and streaming service NOW in the UK and Ireland.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
