There’s a fairly popular phrase as often associated with Monty Python’s flying circus–“And now for something completely different”. For this critic, that sentiment rings true in presenting the newest installment of “In Their Own Words”, where I’ve strived to provide an intentionally in depth, intimate look into the art of acting, the catalysts for pursuing it, the challenges and victories it provides, and the ultimate satisfaction it garners as told through the anecdotes and musings of those who call it their profession, whether new to the biz or established veteran.  More so, it’s been via the medium of independent film, where real passion, drive, perseverance, steadfastness, and a sheer willingness to push oneself to the maximum just for the absolute love of their art very much reigns in a genre still struggling to reach the larger spotlight. It’s real, grounded, human narratives born of stories steeped in the desire to engage the audience, bringing entertainment yes, but also unafraid to make you sit back and have to ponder the themes and characters portrayed.

It’s what I love about indie cinema though now, also about indie T.V. and the strides it is pushing forward with intent towards making the world realize the level of amazing talent and worthwhile tales of adventure, love, compassion, friendship, dissent, misunderstood motives, and protecting those dearest to us while delivering action, intrigue, and relevant messages about the state of the world and our place in it.  Such is what I found with an unexpected gem that had its debut season on Disney-owned FreeForm Network titled “Siren”. With its sometimes purposeful and beautifully rendered slow-burn character drama format paired with humor and intensely orchestrated action sequences, “Siren” has become a new hit for the network and those associated with it both in front of and behind the cameras.  Therefore, OneFilmFan.com takes a quick break from the film world to venture into indie T.V. with one of “Siren’s” primary characters, “Maddie Bishop” aka: rising star Fola Evans-Akingbola who took the time to provide the following, excellently detailed glimpse into her world, showcasing why what’s found, as I say, “beyond mainstream” is truly a fantastic and worthy of attention.  Read on and find out.

 

OneFilmFan: As an initial introduction for the readers, you were born in London, England but are of both British and Nigerian descent, correct?  Can you give us a quick snapshot of your background?

Fola Evans Akingbola: Yes, my mother is English and my father is Nigerian, Yoruba. My sister and I are born and raised Londoners – South London to be precise…it matters haha. We grew up in Bermondsey whilst my mum, who is an anthropologist, was doing her research in the area. We then moved further south during my high school years when both my sister and I attended schools in Dulwich. London is a wonderful city to grow up in. It is vibrant and diverse and full of opportunities.  

 

O.F.F.: Your bio indicates you began your educational journey in a decidedly different field than acting. How did you ultimately discover the arts and who were perhaps some of the key factors that lead you to acting (ie: mentors, influences, and schooling)?

F.E-A.: I think the arts have always been a part of my life. My father is a musician and although my mother is an academic she is also a highly creative woman. I think storytelling and stories can be magical and, like most children, I was obsessed with many stories growing up, Annie and Mulan were my personal favorites. My sister and I were part of a youth theatre for a few years when we were much younger, but once I started secondary school I stopped performing and my focus switched to academia and sports. I gained a place at university in London to study philosophy but I decided to cancel my place and explore other things. It was in those next couple of years that I rediscovered acting. It started with part-time evening classes, at which point I had no intention of pursuing acting as a career.

However, the more I took classes the more I realized I enjoyed it. I have always been fascinated by the human condition and I learnt I could examine what it means to be human through the embodied self, and performance with others, rather than simply the abstract intellectual pursuit I would have had at university studying philosophy.  I auditioned for the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain in 2014 and much to my surprise gained a place. Being part of an organization that has such a rich history and prestigious alumni boosted my confidence and I really began to feel that I could start my career.

My uncle, Jimmy Akingbola, has been the most amazing supporter and he was one of the first people to encourage me to keep exploring the ideaof being an actress. He pointed me in the direction of Identity Drama School and it was from there that I signed to my UK agent who I’ve been with ever since. I also spent a year studying the Meisner technique in London which transformed my approach to the craft and helped me to find the tools I wanted to practice working with. I am lucky to have an amazing support system in my life. I’m surrounded by friends and family who are in all different professions but are all hard-working, passionate and talented. I think you can’t ask for better inspiration to pursue what you want than that.

O.F.F.: You’re a stage actor as well from what I read.  Tell us a little about that aspect of your artistic pursuits. How does stage acting carry over to film/T.V. in your experience, if at all?

F.E-A.: My first professional theatre in London was called ‘School Play’ at the Southwark Playhouse. It was directed by Charlie Parham and written by Alex McKeith. It was an amazing and challenging experience. I was terrified throughout the rehearsal process and there were several points where I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it. However, I did! I think wading through the fear taught me a lot. I pushed through that fear and the rest of the cast and creative team were amazingly supportive. Theatre is particularly special because there is the added element of a live audience which is irreplaceable. The energy of the audience is palpable and you have to stay so focused and in the moment even with the laughs or shuffling in seats and occasional coughing fits! So whilst there is a definite difference, I think that at the end of the day acting is acting. The aim to be truthful and tell a story is still the same whether that is in film, TV, or stage.

  

O.F.F.: What was your very first professional acting gig and how did that experience impact your striving to maintain acting as what you desired to do?

F.E-A.: My first professional acting job was on a BBC show called Holby City. I was so thrilled to book the job and it was an amazing first time experience on set. Holby has been going for many seasons so it is a well-oiled machine, the other actors are pros and the BBC is like a classic British institution. It was exciting getting the script through with the BBC logo on it! I remember being fascinated by how a television set has so many moving parts, so many cogs to the machine. Every cog has to be working for the whole machine to work, and actors are just one part of that. I love that aspect of what we do – It has to be a collaborative effort otherwise it just doesn’t work, or at the least it is not the most enjoyable experience.

O.F.F.: When preparing for a role, are you a regimented researcher when getting into character or do you tend to just try and discover the character’s nuances as you go?

F.E-A.: I definitely like to prepare thoroughly otherwise I feel very underprepared and anxious. Although, each project requires a different kind of prep and research. For example, for “Siren”, Maddie is a marine biologist so it was useful to look into that because it is her passion. She was also raised by her step-father who is Haida, so it was important to me to research the Haida culture. The further we got into the season the more I could start to trust my knowledge of the character and so could relax and find nuances as we went. I am still constantly learning and experimenting with how to best approach a role but preparation is key because it gives you a foundation to then be able to explore and discover things from an informed place.

O.F.F.: I also understand you’ve been working on a project, a feature film I believe, titled “VS” through BBC Films, Wildgaze, and Silvertown Films.  Share a little about this venture.

F.E-A.: Yes! “VS.” was directed and written by Ed Lily and is being released by Altitude films in the UK this summer. “VS.” gives voice to a cultural scene in the UK that is not well known or widely embraced. Through the universality of a rites of passage narrative “VS.” gives people a look into the underground world of battle rap in the UK that is thriving, distinct and diverse. This was a project where research was essential: I knew very little about battle rap before starting this project and my character, Makayla, is the co-founder of the battle league in the film so there’s no way I could have done the film without immersing myself in that research. As a cast we all bonded instantly which gave the film the family dynamic it needed. We had Shotty Horroh and Paigey Cakey, two amazing UK MCs join the cast of the film as well. Seeing them in their element in the battle scenes made everyone raise their game. I had a wonderful time on that film, I can’t wait for audiences to see it.  

O.F.F.: So, onto your current effort, the absolutely excellent and engaging fantasy/character drama “Siren”, which recently wrapped up a stellar first season on FreeForm Network. How initially did this opportunity present itself to you?

F.E-A.: It all happened very quickly: I was in London when my agent sent the audition to me so I had to send a tape in. I think I sent the tape on a Monday and by the Thursday I was on a plane to Los Angeles to do a screen/chemistry test with Alex Roe who plays Ben on the show. The next week I was flying to Vancouver!

O.F.F.: Finally, a show that tackles sirens in a way few, if any other, shows have ever done—the right way! Edgy, dangerous, and yet, as the show’s primary siren Ryn (played by Eline Powell) has demonstrated, capable of learning, understanding, deep tenderness, and fierce devotion. Was this interpretation a selling point for you in being a far more accurate representation of the classic myths.  I mean, let’s face it, this isn’t quite Ariel we’re talking here!

F.E-A.: Yes, I think it can be a hard task to present the world with a new take on a popular mythology/symbol like a mermaid. The creators of our show have done a great job to embrace the mythology but also ground it. Making the mermaids top level sea predators who have a rich social culture as well as being fierce creatures of the sea makes this show special. Eline and Sibongile do a fantastic job of embodying these mystical beings and I think audiences have gotten hooked as a result.

O.F.F.: In the series you play Maddie Bishop. Tell us a bit about her and her story.

  

F.E-A.: Maddie has grown up in Bristol Cove and was raised by her mother and step-father, played by the wonderful Gil Birmingham. In season 1 we meet Maddie at a point in her life when she has just started to find her independence and her sense of direction in life. She has started taking marine biology classes and is following her passion by working at the marine biology center in Bristol Cove. Her life is then turned upside down by the arrival of this force of nature, Ryn.

O.F.F.: Maddie strikes me, which the season has revealed, as “the girl with the golden heart”. She’s extremely loyal, loving, and steadfast, yet carries an innate authority that I feel we haven’t totally seen surface yet. Thoughts?

F.E-A.: That’s so interesting that you feel she comes across like that. That makes me happy! I think you are absolutely right. Maddie is very loyal and caring. However it is sometimes to a fault I feel. I think season 1 sees her fall into a pattern of caring and putting others first even if it is to her own detriment, a dynamic which I think relates to her relationship with her mother who is a drug addict. By the end of Season 1 we definitely start to see that authoritative side rise to the surface. I think Season 2 will bring more of it and we will get to explore more of her family dynamics I hope.

O.F.F.: Maddie also has a highly empathetic persona which seems to have ultimately endeared/connected her to Ryn in quite a sisterly way. Agreed?

  

F.E-A.: Yes. What is wonderful about how the writers wrote Maddie is that she always gives people the benefit of the doubt and has an open mind and heart. Her inner strength means that she doesn’t panic in many situations and she is quite centered even in the madness of it all. I think Ryn senses those qualities in Maddie and it makes their bond pure and strong.

O.F.F.: How has it been playing opposite a truly wonderful cast including Eline, Alex Roe, Ian Verdun, Rena Owen, Ron Yuan, Curtis Lum, Chad Rook, & Sibongile Mlambo?

F.E-A.: I couldn’t have asked for a better “Siren” family. We have all supported each other immensely and the whole experience is new to a lot of us. I think that helped us all bond. The Vancouverite of the group, Curtis Lum, showed us all a great time in the city and we carried that energy onto the set. Working with absolute pros like Rena Owen and Gil Birmingham was an apprenticeship in itself. Rena’s acting is a masterclass in power and intensity. Alex and I created a tight bond for Maddie and Ben’s partner in crime dynamic, and Eline is just inimitable in her magnetism. It was a joy working with them both. Everyone brought their unique interpretation to their characters and so as an ensemble I think we gelled well.  

O.F.F.: How about the show’s creators, Eric Wald, Dean White, and Emily Whitesell?

F.E-A.: Eric and Emily led by example with their collaborative and supportive approach to the project. It was exciting receiving the new script each week and seeing all their ideas on the page.

   

O.F.F.: What’s been unexpected for me about this show is its true relatability, grounded execution, emotional punch, and much more wide-ranging appeal than people might realize. I am guessing this was intended, given the show’s success?

F.E-A.: Again, Emily and Eric and our Executive producer Nick Copus were all instrumental in creating the vibe of this show. I think Freeform are also pushing their boundaries in all the shows they are creating. It is exciting to see the response from the fans and to see that the show we all worked so hard on has resonated with people.

O.F.F.: So—about Season 2? It was recently announced, much to my joy! I can only imagine for you as well?

F.E-A.: Yay! We are all very happy that we have been renewed for a second season. Season 2 will also be 16 episodes so there will be more time to explore different storylines and characters. I’m looking forward to seeing where they take the show.

 

O.F.F.: So, what else is on the horizon for you currently? As the success of “Siren” has certainly opened further doors for you, I imagine?

F.E-A.: We will be starting Season 2 in July I believe. In the meantime I will have the release of “VS.” and I will be shooting an indie movie in the UK this summer before I start back on “Siren”. I have also been working on a raising awareness campaign with my mother called ‘We Are All Windrush’ which is standing in solidarity with the Windrush Generation in the UK who have been affected by the recent immigration scandal unfolding in Britain. (https://weareallwindrush.teemill.com ) It is important to me to use my down time to pursue other things that I am passionate about.

O.F.F.: As a closing thought, I personally love this show not just because it’s so well-written, visually acute, darker toned yet playful as well, and includes such solid character drama, but because it also represents the overall beauty I find amongst the independent, non-mainstream films and T.V. shows I’ve seen that prove the indie world has plenty of talent and quality offerings to go around.  Would you agree given your experience to date with “Siren”?

F.E-A.: I’m glad you feel that way. Yes I agree. As a fan of tv and film myself I enjoy watching those projects that are character driven and darker in tone. My personal favorite is the British gem, “Peaky Blinders”. There is so much content available at the moment. It is great that there is something for everyone. I’m very happy that “Siren” has struck a chord with audiences around the world. I think the mermaid mythology is universally appealing. Every culture around the world has myths and symbols relating to water goddesses or mermaids. I also think it would be remiss of me to not mention that the show is wonderfully diverse. Time after time, audiences get behind shows that are diverse and representative of the world we live in. It is clear the world is craving diverse and varied stories.

O.F.F.: Thanks again, Fola! Congratulations on a fantastic first Season of “Siren” and I certainly wish you nothing but the best and deeply appreciate your time!

F.E-A.: Thank you for your thoughtful questions and for supporting the show!

 

You are absolutely welcome, Fola! I hope, readers, that this interview has at minimum gained your attention to take some time, head over to Hulu, and do a little binge watching of “Siren” Season 1, taking in its totally fresh interpretation of sirens while likewise finding enjoyment absorbing the intelligence of a well-written indie effort that gives the viewer a more relatable sense of attachment to the characters and storylines being brought forth. Of course, it’s just downright cool with its darker tone and more intimidating creatures of the sea. What’s most important to this critic is that it provides a wonderful escape to a fantasy world, where your mind can run free while still feeling so close to home. Ready to keep tabs on what Fola and “Siren” are up to?  Check out these ways to do so!

“Follow” Fola on Twitter and Instagram HERE and HERE

“Follow” “Siren” and FreeForm Network on Twitter and Instagram HERE and HERE plus HERE and HERE

“Like” “Siren” and FreeForm Network Pages on Facebook HERE and HERE

Again, I hope everyone enjoyed the little side venture into the land of indie television and one of its beautiful stars! Until next time, thank you for reading and explore what indie entertainment has to offer. You might just find yourself surprised at how much you’ll like it.

As always, this is all for your consideration and comment.

 

PHOTOS Courtesy of: FreeForm, DisneyABCPress.com, and IMDb.