'Fightland' cast: Meet the faces starring in 50 Cent's UK boxing series

As 50 Cent said, ‘This is not ‘Rocky’ or ‘Creed.’ Get to know the main cast behind the UK-based boxing series here.

The real fight is outside the ring. Fightland, STARZ’s brand-new series executive produced by none other than Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, is one of the summer’s most intense new TV shows. Eight years after Maduka “Duke” Kilroy (Howard Charles) is imprisoned for beating one of his brother’s assailants, the boxing legend returns to his life — but with a vengeance against the Marshall crime family.

During an exclusive red carpet interview with Hollywood Life, 50 Cent teased that the show, although based on a fictional boxer, is “definitely not Rocky or Creed.”

“This is more set in that world because of the temperament of fighters and people around, and the stakes [are] super high,” the “In Da Club” rapper explained. “[Viewers are] gonna see things that they like about boxing and boxing in it, but it’s about the world around it in the UK.”

Get to know the main cast of Fightland below, and read exclusive details about the new series!

Howard Charles – Duke Kilroy

Charles portrays the lead, Duke Kilroy, who finishes his prison sentence for beating one of his late brother’s vicious assailants and re-enters the real world on quest for revenge.

The Kingston College alum was previously seen in the BBC’s The Musketeers and Acorn TV’s Whitstable Pearl.

Nicholas Pinnock – Kingsley Marshall

Nicholas Pinnock is stepping into the role of Kingsley Marshall, the leader of the crime family, whom Duke suspects orchestrated the murder of his brother.

While speaking exclusively with Hollywood Life at the season 1 NYC premiere, the For Life alum explained how British culture is usually associated as “the Downton Abbeys” of the world.

“I think what we, globally, what people think about when they think of England and British culture in London is the Downton Abbeys, and I love Downton Abbey,” the actor pointed out, before adding that Fightland gets into the nitty gritty of reality.

While also discussing the show’s theme of revenge, Pinnock acknowledged how the motif “on screen is something that happens again and again and again and again,” and “as audience members, we can live vicariously through these characters.”

Deborah Ayorinde – Joy Marshall

Deborah Ayorinde plays one of the Marshall family members, but her role is more than meets the eye on the show. The actress is best known for her performances in Luke Cage, True Detective, Them and Truth Be Told.

Anita-Joy Uwajeh – Cebella “Cece” Marshall

As one of the Marshall family members, Anita-Joy Uwajeh plays Cece, a character whom audiences might struggle to understand at first, the actress pointed out while speaking with Hollywood Life at the season 1 premiere.

“Look, Cebella may not be the most likable character, but she is a character who I think can show women that you can exist in a man’s world, and you don’t have to make yourself small,” Anita said, before pointing out, “You can fight just as dirty as they do, and you can also fight smarter than they do, and this is the kind of show which shows you a character doing that, shows you a character who knows what she wants and is gonna get out, go out there and get it.”

Charles Babalola – Zeke Marshall

Charles Babalola plays Zeke Marshall, one of the infamous crime family members whom Duke must tolerate.

During his exclusive interview with Hollywood Life at the NYC premiere, Babalola noted that the show is “deeper than just revenge.”

“It’s deeper than just revenge, and I think that’s what Fightland is — it’s characters trying to protect their family name, their family brand,” the Outlaws alum said. “And your name is everything in this world of like lions. You’ve gotta stand for it, otherwise people are gonna take you from the number one spot.”

Tahirah Sharif – Kim Harper

Tahirah Sharif is introduced in the show as Kim Harper. The actress is best known for her performances in Casualty, Waterloo Road, The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Tower and a Town Called Malice. 

Tyler Conti – Justin “Jay” Hall

Tyler Conti plays Justin Hall, a.k.a “Jay” in the series. He is best known for his roles in Hollyoaks, Safe, The Painter & The Poet and The Gentlemen.

Richard Pepple – Gary “Gazzer” Kilroy

Richard Pepple plays Gary, a crucial figure to Duke in season 1. The actor is recognized for his performances in Krypton and Bridgerton.