Ariyon Bakare is a British actor who also is a director and writer who has put his creative talents in a few episodes of “Doctors.” The Englishman with Nigerian roots was raised in London where he grew up with his father and sister for a while before his step mum, and younger sister joined them. He has many television shows and film credits among which are “Broken Hearts,” “Family Affairs” and “Jupiter ascending.” His performance in “Life” has made his star shine brighter and since curiosity is rising, here is everything you need to know about the actor.
1. His big break
According to Independent, Ariyon’s big break came in 1998 when he starred in “A Respectable Trade.” The mini-series was an adaptation from Philippa Gregory’s novel of a similar title and Ariyon played Mehuru. Mehuru is a slave trader who is captured and shipped to Bristol to be educated about the Western ways by Frances, a well-bred governess. The two fall in love and for Ariyon that served as an iconic role since he was among the first black men to be cast in a period drama.
2. His most challenging experience on set
Once again, Ariyon found himself playing a slave after his mother died on a slave ship before letting him know his name. He is christened “Stephen Black” by the slaver’s family who employs him as a servant, and he ends up becoming their butler. Stephen finds himself serving two masters, magical and human, and has to obey the terrible commands of the magical master. As he struggled to bring out the tormented Stephen Black character on set, in reality, he was falling apart. When they started filming, his sister died, and six weeks later, his step-mum also passed away. It was such a painful experience, but the emotions helped him give an outstanding performance as Stephen Black.
3. He hoped to be a dancer
When Ariyon’s father made it clear that he did not want Ariyon becoming an actor, he thought that would stop Ariyon from pursuing the arts. However, Ariyon had other things in mind; he wanted to be a dancer instead. Therefore Ariyon went to New York hoping to strike it big in the profession. Unfortunately, reality sank in when he came across a dancer retiring at the age of 26. To Ariyon, the career was not worth pursuing if it will last for three years after studying for three years. He disposed of his ballet shoes and went back to England to study drama in London.
4. He thought he was being fooled about getting to be on “Life.”
The moment that Ariyon read the script for “Life” he felt an instant connection, and he could not wait to get the part. He met with Mindy Allen, the casting director for an audition and later on, had a Skype interview with Daniel Espinosa, the director. All that remained was a screen test which happened to fall on April fool’s Day. After preparing himself for the role, he was ready to do the screen test. Just when he was about to leave the house, he got the call that he had clinched the part. To him, it was unimaginable, so he thought he was being pranked since it was April 1. Without a second thought, Ariyon hung up, but he was called again by Daniel, telling him that indeed he got the role. For Ariyon, the move to Los Angeles had finally paid off since he does not think he would have gotten it had he stayed in Britain.
5. He was a rebel
When Ariyon was young, he planned to get out of London immediately after completing his A-levels. However, that did not happen, so he ran away from home. Thinking that life was easy, he found himself homeless in Hackney for a while before landing in a hostel in Walthamstow. Life proved difficult, so he had to move back home, but that was not the end of his attempts to move from London, He, therefore, went to study in Manhattan but found himself missing London.
6. He is a romantic
When asked about his favorite view in London, Ariyon told Our London that it is the South Bank at night especially. According to Ariyon, the view is colorful and dynamic and were he to steal a kiss or propose, that would be the ideal spot. Most probably that would have to be after a meal at Ikoyi, his favorite place in St James’s Market where they serve delicious Nigerian food.
7. His most memorable theater performance
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has been staging performances in various London venues since 2002. Before then, it had its home in the Barbican and Ariyon was lucky to land his first performance before graduating from drama school. The play “Ion” starred Jude Law, and Ariyon played two characters, Athena and Hermes. Besides the performance, the fact that it was in the Barbican made it memorable since he felt that the art world and the concrete architecture complemented each other.
8. He takes his roles seriously
For one to make it in the film industry, they must be ready to give their all; we have seen people lose and add weight for a particular role. Ariyon also did a lot of preparation for his character in “Life.” since he is portrayed as paraplegic, Ariyon spent time with Steve, a young man who lost his legs, and they would play tennis while in wheelchairs. He even studied a little bit of science by learning how cells are formed to embody the character entirely.
9. His favorite sci-fi movies
When he was interviewed by the Knockturnal, Ariyon admitted among his most favorite sci-fi films, is “Solaris.” To Ariyon, the film which was produced by James Cameron and starred George Clooney is pure genius. He also loves “Metropolis and both versions of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.”
10. Why he moved to America
Samuel L. Jackson said that British actors were getting more roles in America only because they are cheaper to employ. Ariyon begs to differ, and although he for a long time avoided moving to the United States eventually, it was inevitable. Ariyon is a gifted man, and there is only so much that Britain can offer him. Ariyon was getting the same roles, and he felt it was time to expand horizons; after all, nothing ever grows in your comfort zone.
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