Coming off one of the most talked-about performances of his career in Sinners, Delroy Lindo isn’t slowing down — in fact, he’s stepping into an entirely new chapter.
In a wide-ranging conversation with Deadline, Lindo revealed that he’s preparing for his feature directorial debut, a deeply personal film set in Jamaica that he will direct, co-produce, and star in, while also working toward the release of a memoir slated for 2027.
Lindo’s turn in Sinners has already sparked awards conversation, praised for its emotional precision, restraint, and weight — a performance that feels lived-in rather than performed. That same grounding, it turns out, is shaping what he’s choosing to do next.
Among his upcoming projects is a large-scale studio film currently carrying the working title Zeus, described by Lindo as a “Godzilla/Kong extravaganza,” set for release in March. But it’s the smaller, more intimate project that’s clearly closest to his heart.
A long-gestating film, rooted in Jamaica
Lindo shared that his directorial debut has been nearly a decade in the making. The script first came to him in 2015, when he was approached to act in the project. After it stalled, he eventually acquired the rights in 2021 and has been raising financing ever since.
Set in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains, the story centers on a young man grappling with unresolved grief after the sudden death of his mother. Years later, estranged emotionally from his father, he is sent to his maternal homeland — resistant at first, but ultimately embraced by a community that helps him begin to heal. As the son finds restoration, so too does the fractured bond between father and child.
Lindo emphasized that the film leans into magical realism and spiritual traditions, reflecting the specific cultural rhythms of the region. While he resists labeling it strictly as a coming-of-age story, the film explores how community, spirituality, and collective memory become vehicles for healing.
The production will shoot on location in Jamaica — a choice tied directly to Lindo’s own lineage. He described himself as being “of Jamaican extraction,” noting that the film’s timeline overlaps with the period when his mother was living in England, circumstances that led to his own birth there.
A memoir shaped by Windrush history
That same personal history also anchors Lindo’s upcoming memoir, which he confirmed is on track for a 2027 release. While the title remains under wraps, the book will examine his mother’s experience in England — and his own — through the lens of the Windrush generation.
Lindo spoke candidly about the ongoing harm faced by Caribbean immigrants who were once invited to Britain, only to later face systemic rejection. He described the process of writing the book as both investigative and restorative — a way to reassess his mother’s journey and, by extension, the broader cultural and political experiences of Caribbean communities in the UK.
He also pointed to what he sees as a major absence in cinema: the lack of large-scale narrative films confronting the Windrush story head-on. Through his memoir, Lindo hopes not only to illuminate that history, but to contribute to a deeper cultural reckoning — one that acknowledges both resilience and injustice.
A new era of authorship
Between Sinners, his directorial debut, and a memoir years in the making, Lindo’s next phase feels defined by authorship — choosing stories that carry memory, history, and spiritual weight.
His name, he assured, will be firmly attached when the book arrives. And judging by the intentionality behind everything he’s building right now, it’s clear this chapter isn’t just about what’s next — it’s about legacy.
To view the original Deadline article, click here.