Starz’s upcoming drama series Fightland, set in the gritty world of underground British boxing, has locked in its first eight cast members. Howard Charles (Top Boy), Nicholas Pinnock (For Life), Deborah Ayorinde (Them), Charles Babalola (The Outlaws), Anita-Joy Uwajeh (Vampire Academy), Tahirah Sharif (The Haunting of Bly Manor), Tyler Conti (The Gentleman), and Richard Pepple (Gangs of London) will bring the story to life.
Originally teased back in 2022, Fightland is executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson through his G-Unit Film & Television banner. The series follows Maduka “Duke” Kilroy (Charles), a disgraced former heavyweight champion who returns to London after prison. He’s on a mission for redemption — and revenge — against the crime family he believes betrayed him.
The Characters
- Howard Charles as Duke Kilroy, the former champion haunted by tragedy.
- Nicholas Pinnock as Kingsley Marshall, a Jamaican-born South London crime boss who controls boxing and gambling.
- Deborah Ayorinde as Joy Marshall, Kingsley’s ambitious wife, determined to build her own empire.
- Charles Babalola as Zeek Marshall, Kingsley’s unpredictable son.
- Anita-Joy Uwajeh as Cece Marshall, Kingsley’s sharp and business-savvy daughter who runs the family’s gambling operation.
- Tahirah Sharif as Kim Harper, a confident ring card girl who befriends Duke.
- Tyler Conti as Jay Hall, Duke’s best friend seeking redemption of his own.
- Richard Pepple as Gary “Gazzer” Kilroy, Duke’s estranged father who runs a community boxing gym in Streatham.
Behind the Camera
Otto Bathurst (Peaky Blinders, Black Mirror) will direct the first two episodes, while Sebastian Thiel (Supacell, Dreaming Whilst Black) will also direct. Showrunners Damione Macedon and Raphael Jackson Jr. (Power, BMF) reunite with Jackson, continuing their successful collaboration. Writers Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith also serve as executive producers.
Starz and 50 Cent’s Ongoing Partnership
Fightland marks Jackson’s first international production and expands his footprint at Starz, where he’s already behind the massive Power franchise and BMF. The new series dives into themes of betrayal, ambition, and survival, with boxing’s raw, high-stakes backdrop adding another layer of intensity.
Starz President of Original Programming Kathryn Busby described the series as “unapologetically visceral” and promised it will deliver both character-driven drama and adrenaline-pumping action.
Production is underway in London, with an eight-episode first season expected to deliver a bold new chapter in Starz’s crime-drama slate.