The British-set series marks a milestone for Starz as its first wholly owned original since splitting from Lionsgate
Starz has announced that Fightland, its new original drama executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, will premiere on Friday, July 31. New episodes will drop weekly on the Starz app and across all streaming and on-demand platforms.
The series arrives as a landmark for the network — it is Starz’s first wholly owned original following the company’s separation from Lionsgate, as the two formally became independent public companies earlier this year.
Set against the gritty backdrop of British boxing and London’s criminal underworld, Fightland centers on Duke Kilroy (Howard Charles), a world heavyweight champion whose life is destroyed in a single night. On the evening of his greatest triumph, a vicious assault kills his brother Calvin, causing Duke to snap — a moment that lands him in a U.S. prison for eight years.
Upon his release, Duke returns to London with one goal: vengeance against Kingsley Marshall (Nicholas Pinnock), the criminal kingpin and former boxing promoter he believes orchestrated his downfall. But Kingsley has vanished, leaving behind a fractured empire managed by his family — including his wife Joy (Deborah Ayorinde), who shares a complicated romantic history with Duke himself.
To smoke out his enemy, Duke embeds himself inside Kingsley’s organization, navigating a volatile landscape of shifting loyalties, cartel influence, and the drug trade threatening to consume London. As competing forces pull him off course, Duke must channel the same discipline that made him a champion into his most dangerous fight yet.
The ensemble cast includes Anita-Joy Uwajeh as Cebella “Cece” Marshall, Charles Babalola as Ezekiel “Zeek” Marshall, Tahirah Sharif as Kim Harper, Tyler Conti as Justin “Jay” Hall, and Richard Pepple as Gary “Gazzer” Kilroy.
The series was created by Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith, who also serve as executive producers and writers. Damione Macedon and Raphael Jackson Jr. — both veterans of Power and BMF — serve as showrunners and executive producers. Otto Bathurst directs and executive produces the first two episodes.
Jackson produces through his G-Unit Film & Television banner, alongside Francis Hopkinson and Kate Leadbetter of Expanded Media. Fightland is a co-production between the two companies.
Fightland premieres July 31 on Starz.
