EQUATE Meets Charles Babalola

Meet Charles Babalola - the rising actor is a force to be reckoned with. At the moment he can be seen in Stephen Merchant‘s new show ‘The Outlaws‘, co-produced by BBC and Amazon, in which he is starring alongside Eleanor Tomlinson and Christopher Walken. Next to that, he is currently working on a new movie, ‘Borderlands‘, alongside legends Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jack Black, to name but a few which is due to elevate his career even further. Long story short, Charles has got many incredibly exciting projects in the works. We’ve asked the actor, who’s also a huge sneakerhead, about all things acting, fashion and more.

Read the full interview below…

EQ: How did you first get into acting?

C: In secondary school, I had a really dope drama teacher who pushed us and allowed us to come into her space and just have fun. I went to an all-boys school in east London. She understood that maybe due to poor home life or bad influences outside the school gate, that coming into her classes took the pressure off all of that. It allowed us to express our pent-up feelings in a different way. It was where I built my confidence and realized that this was something I had potential in. She was a big part of that. I would always say never underestimate the influence a teacher can have on your life in those early years.

EQ: One of your upcoming projects, Borderlands, has seen you act alongside some high-profile actors, what was it like working with them, and have they taught you anything?

C: It’s not every day you get to share a set with distinguished actors like that, but I’ve always said once you look past the name of a high-profile actor, these people are all human beings like everyone else. It’s just whether they want to show that side to you - more often than not, they do. Cate Blanchett is one of my favourite actors and I really respect and look up to everything about her as an artist. Therefore being able to talk to her about work and life was incredibly helpful and inspiring. Most of the lessons I learn come from watching and observing people. Not just their performance, but how they behave on set and how they communicate with other people. Sometimes you don’t realize these lessons until a few weeks or even months after working with them.

“The cast and crew have been so hardworking and patient, and that energy is really infectious.”

- CHARLES BABALOLA

EQ: What do you find most challenging being an actor?

C: A couple of years ago I would’ve said learning lines haha! I’m dyslexic so I’ve struggled with that for years. However the more I’ve been working on different jobs, the easier it’s become. It’s like any work or art form; you have to commit to putting in the hours to improve. The scripts are constantly changing on productions, right up to the last minute. You can receive changes to the script the night before you shoot the scene, or even on the day. That has become one of the most challenging parts of the job for me.

EQ: And also, what is your favourite part of being an actor?

C: Being on set. Doing it. Having fun. I would say when you have a solid and cohesive team/cast who all understand each other’s energy, it makes it the best job in the world.

EQ: So tell us about the Outlaws series! Anything you can unveil to us?

C: It’s about a group of community service workers who all come from different walks of life. Over the series, they have to team together to defeat one of the biggest underground crime units in Bristol. It’s a study of characters in our society that you might walk past every day, but not know the secrets and dodgy dealings that are going on behind the scenes. It explores the good, bad and ugly sides of life. It’s also a homage to the beautiful city of Bristol. The views, the colours, the people, the greenery, the town life, the accents, and the culture. I play a character called Malaki who gets involved with some dodgy dealings early on in the series. He tries to repair this problem throughout the show. He’s from the streets and I really wanted to bring honesty to the life of a character like this. Especially one from Bristol.

EQ: How was the whole experience of filming it so far?

C: It feels like it has been going on forever. We started season one in December 2020, and then went on to season two in June 2021. I’m finishing in mid-October so it’s been a long long ride. A lot of time to sit with a character. Also, a lot of time to be at work which is a blessing. We’ve overcome so many obstacles as you can imagine, but all in all, it’s been a really great experience. The cast and crew have been so hardworking and patient, and that energy is really infectious. I hope people enjoy all the hard work we’ve put into it.

EQ: You are also into fashion, especially sneakers - what was the first sneaker model you ever purchased? And how big is your collection now?

C: I think the first pair of sneakers were either Nike High Dunks or white Air Force’s. Those two were hot at that time and I just remember the hype around them when I was growing up in school. Air Force’s feel like such a staple in London culture and fashion, they’ve stood the test of time and will probably be a timeless trainer. My collection is probably about 25 trainers deep now which I don’t think is that much compared to real sneakerheads. I’ve slowed down but definitely add to the collection if something comes out that really catches my eye.

EQ: Besides Jordans, what are other of your go-to brands (could be clothing, sneakers, etc.)?

C: If we’re talking high-end, I’ve always loved Prada clothing. I remember always wanting a pair of Prada boots. When I was 19 and I got into drama school, I saved up all my money and gifted myself them as a ‘well done for getting into drama school’. You’ve got to treat yourself every now and then. I like really Nanushka. I love how you can try on two Nanushka garments and they’re completely different, but both still have the brand’s character. I was talking to someone recently about hopefully working with them. I also feel that you can never go wrong with Carhatt if you’re on a casual streetwear vibe. I also love a bit of Uniqlo when winter is coming!

EQ: Last but not least, if you could describe yourself using the title of one of your favourite films (or any film that works), what would that be?

C: Coming To America. African boy with the American movie dream !!

Watch the trailer for ‘The Outlaws‘ below…

All episodes of ‘The Outlaws‘ are available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK and on Amazon internationally.

Keep up with Charles Babalola on socials…

Instagram: @charles_babzy

Twitter: @charlesbabz20