Created by Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith and executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, “Fightland,” is a stimulating crime drama that puts audiences directly in the boxing arena. Set in London, “Fightland” follows Maduka “Duke” Kilroy (Howard Charles), a disgraced former Heavyweight Champion who returns to his hometown seeking vengeance on the man who destroyed his life. Dynamic, bloody and engrossing, the show is an engaging account of revenge, fractured family dynamics and unbridled ego.
“Fightland” opens in Las Vegas, eight years ago. Duke is flying high in the final rounds of the match that will make him the heavyweight champion of the world. His brother Calvin (Jurell Carter) and best friend Jay (Tyler Conti) are his cornermen, helping him navigate the ring. Seated front row in the audience are Duke’s promoter Kingsley Marshall (a thrilling Nicholas Pinnock), owner of Marshall Promotions, and his children, Ezekiel “Zeke” Marshall (Charles Babalola) and Cebella “Cece” Marshall (Anita-Joy Uwajeh), who aid their father in his boxing and criminal enterprises. What begins as one of the greatest nights in Duke’s life ends in devastating, violent chaos, shattering everything he worked so hard to attain.
Nearly a decade later, viewers meet Duke again. Hardened and withdrawn, he is not the shining star he once was. Newly released from prison, he returns home to the U.K. determined to take Kingsley down. But when Duke touches down in London, Kingsley is nowhere to be found. Neither his children nor his wife, Joy (Deborah Ayorinde), know where he’s vanished to, or why. Kingsley’s absence doesn’t stop Duke from infiltrating the Marshalls’ business ventures, determined to dismantle everything they hold near and dear and force Kingsley to resurface.
The eight-episode season (critics received six episodes for review) moves swiftly, almost at a dizzying pace. Though “Fightland” is a totally different story, those familiar with Starz’s “Power” Universe will see similarities in the expansive narrative and characters woven in and around this world. Fajemisin-Duncan, Smith and Jackson have mastered the ability to keep audiences engaged. There are gun battles and knife fights (this is the U.K., after all), yet no character goes to waste. A character may initially appear inconsequential, but they often turn out to be integral to the overall plot. As a result, even though the show leans into the gimmicky aspects of the crime genre, stunning reveals and cliffhangers keep viewers drawn in across the episodes.
This is a revenge tale at its core. Yet, “Fightland” thrives because of its characters. Duke is in the driver’s seat, but the show pulses to a new level when the camera is trained on either Cebella or Kingsley. Cool and calculated to a fault, in direct contrast to her hot-headed brother Zeke, Uwajeh brings a mesmerizing, lethal ferocity to Cebella. And she is no one-dimensional figure. As the show continues, it becomes clear there is much more to this woman than her cut-throat decision-making. Pinnock’s Kingsley is also towering. He is absent for nearly half of the season, which creates a void. Still, when he is on screen, he exudes an ominous viciousness, elevating the series beyond the run-of-the-mill tale of a conniving kingpin.
“Fightland” as a whole is certainly entertaining, but Episode 6, “There Is a War Coming,” is a standout. Stuffed full of jaw-dropping revelations, thrilling twists and some sinister chess moves, the episode pulls every loose string from earlier moments in the series together. The result is a sensational tapestry of transgressions and secrets that Duke doesn’t see coming. Pinnock, in particular, is at his best here, showcasing a diabolical cruelty and terrifying manipulation, elevating the story and the show to a different level.
There is no shortage of crime dramas on television networks and streaming platforms. However, in offering viewers a distinct backdrop — Black Londoners with boxing at the core — “Fightland” proves family dynamics, criminality and retribution have endless depths to explore. Though the show isn’t exactly breaking new ground, it succeeds because it’s willing to put a new spin on the genre while offering a crop of new villains and anti-heroes their chance to shine.
“Fightland” debuts July 31 on Starz, with the remaining episodes airing weekly on Fridays.
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