Fightland actors Howard Charles and Nicholas Pinnock discuss grief, peace and power in new series

Howard Charles and Nicholas Pinnock, the leads of STARZ’s crime drama Fightland, explained the emotional core of their characters during a recent press event. Charles said his role as former heavyweight champion Maduka “Duke” Kilroy is driven by a desire for peace that stems from unresolved grief, noting, “Peace is not always rosy with a ribbon wrapped around it. There are many different forms of peace. Some of them can be darker.” Pinnock described his portrayal of crime boss Kingsley Marshall as a balance of intimidation and subtle manipulation to maintain control over the London boxing underworld.

Both actors emphasized that beyond the series’ violent action, the story explores how trauma and the pursuit of power shape the conflict between Duke and Marshall. The series is produced by a 50 Cent‑executive team and is set in London’s boxing scene, highlighting themes of revenge, dominance and the search for inner peace.