Director Steve McQueen gave several rising stars front-and-center opportunities with Small Axe anthology film series on Amazon Prime. During this casting process for Alex Wheatle, he discovers Sheyi Cole to portray the lead for the film.

For young actor Cole, it was an opportunity of a lifetime and perhaps launches his stardom. He portrays the true story of an award-winning writer as he navigates his life in the London’s West Indian community during the early 1980s.

Here’s the official synopsis of Alex Wheatle:

Alex Wheatle follows the true story of award-winning writer, Alex Wheatle, from a young boy through his early adult years. Having spent his childhood in a mostly white institutional care home with no love or family, he finally finds not only a sense of community for the first time in Brixton, but his identity and ability to grow his passion for music and DJ’ing. When he is thrown in prison during the Brixton Uprising of 1981, he confronts his past and sees a path to healing.

ALSO CHECK OUT: Shaun Parkes and Malachi Kirby Talk Police Brutality in Amazon Prime’s Small Axe: Mangrove [Exclusive Interview]

Cole stars opposite Jonathan Jules. Alex Wheatle was co-written by Alastair Siddons and Steve McQueen.

LRM Online’s Gig Patta spoke with actor Sheyi Cole on his debut role in the film. We talked about his process, preparation, and the real Alex Wheatle.

Watch the exclusive interview with Sheyi Cole below. Let us know what you think.

Source: LRM Online Exclusive, Amazon Prime