Critically acclaimed actor, director, producer and recording artist Ashley Walters (best known for “Top Boy” and “Missing You”) has begun production on his directorial feature debut, Animol. The powerful drama, co-financed by Sky, Film4, and the BFI, marks a significant chapter in Walters’ career, as he steps behind the camera to bring a deeply personal and gripping story to life.
Animol dives into the gritty and often harsh reality of life inside a Young Offenders’ Institution, drawing from Walters’ own experiences. Written by Nick Love (The Football Factory, A Town Called Malice), the film is a raw and poignant coming-of-age story that examines the struggle for survival and the search for connection in a world full of adversity.
In a statement about the project, Walters shared that Animol is close to his heart: “Nick and I have worked together before and always wanted to create something bold—something that sparks conversation while delivering visual beauty. Animol is deeply personal to me. It explores the struggle of being your authentic self in a world that often pressures you to conform—one of life’s greatest challenges. At its heart, this is a story about survival and the safety found in true connection. It’s not about the ‘what’; it’s about the ‘why.’ I couldn’t be more excited to bring my debut feature to life with such an incredible team.”
The film stars rising talents Tut Nyuot and Vladyslav Baliuk, who take on the roles of two teenagers navigating the brutal environment of the institution. Joining them is an impressive supporting cast, including Stephen Graham (Peaky Blinders, Boiling Point) as a Welfare Officer dedicated to supporting the young offenders, and Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Dune: Part One, Enola Holmes 2) in a pivotal role.
Julia Stuart, Director of Original Film at Sky, expressed her excitement about the project, saying: “Ashley and Nick’s passion for Animol shone through from the get-go – and we knew with our partners at Film4, Joi Productions, and the BFI, we could create something special. It’s fantastic to see the stellar cast of best-of-British and emerging talent now bringing this powerful story to life, which promises to deliver a captivating viewing experience.”
Ollie Madden, Director of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama, added: “Ashley, Nick, Joy, Tom and the team have been carefully developing this project with us for almost six years, and we couldn’t be happier that it’s finally ready to go into production. Ashley’s vision for the film is incredibly compelling, and I’m confident his first feature as a director will be a knockout.”
The film is produced by Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor (Blue Story, Boxing Day) and Tom Hawkins (True History of the Kelly Gang) from Joi Productions, an independent London-based production company with a focus on Black, Queer, and Female-led stories. It is also in collaboration with Walters’ own production outfit, SLNDA, and Nick Love’s Rogue State.
Additionally, Animol is working closely with the Synergy Theatre Project and Intermission Youth Theatre to offer opportunities for young people at risk of entering the criminal justice system, further underscoring the film’s commitment to addressing real-world issues.
With such an incredible team and a story that is both powerful and timely, Animol is sure to be a compelling addition to British cinema, offering a thought-provoking examination of youth, identity, and survival in an unforgiving system.
Image courtesy of Anthony Dickenson
