TOHEEB JIMOH
Co-stars in APPLE TV
2021 Emmy nominated Series
TED LASSO
Interview by Juan Marco Torres
Photography Isla Mathieson
Stylist Yasmine Sabri
Interview by Juan Marco Torres
Intro by Tessa Swantek
Toheeb Jimoh, British actor, is a rising actor that everyone should keep their eyes on. Jimoh gained critical acclaim for his role as Anthony Walker in the BBC film Anthony. Anthony Walker was tragically murdered in a racially motivated attack in 2005, and Jimoh captures Walker’s gorgeous presence to display what his life may have been like had he not been killed. Jimoh is eloquent and poised; he is an avid supporter of the Anthony Walker Foundation, and is unwavering in his belief that those in the public eye carry a responsibility to use their voices as a source of power to support others, especially those in marginalized communities. He tells us he would have been a barrister or spoken word artist if he had not become an actor which epitomizes this innate desire to use his voice. He currently plays Sam Obisanya, a Nigerian footballer, in the wildly popular Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso in which he also proudly spreads activist messages through his work. The sports comedy/drama has earned 20 Emmy nominations, surpassing Glee as the most nominated freshman comedy! While he certainly is an activist, Jimoh is much more and will not be placed into a box. We are looking forward to watching the box shatter as his roles in The Power and The French Dispatch debut. Read our full interview with Toheeb Jimoh as he tells us about his role as Sam, his inspirations, and his hopes for the future!
Coat and trousers: Maison Margiela, Knit top: Yohji Yamamoto Pour Homme, Jewelry: Robert Wellington from Layers London, Shoes: Jimmy Choo
JMT: Your performance in BBC’s Anthony was quite emotional and touching. How was it to transition from a drama role to a more comedic one with Ted Lasso? Do you find any similarities between both?
Toheeb: The problem was more transitioning to Anthony straight from Ted Lasso. I started Anthony three days after we finished on Ted Lasso, and I had to prepare for the job while I was still filming. The rhythm shifts were hard- things are usually quicker in comedy and scenes, mostly, have very specific timing in order to make them work. When I started Anthony, one of the first things I noticed was how much time we had in scenes to just let moments breathe. Luckily, both shows straddle both comedy and drama so it wasn’t a complete 180.
JMT: How has your craft developed since your first role?
Toheeb: I use more of it now. As you get more experienced and your parts get bigger in shows, you get more space to try out different parts of your arsenal. Also, with experience, my work is maturing organically- I’m more comfortable on set and I’m used to my working environment now, so I can be bolder with my work and take bigger risks when trying things out. I’ve also had the opportunity to learn from others. I’ve had time to steal from the likes of Rakie Ayola, Jason Sudeikis and so many other actors who are already at the peak of their powers.
Coat: Homme Plissé Issey Miyake, Zip up hoodie and felt buckle loafers: JW Anderson, Trousers: Maison Margiela, Jewelry: Robert Wellington from Layers London
JMT: The roles you have played are continuously charged with important revelations about the personal and global impacts of systemic racism. How does it feel to be at the center of this discourse?
Toheeb: It feels great! It’s massively empowering and it’s all I’ve ever wanted. When I was younger, I remember feeling like my voice and opinions didn’t matter, like I was just another Black teenager in South London. Now, I have the platform to reach people and share these same thoughts and opinions. I really believe the stuff we watch and music we listen to informs so much of our world view and because of that I know the projects that I’m a part of can move people and hopefully help them.
JMT: What drew you to the role of Sam? What was the audition like?
Toheeb: I really wanted to play a Nigerian character and playing a footballer has always been on a bucket list, so this was a perfect mix of both! Actually, when I got the audition, Sam was supposed to be Ghanaian- The audition scene was the one where the team surprises Sam for his birthday in Season 1 Episode 2. I remember changing the food they bought him to Nigerian food and adding the Chin-Chin and speaking some of the lines in Yoruba too. That was the only scene I saw, but I loved it – he [Sam] was so sweet, and I could personally relate to a young man who felt like he hadn’t quite found himself in a new country. He was also so politically aware – when he didn’t take the Army man from Ted I was sold!
JMT: Can you share a bit about your creative process and how you prepare for an acting role?
Toheeb: Every role is different- I don’t have a checklist of things I tick off when preparing for roles. I tackle each job with what I feel needs the most time to prepare which is usually their voice/accent. Their personality usually informs that, so I grab on to their key personality traits and kind of work from there. A big thing for me is finding out what my character’s objectives are. If I know what their goals are, regardless of whether they achieve them, I can get a good sense of who they are and then make choices that suit that character.
JMT: Do you think it’s important for athletes to stand behind their communities and dive into politics, no matter what the fallout is?
Toheeb: 100% – I think people in the public eye have a responsibility to use their platform to support the communities they came from, especially if their community has been marginalised and silenced over time.
JMT: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned playing the character of Sam in Ted Lasso?
Toheeb: I always underestimate how much being a nice person can mean to people. From the popularity of the show to the messages people send us, you realise how cool it is to be kind and how much putting a smile on someone’s face or distracting them for a second means to people. Playing Sam is a constant reminder to be more like him in real life.
JMT: Who were some of your biggest role models growing up?
Toheeb: My Parents were always my biggest inspiration. I’ve always looked at their stories coming from Nigeria to work and start their family in the U.K and the sacrifices they’ve made for my brother and I. I’ve always wanted to be the kind of man my Dad is. My parents always were and still are the top of that list. Then, there are people whose work always made me feel seen like Chiwetel Ejiofor, Viola Davis & Jay-Jay Okocha. Their existence in the world always made it feel like it was possible for me to achieve incredible things too!
JMT: How do you feel Sam developed during Season 2 compared to the first season?
Toheeb: I feel like he’s grown and matured from the first time we met him. Ted says from the start that he wants to make these young men the best people they can be, not just the best players and that couldn’t be truer with Sam. When we meet him, he is homesick, he’s being bullied by Jamie and hasn’t quite found himself in the group. Now, he’s one of the leaders on the team, he’s one of the star players – he’s strong enough to back his convictions and stand up to anyone, even Ted, when he thinks he’s going back on his word. I don’t think Season 1 Sam would have refused to do the Dubai Air ad campaign, whereas Season 2 Sam refused to wear their name on his shirt.
JMT: The Nigerian Delta region has been a victim of severe poverty for years due to the blatant environmental abuse of oil companies. How did it feel to act as an activist for the Nigerian people during the show?
Toheeb: It’s honestly one of my favourite things to receive messages from Nigerian fans who feel seen and represented by Sam taking a stand against Oil companies and the corruption of the Nigerian government. I’m glad I get to represent them in that way. It’s important they know Nigerians everywhere have their eyes on the situation back home and are willing to support. We are stronger when we do.
JMT: If acting had not worked out for you, what career would you have pursued?
Toheeb: I would have made it work by force or by fire, but if it still didn’t work, I’d have been a barrister or a spoken word artist like George the Poet or Anthony Anaxagorou and Inua Ellams
JMT: It’s very refreshing to watch a male-dominated football world where emotional vulnerability and openness are encouraged. What do you think it is about Sam that makes him so secure in himself?
Toheeb: I think Sam is a good example of what you get when you have positive male role models. He has a strong example in his dad and in Ted. He has a support network and a safe space from a really young age that rids him of a lot of the ego (which is usually a defense mechanism) that some young men have. I think that’s what allows him to be so self-assured.
Jacket, turtleneck jumper and shearling mules: JW Anderson, Trousers: Archivio Jm Ribot, Jewelery: Robert Wellington from Layers London, Sunglasses: Bonnie Clyde
Spliced vest shirt and trousers: Maison Margiela, Jewelry: Robert Wellington from Layers London, Sneakers: JW Anderson, Sunglasses: AKILA
JMT: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned playing the character of Sam in Ted Lasso?
Toheeb: I always underestimate how much being a nice person can mean to people. From the popularity of the show to the messages people send us, you realise how cool it is to be kind and how much putting a smile on someone’s face or distracting them for a second means to people. Playing Sam is a constant reminder to be more like him in real life.
JMT: What kind of roles do you see your career unfolding with in the future?
Toheeb: I want to do everything! Black actors are often put into a box in this industry, and I want to shatter that box with my career – I want to play spies and wizards and magical creatures. I want to do Anime voiceover work, cartoons, Shakespeare, play lawyers and politicians and corrupt business people. I want to play athletes, work in gangster films and superhero films. I want to play romantic leads, do comedy roles and drama roles, Greek tragedies, musicals, contemporary plays, and work in Nollywood. I want to do everything! I really hope my career gets to explore every corner of this industry!
Photography
Isla Mathieson
Creative Director & Casting
Deborah Ferguson
Interview Intro
Contributing Entertainment Editor
Tessa Swantek
Interview
Juan Marco Torres
Stylist
Yasmine Sabri
Grooming
Nicola Harrowell @ Premier Hair and Makeup
Fashion Assistant/Onset Stylist
Romel Doyle @ RDarchives.xyz
Web Layout
Tori Smith
Thank You
Tapestry London, Maria Tamander & John Mathieson
Apple TV
