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Actor and director Ashley Walters joins the hosts to discuss his directorial debut film, Animal, a harrowing yet beautiful drama set inside a young offenders institution. Walters opens up about his early life in South London, his rise with So Solid Crew, and the challenges of serving time in a young offenders institution at age eighteen. He shares personal stories about auditioning for Oliver as a child, working with Stephen Graham, and navigating the anxieties of both acting and directing. Throughout the meal, the conversation covers everything from childhood memories of spaghetti bolognese to his desert island menu featuring oysters and laksa.
Jessie and Lennie welcome listeners, tease the arrival of Ashley Walters and discuss early memories of the So Solid crew.
The hosts recap Walters’ journey from So Solid to acting and directing, highlighting key roles and his debut film Animal.
Walters explains the film’s focus on young offenders, his own prison experience, and how it shaped the story and character development.
Jessie and Lennie discuss the meal prepared for Walters, including lactose‑free adjustments and the family’s culinary traditions.
Walters shares anecdotes about growing up in South London, his mother’s cooking, and the influence of his family on his career and personal life.
Walters reminisces about favorite local spots, oysters, and his mother’s influence on his love for food.
Walters opens up about his addictive tendencies, how they affect his eating habits, and the challenges of directing a film.
Discussion of the film’s premiere, release dates, promotional plans, and Walters’ thoughts on future directing and acting roles.
The hosts wrap up the episode, thank Walters, and preview upcoming content.
Ashley reflects on his early career struggles and the exhaustion from acting.
The hosts discuss how Ashley chooses roles and deals with self-doubt.
Ashley reveals a childhood snack that evokes strong memories.
Playing Handwalker in Oliverstory
The guest explains how he was part of the original cast of Oliver at the London Palladium under Sam Mendes, earning the character name Handwalker despite not actually being able to walk on his hands.
The Meaning Behind Animalinsight
The guest discusses why his directorial debut film is titled Animal with an O, noting that it relates to dyslexia and signifies what young people inside the institution are experiencing.
The guest reflects on his time in Feltham and young offenders institutions at age eighteen, describing it as a harrowing and vulnerable period despite his external gangster image.
Heavy Use of Improvisationdata
The guest reveals that approximately seventy percent of his directorial debut film was improvised, drawing from his own background starting in independent cinema.
The guest shares an agonizing anecdote from shooting Adolescence in a single take, where he accidentally called his on-screen son by the name of the character he was chasing right at the end.
Desert Island Starter and Maininsight
The guest details his ideal last meal, choosing twelve oysters with vinaigrette and Tabasco for starter, followed by a comforting bowl of laksa for his main course.
“I was in Sylvia Young doing theatre and, you know, tap and ballet on the weekends and stuff that my friends didn't know about.”
“I think everything you see visually is my memory of prison.”
“I love a good bit of sea bass, this is amazing.”
“I have to be careful about the things, you know, that's why I can like, I can be in bed and finish a packet of Haribo and be like.”
“I was fatigued by anxiety. Um, I'm an anxious actor.”
“I love directing, like as chaotic as it is, it's so peaceful for me.”
“Love, I love like, I don't necessarily love the process of acting, but I love seeing the end product.”
“I don't know whether I really want to do this anymore or how much I'm enjoying it.”
“You know, everyone's just staring at you. Sometimes they're like that.”
The brilliant Ashley Walters is over for dinner this week. From his days as Asher D in So Solid Crew, to Top Boy and Adolescence, Ashley has had an incredible career and now he’s stepping behind the camera for his directorial debut ‘Animol'. Mum made sea bass with tomato and anchovy dressing followed by a vegan apple and apricot cake. We chatted about growing up in Peckham, his early days in Oliver! in the West End, how he ended up in prison, working with Stephen Graham and the comfort foods that take him back to childhood - including oysters! Thank you Ashley for such an honest and lovely evening. ‘Animol’ will be released in cinemas from 30th October. Listen & watch Table Manners here - https://tablemanners.komi.io/ Follow Table Manners on: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tablemannerspodcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@tablemannerspodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tablemannerspodcast YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TableMannersPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
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