What lessons did Ashley Walters learn from his father during their final two weeks together?

During their final two weeks, Ashley Walters learned about his father's intelligence and life experience, which he had previously dismissed due to illiteracy. He gained an understanding of his own origins and an appreciation for his father's confidence and humility, which helped him overcome self-doubt and realize his father's love and pride in him.

How did Ashley Walters cope with his father's death and his subsequent period of recklessness?

Ashley Walters didn't grieve properly after his father's death, immediately returning to work. He subsequently went "off the rails," losing his spiritual beliefs and becoming reckless. This led to increased drinking, promiscuity, and negative impacts on his first relationship and the births of two of his children.

What is the significance of the lost tapes containing footage of Ashley Walters' father?

The lost tapes, filmed by Ashley Walters before his father's death, contain the last memories and conversations he has with him. He views them as "gold dust" that could help him and his children understand their origins and navigate tough times, making their loss deeply hurtful.

How does Ashley Walters' 'fixer' mentality affect his relationship and communication with his wife, Danielle?

Ashley Walters admits to being a 'fixer' who struggles to simply listen without trying to solve problems, a trait he traces back to his mother. This contrasts with his wife Danielle's more emotional and communicative nature, leading to communication challenges that they address through counseling.

How has Ashley Walters' relationship with his own children been impacted by his past and career?

Ashley Walters acknowledges a distant relationship with his older children, partly due to his youth when they were born (ages 17-18) and his absence due to prison, touring, and acting. He regrets not taking on adult responsibilities and sacrificing for them, leading to a lack of trust and communication, mirroring his own relationship with his father.

What was the initial vision for Top Boy and why did Ashley Walters choose the role of Dushane?

Ashley Walters saw the Top Boy script as a groundbreaking portrayal of black organized crime, akin to "Goodfellas" or "Scarface." He was drawn to Dushane's character, who aspired for greater things, wanting to change the game and feed everyone, showcasing an entrepreneurial spirit within the criminal world rather than just mindless violence.

Why was Top Boy initially cancelled by Channel 4 and how did it get revived by Netflix?

Ashley Walters suspects Top Boy was cancelled by Channel 4 due to a change in leadership, with new executives wanting to establish their own successes rather than continue a project associated with previous regimes. A dedicated fan base and its global appeal, beyond typical London-centric Black stories, led to its revival by Netflix.

How does Ashley Walters feel about the end of Top Boy and what does he plan next for his career?

The end of Top Boy is bittersweet for Ashley Walters. He will miss the close connections with the cast and crew, but is excited to pursue other avenues and direct more, as contractually, he was tied to the show for a long time. He acknowledges the fear and rarity of such stability in acting.

What impact has Top Boy had on global culture and opening doors for Black stories?

Top Boy has significantly impacted global culture by offering a complex, 3D portrayal of urban Black life beyond stereotypes, making it accessible internationally. It has 'opened the door' for people worldwide to trust in UK exports and has paved the way for more diverse Black stories in film and television, such as Black detectives and superheroes.

Ashley Walters: The Unheard TRUTH About Top Boy! "Me & Kano Didn't Have The Greatest Time"

The Diary Of A CEO

People & Blogs5 min read104 min video

Sep 14, 2023|1,465,331 views|26,754|1,406

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Ashley Walters discusses childhood trauma, father's absence, and the profound impact on his life and career.

Key Insights

Ashley Walters' childhood was marked by trauma and the absence of his father, leading to anger and behavioral issues.

He found belonging and a sense of father figures in the local 'bad boys' and his early music group, So Solid Crew.

The complex relationship with his father, including his father's struggles with addiction and illiteracy, profoundly shaped Walters' life and views.

Walters' acting career, particularly 'Top Boy', offered him a chance to explore deeper characters and break away from typecasting.

The filmmaking process for 'Top Boy' involved creative battles and resistance, but ultimately led to a successful and impactful show.

He reflects on the importance of genuine connection, emotional expression, and breaking negative generational cycles in relationships and family.

Walters emphasizes that hardship and rejection have been integral to his growth and success, not just talent.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a period of introspection, revealing reliance on work for self-worth and the need for family connection.

EARLY TRAUMA AND ABSENCE OF A FATHER FIGURE

Ashley Walters' childhood was deeply affected by trauma, stemming significantly from his father's frequent absence due to imprisonment. This lack of a paternal role model fostered anger and a negative outlook. While he had a supportive mother and family, the void left by his father led him to seek validation and a sense of masculinity elsewhere, influencing his choices and attitude towards the world through his formative years into early adulthood.

SEEKING BELONGING AND EARLY CAREER PATHS

Feeling lost and struggling to understand what it meant to be a man, Walters was drawn to figures in his community who exuded a certain swagger and toughness. The local 'bad boys' and later, the members of So Solid Crew, provided him with a sense of belonging and mentorship he craved. His involvement in the music group was initially driven by this need for acceptance rather than a passion for music itself, highlighting his early search for identity and community.

RECONCILIATION AND THE PROFOUND IMPACT OF HIS FATHER

Walters recounts his complex relationship with his father, particularly the period leading up to his father's death in 2005. Despite past struggles, including his father's addiction and illiteracy, Walters experienced a meaningful connection during his father's final weeks. This encounter provided him with a deeper understanding of his father's life and circumstances, offering insights into his own behaviors and motivations, and revealing a father who, despite his flaws, deeply loved him.

THE MAKING OF 'TOP BOY' AND CAREER ASCENSION

The creation and success of 'Top Boy' marked a significant turning point for Walters, allowing him to move beyond typecasting as solely a 'bad boy' character. He was drawn to the show's depth, seeing it as a more nuanced portrayal of organized crime akin to cinematic classics. Despite facing resistance and creative challenges during filming, Walters and co-star Kane pushed hard to ensure the show's integrity and authentic representation, ultimately leading to its global acclaim.

NAVIGATING LIFE AFTER 'TOP BOY' AND INDUSTRY CHALLENGES

As 'Top Boy' concludes, Walters faces the bittersweet reality of having his life back after years of commitment to the show. The transition brings both excitement for new opportunities and a degree of fear regarding the instability of the acting profession. He reflects on the immense rejections faced throughout his career and the importance of resilience. The experience of directing has also opened up new avenues, driven by a desire to gain experience and prove his capabilities.

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, RELATIONSHIPS, AND BREAKING CYCLES

Walters discusses the challenges of emotional expression and nuanced communication, particularly in relationships, influenced by his upbringing where emotional vulnerability was not openly practiced. He acknowledges the hard work involved in building healthy relationships, contrasting his upbringing with his wife's more expressive family. He also addresses the fear of perpetuating generational cycles of distance with his own children and actively works to foster better communication and connection, understanding the profound impact of his parenting.

THE ROLE OF HARDSHIP AND RESILIENCE IN SUCCESS

Despite his success, Walters contests the idea that talent alone is the sole driver of his achievements. He emphasizes how overcoming hardship, rejection, and moments of self-doubt has forged his determination and work ethic. The imperfections and perceived inadequacies have fueled his drive to work harder, be a perfectionist, and ultimately produce better work. This resilience, cultivated through difficulties, is a key lesson he imparts to aspiring actors.

LEARNING FROM THE PANDEMIC AND SELF-WORTH

The COVID-19 pandemic served as a period of forced reflection, highlighting Walters' reliance on work for his sense of self-worth. The inability to work exposed his deep-seated insecurities and a struggle with idleness, leading to periods of depression. This experience underscored the need for genuine connection and the realization that external success did not equate to inner peace, driving him to confront his flaws and seek balance in his life.

THE VOICE WITHIN AND THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS

Walters describes the internal struggle with a critical inner voice that has often led to poor decisions. He advocates for quieting this voice and seeking external perspectives, particularly from loved ones, to make more balanced decisions. He speaks to the importance of forgiveness, acknowledging that holding onto grudges is ultimately self-damaging. While he's still working on forgiving everyone, he recognizes that letting go is crucial for personal peace and moving forward.

IMPACT AND LEGACY OF 'TOP BOY'

The cultural impact of 'Top Boy' is immense, as Walters explains how it demystified British urban culture for a global audience, making it easier for other UK artists to gain international recognition. The show's complexity and humanized characters transcended stereotypical portrayals of crime, opening doors for diverse storytelling. Walters hopes this success will pave the way for more varied Black narratives in mainstream media, from detectives to superheroes.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Companies

●Organizations

●People Referenced

Common Questions

Ashley Walters experienced significant trauma due to his father's absence, which led to anger and a negative outlook. He sought to hurt others as he was hurt, resulting in trouble with the police and an aggressive attitude early in his career. This experience made him feel lost about what it meant to be a man.

Topics

Mentioned in this video

organizationSo Solid Crew

A musical group Ashley Walters joined at a young age, providing him a sense of belonging and community.

companySky

A company that provided funding for a short film Ashley Walters made, marking his entry into directing.

mediaTop Boy

A popular UK TV show that revolutionized Ashley Walters' life and career, became a huge success on Netflix, and significantly impacted UK culture internationally.

mediaBack to the Future

A movie referenced by Ashley Walters to explain his belief that erasing past traumatic events could alter his present life and family.

mediaScarface

A film referenced by Ashley Walters as an inspiration for the structured and humanized portrayal of 'black organized crime' in Top Boy, differentiating it from other shows.

mediaGet Rich or Die Tryin'

A film Ashley Walters was shooting in Canada when his father came to visit for the last two weeks of his life.

organizationKingdom

The institution where Ashley Walters mentors students, teaching them about preparation for a career in acting.

companyChannel 4

The original network for Top Boy, which famously cancelled the show after two seasons before Netflix revived it.

personYan Demange

A filmmaker credited with contributing to the success of Top Boy by getting brilliant performances from mostly inexperienced actors and shooting a beautiful TV show.

organizationITV

filmGoodfellas