Toheeb Jimoh first caught our attention as perennially exuberant, wholesome footballer Sam Obisanya in Ted Lasso. He was nominated for an Emmy and won a Critics’ Choice Breakthrough Award for the role. Jimoh recently debuted in season four of BBC drama Industry as Kwabena Bannerman – and he’ll be a regular on our big and small screens for some time to come. Next up, he stars with Cynthia Erivo in the film adaptation of Suzie Miller’s award-winning legal drama Prima Facie, and in Clarissa, an upcoming film reinterpreting Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway co-starring Sophie Okonedo, David Oyelowo and India Amarteifio.
Jimoh says “London is always popping”.
“There’s always something happening and something for everyone. This city is such a mix and match of culture, so inherently multicultural, anything you want you can go across the street and get it. Every type of food, every type of cultural experience is available to you, and it’s blended so well, there’s forever something new to discover.
“It’s the city I was born in, it’s awesome.”
Broadsheet chatted with Jimoh to find out his top spots around the capital and what he reckons makes it special.
Hi Toheeb. Tell us a bit about yourself and how you spend your days.
I’m Toheeb. I’m an actor, a Londoner, a Nigerian, an artist and an amateur hooper and chess player.
I grew up in south London, in Brixton. I’m an actor so most of my days are on set. I just wrapped a film called Prima Facie with fellow Londoner Cynthia Erivo and we spent a lot of time filming at the Old Bailey and Lincoln’s Inn.
On my day off, I’m at Deptford Blue Cages playing basketball. I’m a big Traitors fan and love going to Liars & Friends for games night. It’s basically mafia but with your own group of friends.
But really, I’m a homebody. Most of the time I’m reading, playing chess, hanging out with my cat (also named Chess), and watching new TV and films.
What’s your favourite London restaurant?
Asafo. It’s a Ghanaian spot in Brixton with great vibes. It’s really quiet and feels like super authentic African food.
My friends and I have a routine of hanging out there. It just feels like home.
Where are you taking someone if you want to impress them?
It’s London – the answer’s always going to be the theatre.
I’m a huge fan of the Almeida or just take a chance and head to whatever’s new on the West End. This month, you’ve got to get to All My Sons at Wyndham’s with my friend Paapa Essiedu.
Next month, I’ll be trying to get a ticket for Robert Icke’s Romeo and Juliet at Harold Pinter Theatre.
What’s your pick of London’s cafes?
Martil Cafe in south London is a really lovely breakfast spot my brother and I go to together.
Where do you shop?
I’m a regular at Daily Paper’s flagship in Soho. They always have great stuff that works for me and the space is beautiful.
If you need a break from London, where do you head?
Fashion is a natural extension of acting for me, and as Londoners we’re lucky Paris is so accessible. There’s something unique about the craftsmanship and appreciation the French show for clothing. Last month, I was in Paris for the Hermes show, the final collection by the extraordinary Véronique Nichanian. We had lunch on the terrace of the new Le Grand Café. From the food to the architecture, it’s quintessential Paris.
With Industry, I’ve been to New York quite a bit recently. On our most recent trip, we were based in Brooklyn. Highlights included a (very) late night pizza from the Bushwick institution, Roberta’s, and my first rave at gritty 99 Scott with The Dare.
My real escape will always be Nigeria. Last year, I shot my new film Clarissa there, but the goal is to get back more for a true break.
What makes London so special?
The different parts of London are so distinct from one another. If you go north to south and east or west, you can be in a whole new world. And yes – there are parts of London that you can escape to if you want quiet! London is the type of place that can accommodate anyone.
London sometimes gets a bad rap for being fast-paced and maybe a bit unfriendly compared to other cities in the UK. But there are some great people in London who are really ambitious, super creative, and the city really supports all of that creativity. I have no doubt that part of me being an artist and a creative is because I’m from London.
It’s the city I was born in, it’s awesome.
What’s making London a better place right now?
The Youth Learning Network and supplementary school. They provide educational support to families, tutoring kids on Saturdays, especially young Black kids, in maths, English, science and African history.
When I was younger, they took me on a trip to Ghana. It was my first time going to another West African country outside of Nigeria. I learned so much but it also gave me a renewed pride in my West African ancestry. It’s still up and running, still run by the same guy, Uncle Kwame, and kids can still sign up.
What is your essential London album, song and film?
Dave – We’re All Alone in This Together
Kidulthood
Giggs – Talkin’ Da Hardest
Industry season 4 is screening now on BBC.
