Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù

From the moment I met you I developed such a deep admiration of you. I wanted to be your friend, your brother and definitely your collaborator. There was no doubt in my mind from that first meeting in Brockwell Park that I wanted to be a part of your vision and help you bring this deeply personal story to life. I immediately wanted to give everything to make this the best it could possibly be. 
 You do that to people. You inspire them. Every single person who gave themselves to bringing My Father’s Shadow to life, did so because of our energy, passion and ease. You do everything with such grace and beauty and diligence. And I know it wasn’t easy for you. At all. I know you even put your body on the line to give this movie to the world. I’m so proud of you. Congratulations on every accolade you and this movie have achieved but even more than that, congratulations on creating and sharing this wonderful piece of yourself and your family and touching the hearts of every and anyone who sees it. What you’ve made truly is a gift to all of us. Thank you @akinoladaviesjr my bro. I can’t wait to do it again. ‘My Father’s Shadow’ is now available all over the world on @Mubi . Link in bio. Come to Lagos with us!

« Percutant, authentique, très beau » 🎬 UN JOUR AVEC MON PÈRE, de Akinola Davies Jr. charme les spectateurs 🤩 Avec Sopé Dìrísù, Chibuike Marvellous Egbo, Godwin Egbo 🌟 Le 25 mars au cinéma 🍿 @akinoladaviesjr @sopedirisu @iammarvellous_e @iamgodwin_e @matildeincerti @cinewax @telerama

“Go and wear your clothes. You’re following [us] to Lagos today.” To the cast, crew and production team of ‘My Father’s Shadow’, who made those two months in Nigeria a dream come true. All the success of this film belong to you. I hope you’re feeling the love, wherever you are in the world right now. I couldn’t snap, post or tag you all but every hand that touched this film is special. I should have posted this about a week ago (*does Bobby Shmurda dance*) but ‘My Father’s Shadow’ is playing in theaters all over the US. Check the link for your nearest screening. Coming to the world on @mubi very soon.

“My Boys…” To Chibuike Marvellous (@iammarvellous_e )and Chiemerie Godwin (@iamgodwin_e ), who’ve changed my life. Watching you grow as performers and young men over those two months in 2024 was such a touching experience. Your curiosity, charm and energy floored us all. What you give to the camera and our audience is immeasurable. Thank you for teaching me every day we’ve been together. I cannot wait for what the future holds for you, whatever you choose for it to be. MY FATHER’S SHADOW Now out in 67 screens in 🇬🇧 & 🇮🇪.

⁨ BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR WINNER Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù in MY FATHER’S SHADOW, with director Akinola Davies & producer Rachel Dargavel. #Marrakechfestival الفائز بجائزة أفضل دور رجالي سوبي ديريسو عن دوره في فيلم «ظلُّ والدي»، مع المخرج أكينولا ديفيز والمنتجة رايتشل دارغافيل #مهرجان_مراكش⁩⁩⁩

A brand new #GothamAward winner for his stunning lead performance in MY FATHER'S SHADOW, the multi-talented @sopedirisu joins us to present @zakrizzo_ 's OUT OF THE HOLLOW for #BlackList2025. Looking to see what else made this year's list? Check out the full array of titles here: /2025blacklist

Marrakech International Film Featival. Thank you. Another one to share with everyone that brought ‘My Father’s Shadow’ to life. 🥹💐🏆

So this happened tonight 🥹🥹 Thank you so much to @thegotham awards and everybody who voted for both @akinoladaviesjr and myself. It truly is an amazing feeling to know that ‘My Father’s Shadow’ is a deeply personal project that resonates across seas and cultures and has found a loving audience in New York and America. I cannot wait to share it with the rest of you when the film is released next year. I am so deeply thankful to @akinoladaviesjr and @kingxdavies for inviting and entrusting me with their story. To @shaheenbaigcasting , @funmbi_o and Rachel Dargavel for believing in my work and the entire cast and crew of ‘My Father’s Shadow’, @wearefatherland , @element_pictures and @mubi . All of the recognition this film gets belongs to all of us. I have deep and great love for my on screen family, @winiefon and “my boys” @iammarvellous_e and @iamgodwin_e . And if this is the only chance I get, then @lalaakindoju I am nothing in this film without your love, support and friendship. Thank you for every single moment. Also so delighted that @wunmimosaku got her flowers tonight too!! Big up the family and the team! 🥰

Congratulations, Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù! Freshly awarded for Outstanding Lead Performance at #TheGothams2025. MY FATHER’S SHADOW is coming soon.

Talking his quietly authoritative turn in My Father’s Shadow, @sopedirisu covers our Autumn/Winter 2025 issue. Head to manabouttown.tv to pre-order the issue now!  Videography by @roybrandys Styling by @helenseamons Words by @tibbitsben Editor-in-Chief @luke_jefferson_day Senior Editor @andreww_wright Art Director @mike.w.morton Production Director Lola Randall Junior Art Director @llltash Grooming by @dalila_mua at  @theonly.agency Photography Assistant @hsburner Styling  Assistant @rozdonoghue Special Thanks to @loftstudioslondon Film Post Production by @kashmir.studio Photography by @matteaston

Actor @sopedirisu isn’t looking for one big breakout role, but with his quietly authoritative turn in Akinola Davies’s My Father’s Shadow, he’s leaving an indelible mark on the cultural imagination. The first Nigerian film to secure official selection at Cannes, it’s already revered and history-making ahead of its theatrical release. For the British-Nigerian actor, it was a chance to foster his connection to his heritage.  Covering our Autumn/Winter 2025 issue, he talks the indie coming-of-age drama,  immersing himself in the big-budget landscape of his debut American project (Black Rabbit), the “Shakespearean” world of his TV breakthrough Gangs of London and boasting a physique that’s inspired Bond rumours. Head to manabouttown.tv to pre-order the issue now!  Ṣọpẹ́ wears fashion by @driesvannoten on the cover.  Photography by @matteaston Styling by @helenseamons Words by @tibbitsben Editor-in-Chief @luke_jefferson_day Senior Editor @andreww_wright Art Director @mike.w.morton Production Director Lola Randall Junior Art Director @llltash Grooming by @dalila_mua at  @theonly.agency Photography Assistant @hsburner Styling  Assistant @rozdonoghue Special Thanks to @loftstudioslondon Videography by @roybrandys Film Post Production by @kashmir.studio

Numéro Netherlands Digital presents Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, captured by David Reiss. Ṣọpẹ́ is an internationally acclaimed actor whose work spans film, television, and theater. This fall, he stars in ‘My Father’s Shadow’, Akinola Davies Jr.’s feature debut and the first Nigerian film to premiere at Cannes, where it won the Caméra d’Or Special Mention, a historic milestone for Nigerian cinema. Ṣọpẹ́ will also appear opposite Jude Law in Netflix’s ‘Black Rabbit’, premiering on 18th September, and lead ‘All the Sinners Bleed’ for Netflix, playing the first Black sheriff in a small Virginia county. Known for ‘Gangs of London’, his BAFTA-winning role in ‘His House’, and ‘Slow Horses’, he continues to deliver commanding performances that fuse emotional depth with powerful screen presence. Talent: Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù @sopedirisu Photographer: David Reiss @davidreissphotography Stylist: Josh T. Arimoro @joshtarimoro Groomer: Lake Sanu at A-Frame Agency @lakesanu @aframe_agency Tailor: Macy Quintas @HemerciaQuintas Editor: Timi Letonja @timiletonja Editorial director & interview: Jana Letonja @janaletonja #NumeroNetherlands #editorial #fashion #NumeroNetherlandsDigital