Showmax’s Spinners pulls no punches, delivering a game-changing gritty drama that has already captured the attention of the world. The eight-episode series tells the story of 17-year-old Ethan (Cantona James) who gets lured into the motorsport of spinning to escape the gang life in Cape Town. Yet, no matter how much Ethan tries to walk away from his past life, he keeps being drawn back in.
Fortress of Solitude caught up with lead actor Cantona James to discuss his performance on the highly acclaimed show and what drew him to the character in the first place. The actor explained how he went method to get into the mindset of Ethan, as well as what he had to do to leave the character behind after the cameras stopped rolling. In addition, James revealed what he would like to see happen to his character in further seasons if the opportunity presents itself.
Fortress of Solitude: What appealed to you the most about Spinners as an actor?
Cantona James: What appealed to me – for Ethan – was the fact that he is sort of the driving force between all these different groups within this community. And to showcase how one reacts in different groups. Because he’s with the gangers, then he’s with the young kids who are in spinning, he’s with the police, and the family. So, he has different roles that he takes on. And it’s little subtle things that I hope the people can pick up that he does in different situations, because you have to basically put on a mask in every situation that you’re in.
That appealed to me. The fact that I can portray so many kids’ lives, because so many kids go through that where they have to toughen up when walking in the streets of these communities, but then can be their youthful selves in front of the kids, with friends, and then also have this responsibility at home. It appealed to me the fact that the script doesn’t shy away from the reality.
It’s interesting you mention all the different roles that Ethan needs to play in Spinners – from escaping the world of crime to being pulled back in and even his path to redemption. How do you prepare for a role like this?
Because I’m a method actor, the script is very sacred. So, the script was basically my outline for my characterisation. I forgot about myself and went on to do to build everything that I know as the story that I’m telling. So, also being in Lavender Hill – in these communities – helped a lot, because we had the kids around every day that I could speak to and source from. We had real gangsters as our extras as gangsters for the show, so that also helped enhance the characterisation of Ethan.
I also ate once a day, because his main mission is to feed his brother – so that struggle to find out what happens mentally, what happens with your body, when you don’t get the proper meals per day. I also quit smoking to boost my anxiety – because I smoke because I’m anxious – now that I didn’t have my relief, it could breed in all the stressful situations that Ethan finds himself in.
The first episode of Spinners really draws the viewer in, especially with what happens to Kleintjie, which feels like it comes out of nowhere. What was your initial reaction to this twist when you read the script?
Wildly enough, it actually got me excited [laughs]. Because it reminded me of Game of Thrones – that type of feel. The fact that they’re not afraid to show what happens – the stakes are really real in this show. So that got me really excited because I’m an actor that loves a challenge. I love something that gets me so frustrated because I want to get it right. And to have stakes like that, I feel it was just a blessing for me as an actor.
There’s also a lot of depth to all the characters on the show, as they are all morally complex. It goes beyond good and bad, as everyone has motivations for what they are doing. Which character besides your own, did you find the most fascinating on Spinners?
Cantona James: I really enjoyed Dann Jaques Mouton’s character, Tony. He gave such background to this character – a journey, a whole entire backstory – and experiencing that with him, as an actor, was just beautiful to see how it came across on screen.
And then another character was Hercules, because he’s the toughest, roughest gangster, but he has the most heart-touching story. When you find out what his circumstances are, I love the fact that they had this this beautiful contrast between this evil facade that we see every day, that we can relate with and make a judgement, and then see this character’s life and just be taken aback and realise, “Wow, okay, everyone is well rounded.”
Considering the emotional nature of the show and how you are a method actor, how do you decompress after filming something so intense and heavy?
He’s one of the characters that I basically wrapped up in a bow and put away in the closet. Whereas my other characters, I usually get over them – I try and get myself back. With Ethan, I felt very strong about him, and there’s still pieces of him with me every day. But what I did do is I dyed my hair a whole different colour, because my hair also helps me a lot with my characters. Ethan’s hairstyle is something that I’ve never, ever cut my hair. So, I just needed to come back to me — on the face font. Yeah, he actually took over a lot. The fact that he’s still in the closet made me move literally 10 minutes away from where we shot Spinners. So, now I live closer to where Ethan lived. I just knew I would walk a longer path with this character. I am hopeful that I will.
You mentioned a longer path with the character and the final episode teases that Spinners could continue. Obviously, there’s no official confirmation of Season 2 yet, but if you could see Ethan’s perfect journey for Season 2, what would you like to see him explore?
Because I love chaos, I just want his life to just crumble. So many obstacles need to fall in his path, and I would like for him to break. To have a break outside of what people would expect from a character that they already set expectations on. To show that humans develop, humans change, humans go through things, [and] we are never the same. No matter what we go through, there is something that changes within you. So, I really would like if that can be explored.
Spinners starring Cantona James releases on Showmax on November 8.
