Ayo Solanke Talks Playing Ryan in Netflix’s BET, Fan Reactions & What’s Next

[00:00:09] Ayo, thank you for joining me today on Pop Culture Unplugged. Yeah, thanks for having me man. How's your life been the last few days now that BET has premiered on Netflix? You know what, man, it's been great. It's been great. It's been receiving a lot of love. I see that it's even charting in different places in the world. It was great. What did I see yesterday? Eight? Seven? I forgot what it was. Nine? Yeah, yeah. It was definitely the top ten, yeah.

[00:00:35] Top ten, yeah, in the US and Canada. I saw it was number one in the Philippines and all over. Many different numbers, but yeah, it's great. That's awesome. What was your first reaction when you read the role for Ryan and the world that he lives in? I mean, so when we had the auditions, it was, you know, of course, in like different name, different character names. So we didn't really know what we were auditioning for. At least I didn't. Some people did.

[00:01:03] Yeah, so I auditioned for a guy called Harry, but, you know, still along the same lines of who Ryan is, you know, the same description.

[00:01:11] And yeah, so when I read this, I was like, you know what? I've experienced this before, you know, and I tried to, I approached it in a way where, you know, I applied how I felt about situations, you know, to this character and tried to bring it as home as possible, you know? And yeah, and tried to be someone that could be, you know, resonated with.

[00:01:40] Hmm. So when you, when you booked the role, what kind of research you put it? Does your character exist in the, what is it? How do you pronounce that? Kakegurui manga? I would be the worst person to ask. Everybody says that, I still can't pronounce it. If I can try, it would be Kakegurui. Kakegurui, yeah. As best as I could do. But yeah, the manga. So my character is inspired by Ryota. Okay. The manga.

[00:02:05] So, of course, you know, like reading, reading the manga and even though it's not, it's not based on the anime, but you know, I watched all two seasons of the anime and, you know, there are those little like wiki fandoms online and, you know, just doing more like research into who Ryota was, even though my character isn't like the same as Ryota. You know, there are still some elements that I can definitely, what I did definitely pay homage to and develop.

[00:02:35] Plus you want to do good with this character because you know, there's diehard fans out there that like this. Right. Right. You want to make sure you get it right on the dot. Definitely, definitely. You know, Kakegurui is a, it's a, it's a definitely a big, a big fandom. And yeah, yes, it's very beloved by a lot of people. What's been the fan reaction so far with your character? Have you heard anything? Yeah. I've been seeing some stuff online. It's like, I'm happy people are liking it.

[00:03:04] You know, the approach that the most that I've been receiving is that it's, it's more than what Ryota was, you know, and people, people liked Ryota in the original, like in the, in the manga. And even in the anime, but they always felt like he was just, you know, among the sidelines and he didn't really add too much to the story or, or to Yumiko, you know, but it was great seeing people, you know, resonate with this character.

[00:03:33] And I've even gotten DM saying that they see themselves in, in Ryan and, you know, all sorts. And it's just, it's just great. I like how, you know, like when we first jump into the series, you know, Ryan starts off with, you know, seems pretty loyal to the system. But, you know, as we see, we can talk spoilers on this, you know, doesn't last that long. So when you read this or when you were filming this, like what, what went through your mind? Did you get excited that you're kind of playing a character like this? Yeah, man, I was so excited.

[00:04:00] I was like, it's so fun to play with, you know, because it's such a, it's such a real character, you know? And that's one, one of the things I feel like people is sticking with people because he's so grounded. He's so real, you know, amongst the school of madness happening, people, people find, you know, something to draw them, to draw them back to reality and, and, you know, to give them that, that, that life check.

[00:04:27] And, you know, I, I feel like he's really like, um, part of the show in, in, in a sense, no unintended with part house, but like, um, you know, he, he has that, um, that, that human to him, you know? Was it fun switching sides, especially like helming Yumiko at the end and switching sides? Right. Definitely. It was, um, you know, how Ryan, he definitely didn't want to get into any kind of altercation or any kind of beef drama, whatever you want to call it.

[00:04:56] But then at the end, you know, he was, that switch really flipped and he was like ride or die for Yumiko. And, um, yeah, no, it was definitely fun playing, playing both sides of that coin. Like throughout the season too, you know, he comes off what I've noticed about Ryan too. He's like, he's by the book. And then all of a sudden, you know, he's, he's cracking a little bit here, a little bit there. Right. Right. Right. And one thing that about that is that it's always in him, right? Like it's, um, but it's just yet to be brought out, you know?

[00:05:25] So it's like slowly you can see that, you know, something is, uh, it's boiling up. And then at that last episode, you know, when he's riled up after that whole, um, chase with the, with the, with the staff, you know, something switches and he's just in, in go mode. Another one of my favorite parts with Ryan was, uh, the confrontation with Michael played by Hunter, where I told you, I spoke to him before. Tell us a little bit about that. Like, cause you, you're both on the same side, but then, you know, there's tension between you two now.

[00:05:55] Right. Right. Yeah. No. Um, yeah. Michael played by the amazing Hunter Cardinal. He, he, it was, um, and I think the scene you're talking about was the, when I pinned him. Yes. Oh yeah. That one where I was like, really like, um, yeah, it was in that moment. What I, I, I feel like Ryan was looking at, of course he didn't hear a conversation that him and, uh, Yumiko was having, were having, right.

[00:06:23] Right. He came immediately. He just saw that someone is getting in the way of Yumiko. Right. So then despite who it is, despite for what reason he was like, no, he's not letting that happen because he's, he's experienced everything she's been talking about and more. So he was just fully on, he was locked in and ready to, to, to defend her to the end. You know, the show tackles a lot of themes like power, rebellion, you know, uh, control.

[00:06:50] What's, what's been like your favorite theme filming this? Is there a specific seat? Like I want to say scenes too, but like also the themes also of the series. Yeah, no, it talks about a lot. It talks about a lot. I'd say, um, you know, of course, revenge and, um, on, on Yumiko side and, and, you know, is revenge right?

[00:07:09] Should we, uh, are we supposed to, you know, um, seek revenge and, you know, and I think, um, of course, you know, with my character, it's, um, you know, he doesn't, he doesn't believe in revenge. At least initially he, he didn't. Right. So, um, he was trying to, uh, ground Yumiko in that way, you know, and, um, that's, yeah, definitely.

[00:07:34] That's a, that's a theme that speaks to me because, um, um, but you, but you see that change, you know, throughout the, throughout the season. And, um, yeah, I'm excited to, to see where that goes. What was your favorite like episode or scene that you filmed the first season, the first season? Um, oh man, there, I mean, there are a lot, but, um, I'd say one of the most fun scenes, of course, the dancing, you know, the dancing was, uh, cause I, I'm not a dancer.

[00:08:00] I, I've got like two left feet. I, so, but like going into this, I was like, they asked me, it was like, do you dance? I'm like, not really, but like, you know, I'm Nigerian culture. We know how to like, you know, do a little two step or whatever, you know? So they're like, okay, cool. You're going to do this. I'm like, oh, okay. Okay. Yeah, I'll do it. And, um, yeah. So they, I think for like, for like a month, they, you know, we had lessons to do the, the, the, what is love dance and yeah, no, that was super fun shooting that.

[00:08:29] Um, they're also, you know, shooting stuff with, uh, with me, who's always great. Um, you know, um, season episode four, when I was turning Yumiko down was, um, one of my favorite scenes to shoot with her. And yeah, it's always great. You mentioned the dancing. How are your skills with the dance dance revolution? Hunter said he was horrible at it. What's your last revolution? Let's just say, thank God I didn't play. It was not me.

[00:08:57] Right. Yeah, no, I would, um, no, I probably do worse than Yumiko. Have you ever tried it? I've tried. I can't do it. I've tried it. I have not been successful at it. There you go. Uh, Ryan and Yumiko, you know, they have, uh, that interesting energy. You guys respect each other. Like, how did you guys build that dynamic in the season?

[00:09:21] You're right. It was really, it was really easy coming into it because, um, I mean, with this, we didn't even, we didn't do a chemistry read. Right. So, um, Simon had a lot of trust in everyone, you know, coming in and, um, you could tell that everybody had, you know, such different personalities, but I feel like that's what made it great.

[00:09:44] You know, everybody was, everybody just worked so well together, you know, um, coming from different perspectives. Everyone had different ideas. We were very collaborative. And, um, with, with, with Miku, you know, coming in, she's, you know, she's experienced and she, she's a great actress. And, um, yeah, it was, it was really easy to work with her.

[00:10:05] If we get a season two, what do you, what do you want to explore more with Ryan? What do you want to see? Redemption, leadership, a backstory? What do you want to, what would you like to see? Definitely want to dive deeper into his whole, you know, healing of the father mystery and, um, what makes him tick, you know, and all the, all the subtextual stuff about Ryan and the layers, you know, just finding out who he is. Definitely.

[00:10:35] If, uh, would you be friends with Ryan? Would Ayo be friends with Ryan? Would I be friends with Ryan? Of course. You know, of course. I, that's, I don't even need to think about that. He's, um, I believe he's a, he's a sincere guy. He's, he's, he's sweet, but most of all, he's loyal. You know, who wouldn't want someone as, as loyal as Ryan? You know, it's, you need that kind of guy in your life.

[00:11:00] We talk about how the series has gambling in it too. What would you think Ryan's game would be if he could pick? Right. If he could play, that's, that's the question. Um, I'd definitely say it would be something like, um, chess. I really think Ryan's like a, he's a boring, like simple guy, you know, like he doesn't, I think he avoids like conflict so much that he wouldn't like something like blackjack.

[00:11:30] would just stress him out. You know, he, it's not for him. Like something, something simple, you know, where he could like use a lot of tactics, brain, you know, and it's, it's calm. Chess, chess is a, it's a good option. Who would you want to face? If you don't want to face any of the characters out there. Who knows? We might see something like that. If we see a season two, you never know. You know what? I got to face Mary. He got, he has to face me. He has to, he has to get his, his leg back on.

[00:11:59] Mary. Like he, he really does. He can't go out like that. Is there somebody you want to have more scenes with next season? If we see a season two? Definitely Hunter. Yeah, definitely. Um, What a nice guy, Hunter. What a nice guy. I know. Oh man, we, we, I definitely want to, you know, dive deeper into, you know, the, the guys on this show.

[00:12:20] And, um, um, I also married too, because, you know, um, I, I really loved the dynamic we had and, you know, the, the whole banter, you know, between me and Mary and, you know, so diving a bit deeper into that relationship and see more of that would always be great. That's awesome. What's next for you now? Are you taking a break? Any other projects coming up? What's, uh, what's going on with you?

[00:12:44] Man, life is an acting, man. You know, just auditions and, um, auditions, auditions, auditions. And, um, yeah, right now I, um, you know, I, I'm working on my own thing. It's, um, it's yet to be, I've already filmed this yet to be released. It's called the Island. It's, um, it's a short film. So, um, I'm definitely into, you know, filmmaking, directing and, you know, producing your own content as that's always like dear to my heart.

[00:13:11] Has, has there been any talks about season two yet for Ben? Have you heard anything or is this right now it's low key and not yet, not yet. Um, it's, I mean, it looks like it's doing really well right now, you know? And, um, like I said, it's like, it's, it's on top 10 US and Canada and all over the world. So who knows? We shall see fingers, fingers crossed. That's a knock on wood.

[00:13:35] There you go. Hey, I want to thank you for giving me a few minutes today. We got to get you back on. We got to see another season. I think we deserve another season. You said it, not me. So hopefully we'll see you soon, my friend. Oh man, I hope.