Malachi Kirby on Roots & Finding His Calling | Mo Gilligan Beginning, Middle & End #podcast

From falling asleep during his own BAFTA win to redefining what it means to “prepare” as an actor, Malachi Kirby opens up in one of his most honest and revealing conversations to date. In this episode, Malachi reflects on his journey from an introverted teenager in Battersea to leading some of the most culturally significant projects of our time — including Roots, Small Axe, Black Mirror, and A Thousand Blows. What unfolds is not a highlight reel, but a deeply human story about fear, faith, movement, and finding purpose before recognition. This conversation goes far beyond acting. Malachi speaks candidly about belonging, identity, mentorship, and legacy — from the importance of seeing people who “get you” in the room, to why some roles feel divinely assigned rather than earned. It’s a masterclass in patience, presence, and staying grounded in an industry obsessed with momentum. Whether you’re an artist, a creative, or simply navigating your own path, this episode is a powerful reminder that growth doesn’t always look loud — sometimes it looks like quiet certainty. 00:00 Intro 01:12 Falling asleep during his BAFTA win 03:45 Growing up introverted in Battersea 06:30 How Malachi discovered acting 10:18 Overcoming fear of being seen 14:40 Identity School & future stars 18:55 First TV roles & finding community on set 24:10 Theatre vs screen acting 30:42 The Roots audition he didn’t prepare for 36:20 “This role was meant for me” 41:55 Redefining preparation as an actor 48:10 Black Mirror & sci-fi storytelling 52:40 Method acting & staying in character 58:30 Working on Small Axe with Steve McQueen 1:04:15 Winning a BAFTA during lockdown 1:10:30 Pressure after success 1:15:45 A Thousand Blows & playing real history 1:21:30 Season two & darker territory 1:26:40 Legacy, movement & building for the future 1:32:10 Final reflections Welcome to my YouTube Channel! Subscribe for brand new stand up, behind the scenes action, sensational podcast content and exclusives from the MOMO G Network. Comment, like, share and tell us what you think. Follow Mo on Twitter/Instagram: https://twitter.com/mothecomedian | https://www.instagram.com/mothecomedian/ Like the page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mogilligan/ Join the Mo Gilligan mailing list on www.mogilligan.com for updates on shows and events.