If you tuned into “Game of Thrones” Sunday, then you met a new character, and one who isn’t in the books. Malko, played by “Lost” actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, is a slave trader who kidnaps Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen) and Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage). Last we saw the group, they were headed for Slaver’s Bay and the newly reopened fighting pits of Meereen.
Akinnuoye-Agbaje is having quite the year. “Game of Thrones” isn’t the only show you can catch him in on Sunday nights; he also stars in NBC’s “American Odyssey.” And he voices the title character in the animated FXX show “Major Lazer.” He has major roles in the upcoming film “Trumbo,” opposite Bryan Cranston, and “Concussion,” a football drama starring Will Smith, both getting released in 2015. And after that — though he has to remain tight-lipped on this one — he’ll be in the DC Comics adaptation “Suicide Squad,” playing the heavily made-up Killer Croc.
We caught up with him on Monday to discuss his big “Game of Thrones” debut, not to mention the things people will do to in order to get plot twists out of him.
I couldn’t help but notice — it looks like you’re trying to take over Sunday night television.
I’m trying to take over full stop.
Malko probably had the best line of the night. [“The dwarf lives until we find a c— merchant.”] What can you tell us about where he’s headed on the show?
He’s headed to make a hefty profit. That’s one thing I can tell you. He’s hit the jackpot for two reasons, obviously the dwarf c— and the so-called aging warrior. In both senses, he’s about to get paid. So it’s a very good day for Malko.
And can we expect more great one-liners?
He’s a very interesting and hilarious character because, first of all, he’s a black slaver. And then he fancies himself a bit of a Shakespearean philosopher, which runs totally contrary to cutting off dwarf’s c—s. As you’ll see, you can expect him to come up with these delicious one-liners and little Shakespearean monologues that make absolutely no sense. But he has this sense of grandeur in the most odd circumstances. He sees himself as a cultured pirate slaver.
So the audience will latch on to his comedy, but will we see any of his humanity?
Let’s face it, he could have killed Tyrion right there and then and taken the c—. I think the fact that he let him live and he has to feed him and all that, I think that shows a certain amount of humanity. Also, here’s the thing: He doesn’t think he’s funny. He’s one of those people you tend to laugh at, not necessarily with, unless you’re afraid of him.
Anything else you can share about the character?
It’s nice for me to get my English accent out because, in all the characters I play, you’d never know I’m British. So it was a bit of a head turner, even for me to see I was speaking like that in that scene. I was thinking: Oh, I was expecting a different accent from myself.
I read that you didn’t audition for the role, you were just approached. Is that right?
That is how it happened. I was very fortunate.
And how did people react? There are some big fans out there.
It was huge. The first reaction was from my agents, who are avid fans. They were blown away. I couldn’t have said no because of their interest in this.
But it was very hard to stay tight-lipped, and I think I’ve lost a few relationships because of that. I have been bribed with all sorts of things. It’s very difficult because people are so serious about wanting to know. It quite funny to me how passionate people are about this world and what’s going to happen next. It’s a life and death matter for people.
Did you happen to watch on Sunday?
I saw [my scene] that aired last night [on another occasion], but I have not managed to watch the show yet, because I’m shooting nights.
You’ve been on some very popular shows. Is there one role that people tend to recognize you for?
I’ve been fortunate enough to be on some great shows and play some really dynamic characters, one of which is Adebisi [HBO’s “Oz”]. A certain demographic always recognizes me as Adebisi. And then, no matter where I go in the world, people who can’t even speak English can say “Mr. Eko” [from “Lost”], and they can quote lines that I’ve said as well, which is really endearing. In a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, they already know you.
You’ve been pretty busy in the last year. What does that mean for your autobiographical movie “Farming”? [Akinnuoye-Agbaje has been working on a film about his difficult upbringing as a foster child.]
It’s always tricky with all the juggling of a working career. “Trumbo” is coming out and “Concussion.” Both are great projects. But my passion, my heart is always going to be focused on realizing and shooting my own film. So yes, we are teetering toward getting to production. We have to take a little hold just because of my career at the moment. But toward the end of this year, I’ll really be getting back into putting the final elements together — the cast, the financing. It’s never left my mind. It’s wonderful to have all of this success at the moment, but I think the one thing that will really make me happy is to get the baby born, as it were, and make that film.
If you can find the time.
In the last year, I don’t think I’ve spent a day in my houses in London or L.A., because I was working flat out. So it’s great to see it all come together.
