Interview: Noel Clarke
5th September 2016
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As an actor in the likes of Doctor Who and Star Trek: Into Darkness Noel Clarke is an instantly recognisable face, but it is his work with his ‘Hood franchise - Kidulthood (2006) & Adulthood (2008). that sets him up as one of the UK’s most prolific creatives.
Now, the award-winning film maker has returned to as director and star of the final instalment in the franchise, Brotherhood. He reprises his role as Sam Peel, the reformed bad boy who is trying to abandon his troubled past and turn over a new leaf with his new family.
Once again unveiling marginalised experiences of inner city culture - good, bad and in between – it’s been widely regarded as the first British movie trilogy.
“As far as I’m aware, it is”says the BAFTA award-winner before continuing,“Someone mentioned to me that there might have been a UK trilogy film series made in the 1940s but they didn’t say the name”.
For a franchise which has had such a widespread impact, Clarke admits that, “I didn’t know anyone would make Kidulthood but it happened then just grew from there. I didn’t intend for it to be one part [never mind three]”.
What set the ‘Hood movies apart, was not just the gritty representation of British urban life, but also its focus on young British talent both in acting and music. It was arguably the first mainstream media to shine a light on the grime movement offering a platform for the likes of Lethal B, Shystie, Chipmunk and Sway.

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