When a tainted cocaine batch kills hundreds in London, the last person you want to be is the mayor – but Simone is more than up for the job.
With a headstrong attitude and her own secrets to hide, Simone is on a mission to clean up the streets and bring down those responsible by any means necessary. Even if that means getting close to those who could be involved.
But it’s a big task for anyone, and Simone will soon find out that she may be in over her head. Is she a good guy, or a bad guy?
Speaking ahead of the series, T’Nia Miller talks about Simone’s role in the greater Gangs world, what her greater motivations are, and the hidden secrets of her killer wardrobe…
What can you tell us about Simone and how she fits into the Gangs story?
I play Simone Thearle, who is the Mayor of London, and she comes along and threatens the status quo of the gangs. So for the first time, we're seeing the other side of this world. We're seeing the political side and we're seeing a true opposition to what's going on, on the streets. She's a real threat to the gangs.
This is your first series on Gangs, what’s it been like joining the family?
It's always interesting joining a pre-existing production, where everybody knows each other, but honestly, I was made to feel so welcomed. It’s a wonderful privilege to be part of this team.
Why did you want to be a part of this project?
I guess as with any project, for me, certainly, it's always about the story and the character and what I think I can bring to the role. Simone’s such a complex, multi-faceted character, she has so many layers. She's fundamentally flawed as is every human being. She has this enormous heart and such a strong moral compass, but it’s tested and we see her constantly battling with herself, and golly that's always fun to play innit.
What can we expect from season three?
Oh my goodness viewers are in for such a treat! Season three promises to be not only all the things we know Gangs of London to be, which is beautifully shot, high drama, action scenes, but there's a bit of a twist. There are two strands - a bit of a whodunnit, this season, and I would go so far to say a little bit of a psychological thriller as well. So, audiences: be ready to be gripped to your seats. The other thing I particularly like about this season is that, as a viewer, you’re sort of one step ahead, but then at certain plot points just when you think you know what’s happening you’re going to be completely turn upside down and blown away – like, oh, man, what!? Well, it did for me anyway!
Who does Simone align herself with in the gangs?
Well, that would be telling… I'm not sure she aligns herself with anybody. I mean, she develops a relationship with Elliot, but to say that she has aligned herself with him would not necessarily be accurate. She uses Elliot. He is her puppet at this moment. They have mutual benefits for both of them, but she has Elliot in her back pocket, or so she thinks.
Would you say that's her main motivation in this series? Is that why she wants to take down the gangs?
Her motivation is to do justice, and to give a voice to the victims of the illegal trade the gangs operate and the violence that come as a consequence. Her fight is for the mothers who lose their young to gang culture, the girls and boys that are trafficked. Her fight is for the sex workers, the vulnerables involved in county lines, ultimately she’s on the side of all those that have fallen prey to organised crime. As a survivor of gang violence this fight is all too personal for her.
You were saying that you absolutely love Simone’s wardrobe this series. Can you talk a little bit about her look and what her outfits are like?
Simone’s look is completely wonderful and brilliantly thought out but really comfortable as well. She manages to mix style, and has this uniform actually. So she always has a blazer, a shirt, and pants, but it's colourful and it's evocative of her Caribbean and African roots as well as a mix of London sensibility. Her style is very much London but very multicultural. It's bringing the essence of colour and flavour, in that traditional sort of suit.
Korean action film director Kim Hong-Sun is the lead director this season. How is it working with him and what did he bring to the project?
Kim Hong-Son is mad as a box of frogs! He's brilliant. He's a genius, and you know what I love about Hong-Son and working with him? He's so beautifully candid. Especially in the UK, we're always very diplomatic and admittedly it often goes over my head. No one can accuse Hong-Son of being diplomatic, darling! But that's so refreshing. He knows exactly what he wants, but there's a negotiation and a discussion around what we both want from the scene. He's so supportive, and he's a cheerleader. When he comes to the set, it's like a force of nature. He's a wonderful, wonderful human to work with.
What's one thing audiences can look forward to this season?
You can look forward to brilliant writing, lots of action, lots of blood, twists, plot twists. And watch out for episode five. Oh, episode five is… breathtaking. Actor Narges Rashidi, who plays Lale, her performance is powerful, and elegant, certainly one of my favourites and possibly a personal highlight of this season.
If you had to be any other character in Gangs in London for a day, who would it be?
Oh, God, that's a good one. If I had to be any other character in Gangs of London for a day, um… maybe Billy Wallace.
Final question: Three words you’d use to describe series three.
Bold, brilliant, heartfelt.