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Ashley Walters (actor)

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This article is about the English-Jamaican actor and rapper. For the rapper who partnered Daddy Freddy, see Asher D (rapper).

Ashley Walters
Walters filming Truckers in 2013
Walters filming Truckers in 2013
Background information
Birth nameAshley Anthony Walters[1]
Also known asAsher D
Born (1982-06-30) 30 June 1982 (age 42)
Peckham, London, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Actor
  • rapper
  • songwriter
Years active1992–present
Labels
  • Crescent Moon Media
  • AD82
Children8

Ashley Anthony Walters (born 30 June 1982), also known by his stage name Asher D, is a British actor and rapper. He first rose to fame as a member of the UK garage group So Solid Crew who hit the top spot on the U.K. charts with their second single "21 Seconds". Walters is best known for portraying drug dealer Dushane in hit British crime drama Top Boy.

Walters has also had an active acting career. After gaining recognition in the early 2000s for his roles in Storm Damage (2000) Bullet Boy (2004), Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005) and Life and Lyrics (2006), Walters achieved nationwide fame in the 2010s for his lead role as Dushane Hill in the British crime series Top Boy, and as Ronnie Pike Jr. in the Sky One police procedural series Bulletproof, which he co-created with Noel Clarke and Nick Love. He has also appeared in British TV shows such as Grange Hill, The Bill, Holby City, Doctor Who, Silent Witness and the 2015 BBC police programme Cuffs.

Early life

[edit]

Walters was born in Peckham, south-east London,[2] to Jamaican parents. He was raised by his mother, Pamela Case, a local government officer.[3] He attended St. George's CE Primary School, Camberwell, from the age of four. He then went on to Pimlico School, now known as Pimlico Academy. He completed his GCSEs, receiving good grades in all 10 subjects.[4]

In July 2001, following an argument with a traffic warden, Walters was found to be carrying a loaded Brocock air pistol modified to fire live ammunition. He was arrested and, in 2002, jailed for 18 months, in a young offenders' institute. Having spent the previous nine months in custody, he subsequently served an additional nine months to complete his sentence.[5][6]

Music career

[edit]

Walters joined the group So Solid Crew.[citation needed]

After the group split, in 2006 he recorded In Memory of the Street Fighter, featuring the single "Andrea". He released a studio album in 2008 entitled The Appetiser, a 12-track album produced with Laurence Ezra. In early 2012, Walters signed a recording contract with the independent record label SK Records. His single "How You Like Me Now" was released on 29 July 2012, followed up by "Your Love" released on 12 November 2012, featuring vocals from Alesha Dixon.[7]

Acting career

[edit]

Walters is also an actor, appearing under his full name, Ashley Walters. He appeared on television as Omar in The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles and as Andy in Grange Hill, both at the age of 14.[8] He appeared in Saul Dibb's 2004 feature film Bullet Boy, where he played Ricky, who had just been released from prison and back into living a normal life, a role for which Walters was named Best Newcomer at the British Independent Film Awards. He also appeared in 2005's Get Rich or Die Tryin'.

In 2006, he played the role of Wolf in the film Stormbreaker, and Danny in Life and Lyrics, for which he has received many plaudits. In 2007, he starred in WΔZ, alongside Selma Blair and Melissa George, and in Sugarhouse. He played Lacey in the BBC Three drama pilot West 10 LDN. He played the character Billy Bond in five episodes of the fourth series of BBC TV drama Hustle. He also appeared in the MTV series Top Buzzer and played the role of Al B in the 2006 production House of 9, alongside Dennis Hopper.

Walters performed on stage in 2002 at the Royal National Theatre in Roy Williams' Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads[9] and in 2008 at the Royal Court Theatre in Levi David Addai's Oxford Street.[10] Another feature film, Tuesday (2008), sees him playing a jewel thief. He appeared in Bola Agbaje's play Off the Endz at the Royal Court Theatre during February and March 2010.

He made appearances in ITV's police drama The Bill and firefighting drama London's Burning. His Grange Hill history and autobiography was referenced by the comedian Stewart Lee on 16 March 2009, on the BBC Two show Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle in the episode themed on "Toilet Books". Walters also appeared on BBC TV in 2009's adaptation of Andrea Levy's Small Island and as Jack Holt in the short-lived drama Outcasts in February and March 2011.

For the BBC Learning project "Off By Heart Shakespeare", Walters delivered one of Shakespeare's best known speeches — "But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?" from Romeo and Juliet.[11] In October 2011, Walters starred in the Arjun Rose slasher Demons Never Die. From 31 October 2011, he played Dushane in Channel 4's four-part drama Top Boy. In February 2012, he played Chris in the BBC drama Inside Men. In 2013, Walters reprised his role as main character Dushane in the second series of Top Boy.

He managed to get in trouble with the producers on the first day of filming Doctor Who episode "Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS" when he tweeted a picture of himself in his costume in his trailer with the word "space". The picture was immediately removed.[12]

In 2017, Walters received the British Urban Film Festival honorary award from Lisa Maffia & Sheila Nortley at the BT Tower in London for 25 years outstanding contribution to film and television. Walters reprised his role in 2019 as Dushane in Top Boy again following its revival on streaming service Netflix, appearing in the third series that year, the fourth series of the drama in 2022 and the fifth in 2023.

Personal life

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Walters has four children with his ex-partner.[13] He lives with his wife and their two children in Herne Bay, Kent.[14]

On 31 March 2014, he was fined £600 after he admitted assaulting a security guard in Aberdeen in September 2013.[15] In July 2014, he was fined £1250 for possession of cannabis at Holyhead, Anglesey.[16] In May 2016, Walters was fined £1000 after admitting using threatening words and behaviour towards staff at the Hilton Hotel, Islington.[17] Walters has said his father's absence while he was growing up contributed to his criminal behaviour.[18]

Walters is an avid supporter of Arsenal F.C.[19]

Political views

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In December 2019, along with 42 other leading cultural figures, Walters signed a letter endorsing the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership in the 2019 general election. The letter stated that "Labour's election manifesto under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership offers a transformative plan that prioritises the needs of people and the planet over private profit and the vested interests of a few."[20][21]

Filmography

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Key
† Denotes works that have not yet been released

Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1999 Take 2 Bro Short film
2000 The Elevator Young man
Some Voices Kitchen hand
Born Romantic Lee
2004 Bullet Boy Ricky
2005 House of 9 Al B Credited as Asher D
Goal! Carl Francis
Get Rich or Die Tryin' Antoine
2006 Stormbreaker Wolf
Cubs Karl Short film
Life and Lyrics Danny Lewis
2007 WΔZ Daniel Leone
Sugarhouse D
2008 Speed Racer Prince Kabala
Tuesday Billy
2011 Fedz Cherokee Blame Short film
Reparations for the Soul The Entity
Anuvahood Cracks
Sket Trey
Demons Never Die Bates
2012 St. George's Day Kootz
2013 Grace and Danger Felling
All Stars Mark
2014 Montana Ryan
2016 Billionaire Ransom Danny Dorsey
2016 Demain tout commence Lowell

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1992 The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones Omar Episode: "My First Adventure"
1997 Grange Hill Andy Phillips 12 episodes
1999 The Murder of Stephen Lawrence Stuart Lawrence
2000 The Coral Island Jack
Storm Damage Stefan
Urban Gothic Leo Episode: "Dead Meat"
The Bill Michael Dexter Episode: "Search Me"
Never Never Lee 2 episodes
2001 Shockers: Parent's Night Brian
The Whistle-Blower Keith Lindo 2 episodes
The Bill Jess Thomas Episode: "Lick of Paint"
Dark Realm Student Episode: "Castle Keep"
2002 The Hidden City Sid 21 episodes
2003 Holby City Roy Woodley Episode: "One of Our Own"
2004 Top Buzzer Bugsy Episode: "Germination"
2005 Last Rights Max 3 episodes
2007 Hustle Billy Bond 6 episodes
2008 West 10 LDN Lacey
2009 Small Island Michael
2010 Five Days Jamal Matthews 5 episodes
2011 Bedlam Mark Episode: "Committed"
Outcasts Jack Holt 8 episodes
2011–2023 Top Boy Dushane Main Role, also executive producer (Season 4-)
2012 Inside Men Chris 4 episodes
True Love Paul Episode: "Story Four"
Sinbad Abdul-Fahim Episode: "House of Games"
2013 Doctor Who Gregor Van Baalen Episode: "Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS"
2013 Truckers Steven Warley 5 episodes
2014 The Musketeers Charon Episode: "The Homecoming"
2014 The Secrets Ray Episode: "The Return"
2014 Silent Witness DI Dale Carter Episodes: "Fraternity" Parts 1 & 2
2015 Cuffs PC Ryan Draper 8 episodes
2016 The Aliens Christophe 6 episodes
2017 Safe House John Channing 4 episodes
2017 In The Dark DI Tim Cornish Episodes: "Time of Death" Parts 1 & 2
2018–2021 Bulletproof NCA Officer Ronnie Pike Main Role – 6 episodes
Also Co-Creator
TBA † Adolescence Luke Bascombe Post-production

Web

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Year Title Role Notes
2018 Shiro's Story Ty Part 3 (Short YouTube Series); Cameo

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

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Date Title Chart positions Credit
UK
2002 Why Me?
  • Unreleased debut studio album
–
 Asher D
14 June 2004 Street Sibling
  • Second studio album
–
 Asher D
9 October 2006 In Memory of the Street Fighter
  • Third studio album
–
 Asher D
26 February 2009 Ashley Walters
  • Fourth studio album
–
 Ashley Walters

Mixtapes

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Date Title Chart positions Credit
UK
June 2006 Cure 4 Cancer
  • First mixtape
–
 Asher D
4 February 2007 The Appetiser
  • Second mixtape
–
 Asher D
15 December 2011 Forgotten Treasures Vol. 1
  • Third mixtape
–
 Ashley Walters
31 December 2011 Forgotten Treasures Vol. 2
  • Forth mixtape
–
 Ashley Walters
31 December 2011 Forgotten Treasures Vol. 3
  • Fifth mixtape
–
 Ashley Walters
2 January 2012 Forgotten Treasures Vol. 4
  • Sixth mixtape
–
–
 Ashley Walters
16 February 2012 Forgotten Treasures: The Complete Legacy
  • Compilation mixtape
–
 Ashley Walters

Singles

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Date Title Chart positions Album Credit
UK
27 May 2002 "Back in the Day"/"Why Me?" #43 Why Me? Asher D
14 February 2006 "This is Real" – In Memory of the Street Fighter Asher D
1 August 2006 "Andrea" – Asher D
9 July 2007 "Still Here" – Asher D
5 November 2007 "Inside Out" – Non-album single Asher D featuring Ghetto
28 July 2008 "Lies" – Baby J featuring Ashley Walters
28 October 2008 "M.O. (Pt. 2)" – Ashley Walters Ashley Walters
12 January 2009 "With You" – Ashley Walters featuring Mutya Buena
18 May 2009 "Own Two Feet" – Ashley Walters featuring Chipmunk
29 July 2012 "How You Like Me Now" – TBC Ashley Walters featuring Lisa Moorish
11 November 2012 "Your Love" – Ashley Walters featuring Alesha Dixon

References

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  1. ^ "INSIDE OUT". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Ashley Walters interview: Peckham, 'Top Boy' and Black British representation". Time Out London. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Who is Asher D?". Newsround. BBC. 25 March 2002. Archived from the original on 24 November 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2007.
  4. ^ "So Solid middle-class upbringing". 25 March 2002. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Asher D gets jailed for gun crime". Newsround. BBC. 25 March 2002. Archived from the original on 2 September 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2007.
  6. ^ Sean O'Neill (26 March 2002). "So Solid Crew rapper sentenced to 18 months for having loaded gun". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  7. ^ "Ashley Walters interview by Pete Lewis". Bluesandsoul.com. December 2012. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  8. ^ Eames, Tom (5 March 2016). "15 actors you forgot were in Young Indiana Jones". Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  9. ^ [1] Archived 18 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "The Royal Court Presents Oxford Street". Royalcourttheatre.com. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  11. ^ "Schools – Teachers – Off By Heart Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet "But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?"". BBC. 21 March 2011. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  12. ^ Lazarus, Susanna (22 October 2011). "Ashley Walters on his Doctor Who role: you'll see more of the Tardis than ever before". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  13. ^ "Ashley Walters on the perils of being Top Boy". Radio Times. 31 October 2011. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  14. ^ "Who is Danielle Walters? The wife of Top Boy star who lives in Herne Bay". Kent Live. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  15. ^ "Former So Solid Crew member Ashley Walters fined for Aberdeen assault". BBC News. 31 March 2014. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  16. ^ Davenport, Justin (11 July 2014). "So Solid Crew rapper Asher D caught with cannabis at Welsh airport". Evening Standard. London. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  17. ^ Kirk, Tristan (9 May 2016). "So Solid Crew rapper Ashley Walters fined for abusive tirade at hotel staff". Evening Standard. London. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  18. ^ "Ashley Walters opens up about growing up with an absent father". Evening Express. Press Association. 10 March 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  19. ^ "Arsenal Unveil New Emirates Stadium Artwork". Getty Images. 11 January 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2024. Arsenal fan and actor Ashley Walters at the unveiling of the new Emirates stadium artwork at Candid Arts Gallery on January 11, 2023 in Islington, England.
  20. ^ "Vote for hope and a decent future". The Guardian. 3 December 2019. Archived from the original on 3 December 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  21. ^ Proctor, Kate (3 December 2019). "Coogan and Klein lead cultural figures backing Corbyn and Labour". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 December 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
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