Kensington is where my heart is, says Legends star

Bafta-nominated Sonny Walker said he often takes inspiration from the people he met in his native Liverpool for his acting roles.

The 29-year-old has starred in a number of TV dramas including Channel 4 thriller The Gathering and Netflix series Legends.

Walker grew up in the Kensington area of Liverpool before moving on to live in different parts of the city.

"I've seen a lot of the city but Kensington is where my heart is," he said. "I've got family who still live there too. It's where home is for me."

Walker added: "Growing up in a place like Kensington, there's so many characters and so many different people.

"Sometimes for certain characters I will take inspiration from people who I remember growing up."

Walker stars alongside Steve Coogan, Tom Burke, Johnny Harris and Tom Hughes in the six-episode series, which was released earlier this year and quickly climbed up the Netflix charts.

Legends follows the story of a group of ordinary British Customs officers in the 1990s who were given a top-secret mission - infiltrate the country's most notorious criminal drug gangs and help take them down from the inside.

Walker plays the role of Paul - a member of the Liverpool drugs gang.

"It was amazing - just working with such a stellar cast," said Walker about the series created by Neil Forsyth.

"I soaked it all up like a sponge - especially being on set with the likes of Johnny Harris, who I was such a big fan of before."

Legends is the latest TV show with Liverpool at its centre.

Recently, Liverpool-born producer Jimmy Mulville criticised broadcasters for repeatedly commissioning crime and drug dramas on Merseyside.

"I think there's a level of truth to that but... [The Gathering] didn't show that side of Liverpool - it showed the good in people," said Walker.

"There's a lot of good people in the city with a lot of interesting stories and for me, The Gathering was something that captured that and showed that perfectly.

"I definitely think there should be a lot more opportunities to broadcast those kind of stories and show the variation of people who really live here.

"But I also think the crime shows that we make from the city, we do it so well, so it's kind of also a 'no-brainer' to come to the city for those kind of storylines."

Walker said it was a surreal moment to find out he had been nominated for a Bafta for best supporting actor for his role in The Gathering while on the set of Legends.

"It was a massive blessing and it came as a huge surprise, " he said.

"Everyone was congratulating me there [on the set of Legends], which is the coolest place to get that sort of news."

Later this year, Walker is set to star in the feature film Amazing Grace starring Daniel P. Lewis and Hannah Walters.

"I just keep working hard and hope for the best," he said of his future aspirations.

"Nothing is promised - that's the thing.

"For me, it's just learning and never getting complacent and lazy and being ready for the next thing."

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