Joe Cole didn't feel the need to star in another "gang show" after 'Peaky Blinders' - but was tempted to join the cast of 'Gangs of London' after reading the "incredible" script.
Joe Cole
The 31-year-old actor - who played John Shelby in the BBC period drama - stars in Sky's new series 'Gangs of London', and he admitted the writing was the "best" he has seen "in a long time".
He told Sky News: "I remember receiving the script and initially hearing 'Gangs of London' and thinking, I don't need to do another gang show.
"[But] it's the best script I've read in a long time and it's been made by some of the most incredible filmmakers across the board.
"I'm really excited. I think it's really special."
Joe plays Sean Wallace opposite co-star Sope Dirisu (Elliott Finch) in the upcoming show.
Despite the "intimidating" on-screen violence, Sope admitted the "atmosphere on set" was much more relaxed to help the cast and crew cope with the intense scenes.
He added: "While those fight scenes - and there is definitely a horror element to one of them - whilst they are quite scary and quite intimidating to watch, the atmosphere on set while we were working was a completely different kettle of fish."
Joe was keen to point out that he doesn't particularly seek out violent roles, even if it might seem that way from his recent projects.
He said: "I just get what I'm given. I don't quite know why because it's fairly far away from my temperament."
And while he finds it "easier to relate" to characters in projects such as 'Pure' and 'Black Mirror', where he was able to tone down the violence, he knows he can't be "choosy".
He explained: "I find those characters easier to get, to understand and relate to. But in this industry you get what you're given so ... it's only when you get to a certain stage in your career [that] you can start to be a bit more choosy."