Toby Onwumere of ‘Sense8’ Talks Taking on the Role of Capheus in Season 2

Char Little

Toby Onwumere is the newest face of “Sense8” on Netflix. He has officially made his debut on the sophomore season of the popular show about eight people who have very special yet similar powers. Onwumere replaced actor Aml Ameen as Capheus this season. Entertainment Voice spoke with the actor on how he landed the role, what it was like joining the cast, and that infamous intimate scene.

You are one of the newest cast members of “Sense8.” How did that come about?

I graduated grad school in May 2015. I moved out to L.A. in September 2015, and then I was doing the acting thing for about eight months. I got the audition in late April of 2016. I was working at a restaurant and my agent hit me up a couple of hours after my audition. I was like “Oh my gosh!” They gave me a bunch of lines and I flew to Mexico met the casting director. I did my test for them and then they invited me out to dinner with the whole cast. I got to see everybody whom I was just watching on TV a few hours ago. I go to the bathroom, come back and they’re all in a circle and span out into a straight line and then [the executive producer and director] Lana [Wachowski] is like, ‘I really enjoyed your audition and the cast gets along really well with you so on behalf of the entire time welcome to “Sense8.” I lost feeling in my knees a little bit.

What was it like joining a team of actors who had already worked together for the first season?

Funny enough, they really welcomed me. They were so gracious in the welcome in their own very distinct way. Miguel was very enthusiastic! And some of us tease each other. I hit it off with them really well.

Your co-star Brian J. Smith, who plays Will, commended you for “doing the impossible” and playing a character that already existed a season before you joined the show. How was the transition? How have fans reacted? 

I’ll preface it with this — I believe that the hallmark of a really good show are really super-invested fans. I believe this show means a great deal to a great deal of people. So you know there were a lot of questions and I understand that. I didn’t take any of it personal because at the end of the day, if this is a price to pay, I will gladly accept it. Then as everything went along there were pictures of the cast, then the Christmas episode – and now that the season is out I’ve been getting an outpour of love and support and it’s been beautiful. Not that it was terrible in the beginning too, but this is amazing.

 What’s something that Capheus experiences this season that really challenged you as an actor?

Not that it was ridiculously challenging, but one of the sex scenes…the first one we shot was in Mexico City and that was the Christmas episode. That was maybe my second or third day with the scene and I’m telling you, you gotta be ready. I know in that moment everyone is telling me this stuff but this was something I had never done before. This is the second day, and I hadn’t even said any lines yet. And I’m thinking “how do you do this?” But once you get on set, it’s not about you the actor but the picture as a whole. It’s more frightening to think about it. I can do like eight now.

Is there anything unique you do on set to get into character?

I listen to a lot of Kanye West and Michael Jackson – I’m kind of making my process now. Everyone is just so cool to work with that it doesn’t feel like work.

What can fans expect from Capheus and Zakia’s relationship moving forward?

I don’t know. He’s in the political spotlight which he isn’t used to, but I’m really interested in seeing where that goes and the rigors of how everyone gets involved in the whole thing. There’s so much to think about!

What do you like most about Capheus?

This is something that I really hold on to — optimism in the face of utter adversity. It’s kind of like a joy of present despite all odds and circumstances. You get such a real feel of that energy when you’re shooting in Kenya. You’d see this impoverished area and these kids are still running around having the time of their lives. I would imagine they don’t know what new game just came out or what’s trending on Twitter. They have this childlike presence and that really struck me.

What was your most unforgettable experience while filming this season?

I’ll do one during shooting and then after. During shooting I would have to say the big political speech in episode ten. The entire day at the park will forever be in my heart. Just like how it was a big speech that turned into a riot and then violence, and it became an action movie really quickly right after this sentimental and moving speech. It was the best acting day I could even ask for. It was 360 degrees of perfection.

After filming, I flew my mom out to the premiere last week. She had never seen me on TV like that and she’s never been to New York before. She met the cast and it was surreal just watching her and watching the stuff up on the screen. It’s giving me chills just thinking about it, and looking in her eyes and the wonderment there. This is something I had experienced already during this whole process. But it was indescribable see her have the same reaction.

“Sense8” is available on Netflix May 5.