Key Highlights:
- Theo James surprised pubgoers and staff at the King’s Head in Poole, Dorset, with an impromptu rap performance of Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise.”
- The actor was visiting the venue alongside his The Gentlemen co-star Kaya Scodelario following a day of filming in the area for the Netflix series.
- Pub landlady Kim Novell praised the actors, describing the experience as shocking yet wonderful, while James’s past musical background with the band Shere Khan resurfaced.
Theo James Surprises Dorset Pubgoers with Impromptu Rap Performance
Patrons and staff at a traditional pub in Dorset were treated to an unexpected performance when television and film actor Theo James took hold of the microphone. The 41-year-old star, widely recognized for his leading role in Guy Ritchie’s television series The Gentlemen, the Divergent franchise, and high-profile brand campaigns for Range Rover and Hugo Boss, demonstrated his lesser-known vocal skills during a casual night out.
Accompanied by his co-star Kaya Scodelario, James stopped by the King’s Head in Poole to unwind after completing a day of filming on location for the third season of the hit Netflix drama. Rather than keeping a low profile, James grabbed the mic and delivered an energetic rendition of the 1995 hip-hop classic “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio, astonishing both regular patrons and venue staff before staying to socialize late into the night.
Landlady Left ‘Gobsmacked’ by the High-Profile Visitors
The impromptu showcase left venue owner Kim Novell thoroughly astonished by the presence and openness of the two screen stars. Speaking about the interaction, pub owner Kim Novell told the Sun: “I couldn’t believe it.”
She further remarked on the experience, noting, “I was absolutely gobsmacked. They were lovely.”
The spontaneous set turned a standard evening at the Poole establishment into an unforgettable experience for those in attendance, underscoring the cast’s down-to-earth rapport while working away from major studio lots.
From Shere Khan to Hollywood: Theo James’s Musical Roots
While the performance surprised local pubgoers, long-term followers of Theo James are aware that his career originally included serious musical pursuits. Before fully dedicating himself to screen acting, James served as the lead singer and guitarist for Shere Khan, an alternative rock band based in London that eventually disbanded in 2012.
James has previously addressed his unpredictable tenure on the indie music circuit. During a 2024 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, the actor candidly described how hazardous live gigs could be. “I’ve had lots of things go wrong,” James said.
Explaining some of the worst incidents, he recalled, “I’ve had my foot crushed [under] a moving piece of equipment on stage once. I was looking the wrong direction and this roller thing just crushed my entire foot. When I was playing in a band I had a bottle of urine [thrown] at me, which was nice. At that point I was like, maybe I should try something else.”
Pressed for more details by host Kelly Clarkson, James elaborated on the volatile atmosphere of that specific venue: “It was a strange, sweaty, horrible gig. I think the act before us were late and everyone was kind of inebriated and angry and someone decided that the best way to deal with that was pee in a bottle and throw it at someone’s face.”
The choice to perform Coolio’s signature hit also connects directly to James’s youth. Having described his younger self as a middle-class listener who heavily followed hip-hop, he previously revealed in an interview with The Times that he once delivered “Gangsta’s Paradise” during a school music night backed by an entire choir. Reflecting on his adolescence and his attempts to project a certain image, he previously noted: “We had a whole group of friends that called ourselves the ‘A Crew,’” he said.
Why This Matters
The relaxed local appearance of Theo James and Kaya Scodelario highlights the continuing UK production footprint of The Gentlemen. The Netflix adaptation of Guy Ritchie’s crime concept has proved to be a major property for the platform, cementing James as an in-demand leading man across international television and luxury fashion campaigns. Moments like these also bring renewed attention to James’s eclectic creative background as an ex-band frontman, demonstrating how his past performance experience continues to inform his confident public persona.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Theo James and Kaya Scodelario in Poole, Dorset?
Theo James and Kaya Scodelario visited the King’s Head pub in Poole while on location working in the area to film the third season of their popular Netflix series, The Gentlemen.
What song did Theo James sing at the King’s Head?
James took over the microphone to perform the 1990s rap anthem “Gangsta’s Paradise,” originally released by the American rapper Coolio in 1995.
What band was Theo James previously a member of?
Prior to focusing exclusively on acting, Theo James served as the lead vocalist and guitarist for the London-based indie rock outfit Shere Khan until the group disbanded in 2012.
