Fightland: Is [Spoiler] Aiden's Dad? Deborah Ayorinde Casts Some Doubt About Joy's Episode 4 Revelation

This post contains spoilers for "Fightland" Season 1, Episode 4. Proceed accordingly.

The worst-kept secret in London comes to light at the end of this week's "Fightland"... or does it?

A quick recap, in case you need a catch-up: A desperate Joy (played by Deborah Ayorinde, "Them") had a change of heart and begged Duke (Howard Charles) to run away with her and Aiden (Hero Del Valle Marfo). But Duke declined, because — unbeknownst to Joy — he was too deep into his Kingsley-revenge plan. So she angrily declared that they were done forever. 

But later, when Sergei broke into Cece's house and kidnapped Aiden, who'd been hanging out there, a horrified Joy immediately called Duke (who was going through some drama of his own, courtesy of the Russians' attack on the gym). "They've taken Aiden!" she cried. "Duke, they've taken our son!"

Earlier this summer, Ayorinde and I sat down in the private home outside of London that doubles as the Marshall estate. And when I brought up Joy's big Episode 5 revelation about her son, the actress offered a sly look. "But do we know that it's Duke's baby?" she asked, smiling enigmatically. "Do we know?" OK then! 

Read on for more of Ayorinde's thoughts on Joy, Duke, and the drama that awaits them in the rest of the Starz drama's season.

TVLINE | We've heard a lot about how Joy and Duke got together when they were very young. Did you and Howard talk about what their backstory looks like? 
DEBORAH AYORINDE | We spoke about it with [showrunners Damione Macedon and Raphael Jackson Jr.], just really understanding what was the genesis of their love story? How did they get here? A lot came out of those conversations. A lot, for me, came out of realizing that Joy is lonely. Joy is trying to find that thing through other people. But actually, she's on a journey of realizing that that it's within herself. That is where it really clicked for me, realizing like, "She's thinking that it's in Duke. She's thinking that it's in Kingsley. She's thinking it's in Aiden." ... But actually, the thing is within her. I think a lot of people can relate to that journey. 

TVLINE | Joy asks Duke to run away with her in this episode. How much is she thinking about what it would take to make that life actually work? Her finances are tied up with her husband, her job is tied to her husband...
I mean, everything she does is being surveilled by Kingsley. Nothing goes over his head. But you kind of see her secretly like building planting seeds and building and building and building. Because she's not only trying to create a life for herself. She's also trying to create a life for Aiden, as well, and be an example for him. When I try to think about what would be her worst nightmare, I think her worst nightmare is him growing up and looking at her and being like, "I'm not proud of you. I'm not proud that you're my mom," you know what I mean? She wants to build this life for him where he has a choice that she didn't really have.

TVLINE | Cece and Joy are not the best of friends. Tell me how you think Cebella underestimates Joy.
Oh, my gosh. I'm glad you mentioned that. One thing about her: She's underestimated by everyone. Joy is the one character who, whether directly or indirectly, touches everyone, is connected to everyone. And I think she's also underestimated highly.

Cebella is very much like her dad, and tries to keep her under her thumb as well, tries to control her. Whenever Joy steps out of that, it's like, "I've already spent this much time being controlled by your dad. I'm not going to be controlled by you as well." It does take everyone for surprise, you know, it does kind of shock everyone.

TVLINE | What do you think is the most attractive thing about Duke for Joy, and what's the biggest red flag? 
I mean, they got together when they were very young. They've known each other forever. For Joy, Duke feels like home. But the biggest red flag is, to be with him would be to fit herself into a former version of herself that she will realize she's fully outgrown. I would say that's the biggest red flag, because she hasn't grown with him. They haven't grown together. They're like two ships passing in the night. 

Honestly, that's the biggest red flag. Because I think, if it was right, there would be this flow. There would be this synergy. But they're trying to force this thing and rekindle this thing, because for her, she feels it's the answer. You know, "If I just come back to home, if I just come back to the time we were young and it felt light." But actually, she's not that girl anymore.