Why Aml Ameen Left Sense8 (The Real Reason)

Actor Aml Ameen left Sense8 before season 2, and thanks to his performance in the show’s first volume many wonder why Capheus was recast. The Wachowski sisters (The Matrix) created Sense8, which follows 8 strangers from different countries and cultures who come to realize they have a psychic connection and can share emotions, knowledge, and skills with one another. They belong to a rare breed of human beings known as “sensates,” but their shared connection soon leads to them being hunted down by shadowy forces.

Capheus, an African bus driver inspired by martial arts movies, was one of the most likable members of the core sensate group. It was announced prior to the arrival of Sense8 season 2 that Aml Ameen, who played Capheus, quit the show and would be replaced by Toby Onwumere. With Aml Ameen’s sudden departure from his Capheus Sense8 role, there were quickly rumblings of creative differences and rumors began to grow of some darker reasons for the character’s recasting. However, the real reason Aml Ameen left Sense8 before the finale wasn’t overly sinister.

Aml Ameen Left Sense8 Due To Creative Differences

Rumors Of Aml Ameen’s Transphobia Were False

According to the original report, Ameen clashed with co-creator Lana Wachowski during a table read for season 2, and their relationship worsened from there. The actor actually filmed for a couple of episodes of Sense8 season 2 but left after tensions between him and Wachowski failed to improve. While his replacement was generally well received, the show was canceled before Sense8 season 3 could be filmed. While Netflix did release a movie-length finale, some Sense8 storylines were unresolved.

While the public line behind Aml Ameen’s sudden departure was creative differences about the direction of the Capheus’ Sense8 role during season 2, some darker rumors came to the foreground over time. The Wachowski sisters are both trans women and when Aml Ameen’s recasting was announced, one of his co-stars, the trans actress Jamie Clayton, posted on social media that she was excited about the change. Other reports listed Ameen’s departure not as a decision over creative differences but him being fired.

All of this added fuel to the speculation around his exit, and some online quickly began to speculate that Aml Ameen might have been guilty of transphobic comments and attitudes during production. However, Clayton was quick to clarify that transphobia had absolutely nothing to do with Ameen leaving Sense8. She explained Wachowski and Ameen simply had creative differences in how they approached the character, and suggested the actor may have had “limitations” on the type of material he was willing to perform.

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Series producer Grant Hill also described the process as amicable to The Hollywood Reporter :

“It’s a big cast, everybody’s under a lot of pressure, and it just got to a point where you had people that liked each other but just disagreed on a way forward.”

Other reports suggested the actor might have felt uncomfortable with the amount of Sense8 nudity and sex scenes required of his character in Sense8 season 2. Ultimately, the reason Aml Ameen left Sense8 was down to creative differences — a regular occurrence in the world of entertainment.

Did The Capheus Recasting Hurt Sense8?

Aml Ameen’s Replacement Seemed To Win Over Fans

After Aml Ameen left Sense8, his replacement, Toby Onwumere had big shoes to fill given how beloved Capheus’ Sense8 role already was. Any time an actor strongly associated with a part is recast, it’s bound to cause some stir among the audience (and the creative team), especially with a TV show like Sense8 that has such a cult following.

However, in the case of Toby Onwumere replacing Aml Ameen as Capheus, things seem to have worked out well for Sense8. Some took to Reddit to express how much they missed the child-like presence that Ameen brought to the role of Capheus, describing Onwumere’s performance as far more mature. This ended up working just fine for Sense8‘s story, however, and it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for the show’s second season.

How The Sense8 Cast Moved Forward After Aml Ameen’s Departure

The Extensive Filming Allowed Aml Ameen’s Replacement To Fit In

Toby Onwumere debuted as the new Capheus in the Sense8 Christmas special released between seasons 1 and 2, with a lamp-shading comment from his friend Jela about his “new look.” This was followed by the extensive filming of season 2, which took place over 16 cities and 11 countries. The filming process allowed for the new Sense8 cast to bond, and for Onwumere to become a part of the group after Aml Ameen’s Sense8 departure.

Recasting is always awkward, but the nature of Sense8 meant it would be impossible to replace Capheus with a different character. The cast responded to the challenge by focusing on the series’ core message of inclusivity and diversity, including Sense8‘s prominent LGBTQ+ themes. Season 2’s filming took place alongside the rise of Donald Trump and other right-wing political figures, which to the show’s cast and crew made the message all the more urgent.

Onwumere told THR “The show’s message is paramount. […] The themes are topical, the message of inclusivity and liberty is really necessary right now.” This focus allowed for the series to progress smoothly after Capheus’ Sense8 recasting.

What Aml Ameen Has Done Since Leaving Sense8

Ameen Has Continued To Work In Movies And Television In Front And Behind The Camera

Despite Aml Ameen’s abrupt exit from Sense8 and some of the controversy surrounding his departure, the actor has managed to maintain a successful career since leaving the show. He went on to star in Idris Elba’s directorial debut Yardie, playing the lead role of Dennis “D” Campbell in the crime drama. He also returned to television, appearing opposite Michaela Coel in her acclaimed series I May Destroy You as Simon.

In 2021, Ameen made his directorial debut while also starring in the holiday comedy-drama Boxing Day. More recently, Ameen played Martin Luther King Jr. opposite Colman Domingo in Rustin and also starred opposite Jeff Daniels in the miniseries A Man in Full. While his time on Sense8 was shorter than expected, it seems that fans won’t have any issues finding projects that feature Ameen in the future.

Created by the Wachowski sisters, Sense8 features an ensemble cast playing eight different people from around the world, who discover that they are suddenly mentally linked with one another and begin experiencing each other’s lives and feelings. As the sensates begin to get to know each other, they must face a growing threat to all their lives by using their newfound empathic powers to their advantage.  

Release Date

June 5, 2015

Seasons

2

Story By

Lilly Wachowski

Directors

Lilly Wachowski
, Lana Wachowski

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