As Apple TV’s hit sci-fi thriller Dark Matter returns for Season 2, fans are diving deeper into the mind-bending mechanics of the reality-bending Box. At the center of much of this season’s intrigue is Leighton Vance, the wealthy CEO of Velocity Labs, played by actor Dayo Okeniyi.
Following a grueling journey in Season 1 that left him injured, Leighton has returned with an expanded reach, interacting with and manipulating different timeline variations of himself. In a recent interview, Okeniyi opened up about what drives his character. As well as the intense physical challenge of playing multiple versions of the same person and how his own real-life heritage was woven into the fabric of the show.
Ambition, Legacy, and the Quest for a Perfect World
While Leighton’s ultimate goal involves tapping into infinite realities to pull technology that can solve the world’s problems, his motivations are far from straightforward. Okeniyi points out that beyond a desire for a return on his heavy investment in the Box, Leighton is burdened by the heavy weight of family legacy. Having inherited Velocity Labs from a grandfather who built the enterprise from nothing, Leighton is desperate to prove himself and step out of that massive shadow.
However, the pressure to succeed often bends morality. “When people have good intentions and incredible pressure like that, all it takes is a couple of different things that you have to do- questionable things- and all of a sudden your morality gets a little bit flexible,” Okeniyi explained. As Season 2 progresses, viewers will see Leighton begin to confront whether his altruistic vision of a “perfect world” is entirely for the greater good, or if it is fueled by unresolved past traumas he is desperately trying to heal.
Crafting the Many Leightons and Weaving Personal Heritage Into Sci-Fi
Portraying various timeline versions of a single character required immense effort behind the scenes. Okeniyi described the process as an exhausting yet rewarding “gym workout” that demanded double the lines and physical acting preparation. A crucial part of bringing these alternate Leightons to life was working alongside his acting double, Yao, whom Okeniyi credited as an essential scene partner. “You might not see his face, but you will feel him on the show,” Okeniyi said.
Showrunner Blake Crouch and writer Jacquelyn “Jackie” Ben-Zekry created a deeply collaborative environment, allowing Okeniyi to inject elements of his own personal life and identity into Leighton Vance. Fans will notice a distinct personal touch in Season 2: Leighton is now half-Nigerian. Okeniyi even managed to subtly sneak details from his real life into the script, noting that Leighton’s parents on the show share the names of his own parents, Ezekiel and Elizabeth. Furthermore, elements of the Yoruba language, such as the name Oluko, were integrated into the narrative.
“That’s exciting, man, to be able to pull from my own life to the show,” Okeniyi shared. Backed by an incredible wardrobe and hair department, building the multiverse versions of Leighton truly took a village.
