Paapa Essiedu

Paapa Essiedu initiated his acting journey in 2012 with the Royal Shakespeare Company, exhibiting his prowess in productions such as "The Merry Wives of Windsor," "Hamlet," and "King Lear." This experience paved the way for his television debut in the AMC+ action series "Gangs of London," where he played Alex Dumani from 2020 to 2022. Essiedu's performance in the critically acclaimed drama "I May Destroy You" earned him nods for both the Primetime Emmy Award and the British Academy Television Award. His role as George Boleyn in the 2021 historical drama "Anne Boleyn" further expanded his repertoire.

In addition to his television work, Essiedu has made a significant impact in film. He made his feature film debut as a policeman in Kenneth Branagh's "Murder on the Orient Express" in 2017. He later appeared in a variety of genres, including the horror film "Men" (2022), the fantasy film "Genie" (2023), and the drama "The Outrun" (2024). He also lent his talents to the science fiction series "The Lazarus Project" from 2020 to 2023 and the "Black Mirror" episode "Demon 79" in 2023. In 2027, he will star as Severus Snape in the HBO "Harry Potter" series.

Essiedu's stage work is not to be overlooked. He gained acclaim for his roles in Caryl Churchill's play "A Number" in 2022, and Lucy Prebble's play "The Effect" from 2023 to 2024. His performance in "Hamlet" and "King Lear" won him the Ian Charleson Award in 2016. Essiedu, a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, is an English actor of Ghanaian descent, who has been widely recognized for his work in television, stage, and particularly in Shakespearean roles.