British Actors of Nigerian Descent
by beaete | created - 08 Aug 2015 | updated - 24 Apr 2021 | Public
1. Chiwetel Ejiofor
Actor | 12 Years a Slave
English actor, writer and director Chiwetel Ejiofor is renowned for his portrayal of Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave (2013), for which he received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations, along with the BAFTA Award for Best Actor. He is also known for playing Okwe in Dirty Pretty Things...
2. Sophie Okonedo
Actress | Hotel Rwanda
Sophie Okonedo is a British actress. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Tatiana Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda (2004).
Okonedo was born within London in 1968. Her parents were Henry Okonedo (1939-2009) and Joan Allman. Her father was British Nigerian ...
3. David Oyelowo
Actor | Lawmen: Bass Reeves
David Oyelowo also known as 'David O', is a classically trained stage actor who has quickly become one of Hollywood's most sought-after talents. He graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), and received the "Scholarship for Excellence" from Nicholas Hytner in 1998.
David ...
4. Deborah Ayorinde
Actress | Them
Deborah Ayorinde was born in London, England. At age seven, she performed in her first play with a drama school in the Forest Gate area of London. It was there that she developed a passion for the arts. When she was eight years old, she and her family relocated to San Jose, California. She ...
5. John Boyega
Actor | Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
John Boyega is a British actor, known for playing Finn in Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015). Boyega rose to prominence in his native United Kingdom for his role of Moses in the 2011 sci-fi comedy film Attack the Block (2011), before attaining international recognition for his work ...
6. Wunmi Mosaku
Actress | His House
Wunmi Mosaku was born on July 31, 1986 in Zaria, Nigeria. She is an actress, known for His House (2020), Lovecraft Country (2020) and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016).
7. Damson Idris
Actor | Snowfall
Damson Idris is a British actor and producer. Born in 1991 in Peckham South East London to Nigerian parents, he is the youngest of six children. His parents arrived in the UK in search of a better life but he was raised by his single mother, who instilled in him ambition and hard work from a young ...
8. Nikki Amuka-Bird
Actress | Jupiter Ascending
Amuka-Bird was born in Nigeria, but grew up in the UK and in Antigua. She abandoned her dancing aspirations after suffering a back injury. After attending LAMDA, she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. Whilst on tour with the RSC in Japan, she met her husband, actor Geoffrey Streatfield. In ...
9. Richard Ayoade
Writer | Submarine
Richard Ellef Ayoade was born in Hammersmith, and grew up in Suffolk, in England, the son of a Norwegian mother, Dagny Amalie (Baassuik), and a Nigerian father, Layide Ade Laditi Ayoade. He studied Law at Cambridge university, and followed in the footsteps of British Comedy legends like Monty ...
10. Susan Wokoma
Actress | Enola Holmes 2
Susan was born in Southwark, London to Nigerian parents. Her television debut was at 14 years old as one of the eight children selected for CBBC's Serious Jungle (2002). Susan was a member of The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain. At 18, whilst studying for her A Levels, she landed her first ...
11. O-T Fagbenle
Actor | The Handmaid's Tale
O-T fagbenle is an Emmy nominated actor, director, writer and producer. From drama to comedy, writing, producing, and acting, O-T Fagbenle has become one of the most-watched talents in the entertainment industry today. He made history in 2020 by becoming the first person to create, write, direct, ...
12. Carmen Ejogo
Actress | Selma
Carmen Elizabeth Ejogo was born in Kensington, London, England, to a Nigerian father and a Scottish mother. Her television career began in the United Kingdom in the early 1990s, where she presented the children's series Saturday Disney (1990). Subsequently, she has had an acting career in the ...
13. Sope Dirisu
Actor | Slow Horses
Sope Dirisu was born on January 9, 1991 in Edgware, London, England, UK. He is an actor and producer, known for Slow Horses (2022), His House (2020) and Gangs of London (2020).
14. Ashley Madekwe
Actress | County Lines
Ashley Madekwe (born 6 December 1981) is an English actress. She is known for her roles as call girl Bambi in the ITV2 series Secret Diary of a Call Girl, social climber Ashley Davenport on the ABC drama series Revenge and the witch Tituba in the WGN America series Salem.
Madekwe was born in South ...
15. Nonso Anozie
Actor | Cinderella
Nonso Anozie was born on November 17, 1978 in London, England, UK. He is an actor and producer, known for Cinderella (2015), Conan the Barbarian (2011) and Happy-Go-Lucky (2008).
16. Nina Sosanya
Actress | Love Actually
Born in London, with a Nigerian father, Nina trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, and gained A-levels in Performing Arts. Soon she was appearing as Desdemona in "Othello", Olivia in "Twelfth Night" and Hermia in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", along with the title role in "Educating ...
17. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Actor | Farming
Born and raised in London, England, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje began his career as a model in Milan. He graduated with a masters degree in Law from London's prestigious Kings College, before moving to Los Angeles to make the transition to acting. Fluent in several languages, including English, ...
18. Cynthia Erivo
Actress | Harriet
Cynthia Erivo is an English actress, singer, and songwriter. She is the recipient of several accolades, including a Daytime Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, and a Tony Award, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actors Guild ...
19. Tosin Cole
Actor | Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
Tosin Cole was born 23 July 1992. He is a British actor known for his roles in Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015) as Lieutenant Bastian, EastEnders: E20 (2010) as Sol Levi, and Hollyoaks (1995) as Neil Cooper. Cole began his acting career in 2009 around the age of 17, in a modern day...
20. Jane Wall
Actress | Beneath the Blue
Television, film and theatre actress best known for her 4 seasons on Bafta award winning drama, "The Bill". British/Nigerian actress raised in London, United Kingdom. Jane trained at Mountview Theatre School and The School of the Science of Acting. Jane lives in Los Angeles with her husband and 2 ...
21. Arinzé Kene
Actor | The Pass
Quite possibly the most underrated and underexposed actor of his caliber in both theatre and screen, Arinze Kene's undeniable talent and ability to successfully bring to life any role he undertakes is on a par with the most praised and revered A-list actors in the business.
Kene was born in Lagos, ...
22. Tracy Ifeachor
Actress | Showtrial
Tracy Ifeachor was born and raised in the sea-side city of Plymouth in Devonshire, England. After being crowned Senior Verse Speaking Champion of the South-West at the age of 15, Tracy was keen to go to drama school to study acting but her father, a Professor of Electronic engineering, an ...
23. Chiké Okonkwo
Actor | La Brea
Chiké Okonkwo is an award-winning international star on the rise.
He stars in the NBC drama LA BREA, a high-concept disaster series that begins when a massive sinkhole opens in the middle of Los Angeles, pulling in a disparate group of people who find themselves in a mysterious primeval land and ...
24. Adelayo Adedayo
Actress | Some Girls
Adelayo Adedayo was born on December 18, 1988 in Dagenham, Essex, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Some Girls (2012), Timewasters (2017) and Origin (2018).
25. Jimmy Akingbola
Actor | Kate & Koji
Jimmy Akingbola can be seen in the coveted role of 'Geoffrey', trusted advisor to Phil and the Banks family and the link back to his humble roots in the UK in BEL-AIR, the acclaimed serialized one-hour dramatic analogue of the '90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. He has also completed filming ...
26. Natalie Simpson
Actress | Outlander
Natalie Simpson is known for Outlander (2014), Les Misérables (2018) and North Sea Connection (2022).
27. Hakeem Kae-Kazim
Actor | Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
From Blockbusters to the prime time small screen, Hakeem Kae-Kazim has made his impact in the world of entertainment and has worked alongside many industry greats. This talented actor gained international notoriety for his wonderful portrayal of George Rutugunda in the Oscar-nominated film Hotel ...
28. Hannah John-Kamen
Actress | Ant-Man and the Wasp
Hannah Dominique E. John-Kamen is a British actress. She is known for her roles as Dutch in the Syfy television series Killjoys, Ornela in the HBO series Game of Thrones, F'Nale Zandor in Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One, and Ghost in Ant-Man and the Wasp.
Hannah was born in Beverley, Yorkshire, ...
29. Tomiwa Edun
Actor | What Happened to Monday
Tomiwa Edun was born on March 4, 1984 in Lagos, Nigeria. He is an actor, known for What Happened to Monday (2017), Argylle (2024) and Cinderella (2015).
30. Bukky Bakray
Actress | Rocks
Bukky Bakray is known for Rocks (2019), The Strays (2023) and Self-Charm.
31. Charles Babalola
Actor | Black Mirror
Charles Babalola was born on December 20, 1990 in London, England, UK. He is an actor, known for Black Mirror (2011), The Outlaws (2021) and Mary Magdalene (2018).
32. Weruche Opia
Actress | I May Destroy You
Weruche Opia was born in Lagos, Nigeria. She is an actress, known for I May Destroy You (2020), Bad Education (2012) and Sliced (2019).
33. Chris Obi
Actor | American Gods
Chris Obi is known for American Gods (2017), Star Trek: Discovery (2017) and Snow White and the Huntsman (2012).
34. Caroline Chikezie
Actress | Æon Flux
Caroline Chikezie was born in London, England, UK. She is an actress and producer, known for Æon Flux (2005), Eragon (2006) and The Double Deal (2014).
35. Eke Chukwu
Actor | Inside Man
Eke was born and raised in south-east London. He was awarded a scholarship to study at London's Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts where, after 3 years Stage and Screen training, he received a Baccalaureate Degree in Performance. He graduated Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in July 2003. Work soon...
36. Chuku Modu
Actor | Captain Marvel
Chuku (born Chukuma) is an English Actor of Nigerian, German, English, Irish descent. Raised in West London he studied at Richmond Drama School in 2012 where he then went on to start his acting career.
He is best know for roles on hit shows such as ABCs 'The Good Doctor' and CWs 'The 100'. He also ...
37. Louise Rose
Actress | Dorian Gray
Louise Rose is known for Dorian Gray (2009), Luther (2010) and Diamonds (2009).
38. Razaaq Adoti
Actor | Resident Evil: Apocalypse
Razaaq Adoti (a.k.a. Raz) was born in England to Nigerian parents. He started on the stage at age 17. While still in college, he was cast as Nathan Detroit in the National Youth and Music Theatre Company's (NYMT) production of Guys and Dolls.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in acting at the ...
39. Cyril Nri
Actor | This Life
Cyril Nri was born on April 25, 1961 in Nigeria. He is an actor and director, known for This Life (1996), Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (2019) and The Witches (2020).
40. Rakie Ayola
Actress | Been So Long
Rakie Ayola was born on May 11, 1968 in Cardiff, Wales, UK. She is an actress and producer, known for Been So Long (2018), Twelfth Night (2018) and No Offence (2015). She is married to Adam Smethurst. They have two children.
41. Olisa Odele
Actor | Big Boys
Olisa Odele is known for Big Boys (2022), Chewing Gum (2015) and It's a Sin (2021).
42. Okorie Chukwu
Producer | Hood Chronicles
Okorie Chukwu is known for Hood Chronicles, Hood (2011) and Zoe and the Astronaut (2018).
43. Kayode Ewumi
Actor | #HoodDocumentary
Kayode was born on 2nd November 1993 in the Elephant and Castle district of London, the middle child in an Anglo-Nigerian family. He read drama and theatre studies amongst other subjects at the City and Islington College before going on to Coventry University - initially to take the journalism ...
44. Charles Venn
Actor | The Dark Knight
After three years of performing arts studies, Chucky Venn has plied his trade professionally in the acting business for eleven years. His big break came when he auditioned for the role of Curtis Alexander on hit football soap Dream Team (Hewlland International, Sky One). What originally started out...
45. Kehinde Fadipe
Actress | Misfits
Kehinde Fadipe is a British-Nigerian actress and writer. She is best known for playing 'Melissa/Curtis' as a series regular on Misfits (Channel Four). She has also starred in Body Farm (BBC) and as a lead in 'Of Mary' (dir. Adrian Lester).
She has worked onstage at The Almeida Theatre (Ruined by ...
46. Fisayo Akinade
Actor | The Girl with All the Gifts
Fisayo Akinade was born December 28th 1987 in Liverpool, England. He trained at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. As well as his theatre work he is also known for Heartstopper(2022), Atlanta (2022), The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019), Cucumber/Banana (2015) and The Girl ...
47. Eunice Olumide
Actress | Afrish: An Afro Scot in Brixton
Scottish actress Eunice Olumide is known for her versatility across a variety of genres including action, drama and comedy roles. From a young age she has performed regularly on the theatre circuit including producing and directing 'Metamorph', a sell out show at the Traverse theatre and several ...
48. Adi Alfa
Actress | Traces
Adi was born Adi Natasha Alfa in London to a Nigerian father and Jamaican Chinese British mother.. However she grew up in the city of Liverpool were she studied Performance studies at A level standard and was also awarded achievement of excellence. She then went on to study. Drama and English and ...
49. Osi Okerafor
Actor | The Huntsman: Winter's War
Osi Okerafor is known for The Huntsman: Winter's War (2016), Fury (2014) and Angel Has Fallen (2019).
50. Theo Ogundipe
Actor | Top Boy
Theo Ogundipe is known for Top Boy (2011), The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019) and Wait for Me (2023).
51. Yetunde Oduwole
Actress | Talking Dolls
Yetunde Oduwole is a Multi award winning professional UK based Actress. Amongst her credits include her recurring role as Glady's Adebanjo in three series of the award winning show Meet the Adebanjos on Netflix. Also in her credits are Two series as Comfort in E4's Youngers.
She can also be seen in ...
52. Yrsa Daley-Ward
Writer | Black Is King
Known for World On Fire (2019) and Black is King (2020), Yrsa Daley-Ward is a British actor and writer in film, TV and theatre. She is the daughter of a Jamaican mother and Nigerian father and was brought up by her grandparents in Northern England. She is well known for her debut collection 'bone' ...
53. Bayo Gbadamosi
Actor | War of the Worlds
Bayo Gbadamosi was born in Haringey, London, England, UK. He is an actor, known for War of the Worlds (2019), The Great (2020) and Doctor Who (2005).
54. David Ajala
Actor | Jupiter Ascending
David Ajala was born on May 21, 1986 in Hackney, London, England, UK. He is an actor and producer, known for Jupiter Ascending (2015), Furious 6 (2013) and The Dark Knight (2008).
55. Peter Bankolé
Actor | Peaky Blinders
Peter Bankolé is known for Peaky Blinders (2013), Andor (2022) and The Chelsea Detective (2022).
56. Michael Salami
Actor | Just a Couple
Michael Salami (pronounced Salami, like the sausage) is graduated from Stella Adler Studio of Acting (August, 2016) based in the big apple, NYC. He is a screen nation award winning actor. Born in America raised in London, Salami has been acting since the tender age of 11. Throughout his career he ...
57. Adebayo Bolaji
Actor | Skyfall
Adebayo Bolaji (Ade), is an English actor, born and raised in West London. He is of Nigerian (Yoruba) decent and comes from a large family.
Ade trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama, completing a Master's degree. Prior to training at Central, Ade also studied Law at London Guildhall ...
58. Tupele Dorgu
Actress | Coronation Street
Tupele Dorgu was born on December 13, 1977 in Preston, Lancashire, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Coronation Street (1960), Billionaire Boy (2016) and The Case (2011). She has been married to Mark Flanagan since May 23, 2009. They have one child.
59. Paul Adeyefa
Actor | A Midsummer Night's Dream
Paul Adeyefa is known for A Midsummer Night's Dream (2019), Bancroft (2017) and Good Omens (2019).
60. Abraham Popoola
Actor | The Great
Abraham Popoola was born on June 9, 1991 in Hackney, London, England, UK. He is an actor and director, known for The Great (2020), Andor (2022) and Cruella (2021).
61. Juwon Adedokun
Actor | We Love Moses
Juwon Adedokun is known for We Love Moses (2016) and Damilola, Our Loved Boy (2016).
62. Gloria Onitiri
Actress | The Grinning Man
Gloria Modupe Omotola Onitiri is a British-Nigerian actress born in London and raised in Bedfordshire. In the years 2000-2003, she became a fixed member of the National Youth Music Theatre, participating as a lead role in two major productions worldwide, whilst studying at the formerly known Dame ...
63. Samuel Adewunmi
Actor | The Last Tree
Samuel Adewunmi is known for The Last Tree (2019), You Don't Know Me (2021) and Secret Invasion (2023).
64. Michael Obiora
Actor | Luther
Michael Obiora (pronounced OH-BEE-ORA) is an actor, writer, producer, and director. Having started out as a child in Grange Hill, he made the rare transition into adult star with leading stage and television roles in shows including My Family, Sea of Souls, Misfits, and Afterlife. He is most ...
65. Bola Okun
Actor | The Way We Fall
Bola Okun is known for The Way We Fall (2016), Casualty (1986) and This Is the One (2017).
66. Tunji Kasim
Actor | The Good Liar
From bringing characters to life on stage and appearing in hit television series, award-nominated actor Tunji Kasim has quickly made a name for himself in the entertainment industry as "one to watch," and he isn't slowing down anytime soon. This year, Tunji reprises his starring role as Ned 'Nick' ...
67. Lolly Adefope
Actress | Ghosts
Lolly Adefope was born on September 14, 1990 in Sutton, London, England, UK. She is an actress and writer, known for Ghosts (2019), This Time with Alan Partridge (2019) and Shrill (2019).
68. Ariyon Bakare
Actor | Life
Ariyon Bakare is a British actor, writer and director who has been working across film, television and theatre since graduating from Drama Centre London.
Ariyon Bakare grew up in the East End of London and brought up by his Nigerian father. He moved to NYC at a very young age to study dance but ...
69. Tyler Fayose
Actor | Phoenix Rise
Tyler Fayose is a British Actor in film, theatre and television. Tyler is known for being in shows such as BBC Studios' show 'Phoenix Rise' (2023), Universal TV's drama 'Departure' (2019), ITVX's Riches (2022), Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015), Skybound (2017), The Method Of Love (2014 )and ...
70. Joan Iyiola
Actress | Dolapo Is Fine
Joan Iyiola is known for Dolapo Is Fine (2020), DoN't cOMe HeRE and Denial (2016).
71. Zackary Momoh
Actor | Seven Seconds
Zackary Momoh is known for Seven Seconds (2018), Harriet (2019) and Doctor Sleep (2019).
72. Tobi Bakare
Actor | Kingsman: The Secret Service
Tobi Bakare was born in 1989 in London, England, UK. He is an actor, known for Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014), Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) and The Tunnel (2013). He is married to Priscabakare. They have three children.
73. Fola Evans-Akingbola
Actress | The Night Agent
Fola is a British actress. She trained at the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain (NYT) and Identity Drama School in London. Most recently she starred in Netflix's No.1 show The Night Agent. Following her role in BAFTA winner John Morton's show, Ten Percent (Amazon), Fola was named as one of ...
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