Paapa Kwaakye Essiedu (/ˈpɑːpə ˌɛsiˈeɪduː/[3][4]) (born 1990) is a British actor.[5] He started his career in 2012 when he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company acting in numerous production including The Merry Wives of Windsor (2012), King Lear (2014), Hamlet (2016), and Romeo and Juliet (2016).
Paapa Essiedu | |
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![]() Essiedu at the 2016 Hay Festival | |
Born | Paapa Kwaakye Essiedu 11 June 1990[1][2] London, England |
Education | Guildhall School of Music and Drama (BA) |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 2012–present |
His breakthrough came with his role in the HBO the miniseries I May Destroy You (2020) earning nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award and British Academy Television Award. He portrayed George Boleyn in the Channel 5 miniseries Anne Boleyn (2021). He had starring roles in the AMC+ action series Gangs of London (2020–2022), the science fiction series The Lazarus Project (2020–2023), and Black Mirror: Demon 79 (2023).
Essiedu made his feature film acting debut as a policeman in Kenneth Branagh's mystery film Murder on the Orient Express (2017). He took roles in the folk horror film Men (2022), the Christmas fantasy Genie (2023), and the drama The Outrun (2024). He gained acclaim for his recent stage roles in Caryl Churchill's play A Number (2022), and Lucy Prebble's play The Effect (2023–2024).
Early life and education
editBorn at Guy's Hospital in Southwark, London, to Ghanaian parents, Essiedu was brought up in Walthamstow, East London, by his mother, a fashion and design teacher. His father Tony had returned to Ghana, where Essiedu has a half-brother and sister, and died when Essiedu was 14 years old.[6]
Essiedu attended Forest School on a scholarship. Active in sports teams and theatrical productions, while growing up he wanted to be a doctor.[7] Essiedu developed an interest in Shakespeare and was accepted to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he met and worked with Michaela Coel.[8] He lost his mother to breast cancer while he was at drama school.[6]
Career
edit2013–2019: Early roles
editEssiedu joined the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in 2012 to play Fenton in Phillip Breen's production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Afterwards, he joined the National Theatre, playing Burgundy and understudying Edmund in Sam Mendes’ production of King Lear. When Sam Troughton lost his voice during a performance, Essiedu stepped in and played the role to critical acclaim.[9] He appeared in Outside on the Street (Pleasance Theatre), Black Jesus (Finborough Theatre), Romeo and Juliet (Tobacco Factory), You For Me For You (Royal Court).
In 2016, Essiedu starred in the Royal Shakespeare Company productions of Hamlet as the titular role and King Lear as Edmund. The judges described Essiedu's Hamlet as one the audience listened to "completely still", observing Essiedu's performance could turn on a sixpence – sweet, playful and flirtatious one minute, and fiercely intelligent the next. "Like all great actors", a judge commented, he "made all the lines his own". His Edmund in King Lear was reported to convey a chilling contempt and cynicism.[10]Paapa voiced Tunde in the BBC Radio 3 drama As Innocent As You Can Get (2016) by Rex Obano,[11] and in the BBC Radio 4 drama Wide Open Spaces the same year, in which he played the role of a man determined to overcome his agoraphobia in order to keep his promise to visit his daughter's grave on the first anniversary of her death.[12]
Essiedu began his television career with roles as Demetrius in Russell T Davies' television film adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream (2016), Otto in the period drama miniseries The Miniaturist (2017), Nate Akindele in the Channel 4 miniseries Kiri (2018), and Ed Washburn in the BBC One drama Press (2018). He made his feature film debut in a small role as a policeman in Kenneth Branagh's Murder on the Orient Express (2017) an adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel of the same name.[13] In 2019 he acted in the Danai Gurira play The Convert starring alongside Letitia Wright at the Young Vic. Time Out praised the leads writing, "It’s Essiedu and Wright whose performances linger the most, though. He is brilliant as a clever and nervous man, quite possibly gay, desperately searching for belonging via imported ideals that he’s always secretly known are a sham."[14]
2020–present
editFrom 2020 to 2022, Essiedu starred as Alex Dumani in the crime drama Gangs of London on Sky Atlantic. In 2020, Essiedu portrayed Kwame in the BBC One series I May Destroy You alongside Michaela Coel.[8] For the latter, Essiedu received critical acclaim, a number of notable nominations including for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie and the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor. He also won Best Ensemble alongside the rest of the cast at the 36th Independent Spirit Awards. He then played George Boleyn, 2nd Viscount Rochford in the three-parter Anne Boleyn starring Jodie Turner-Smith for Channel 5 in 2021.[15]
In 2022, Essiedu returned to the theatre playing three separate roles in the Caryl Churchill play A Number at The Old Vic, with Lennie James. Nick Curtis of The Evening Standard praised his performance writing, "Paapa Essiedu gives a tour de force performance" adding "He’s subtly, devastatingly different in speech, stance and attitude".[16] That same year Essiedu began starring in the Sky Max science fiction time loop series The Lazarus Project for which he received a British Academy Television Award for Best Actor nomination.[17] He also appeared in Alex Garland's folk horror film Men (2022) and joined the cast of mystery thriller series The Capture on BBC One for its second series as Isaac Turner, Security Minister and MP for Hazlemere South.
In 2023, he acted in the Black Mirror episode Demon 79 alongside Anjana Vasan. Jack King of GQ cited it as "the best Black Mirror episode in years". He elaborated on Essiedu's performance, "It also serves as another platform for Essiedu's chameleonic acting abilities...Between this and his riveting parts in The Capture, I May Destroy You and The Lazarus Project, he's not only showing himself to be one hell of a talent but one with exciting range."[18] He returned to the stage starring opposite Taylor Russell in the Jamie Lloyd directed revival of the Lucy Prebble play The Effect at the National Theatre in 2023 and at The Shed in 2024.[19][20] He acted opposite Saoirse Ronan in the film The Outrun which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.[21]
Personal life
editEssiedu is in a relationship with actress and comedian Rosa Robson; they had been together for six years as of 2022.[22][6]
Filmography
editFilm
editYear | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | Murder on the Orient Express | Sergeant Campbell | ||
2022 | Men | James | ||
2023 | Genie | Bernard Bottle | [23] | |
2024 | The Outrun | Daynin | [24] | |
TBA | Kill the Light | Tom | [25] | |
Sweet Dreams | Billy | [26] | ||
The Scurry | Filming[27] |
Television
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | Utopia | Roy | 2 episodes |
2015 | Not Safe For Work | Paul | 1 episode |
2016 | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Demetrius | Television film |
2017 | The Miniaturist | Otto | 3 episodes |
2018 | Kiri | Nate Akindele | 4 episodes |
2018 | Press | Ed Washburn | 6 episodes |
2018 | Black Earth Rising | Jaalen | Episode: "In Other News" |
2020–2022 | Gangs of London | Alex Dumani | 8 episodes |
2020 | I May Destroy You | Kwame | 12 episodes |
2021 | Anne Boleyn | George Boleyn | 3 episodes |
2022-2023 | The Lazarus Project | George | 16 episodes |
2022 | The Capture | Isaac Turner | 6 episodes |
2023 | Black Mirror | Gaap | Episode: "Demon 79" |
Theatre
editYear | Title | Role | Playwright | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | Black Jesus | Gabriel | Anders Lustgarten | Finborough Theatre, London | [28] |
2014 | King Lear | Burgundy | William Shakespeare | Olivier Theatre, National Theatre | [29] |
2015 | Romeo and Juliet | Romeo | Tobacco Factory, Bristol | [30] | |
2015 | You For Me For You | Wade | Mia Chung | Royal Court, London | [31] |
2016, 2018 | Hamlet | Hamlet | William Shakespeare | Royal Shakespeare Company Tour | [32] |
2016 | King Lear | Edmund | Barbican Theatre, West End | [33] | |
2017 | Racing Demon | Tony Ferris | David Hare | Theatre Royal, Bath | [34] |
2018 | Pinter One | Various roles | Harold Pinter | Harold Pinter Theatre, West End | [35] |
2019 | The Convert | Chilford | Danai Gurira | Young Vic, London | [36] |
2020 | Pass Over | Moses | Antoinette Nwandu | Kiln Theatre, London | [37] |
2022 | A Number | Michael / Bernard | Caryl Churchill | Old Vic Theatre | [38] |
2023 | The Effect | Tristan | Lucy Prebble | National Theatre, London | [39] |
2024 | The Shed, New York City | [40] |
Accolades
editYear | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | Ian Charleson Awards | The Merry Wives of Windsor | Nominated | [10] | |
2016 | Hamlet, King Lear | Won | [41][42] | ||
2021 | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Ensemble Cast | I May Destroy You | Won | |
Black Reel Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor – TV Movie or Limited Series | Nominated | |||
British Academy Television Awards | Best Actor | Nominated | [43] | ||
Dorian Awards | Best Supporting TV Performance | Nominated | |||
Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie | Nominated | [44] | ||
2022 | Evening Standard Theatre Awards | Best Actor | A Number | Nominated | |
2023 | Broadcasting Press Guild Awards | Best Actor | The Lazarus Project, The Capture, Gangs of London | Pending | |
Evening Standard Theatre Awards | Best Actor | The Effect | Nominated | ||
2024 | WhatsOnStage Awards | Best Performer in a Play | Pending | [45] | |
Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance | Pending | [46] | ||
British Academy Television Award | Best Actor | The Lazarus Project | Nominated | [47] |
References
edit- ^ "PAAPA ESSIEDU". Royal Shakespeare Company. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "Paapa Essiedu - Actor". TV Insider. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "Paapa Essiedu Interview | Hamlet". Royal Shakespeare Company. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
- ^ "Actor Paapa Essiedu | Breakthrough Brits 2018". BAFTA. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
- ^ Minamore, Bridget (8 September 2018). "Paapa Essiedu on BBC's Press and identity: 'The word diversity doesn't mean anything'". The Guardian.
- ^ a b c Hattenstone, Simon (11 June 2022). "Paapa Essiedu on grief, doubt and fury at Boris Johnson: 'Bigotry is the backbone of his character'". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ Kellaway, Interview by Kate (13 March 2016). "Paapa Essiedu: You can't live with your heart on your sleeve". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ^ a b McHenry, Jackson (6 July 2020). "I May Destroy You's Paapa Essiedu on Going to Drama School With Michaela Coel". Vulture. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
- ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (23 January 2014). "Actor loses voice on stage during Sam Mendes's King Lear". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ^ a b Hawkins, Helen (11 June 2017). "Paapa Essiedu wins the Ian Charleson award 2016". Sunday Times.
- ^ "As Innocent As You Can Get, Drama on 3 - BBC Radio 3". BBC. 7 February 2016.
- ^ Samuel: Paapa Essiedu; May: Sarah McDonald Hughes; Aoife: Fiona Clarke; Writer: Jane Wainwright; Director: Charlotte Riches (7 November 2016). "Wide Open Spaces". Drama. BBC Radio 4. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ "Paapa Essiedu". National Theatre. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "The Convert review". Time Out. 16 December 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Davies, Hannah J (7 May 2021). "Anne Boleyn comes to Channel 5 as thriller told through queen's eyes". The Guardian.
- ^ Curtis, Nick (15 March 2022). "A Number review: Tour de force turns from Paapa Essiedu and Lennie James". The Evening Standard. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Kanter, Jake (25 January 2021). "'I May Destroy You' Star Paapa Essiedu To Lead Sky 'Groundhog Day'-Style Action Thriller 'Extinction'". Deadline.
- ^ King, Jack (20 March 2024). "'Demon 79' is the best Black Mirror episode in years". GQ.
- ^ "The Effect at the National Theatre". National Theatre. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "The Effect at The Shed". The Shed. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (6 December 2023). "Sundance Unveils Packed 2024 Lineup That Includes A.I., Pedro Pascal, Kristen Stewart, Satan, Devo & Steven Yeun". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Harrison, Maxine (24 June 2022). "Who Is Paapa Essiedu Dating? Rosa Robson Is Also An Actor". Bustle. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (26 January 2023). "'I May Destroy You's Paapa Essiedu Joins Melissa McCarthy In Peacock's Richard Curtis-Penned Christmas Pic". Deadline. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (14 December 2023). "Berlin: Saoirse Ronan, Danielle Deadwyler & Paapa Essiedu Titles Set For Panorama Sidebar". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (21 May 2022). "On The Road To Cannes, Paapa Essiedu Can't Take His Foot Off The Gas — Ones To Watch". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (7 February 2024). "'Sex Education' Star Aimee Lou Wood Joins Nick Frost, Paapa Essiedu, Billy Howle & Niamh Algar In Crime-Thriller 'Sweet Dreams' — EFM". Deadline.
- ^ Dalton, Ben (15 May 2024). "'Fallout' star Ella Purnell joins Craig Roberts' killer squirrel comedy-horror 'The Scurry' for True Brit (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ Billington, Michael (3 October 2013). "Black Jesus - review". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "King Lear at Olivier Theatre 2014". Abouttheartist. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Dickson, Andrew (9 March 2015). "Romeo and Juliet review – tweenage Shakespeare with a touch of steampunk". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "You For Me For You". Royalcourttheatre. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "Hamlet National Theatre". Royal Shakespeare Company. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "King Lear 2016". Abouttheartist. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Maxwell, Dominic (29 June 2017). "Theatre review: Racing Demon at Theatre Royal Bath". The Financial Times. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "Pinter One: One for the Road / The New World Order / Mountain Language / Ashes to Ashes / The Pres And An Officer". Abouttheartist. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "The Convert". Young Vic. 7 December 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Clement, Olivia (27 November 2019). "U.K. Premiere of Pass Over Finds Its Cast". Playbill. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Akbar, Arifa (2 February 2022). "A Number review – Lennie James and Paapa Essiedu scintillate as father and sons". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
- ^ "The Effect (London, 2023)". Playbill. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ Higgins, Molly (11 December 2023). "Lucy Prebble's The Effect to Play Limited Run at The Shed". Playbill. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ Snow, Georgia (6 June 2017). "Paapa Essiedu wins 2016 Ian Charleson award". The Stage. 6 June 2017.
- ^ "Ian Charleson Awards 2016". WestEndTheatre.com. 6 June 2017.
- ^ "Bafta TV Awards 2021: Winners and nominees in full". BBC News. 14 July 2021. Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
- ^ Blistein, Jon (13 July 2021). "'The Crown,' 'I May Destroy You,' 'Hacks,' 'Mare of Easttown' Score Major 2021 Emmy Nominations". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Millward, Tom (7 December 2023). "Nominations in full: the 24th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ "2024 Drama League Award Nominations announced". Theatermania. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ "BAFTA TV Awards 2024: Nominations". BBC. Retrieved 20 March 2024.