The British entertainment industry continues to produce talented stars who are making an impact in film, television, and theatre. Many young Black British actors and actresses are earning praise for their standout performances and landing major roles in productions. The likes of Michael Ward, India Amarteifio, and Fola Evans-Akingbola are among the Black British actors who have caught most attention in 2026. In this article, TUKO.co.ke speaks to an award-winning actor and seasoned filmmaker to gain expert insight into the world of film stardom.
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Key takeaways
- Many young Black British actors are landing leading roles in major Hollywood films and hit TV series.
- Rising stars continue to earn BAFTA, Emmy, and other prestigious award nominations for standout performances.
- Many are praised for mastering different accents and taking on diverse, challenging roles.
- Most began their careers in UK theatre, drama schools, or independent productions before achieving mainstream success.
Legendary black British actors like Naomie Harris, Idris Elba, Letitia Wright, and Lenny Henry have paved the way for the up-and-coming British actors and actresses to hone their skills and take up their place in the industry. As a result, young British film stars under 35 years old have been making boss moves in Hollywood and beyond.
Actor/Actress | Age (2026) | Known for |
Michael Ward | 35 | Top Boy, Empire of Light |
India Amarteifio | 24 | Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story |
Danielle Vitalis | 27 | Black Mirror, The Bubble |
Paigey Cakey | 33 | Attack the Block, Waterloo Road |
Lucien Laviscount | 34 | Emily in Paris |
Jessica Allain | 29 | Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Continental |
Ameerah Falzon-Ojo | 24 | So Awkward |
John Boyega | 34 | Star Wars trilogy |
Kedar Williams-Stirling | 32 | Sex Education |
Elliot Edusah | 29 | 1917, Pirates |
Vivian Oparah | 30 | Rye Lane |
Aron Julius | 31 | Death on the Nile |
Ryan McKen | 29 | Game of Thrones, Temple |
Bethany Antonia | 28 | House of the Dragon |
Daniel Ezra | 34 | All American |
Franz Drameh | 33 | Legends of Tomorrow |
Fola Evans-Akingbola | 32 | The Night Agent |
Fady Elsayed | 32 | Class, Gangs of London |
Tamara Lawrance | 32 | The Silent Twins |
Joivan Wade | 33 | Doom Patrol |
Malique Thompson-Dwyer | 28 | Hollyoaks |
Naomi Ackie | 33 | Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody |
David Jonsson | 31 | Industry, Rye Lane |
Abubakar Salim | 33 | Raised by Wolves |
Shaquille Ali-Yebuah | 31 | Solo: A Star Wars Story, iBoy |
1. Michael Ward
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- Full name: Michael Ward
- Born: 5 October 1990
- Age: 35 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Spanish Town, Jamaica
- Nationality: Jamaican-British
Michael Ward was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, but raised in Romford, Essex, UK. He attended Chadwell Heath Academy and studied performing arts at Epping Forest College.
After college, Ward began acting in high school and modelling for brands like JD Sports. The actor landed his debut movie, Brotherhood (2016) and played a supporting role.
Three years later, his role on Netflix and Channel 4's TV series Top Boy (2019 - 2022) propelled him to international fame. Afterwards, Michael Ward has been featured in more movies, including The A-List (2018), Blue Story (2019), The Old Guard (2020), Beauty (2022), and Empire of Light (2022). Moreover, he has also appeared in various music videos.
Michael Ward's talent has been recognised at various award ceremonies. For instance, he received the BAFTA Rising Star and Best Supporting Actor awards in 2020 and 2023, respectively. Michael Ward is one of the young black British actors under 40.
2. India Amarteifio
- Full name: India Ria Amarteifio
- Born: 7 September 2001
- Age: 24 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Kingston upon Thames, UK
- Nationality: British
Actress India Amarteifio has a white mum of German origin, and her dad has Ghanaian ancestry. She began her career as a child actress in the West End, UK.
Amarteifio attended the Richmond Academy of Dance in 2012, and through this school, she auditioned for a scholarship to attend the Sylvia Young Theatre School.
The actress is best known for her portrayal of Netflix's Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story drama series in 2023. Before this, she performed in various TV series and films, including The Midwich Cuckoos (2022), Military Wives (2019), The Tunnel (2017–2018), and The Evermoor Chronicles (2015–2017).
3. Danielle Vitalis
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- Full name: Danielle Vitalis
- Born: 7 August 1999
- Age: 26 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: UK
- Nationality: British
Danielle Vitalis is known for her roles in Attack the Block (2011), Black Mirror (2011), Youngers (2013), Afro Jack (2016), and The Bubble (2022). The London-based actress has African parents. They moved to Great Britain earlier in their life to seek greener pastures.
Before becoming an actress, Danielle Vitalis sang in her church choir and did some commercial songs. Danielle is one of the young black British actresses under 40.
4. Paigey Cakey
- Full name: Paige Meade
- Born: 18 January 1993
- Age: 33 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Hackney Central, London, UK
Actress/singer Paige Meade is better known by her stage name Paigey Cakey. She is among young black British female actresses who have released more than three mixtapes. The first one, The First Paige, came out in 2014, and an EP was released in 2016.
Her acting career began in 2011 through the award-winning film Attack the Block. Also, between 2012 and 2013, Paige Meade acted as Jade Fleming in BBC One's drama series Waterloo Road.
5. Lucien Laviscount
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- Full name: Lucien Leon Laviscount
- Born: 9 June 1992
- Age: 34 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Burnley, Lancashire, UK
- Nationality: British
Laviscount is fifth on this list of young male British actors. He attended Ribblesdale High School in Clitheroe and Carol Godby's theatre workshop in Bury.
Film star Lucien Laviscount appeared in commercials for Marks and Spencer at age 10. After that, he played minor roles on shows like Clocking Off (2002) and Johnny and the Bomb (2006) before becoming one of the main characters on BBC One's series Grange Hill (2007).
The British actor has showcased his exceptional talent in more movies, including One Night in Istanbul (2014), Runaway (2015), Between Two Worlds (2016), Love Beats Rhymes (2017), Trust (2021), and Your Christmas or Mine? (2022) and Last Sentinel (2023).
Lucien appeared in more TV series than films between 2002 and 2023. Some famous TV series he has acted in are Grange Hill (2007 – 2008), Waterloo Road (2010 –2011), Celebrity Big Brother (2011), and Emily in Paris (2021 – present).
6. Jessica Allain
- Full name: Jessica R. Williams
- Born: 17 February 1997
- Age: 29 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: London, UK
- Nationality: British
Jessica Allain is among the best black UK actresses. Her real name is Jessica R. Williams, and she is known for starring in Thriller (2019), The Laundromat (2019), and The Honour List (2018).
Allain began modelling at 16 and attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School to train as an actress. In 2015, she got her first movie and TV roles in the Sky One sitcom Yonderland and films Eddie the Eagle and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.
Other films and TV series Jessica Allain has appeared in include CIROC: What Men Want (2019), Archenemy (2020), Two Eyes (2020), Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022), The Perfect Knight (2023), The Continental: From the World of John Wick (2023), and Fear (2023).
7. Ameerah Falzon-Ojo
- Full name: Ameerah Renata Falzon-Ojo
- Born: 4 February 2002
- Age: 24 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: London, UK
- Nationality: British
Actress Ameerah Falzon-Ojo is best known for her role as Jasmine 'Jas' Salford in the CBBC sitcom So Awkward. She is also the voice behind the Frida character on Netflix's animated series Hilda and the Mountain King (2018 – present).
Ameerah began acting as a child and attended drama school from age 5. She also trained in dance and drama at the Forecast Academy in London. In 2006, Ameerah played the role of Red Child - Mini Make in an episode of Mister Maker on the CBeebies channel.
In 2011, she played a child role in the CBBC series Fit. Her other famous films and TV series include So Awkward (2015 – 2019), Saturday Mash-Up! (2018), Touhou Cannonball (2019), and Niomi (2023),
8. John Boyega
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- Full name: John Adedayo Bamidele Adegboyega
- Born: 17 March 1992
- Age: 34 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Camberwell, London, UK
- Nationality: British-Nigerian
John Boyega began acting at London's Theatre Peckham, a local performing arts centre for children aged 9 to 14. He would go to the theatre on weekdays after school and on weekends. At age 16, Boyega began studying performing arts at South Thames College and later went to the Identity School of Acting in Hackney.
Boyega became famous in the UK after playing Moses in a 2011 sci-fi film, Attack the Block. After that, he gained international recognition for acting as Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
Today, John Boyega is among the top black UK actors in Hollywood. He advocates against racism and ardently supports the 'Black Lives Matter movement.
Some of his latest films include Breaking (2022), The Woman King (2022), and They Cloned Tyrone (2023). Boyega has also been featured in numerous TV series and shows, including Saturday Night Live (2015) and Small Axe (2020).
9. Kedar Williams-Stirling
- Full name: Kedar Williams-Stirling
- Born: 14 December 1994
- Age: 32 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Plaistow, London, UK
- Nationality: British
Kedar Williams-Stirling moved from Plaistow in East London to South London at a young age. He began acting in primary school plays alongside scientist Akshay Sabnis. In Year 6, his mum encouraged him to audition for Sylvia Young Theatre School.
Williams also trained at Barbara Speake Stage School and the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. He made his TV debut in a 2007 episode of The Bill, and in 2008, he appeared in a two-part episode of the TV series Silent Witness.
Other Kedar Williams' top films are Shank (2010), Montana (2014), Two Graves (2018), and Changeland (2019). Moreover, the actor has starred in numerous TV series and shows, including School for Stars (2013), Wolfblood (2012 – 2014), and Se*x Education (2019 – present).
10. Elliot Edusah
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- Full name: Elliot Edusah
- Born: 9 March 1997
- Age: 29 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: London, England, UK
- Nationality: British
Elliot Edusah trained for two years at The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology. After that, he graduated from LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) in 2018 with a BA (Hons) in Professional Acting.
His career debuted at the Royal National Theatre (National Theatre) in London, where he participated in many stage plays. One of his most notable performances was during the National Theatre's American-Canadian tour titled The Barbershop Chronicles.
During the tour, Elliot and fellow actors performed in theatres like The Kennedy Centre, The American Repertory Theatre, and the Grand Theatre, London, Ontario, from 11 October 2018 to 20 January 2019.
Besides his theatre stage plays, Elliot Edusah has also played roles in movies like The Habit of Beauty (2016), 1917 (2019), Pirates (2021), and Outside the Wire (2021).
11. Vivian Oparah
- Full name: Vivian Nneka O. Oparah
- Born: 30 December 1996
- Age: 30 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Camden Town, London, UK
- Nationality: British
Singer/actress Vivian is best known for acting as Tanya Adeola in the British sci-fi drama Class and her roles in the BBC Three Doctor Who spin-off Class (2016) and the Rye Lane (2019) film. Also, the actress earned an Off West End Award nomination for her work in theatre.
Vivian studied media, English literature, product design, and biology at The Latymer School. During her media coursework in 2014, she formed the NTLS band with other students. Together, they published their debut single, Heart Skipped a Beat, on YouTube.
On top of that, Oparah did a two-week acting summer course at the National Youth Theatre. After that, she deferred her acceptance to UCL in 2016 to act in the Doctor Who spin-off Class.
The actress was named an Emerging Talent at the 2017 Screen Nation Film and Television Awards, and her other top films and TV series include Teen Spirit (2018), Fanny & Alexander (2018), An Octoroon (2017 – 2018), Pagans (2019), and Signs (2019).
12. Aron Julius
- Full name: Aron Julius
- Born: 1995
- Age: 31 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: UK
- Nationality: British
Aron Julius is among the young male black British actors making it big in the industry. He graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2019 with a degree in acting. Also, the actor participated in various stage productions while in school.
If you want to see Aron Julius' acting prowess, watch him in movies like Death on the Nile (2022), Death in Paradise (2022), DCI Banks (2015), and Three Weeks.
13. Ryan McKen
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- Full name: Ryan McKen
- Born: 1997
- Age: 29 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Birmingham, England
- Nationality: British
Ryan McKen is among the hot British actors under 35. He is of British-Jamaican-Indian ancestry. The actor graduated from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and rose to the limelight by playing Lannister Soldier in the Game of Thrones (2019) TV series.
English actor Ryan McKen has had major and minor roles in Titanic Love (2012), Bancroft (2017 – 2020), The State (2017), and Temple (2019). On top of this, he was featured in the Holby City TV series, the NW movie, Save Me (2018), Line of Duty (2019), Zombat (2019), Silent Witness (2021), Temple (2019 – 2021), Surge (2020), and D.I. Ray (2022).
14. Bethany Antonia
- Full name: Bethany Antonia
- Born: 25 December 1997
- Age: 28 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Birmingham, UK
- Nationality: Jamaican-British
Bethany is one of the best black British actresses. She plays Lady Baela Targaryen in the HBO fantasy series House of the Dragon (2022 – present). Also, the actress acts as Poppy Ngomo in ITV's biopic Nolly (2023).
Antonia was born in Quinton, Birmingham, but her family raised her in France from aages6 to 11. She attended Perryfields High School and Birmingham Ormiston Academy when they returned to Birmingham.
The actress studied musical theatre at the Birmingham Ormiston Academy, and at age 14, she began training at First Act Workshop. Afterwards, Bethany Antonia trained at Spotlight Stage School in Solihull, Adage Dance Studio in Selly Oak, and the British Youth Music Theatre.
Antonia's professional acting career began at age 14 in The Tempest, a Shakespeare Birthplace Trust short film adaptation. In 2017, the then-18-year-old made her television debut on BBC One's medical drama, Doctors, and then featured in the Pin Cushion film.
On television, she is also known for acting in the British Sitcom Stath Lets Flats (2018), the BBC iPlayer teen series Get Even (2020), and Netflix's crime drama Stay Close (2021). Bethany is one of the young black British actresses under 30.
15. Daniel Ezra
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- Full name: Daniel Ezra
- Born: 15 December 1991
- Age: 34 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Birmingham, UK
- Nationality: British
The US-based British actor has Jamaican roots from his grandparents, and before becoming an actor, Daniel Ezra wanted to be a basketball player.
He spent three years in theatre school and was interested in acting when he was 18. Ezra played the role of Sebastian in the Twelfth Night stage play and got a nomination for an Ian Charleson Award.
After that, he made his TV debut in the Murdered by My Boyfriend (2014) film and performed in various movies before appearing in BBC dramas The Missing (2016) and Undercover (2016).
Daniel Ezra is among the many black British actors playing American roles. He became a global star for acting as Spencer James in the All-American (2018 – present) CW drama series.
His other TV series and movies include A Discovery of Witches (2018 – 2022), All American: Homecoming (2022), and The Smeds and the Smoos (2022).
16. Franz Drameh
- Full name: Franz Alhusaine Drameh
- Born: 5 January 1993
- Age: 33 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Hackney, London, UK
- Nationality: Gambian-British
Franz Drameh was a Batman enthusiast in his childhood and loved comic books like his father. These passions sparked his interest in acting.
When Drameh was 12, his parents sent him to the Young Actors Theatre school in Islington, and at 14, he joined a drama school and community theatre.
Actor Franz Drameh debuted in the Casualty TV series in 2007, and he became an international star after appearing in the Hereafter (2010) fantasy drama film.
Franz has also appeared in various movies and TV series, including Attack the Block (2011), Edge of Tomorrow (2014), The Flash (2015 –2017), Legacy (2015), Legends of Tomorrow (2016 – 2018 and 2021), The Gentlemen (2019), Supergirl (2017), Arrow (2017), and See (2019 – 2021).
17. Fola Evans-Akingbola
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- Full name: Fola Evans-Akingbola
- Born: 26 September 1994
- Age: 32 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: London, UK
- Nationality: British
British actress Fola Evans-Akingbola is known for portraying the role of Maddie Bishop in the Freeform series Siren (2018 – 2020) and Chelsea Arrington in the Netflix series The Night Agent (2023).
She graduated from Alleyn's School in Dulwich in 2012 and trained as an actress at the National Youth Theatre and the Identity School of Acting.
Her first acting roles were for the BBC series Youngers (2014) and Holby City (2014). On television, Fola has also appeared in Death in Paradise (2016), Game of Thrones (2016), Assassin's Creed: Origins (2017), Black Mirror (2019), Ten Per cent (2022), and more films/TV series.
18. Fady Elsayed
- Full name: Fady Elsayed
- Born: 15 September 1993
- Age: 32 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Paddington, London, UK
- Nationality: British-Egyptian
Elsayed was 16 when he joined the Young Actors Theatre school in Islington. His first role was in My Brother the Devil (2012). The role earned him the Best Newcomer Award nomination at the BFI London Film Festival and the Young British Performer of the Year award at the ALFS Award ceremony.
After this, Fady Elsayed appeared in various TV series, including Casualty (2012), Silent Witness (2014), Law & Order: UK (2014), Little Birds (2020), and Gangs of London (2022).
Also, the actor became known internationally for his roles in the Doctor Who spin-off Class (2016) and films like Brotherhood (2016), A Private War (2018), and Faith (2021).
19. Tamara Lawrence
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- Full name: Tamara Naomi Lawrence
- Born: 1994
- Age: 32 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Wembley, Jamaica
- Nationality: British
Actress Tamara Lawrence is among the world's best black British actresses. She is known for acting as Viola in the 2017 production of Twelfth Night at the National Theatre on NT Live and as Prince Harry's Republican girlfriend in the 2017 BBC television film King Charles III.
The lady began acting in school plays at age six and, in Year 10, attended St Dominic's Sixth Form College in Harrow, London, and at age 17, Tamar was one of eight winners in the Poetry Society's nationwide competition in the UK.
The actress graduated from The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2015 and debuted her acting career in the 2016 BBC miniseries Undercover. She has also been featured in The Silent Twins (2022), Kindred (2020), Boxing Day (2021), The Tell-Tale Heart (2018–2019), and other TV series and movies.
20. Joivan Wade
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- Full name: Joivan Derek Graham Wade
- Born: 3 July 1993
- Age: 33 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Bromley, UK
- Nationality: British
Joivan Wade enrolled at the D&B Academy of Performing Arts in Bromley at age 13, and at age 15, he joined The BRIT School of Performing Arts. After that, Wade successfully auditioned for the National Youth Theatre.
Some of his first TV projects were Casualty (2012) and BBC comedy Big School (2013). Moreover, Joivan Wade became known for playing in the BBC's EastEnders (2016) and Comedy Feeds (2016) series.
Wade has made other appearances in films like The Weekend (2016), The First Purge (2018), and AMANI (2019). He has also acted in Legends of Tomorrow (2020), Doom Patrol (2019 – present), Bel-Air (2023), and Titans (2023).
Joivan hosted the Music of Black Origin Awards in 2013 and co-founded The Wall of Comedy show on YouTube in 2015. He also performs on the Mandem On The Wall comedy series on YouTube.
21. Malique Thompson-Dwyer
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- Full name: Malique Thompson-Dwyer
- Born: 2 February 1998
- Age: 28 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Hollinwood, Oldham, Greater Manchester, England, UK
- Nationality: British
Malique Dwyer is among the young, hot black UK actors taking Hollywood by storm. He studied acting at Oldham College and performed in the Long John Silver and Treasure Island stage productions in school.
Some of Dwyer's first movies and series were The Dumping Ground (2013), Channel 4's Hollyoaks (2016) drama series, and the film King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) film.
Dwyer and Theo Graham won the Best Partnership award at the 2018 British Soap Awards for their role in Hollyoaks. Afterwards, he left the series in 2019 and returned in 2021.
The Brit actor also competed in I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2018, and in 2020, he appeared in Celebs Go Dating and Celeb Ex in the City reality shows. The following year, Malique Dwyer competed on MTV's Celebs on the Farm series.
22. Naomi Ackie
- Full name: Naomi Sarah Ackie
- Born: 2 November 1992
- Age: 33 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Walthamstow, UK
- Nationality: Grenada-English
Actress Naomi Ackie is the daughter of second-generation immigrants from Grenada. She attended Walthamstow School for Girls and graduated from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2012.
Ackie began acting at 11 and found her breakthrough film role in Lady Macbeth (2016). She won the British Independent Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer in 2017.
In 2015, the actress made her television debut as Jen in the Doctor Who Series 9 episode "Face the Raven.” Also, she received the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2020 British Academy Television Awards for her role as Bonnie in the comedy-drama 2019.
Some of her films include I Used to Be Famous (2015), Yardie (2018), The Corrupted (2019), Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), The Score (2021), and Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022).
23. David Jonsson
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- Full name: David Jonsson
- Born: 4 September 1994
- Age: 31 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: East London, near the River Thames, UK
- Nationality: British
David Jonsson grew up listening to his father's stack of CDs and DVDs, which sparked his interest in becoming an artist. He also read lots of poetry, and at age 15, he began to learn about theatre.
Jonsson joined the National Youth Theatre and got a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting in 2016.
One of his first television appearances was in ITV's Endeavour (2012). Today, David Jonsson is known for his roles in Gen Y (2018), Deep State (2019), BBC Two and HBO series Industry (2020 – present), The Booker Prizes 2021: The Promise (2021), and Rye Lane (2023).
In 2022, the actor won Best Male Actor in a Play at the Black British Theatre Awards. He is filming the TV series Murder is Easy and the movies God's Spy, Benn/Eubank, and an untitled alien film.
24. Abubakar Salim
- Full name: Abubakar Salim
- Born: 7 January 1993
- Age: 33 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, UK
- Nationality: Kenyan-British
English actor/producer Abubakar Salim is a first-generation Briton of Kenyan descent. After his first audition, he began acting at age 16 at the National Youth Theatre.
Later, Abubakar attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art under a scholarship from the Genesis Foundation and graduated in 2014.
Salim's first credited role was in The Jury (2011). Also, the actor is best known for acting as Father in the Raised by Wolves (2020 – 2022) online series and being the main character's voice in the 2017 Assassin's Creed Origins video game.
He got a British Academy Games Award nomination and was named a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit for his voice-over work in the video game.
Abubakar Salim has also worked in Sky One series Jamestown (2018 – 2019), Assassin's Creed Valhalla (2020), Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical (2023), and The Legend of Vox Machina (2023). He is working on House of the Dragon Season 2 (2024).
25. Shaquille Ali-Yebuah
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- Full name: Shaquille Ali-Yebuah
- Born: 26 May 1995
- Age: 31 years as of 2026
- Birthplace: Hammersmith, London, UK
- Nationality: Jamaican-British
Actor Shaquille Ali-Yebuah is a football fan, music enthusiast, and advocate for fair treatment of the black race. He studied at the Identity School of Acting and made his career debut in 2013 through BBC Radio 4's What Does the K Stand For? and In and Out of the Kitchen comedy series.
Moreover, Shaquille is famous for appearing in films like Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) and iBoy (2017). Shaquille is among the young black British actors under 30.
Interview with an actor and filmmaker
In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, seasoned actor, casting director and filmmaker Gerald Langiri opened up about how an actor's background influences casting decisions in film production. Here's an excerpt from the interview.
Q: When an actor walks into an audition, their background is often one of the first things that people notice. However, I believe it is ultimately their performance that has to bring a character to life. as an award-winning actor and casting director who has worked across film and television in East Africa, how much can an actor’s ethnicity, cultural background, accent, and personal experiences influence the roles they are considered for?
Ethnicity, cultural background, accent and personal experience absolutely influence casting decisions especially where authenticity is important to the story. We finished shooting a movie titled Enkop and alot of the characters had to speak Maasai and Kikuyu.
Imagine casting someone who isn't that and their accent clashes to what we know Maasai's and Kikuyu's sound. Sometimes a character requires a very specific cultural knowledge, language or experience that cannot simply be faked in an audition room.
Of course the actor still has to perform. We can consider background but it will not carry the scene for you. What I normally look for is whether the actor understands the world of the character and can make us believe them.
I also think actors should be careful not to see their background only as a limitation. It can actually be an advantage depending on the project currently casting for. Language, accent, heritage and cultural knowledge are additional tools an actor brings into the room.
Q: Audiences often see the same faces appearing repeatedly in major productions in film and television and assume that those actors must simply be more talented than their competitors. Based on your experience of the casting process, what actually makes a performer stand out enough to be consistently remembered and considered for future significant projects?
Being consistently remembered is rarely just about talent. Talent alone isn't the only thing we look for. It's definitely a plus if you are talented, however, there are many talented actors who we sometimes ignore because of other factors too. What separates people over time is usually a combination of talent, preparation, professionalism, reliability and how they conduct themselves when they are not performing.
Can you take direction? Do you come prepared? Do you communicate properly? If you confirm availability, can people depend on you? Are you good to work with on set? Do directors want to work with you again? Sometimes an actor does not get the role they originally auditioned for, but you remember them six months later because they were very good in the room.
Q: While a gifted performer may struggle to get noticed, another actor with a strong public profile may attract more auditions because producers are already familiar with their work and believe that audiences will respond well to them. Having worked on both sides of the camera, what factors do casting directors and producers consider when weighing up an actor's ability against audience recognition, commercial appeal, availability, production budgets, and the demands of a particular role?
Casting is never just one equation. It's a puzzle that needs to fit perfectly and sometimes not so perfectly. For some roles, acting ability will outweigh everything else. For others, a producer may also be thinking about audience recognition, financing, marketing or whether a particular actor helps make the project commercially attractive.
Sometimes the decision comes down to a business one as well. Afterall, filmmaking is a business too. Then you have practical things such as availability, budget, travel, chemistry with other actors, age, language, physical requirements and whether the actor actually fits the world of the story.
This is why the best actor in an audition does not always get the role. You can give an excellent performance and still not be the right fit for that particular project. The business side matters, but I still believe the story has to come first. Casting someone purely because they are famous does not automatically make the performance work.
Q: We have seen actors convincingly portray characters from specific backgrounds as either villains or heroes and sometimes they deliver such powerful performances that audiences strongly associate them with those roles. From your experience as a casting director, does excelling in a particular type of role open up more opportunities for actors, or can it limit their chances of being considered for other types of roles?
It can do both. If an actor becomes very good at a certain kind of role, naturally people will start thinking of them when similar characters come up. That can be very good for a career. It means more work for them. Being known for something is better than not being remembered at all.
The danger comes when that becomes the only thing people can imagine you doing. Actors can challenge that type casting, but they have to show us something different. You cannot simply tell casting directors, “I have range.” Show us evidence of that range.
Do different scenes. Take on smaller roles that stretch you. Change the material in your reel. Train. Show another side of yourself. Casting directors can only work with what we have seen or what we believe you can convincingly deliver.
Q: Today's young actors have opportunities that previous generations could only have dreamed of, with global streaming platforms enabling performances to reach audiences far beyond their home markets. Considering the next generation of Black male actors, what will determine whether today's rising stars become lasting figures in film and television rather than simply the faces of the moment?
Longevity will come down to much more than visibility. A young actor can become very popular very quickly today, but a long career still requires craft. You have to keep improving after people discover you and not get comfortable.
The actors who last will be the ones who can move between genres, work in different markets, take direction, adapt to different production cultures and continue becoming better actors. Professionalism will matter as well. Reputation travels very quickly in this industry.
And perhaps most importantly, they need to build careers rather than chase moments. One successful show, one viral role or one large social media following can introduce you to the world. What you do with the next ten opportunities is what determines whether you are still working twenty years later.
Who are some black British actors?
English actors usually perform exceptionally well in the market because these entertainers produce quality work. Some top black UK actors under age 35 are:
- Shaquille Ali-Yebuah
- Abubakar Salim
- David Jonsson
- Malique Thompson-Dwyer
- Joivan Wade
- Fady Elsayed
- Franz Drameh
- Daniel Ezra
- Ryan McKen
- Aron Julius
- Elliot Edusah
- Kedar Williams-Stirling
- John Boyega
- Lucien Laviscount
- Micheal Ward
Who are the most famous black British actresses?
Many love watching series and movies starring English actresses because they show a lot of dedication to their roles. Some of the young black British actresses under 25 are;
- India Amarteifio
- Tamara Smart
- Kyla Simone Bruce
- Saffron Coomber
- Lashay Anderson
Who are the famous black English actors?
Filmmakers like working with English actors because they need more diva behaviour. When interacting with the production crew, cast members, and fans, these entertainers are down-to-earth. As a result, their humble nature has made them famous worldwide. Some of the most famous young British black male actors you should watch out for are:
- David Jonsson
- Joivan Wade
- Fady Elsayed
- Daniel Ezra
- Ryan McKen
- Aron Julius
- Kedar Williams-Stirling
- John Boyega
- Lucien Laviscount
- Micheal Ward
Who is the 15-year-old British actor?
The 15-year-old British actor is Owen Cooper. He made history by becoming the youngest male actor to win a Primetime Emmy Award, taking home the trophy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series for his debut role in the Netflix drama Adolescence. He is one of the famous young black British actors under 20.
Who are some young black actors?
A new generation of young Black actors is reshaping film and television. Leading stars under 40 like John Boyega and Daniel Kaluuya headline major franchises, while rising talents like Caleb McLaughlin, Asante Blackk, and David Jonsson bring fresh, socially conscious energy to prestige streaming and TV.
Who are three famous British actors?
Michael Ward, Daniel Ezra, and John Boyega are some of the most famous black UK actors under the age of 35.
Who are some famous black British actresses?
India Amarteifio, Naomi Ackie, and Ameerah Falzon-Ojo are among the most famous black UK actors under the age of 35.
Who is known as England's greatest actor?
David Garrick is historically known as England's most outstanding actor.
Why are British actors so good?
Black UK actors are so good because they get rigorous training at UK drama schools. Also, the United Kingdom has a strong theatrical tradition.
Why can British actors do an American accent?
British actors learn the American accent faster than actors of other nationalities because English is their first language.
How do British actors speak American?
British actors learn America's regional dialects. For instance, they master how New Yorkers speak with the rhotic "R" sound and form vowels differently to shift the focus away from the roof of the mouth.
The next generation of Black British performers is bringing fresh perspectives and remarkable talent to screens around the world. As their careers continue to grow, many are expected to take on even bigger roles in the years ahead. Whether you're discovering new faces or following familiar stars, these young Black British actors and actresses to watch in 2026 are well worth keeping on your radar.
Source: UGC
Tuko.co.ke also published a list of black actresses over 50. The great thing about being an actor is that there is no age limit and no such thing as starting too early or too late. Anyone can start acting at any age.
Viola Davis, Debbi Morgan, and Angela Bassett are some of the iconic actresses the world looks up to. These seasoned black entertainers are over age 50 and continue to bring their A-game with every movie release.
Source: TUKO.co.ke