Fisayo Akinade

Fisayo Akinade, an English actor born on December 28, 1987 in Liverpool, England, has become a notable figure in contemporary television and theatre through a blend of versatile performances and a compelling personal narrative. Raised in a multicultural environment, he spent four formative years of his childhood in Nigeria before returning to the United Kingdom, where he grew up in the vibrant Fallowfield and Moss Side districts of Manchester, environments that would later inform his dynamic artistic sensibility. Initially aspiring to be a gymnast, Akinade’s trajectory shifted after a career‑ending injury and the closure of his training venue, prompting him to explore drama through drop‑in classes at the Contact Theatre, a decision that launched his lifelong commitment to the performing arts. He refined his craft as a member of the Contact Young Actors Company and through workshops at the Royal Exchange Theatre, eventually securing a prestigious education at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Akinade’s stage credentials include roles such as Flute in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Eros in Antony and Cleopatra, as well as numerous productions with the National Theatre, showcasing his range from classical to contemporary works. His television breakthrough arrived in 2015 when he portrayed Dean Monroe in Russell T Davies’ groundbreaking series Cucumber and its spin‑offs Banana and Tofu, earning critical acclaim for his nuanced depiction of complex LGBTQ+ experiences. Subsequent screen appearances have solidified his reputation, including a role alongside Glenn Close in The Girl with All the Gifts (2016), a part in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019), and his memorable turn as Nathan Ajayi in Netflix’s heartfelt series Heartstopper (2022). In the theatre realm, Akinade continued to shine with performances in the National Theatre’s Barber Shop Chronicles (2020) and a televised Romeo and Juliet where he embodied Mercutio (2021). His recent work includes the character Chevalier de Saint‑Jacques in Starz’s Dangerous Liaisons (2022), a role that underscores his ability to navigate period drama with modern relevance. Openly gay, Akinade has spoken candidly about the impact of queer representation on television, noting that Heartstopper helped him feel more joyful and brave about his own identity, thereby positioning him not only as an accomplished actor but also as an increasingly influential voice within the LGBTQ+ community.