Sope Dirisu

Sope Dirisu (Yoruba: Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, [ʃɔ̄k͡pɛ́ dìɾísù]; born 9 January 1991) is a remarkable British-Nigerian actor. He launched his film career in 2016, gracing the screens with standout performances in Sand Castle, Criminal, and The Huntsman: Winter's War. Since 2020, he garnered major recognition for his role as Elliot Carter / Finch in the acclaimed Sky Atlantic series Gangs of London. More recently, in 2022, he brilliantly portrayed the main character in the period drama film, Mr. Malcolm's List. Born to Nigerian parents in London, who were both academically inclined - his father, a historian, and his mother, a law practitioner turned preacher, they have greatly influenced his life. He is a product of Bedford Modern School, where he revealed his flair for drama, and joined the National Youth Theatre in 2006. He later pursued Economics at the University of Birmingham where he also demonstrated his athleticism as the quarterback for the University of Birmingham Lions American Football team.

In 2012, his acting career took off after he aced an audition for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Open Stages Programme. His first stage role was as Pericles in Shakespeare’s famous play, 'Pericles, Prince of Tyre'. After a fruitful time with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Dirisu returned to the National Youth Theatre where he underwent rigorous training in the REP company programme for eight months. His exceptional acting skills have seen him feature in several television series including The Mill, Utopia, Humans, The Casual Vacancy, Siblings, and Undercover. Dirisu received a Commendation at the Ian Charleson Awards for his awe-inspiring 2017 performance as Coriolanus in the play of the same name at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Interestingly, he was also nominated as Best Actor for the 2020 British Independent Film Awards for his incredible role as Bol in the film His House.