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Damson Idris

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Damson Idris
Idris in 2020
Idris in 2019
Born
Adamson Alade-Bo Idris [1]

(1991-09-02) 2 September 1991 (age 33)
Peckham, London, England
Alma materBrunel University London
OccupationActor
Years active2012–present

Damson Alade-Bo Idris[2] (born 2 September 1991) is an Nigerian-English actor. He is best known for starring on John Singleton's crime drama Snowfall, which debuted 5 July 2017 on FX and ended in 2023 after six seasons.[3][4] He played the co-lead in Netflix's 2021 sci-fi action film Outside the Wire.

Early life and education

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Idris was born in Peckham, South East London, to a Yoruba, Nigerian family. He is the youngest of six children. He played football and dreamed of being "the next Cristiano Ronaldo".[5] He also played rugby,[6] and in 2002, he shook the hand of Queen Elizabeth II when his team took part in her Golden Jubilee. Idris's elder siblings—three brothers and two sisters—have mostly gone on to corporate careers in law, business, and IT Consulting, with one of his sisters working as his PR agent. He ended up studying drama at Brunel University London.[5][6][7] He completed a BA Honours degree in Theatre, Film & Television studies.[8] He would later receive an Alumni Award for Outstanding Contribution to Culture and Creativity from the university in 2024.[9] After graduating, Idris continued his training at Identity School of Acting in London alongside the likes of John Boyega, Letitia Wright, and Malachi Kirby.

Career

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At Brunel, Idris met actress Cathy Tyson, who encouraged him to meet Ade Solanke and audition for a part in her play, Pandora's Box. He got the role, signed with an agent and began performing in more plays.[5] He also trained at the Identity School of Acting, founded by Femi Oguns.[10] After performing at the Royal National Theatre in London, Idris decided to pursue television and film roles.[6] He had several parts on British series including Miranda (2013), Doctors (2015) and Casualty (2015).

Idris's breakout role is Franklin Saint, an ambitious 19-year-old drug dealer in Los Angeles, in the FX crime drama Snowfall from John Singleton, which debuted in July 2017. The first season of Snowfall — set in 1983 as the United States is on the verge of the crack cocaine epidemic — weaves together the stories of several characters whose lives will soon collide because of drugs.[4] Idris auditioned through video in London before flying out to Los Angeles, where he spent the day with Singleton, who wanted to ensure Idris had mastery of the accent.[11] To practise his American accent he worked with rapper WC, who tutored him on not just an authentic accent but the mannerisms specific to South Central Los Angeles.[12] Idris earned strong reviews for his performance; Malcolm Venable of TV Guide called him "nothing short of captivating."[13] The second series of Snowfall, set in 1984, premiered in July 2018.[12]

Idris had his first big screen part in 2016 in the British thriller City of Tiny Lights, starring Riz Ahmed. In 2017, he made his American film debut in Megan Leavey alongside Kate Mara, who plays the title character in the eponymous war film. Idris also has a part as an FBI agent in the 2018 film The Commuter with Liam Neeson; and starred in Farming, alongside Kate Beckinsale. Farming is a semi-autobiographical story of Nigerian-British actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, who directed the film.[14] Idris plays the character based on Akinnuoye-Agbaje, who, like many Nigerian people in the late 20th century, was "farmed out" to a white family in the UK in the hopes of a better life, while Beckinsale portrays his strict foster mother. In 2019, Damson won the Award for Best Actor in a British Film at the Edinburgh Film Festival for his portrayal.[15][16][17] He also appears in "Smithereens," the second episode of the fifth season of the anthology series Black Mirror.[12]

In May 2017, Idris won the "Emerging Talent Award" at the 12th Screen Nation Film and Television Awards in London.[18]

In 2023, Idris became the new brand ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger's menswear.[19]

On 7 April 2023, Deadline announced that Idris will star alongside Brad Pitt in the upcoming film F1 for Apple TV+, directed by Joseph Kosinski.[20]

Personal life

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Idris is a devoted football fan and supports Manchester United.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2016 City of Tiny Lights Hakim Crime / Drama / Mystery
2017 Megan Leavey Michael Forman Action / Biography / Drama
2018 The Commuter Agent Denys Action / Mystery / Thriller
Astral Jordan Drama / Horror / Sci-Fi
Farming Enitan Drama
2021 Outside the Wire Lt. Thomas Harp Action / Adventure / Fantasy
2025 F1 † Joshua Pearce Filming

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2013 Miranda Commuter Episode: "A Brief Encounter"
2015 Casualty Leon James Episode: "Heart Over Head"
2015 Doctors Krispin Northcote Episode: "Surrogate Dad"
2017–2023 Snowfall Franklin Saint Main cast
2019 The Twilight Zone Dorian Harrison Episode: "Replay"
2019 Black Mirror Jaden Tommins Episode: "Smithereens"
2023 Swarm Khalid Episode: "Stung"

Theatre

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Year Title Role Theatre Playwright
2012 Khadija Is 18 Sam[21] Finborough Theatre Shamser Sinha
2012 Pandora's Box Tope[22] Arcola Theatre Ade Solanke
2013 Ghost Town Joe[5] Pilot Theatre Jessica Fisher
2013 The DugOut Leo Tobacco Factory Theatre Amanda Whittington
2014 Hotel Other Royal National Theatre Polly Stenham

Awards and Nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Refs.
2017 Screen Nation Film and Television Awards Emerging Talent Award Won [23]
2019 Edinburgh International Film Festival Best Actor In A British Film Farming Won [24]
2021 MOBO Awards Best Performance in a TV Show/Film Snowfall Nominated [25]
2022 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Nominated [26]
BET Awards Best Actor Nominated [27]
2023 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Nominated [28]
BET Awards Best Actor Won [29]
Celebration of Cinema and Television Actor (TV) Honored [30]
2024 Black Reel Awards Outstanding Lead Performance In A Drama Series Won [31]
MOBO Awards Best Performance in a TV Show/Film Won [32]
BET Awards Best Actor Nominated [33]
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Won [34]
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special Swarm Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Lewis, Tim (4 April 2021). "Damson Idris: 'Mum would dress me in a three-piece golden suit'". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Damson Alade-Bo IDRIS personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK".
  3. ^ Hipes, Patrick (9 July 2015). "FX Pilot 'Snowfall': Newcomer Damson Idris Tapped To Co-Star". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  4. ^ a b Stanhope, Kate (8 June 2017). "John Singleton Reveals Inspirations for His FX Cocaine Drama 'Snowfall'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d "Ghost Town". Pilot Theatre. 1 December 2013. p. 12. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  6. ^ a b c Kelsey, Colleen (7 June 2017). "Damson Idris". Interview. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  7. ^ "Damson Idris is on course for world domination". The Gentleman's Journal. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  8. ^ Patel, Divya (1 May 2017). "Scene Profiles | Screen Nation 'Emerging Talent' Award Nominees". SceneTV. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  9. ^ Palmer, Nadine (17 May 2024). "Hollywood actor Damson Idris returns to campus to collect Alumni Award". Brunel University London. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  10. ^ Sherwin, Adam (3 January 2016). "The agent whose black British actors are causing waves across Hollywood". The Independent. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  11. ^ Gordon, Diane (9 June 2017). "John Singleton's 'Snowfall' Opens ATX TV Festival: 'It's Like 'The Wonder Years' With Coke'". Variety. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  12. ^ a b c Kelley, Sonaiya (19 July 2018). "British actor Damson Idris brings L.A.'s '80s crack epidemic to life on 'Snowfall'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  13. ^ Venable, Malcolm (30 June 2017). "John Singleton's Snowfall Audition Process Sounds Insane". TV Guide. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  14. ^ Lodderhose, Diana (5 May 2017). "Kate Beckinsale, Damson Idris & Gugu Mbatha-Raw To Star In 'Farming' – Cannes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  15. ^ "Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje's 'Farming' Wins at Edinburgh International Film Festival". 28 June 2019.
  16. ^ Eweniyi, Odunayo (6 June 2017). "British-Nigerian Actor, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje Is Making A Movie Based on His Childhood". Konbini Nigeria. Archived from the original on 18 June 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  17. ^ Ford, Rebecca (5 May 2017). "Cannes: Kate Beckinsale, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Damson Idris to Star in 'Farming'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  18. ^ "Award season: The 12th annual Screen Nation Awards". Your Voice. 8 May 2017. Archived from the original on 22 June 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  19. ^ "Tommy Hilfiger Announces Damson Idris as Menswear Brand Ambassador". V Magazine. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  20. ^ Kroll, Justin (7 April 2023). "'Snowfall' Star Damson Idris Lands Coveted Role Opposite Brad Pitt In Apple's F1 Racing Film". Deadline. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  21. ^ Bowie-Sell, Daisy (8 November 2012). "Khadija is 18, Finborough Theatre, review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  22. ^ "Pandora's Box cast – Catch them while you can!". Spora Stories. 28 April 2012. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  23. ^ "Award season: The 12th annual Screen Nation Awards | The Voice Online". The Voice. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  24. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (28 June 2019). "Edinburgh Film Festival: Winners Include Race & Identity Drama Farming, Finnish Pic Aurora & Documentary Sakawa". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  25. ^ "THE MOBO AWARDS ANNOUNCE THEIR 2021 NOMINEES | MOBO Organisation". MOBO Awards. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  26. ^ Spivey, Kemberlie. "2022 NAACP Image Awards Nominations: The Full List". Forbes. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  27. ^ "BET Awards 2022 Nominees Announced". BET. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  28. ^ Lewis, Hilary (12 January 2023). "NAACP Image Awards 2023: Wakanda Forever, The Woman King Among Top Film Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Nominees and Winners: The Complete List". BET. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  30. ^ "The Critics Choice Association Announces Honorees for the Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements". Critics' Choice Awards. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  31. ^ "2024 Black Reel Film & TV Winners". Black Reel Awards. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  32. ^ "A SEISMIC MOMENT IN BLACK MUSIC AND CULTURE: HERE ARE THE WINNERS OF THE 26th MOBO AWARDS IN ASSOCIATION WITH MOBOLISE | MOBO Organisation". MOBO Awards. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  33. ^ "Drake Tops the List of Nominees for BET Awards 2024 With Seven Nods". BET. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  34. ^ "Winners". NAACP Image Awards. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
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