Biography
Paapa Kwaakye Essiedu (/ˈpɑːpə ˌɛsiˈeɪduː/) (born 1990) is a British actor. He started his career in 2012 when he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, acting in numerous productions, including The Merry Wives of Windsor (2012), King Lear (2014), Hamlet (2016), and Romeo and Juliet (2016). His breakthrough came with his role in the HBO miniseries I May Destroy You (2020), which earned nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award and British Academy Television Award. He portrayed George Boleyn in t...
Known For
Complete Filmography
National Theatre Live: Death of England: Delroy
2025
as Delroy
Unapologetically upwardly mobile and working as a bailiff, Delroy’s life spirals out of control on one surreal day as he races to get to the hospital ...
The Outrun
2024
as Daynin
Fresh out of rehab, Rona returns to the Orkney Islands—a place both wild and beautiful, right off the Scottish coast. Now 29 and after more than a dec...
National Theatre Live: The Effect
2024
as Tristan
Hearts and minds racing, Connie and Tristan are falling for each other fast. But is their sudden and intoxicating chemistry real, or a side effect of ...
Genie
2023
as Bernard Bottle
Flora, a genie trapped for more than 2,000 years inside an antique jewelry box, is accidentally called to service by Bernard, whose life is unraveling...
Men
2022
as James
In the aftermath of a personal tragedy, Harper retreats alone to the beautiful English countryside, hoping to find a place to heal. But someone — or s...
Femme
2021
as Jordan
When Jordan gets into the car of a flirtatious drug-dealer, his night takes a dangerous turn.
The Exit Plan
2021
as Zeke
Martha is a widow living out in the remote English countryside. She's also living at a time when overpopulation has strained the world's limited resou...
Stand Still
2019
as David
The darkness of postnatal depression threatens to overwhelm Susannah, but a chance encounter with Rupa might be the help she needs.
Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70
2018
as Narrator
A special documentary to mark the seventieth birthday of HRH the Prince of Wales. For this observational documentary, film-maker John Bridcut has had ...
The Miniaturist
2017
as Otto
A woman moves to live with her new husband in 17th century Amsterdam, but soon discovers that not everything is what it seems.
Murder on the Orient Express
2017
as Young Policeman
Genius Belgian detective Hercule Poirot investigates the murder of an American tycoon aboard the Orient Express train.
Canned
2017
as Charlie
A dark comedy. Three school friends each suffering from a 'quarter-life-crisis' are thrown back together again following a tragedy. Can their friendsh...
RSC Live: King Lear
2016
as Edmund
King Lear has ruled for many years. As age begins to overtake him, he decides to divide his kingdom amongst his children, living out his days without ...
RSC Live: Hamlet
2016
as Hamlet
Hamlet has the world at his feet. Young, wealthy and living a hedonistic life studying abroad. Then word reaches him that his father is dead. Returnin...
A Midsummer Night's Dream
2016
as Demetrius
At the tyrannical court of Athens, pitiless dictator Theseus plans his wedding to Hippolyta, a prisoner of war, while young Hermia is sentenced to dea...
Shakespeare Live! From the RSC
2016
as Hamlet
From the stage of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, David Tennant, Catherine Tate and guests mark the life of William Shakespeare on the 400th anniversar...
National Theatre Live: King Lear
2014
as The Duke of Burgundy
An aged king decides to divide his kingdom between his three daughters, according to which of them is most eloquent in praising him. His favourite, Co...
Sweet Dreams
N/A
as Billy
In the forgotten English seaside town of Claypole, a series of serendipitous and unfortunate coincidences conspire to bring the lives and overreaching...
The Scurry
N/A
Chaos erupts at an eco-café when a horde of deranged squirrels seeks revenge on the staff and visitors, forcing two summoned pest controllers to face ...