Paapa Essiedu

More about Paapa Essiedu

British actor Paapa Essiedu was raised by his Ghanaian mother in East London. Planning to become a doctor, he secured a place at University College London to read medicine, but a gap year changed his course. He began performing in youth theater and was accepted into the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Paapa Essiedu on stage

Paapa Essiedu recently starred in All My Sons at the Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End, playing the role of Chris Keller in Arthur Miller’s iconic play, directed by Ivo Van Hove.

His other recent stage credits include the West End transfer for Death of England: Delroy at @sohoplace theatre; and in Jamie Lloyd’s revival of The Effect at the National Theatre in London and its transfer to The Shed in New York.

Essiedu first performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2012, and in 2014 he took the role of Edmund’s understudy in King Lear. Then in 2016 he starred as Hamlet at the RSC, winning the 2016 Ian Charleson Award.

Paapa’s other stage work includes A Number (The Old Vic), Pass Over (Kiln Theatre), The Convert (The Young Vic), Pinter Plays (Harold Pinter Theatre), Racing Demon (Theatre Royal Bath), You For Me For You (Royal Court), Romeo and Juliet (Tobacco Factory), King Lear (National Theatre), Black Jesus (Finborough Theatre), Outside on the Street (Pleasance Theatre), and Dutchman (The Orange Tree).

Paapa Essiedu on screen

In 2018, Paapa was selected as a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit and Forbes 30 under 30 in Entertainment for Europe.

His film roles include Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express, and Men.

On TV, Paapa has appeared in series including I May Destroy You, The Capture, The Lazurus Project, Gangs of London, Press, Kiri, The Miniaturist, Revolting, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Utopia, Not Safe For Work.

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