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

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

Damson Alade-Bo Idris[2] (born 2 September 1991) is a British 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

Idris was born in Peckham, South East London to Nigerian parents, and he is of Yoruba Nigerian descent. 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 all gone on to corporate careers in law, business, and IT. He ended up studying drama at Brunel University London.[5][6][7] He received a BA Honours degree in Theatre, Film & Television studies.[8] He then continued his training at Identity School of Acting in London alongside the likes of John Boyega, Letitia Wright, and Malachi Kirby.

Career

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.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11] Idris earned strong reviews for his performance; Malcolm Venable of TV Guide called him "nothing short of captivating."[12] The second series of Snowfall, set in 1984, premiered in July 2018.[11]

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.[13] 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.[14][15][16] He also appears in "Smithereens," the second episode of the fifth season of the anthology series Black Mirror.[11]

In May 2017, Idris won the "Emerging Talent Award" at the 12th Screen Nation Film and Television Awards in London.[17]

In 2023, Idris became the new brand ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger's menswear.[18]

Personal life

Idris dated Lori Harvey between January 2023 and September 2023. Idris is a devoted football fan and supports Manchester United F.C. He said his hero is American actor Denzel Washington. In 2017, he told Interview magazine, "[Denzel is] phenomenal. I didn't know I wanted to be an actor, but once it found me I looked at whom people were saying were great. I looked at who I wanted to be like. Not just in acting, but in their personal life as well. Being a well-rounded person, a fine example of good taste and prestige and class, that's what I really chased, so he was the person that did it for me."

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2016City of Tiny LightsHakim
2017Megan LeaveyMichael Forman
2018The CommuterAgent Denys
AstralJordan
FarmingEnitan
2021Outside the WireLt. Thomas Harp
TBAUntitled Joseph Kosinski filmJoshua PearceFilming

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013MirandaCommuterEpisode: "A Brief Encounter"
2015CasualtyLeon JamesEpisode: "Heart Over Head"
2015DoctorsKrispin NorthcoteEpisode: "Surrogate Dad"
2017–2023SnowfallFranklin SaintMain cast
2019The Twilight ZoneDorian HarrisonEpisode: "Replay"
2019Black MirrorJaden TomminsEpisode: "Smithereens"
2023 SwarmKhalidEpisode: "Stung"

Theatre

YearTitleRoleTheatrePlaywright
2012Khadija Is 18Sam[19]Finborough TheatreShamser Sinha
2012Pandora's BoxTope[20]Arcola TheatreAde Solanke
2013Ghost TownJoe[5]Pilot TheatreJessica Fisher
2013The DugOutLeoTobacco Factory TheatreAmanda Whittington
2014HotelOtherRoyal National TheatrePolly Stenham

References

  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. 1 2 Stanhope, Kate (8 June 2017). "John Singleton Reveals Inspirations for His FX Cocaine Drama 'Snowfall'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Ghost Town". Pilot Theatre. 1 December 2013. p. 12. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 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. ↑ Sherwin, Adam (3 January 2016). "The agent whose black British actors are causing waves across Hollywood". The Independent. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. 1 2 3 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.
  12. ↑ Venable, Malcolm (30 June 2017). "John Singleton's Snowfall Audition Process Sounds Insane". TV Guide. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  13. ↑ Lodderhose, Diana (5 May 2017). "Kate Beckinsale, Damson Idris & Gugu Mbatha-Raw To Star In 'Farming' – Cannes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  14. ↑ "Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje's 'Farming' Wins at Edinburgh International Film Festival". 28 June 2019.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ Ford, Rebecca (5 May 2017). "Cannes: Kate Beckinsale, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Damson Idris to Star in 'Farming'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  17. ↑ "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.
  18. ↑ "Tommy Hilfiger Announces Damson Idris as Menswear Brand Ambassador". V Magazine. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  19. ↑ Bowie-Sell, Daisy (8 November 2012). "Khadija is 18, Finborough Theatre, review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  20. ↑ "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.
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