The Best of British Film & TV Talent
These are the names and faces that most can identify as some of the best examples of black British talent. They grace both the small and the big screen using their craft to tell stories and bring characters to life. Find out what they will be doing next.
The Jack of all trades: Noel Clarke
Noel Clarke is the poster boy for sheer determination and raw talent. Kidulthood the 2006 film he wrote and starred in is semi autobiographical, based on his experience growing up on a council estate in West London. He is an actor, director, producer and screenwriter and though he did not attend drama school he has compiled an impression resume. Born in 1975, Noel has been the recipient of the Bafta Orange Rising star award in 2009 and the Laurence Oliver award for most promising newcomer in 2002. On television he is most popular for his role as Mickey Smith in the Doctor Who series. His writing credits include BBC 3’s West 10 LDN, an episode of Torchwood and 2002 short film Licks. Noel directed the ‘Kidulthood’ sequel entitled ‘Adulthood’ in 2008.
This year sees the premiere of two of his films – the action adventure ‘Centurion’ and the heist film 4,3,2,1. The latter was written and directed by him. Also in April his production company Unstoppable Entertainment signed a finance and distribution deal with Mel Gibson’s company Icon Entertainment. This and his other work simply cement the fact that Noel Clarke’s rise is indeed unstoppable.
The Leading Man: Idris Elba
Idris Elba came to the world’s attention as Stringer Bell, the dynamic and business savvy drug dealer in HBO’s The Wire. Audiences had no idea, at the time, that the man playing a Maryland native was born and bred in Hackney, London. Proving his skills and leaving an impression, Idris has gone on to star in memorable roles in American Gangster with Denzel Washington, Guy Ritchie’s Rock n Rolla and most recently in Legacy. Gracing the cover of Essence magazine as one of their sexiest male stars upped his status amongst American viewers.
The father of one has always proudly heralded his London roots. His latest role as a detective in the BBC series Luther has given him a chance to play an English character and introduce him to a wider British audience. He will also appear in The Losers out this month and Takers later this year.
The All-rounder: Naomie Harris
Naomie Harris is simply an actor who cannot be pigeonholed. She has been acting since the age of nine but came to prominence in Danny Boyle’s 28 Days later. The 33 year old has portrayed everything from a detective in Miami Vice and After the Sunset to a gypsy queen in Pirates of the Caribbean. Acting was her dream while growing up in Finsbury Park with writer mother Lisselle Kayla (Eastenders and Grange Hill). A degree at Pembroke College in Cambridge did not dampen her desire. Naomie picks roles she loves and effortlessly migrates from TV to Film on a regular basis. Her recent TV roles in the BBC dramas Small Island and Blood and Oil exemplify her acting range. Her latest film roles include Gemma in the comedy My Last Five Girlfriends and a teacher in the biographical film The First Grader.
The Siren: Thandie Newton
Thandie Newton has earned the moniker as one of Britain’s sexiest actresses. With her sultry voice and runway looks, Thandie was born to her Zimbabwean mother and English father in 1972. Raised in both London and Cornwall she made her acting debut in 1991’s Flirting with a young Nicole Kidman. In her next role she played the mistress of American President Thomas Jefferson, Sally Hemmings. Starring with Tom Cruise in the action adventure Mission Impossible made her a household name.
Married to director Oliver Parker and a mother of two, Thandie continues to grace our screens. Her new movies are Huge with Noel Clarke and Eddie Izzard and the horror Vanishing on 7th Street. She is also the new face of the Olay beauty brand.
The Graduate: Aml Ameen
His role as a young police officer on ITV’s The Bill gave Aml Ameen a large platform to prove his acting ability. He was gripping and diverse as PC Lewis Hardy and left the show with an explosive storyline. But the 24 year old never limited his ambitions to TV. His big screen debut in Kidulthood saw his profile rise alongside the acclaimed film. Born and raised in North London, he started the Actors Student Alliance in 2008, a drama school and management company, for undiscovered talent in London.
Now Aml will appear with Cuba Gooding Jr and Terrance Howard in the film Red Tails. He is moving to LA to film the new David E Kelley (LA Law and Ally McBeal) law drama Kindreds, proving that there is no limit for this young actor.
The Cinematographer: Remi Adefarasin
The BAFTA winning cinematographer Remi Adefarasin has built his reputation behind the camera working on films like Elizabeth the Golden Age and the recent HBO WWII series The Pacific. Born in London in 1948, Remi has worked on more than thirty films since the 1980s. His career began in television working with director Mike Leigh. After studying photography and filmmaking at the Harrow Art School he became a camera trainee at the BBC.
Remi has worked with director Woody Allen twice on his films Scoop and Match Point. His latest works are the Ricky Gervais film Cemetery Junction and the Meet the Fockers Sequel.
This article is the first in a series. Read Part 1, about Britain’s up and coming Film and TV Talent
Thanks Auteur Cineaste! I am glad you liked the articles. There was a long list of artists who fit the bill including the hard-working Lennie James, Colin Salmon and Adrian Lester. I am a huge Without a Trace fan and clearly remember watching the Academy Awards the year Marianne was nominated and being distressed by the UK press pretty much ignoring her during the process. And I was delighted to watch Carmen in the sweet film Away We Go a few months ago.
With these articles I just mentioned some of the names who have big name work coming out soon but in no way was I trying to ignore the successes of those you mentioned and the others I can think of. With a limited word space it was hard to mention them all but I hope I can do a feature on all the Black British actors toiling away out there. In my opinion, they do not get the recognition they deserve so it is always a pleasure to write about them and in turn introduce their faces and names to those who are unaware of their successes.
Janine,
This and your previous article are very welcome seeing that neither Empire, Total Film or Sight and Sound are ever going to do this kind of feature. I’m sure you had to edit your choices but I’ve really got to pull you up on at least three glaring omissions.
Firstly, if your featuring Thandie and Naomie you really should have featured Marianne Jean-Baptiste. She is the first Black British actor to get a Oscar nomination. She also happens to star in a primtime US TV show Without a Trace which can be seen on Channel 4.
I’d also have made a case for Oscar-nominated actress Sophie Okonedo recently seen starring in BBC TV’s Mrs. Mandela.
Finally, you should have featured the star of the biggest non-reality TV shows in the US, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje from Lost on SKY1.
That’s not taking into account Eamonn Walker, Marsha Thomason and Carmen Ejogo to name a few.