David Kwaku Asamoah Gyasi(/ˈdʒæsi/;[1]born 2 January 1980) is a British actor. His films includeCloud Atlas(2012) andInterstellar(2014). On television, he is known for his roles in the BBC seriesWhite Heat(2012) andTroy: Fall of a City(2018),the CWminiseriesContainment(2016), theAmazon PrimeseriesCarnival Row(2019–2023), and theNetflixpolitical thrillerThe Diplomat(2023).
David Gyasi | |
|---|---|
| Born | David Kwaku Asamoah Gyasi 2 January 1980 Hammersmith,London, England |
| Alma mater | Middlesex University |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Spouse | Emma Gyasi |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
editGyasi was born 2 January 1980[2]inHammersmith,London, one of seven children toAshantiGhanaianparents[3]who had arrived in England in 1966.[4]They divorced when he was young. Gyasi grew up inFulhamandHayes.He attendedBishopshalt School[5]and completed hisA LevelsatEast Berkshire College.[6]He went on to study Drama atMiddlesex University.[7]
Career
editGyasi landed his first main television role as Jeremy Hands in the 2005ITVcomedyMike Bassett: Manager,a follow-up toMike Bassett: England Manager(2001), and his first major film role that same year inMichael Caton-Jones'Shooting Dogs.Gyasi appeared alongsideKit Haringtonin the 2008National Theatreproduction ofWar Horse.
In 2012, Gyasi starred in the science fiction filmCloud Atlasas aMoriorislave called Autua; his inaccurate casting caused controversy for perpetuating false stereotypes about Moriori people.[8][9]He then played young Victor (played byHugh Quarshielater in the character's life) in theBBC Twohistorical dramaWhite Heat.This was followed by roles in theBBC Onetelevision filmThe Whale(2013) andChristopher Nolan'sInterstellar(2014), the latter of which earned him aBlack Reel Awardnomination forBest Breakthrough Performance.Gyasi was cast as the lead ofThe Interceptor,also on BBC One, but had to drop out due to a heel injury. The role was taken over byO. T. Fagbenle.[10]
Gyasi starred as Major Alex "Lex" Carnahan in 2016the CWminiseriesContainment.He went on to portrayAchillesin the 2018 BBC andNetflixadaptation ofThe Iliad,titledTroy: Fall of a City.From 2019 to 2023, he starred as Agreus in theAmazon Primefantasy seriesCarnival Row.[11]He also led the Western filmHell on the Border[12]and appeared inCold Blood,Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,andCome Away.He had a recurring role as Ben Chambers in series 3 ofThe A Word.
Personal life
editGyasi began dating his wife Emma (née Llaudes) during sixth form at East Berkshire College. They had their first child, a daughter Elèna, who is now an actress.[13]The couple married that year and later had their second child, a son Nathaniel.[7]The family settled in a Buckinghamshire village.[14]Gyasi is a practising Anglican.[15]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | What a Girl Wants | Ian's Band Member | |
| 2005 | Shooting Dogs | François | |
| 2006 | Shoot the Messenger | Timothy | |
| 2012 | Red Tails | Corporal | |
| The Dark Knight Rises | Skinny Prisoner | ||
| Cloud Atlas | Autua / Lester Rey / Duophysite | ||
| 2014 | Interstellar | Romilly | |
| 2018 | Annihilation | Daniel | |
| Hunter Killer | The Chief of the Boat of USS Arkansas | ||
| 2019 | Cold Blood | Malcolm | |
| Maleficent: Mistress of Evil | Percival | ||
| Hell on the Border | Bass Reeves | ||
| 2020 | Come Away | Captain Hook | |
| 2021 | Ear for Eye | US Dad |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Goal | Joe Saunders | 1 episode |
| 2003–2004 | Casualty | Bryce | 2 episodes |
| 2004 | Murder City | Reporter | 1 episode |
| William and Mary | Policeman | 1 episode | |
| 2005 | Sea of Souls | Lucas Hegarty | 2 episodes |
| Dream Team | Marlon | 1 episode | |
| No Angels | Leonard | 1 episode | |
| The Brief | DS Kitson | 1 episode | |
| Mike Bassett: Manager | Jeremy Hands | 5 episodes | |
| The Bill | Jason Fielding | 1 episode | |
| 2005–2007 | Doctors | Joe Fisher / Sean Foster | 2 episodes |
| 2006 | Torchwood | Hospital Patient | 1 episode |
| 2007 | Coming Up | Marlon | 1 episode |
| Silent Witness | DS Ian Cross | 1 episode | |
| 2008 | Waking the Dead | Charlie Ayanike | 2 episodes |
| Apparitions | Father Daniel | 2 episodes | |
| 2009 | Demons | Physics Teacher | 1 episode |
| Law & Order: UK | Lennie Gaines | 1 episode | |
| Murderland | Will | 2 episodes | |
| 2010 | Holby City | Moses Abebe | 1 episode |
| 2012 | White Heat | Victor | Main role; 6 episodes |
| Doctor Who | Harvey | 1 episode | |
| 2013 | The Whale | Peterson | Television film |
| 2016 | Containment | Lex Carnahan | Lead role |
| 2017 | Man in an Orange Shirt | Steve | Episode 2 |
| 2018 | Troy: Fall of a City | Achilles | 8 episodes |
| 2019–2023 | Carnival Row | Agreus | Main role |
| 2020 | The A Word | Ben | 5 episodes |
| 2022 | The Sandman | The Grey Cat (voice) | Episode: "Dream of a Thousand Cats" |
| The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself | Marcus Edge | 3 episodes | |
| 2023-present | The Diplomat | Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison | Main role |
Stage
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Much Ado About Nothing | Claudio | Library Theatre,Manchester[16] |
| 2008–2009 | War Horse | Lieutenant Stewart / Rudi | Royal National Theatre,London |
References
edit- ^"The Cast Of" Carnival Row "Tells Us About Their Firsts".BuzzFeed Celeb.30 August 2019.Retrieved13 November2020.
- ^Kebble, Mark (June 2021)."Living the Dream".Absolutely Berkshire magazine.Retrieved2 January2023.
- ^Ngimbi, Emmanuella (2020)."Hell On The Border: Interview With David Gyasi".Pride.Retrieved6 March2023.
- ^"EUR Exclusive: 'Interstellar' Star David Gyasi Discusses Key Role in Film (Watch)".EURweb.5 November 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 7 November 2014.Retrieved7 November2014.
- ^"david gyasi [carnival row]".A Book of Magazine.12 September 2019.Retrieved6 March2023.
- ^"College and Firestation Arts team-up to ignite new talent".Windsor Forest College.Archived fromthe originalon 2 April 2023.Retrieved7 March2023.
- ^abHoggard, Liz (29 March 2012)."I never thought about what my father went through when he came here".Evening Standard.Retrieved12 November2022.
- ^Monji, Jana J. (19 November 2012)."A hovering accusation of racism shadows 'Cloud Atlas'".Age of the Geek.Retrieved30 March2024.
- ^says, Desechables Monterrey (25 March 2014)."Accumulated Histories and Disposable People in Cloud Atlas and the Black Atlantic".The Black Atlantic.Archivedfrom the original on 28 September 2022.Retrieved28 September2022.
- ^Dowell, Ben (30 August 2019)."The rise and rise of David Gyasi".Royal Television Society.Retrieved6 March2023.
- ^Petski, Denise (22 September 2017)."'Carnival Row': David Gyasi, Karla Crome, Indira Varma & Tamzin Merchant Join Amazon's Fantasy Drama Series ".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved15 December2017.
- ^Colurso, Mary."Filming of" Hell on the Border "in Alabama".AL.com.Retrieved6 March2023.
- ^Rosky, Nicole (16 July 2021)."Photos: New Shots of the Queens of the SIX UK Tour!".BroadwayWorld.Retrieved12 November2022.
- ^"ear for eye actor David Gyasi talks about how heart breaking having that" conversation "with 13 year old son was".Alt a Review.14 October 2021.Retrieved6 March2023.
- ^Handley MacMath, Terence (1 February 2021)."Interview: David Gyasi, actor".Church Times.Retrieved6 March2023.
- ^"David Gyasi".BBA Shakespeare.Retrieved6 March2023.