Paapa Essiedu (BA Acting)
Key details:
- Department:
- Drama
Biography
Paapa joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2012 to play Fenton in Phillip Breen's production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. In 2014, he went to the National Theatre, playing Burgundy and understudying Edmund in Sam Mendes’ production of King Lear. When Sam Troughton lost his voice during a performance, Paapa stepped in and played the role to critical acclaim.
In 2015, Paapa starred as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet at the RSC and in You For Me For You at the Royal Court Theatre. In 2016, Paapa played the title role in Hamlet at the RSC, becoming the first black actor to play the role at the RSC. Paapa won best performance in a play at the UK Theatre Awards for his role.
In 2017, Paapa featured in the TV series The Miniaturist, and film Murder on the Orient Express.
Paapa was selected as a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit in 2018, and featured in the miniseries Kiri.
In 2020, Paapa appeared in Gangs of London and I May Destroy You, written by Guildhall School classmate Michaela Coel. In 2021, Paapa was nominated for a BAFTA and a Primetime Emmy award for his role as Kwame in the drama.
Paapa starred in the miniseries Anne Boleyn in 2021, George Boleyn. It was also announced that Paapa is to join the cast of The Capture for season two.
