David Gyasi

David Kwaku Asamoah Gyasi (; born 2 January 1980) is an English actor. His films include Cloud Atlas and Interstellar (2014). On television, he is known for his roles in the BBC series White Heat (2012) and Troy: Fall of a City (2018), the CW miniseries Containment (2016), the Amazon Prime series Carnival Row (2019–2023), and the Netflix political thriller The Diplomat (2023–present).

Early life Gyasi was born 2 January 1980 in Hammersmith, London, one of seven children to Ashanti Ghanaian parents who had arrived in England in 1966. They nearly divorced when he was young. Gyasi grew up in Fulham and Hayes. He attended Bishopshalt School and completed his A Levels at East Berkshire College. He went on to study Drama at Middlesex University. He then played young Victor (played by Hugh Quarshie later in the character's life) in the BBC Two historical drama White Heat. This was followed by roles in the BBC One television film The Whale (2013) and Christopher Nolan's Interstellar (2014), the latter of which earned him a Black Reel Award nomination for Best Breakthrough Performance. Gyasi was cast as the lead of The Interceptor, also on BBC One, but had to drop out due to a heel injury. The role was taken over by O. T. Fagbenle.

Gyasi starred as Major Alex "Lex" Carnahan in 2016 the CW miniseries Containment. He went on to portray Achilles in the 2018 BBC and Netflix adaptation of The Iliad, titled Troy: Fall of a City. From 2019 to 2023, he starred as Agreus in the Amazon Prime fantasy series Carnival Row. He also led the Western film Hell on the Border and appeared in Cold Blood, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and Come Away. He had a recurring role as Ben Chambers in series 3 of The A Word.

Since 2023 he has played British Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison in the Netflix series The Diplomat.

Personal life Gyasi began dating his wife Emma (née Llaudes) during sixth form at East Berkshire College. They had their first child, a daughter Elèna (born 1999); she is now an actress. The couple married that year and later had their second child, a son Nathaniel. The family settled in a Buckinghamshire village. Gyasi is a practising Anglican.

Filmography Film 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 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 Year Title Role Notes 2006 Much Ado About Nothing Claudio Library Theatre, Manchester 2008–2009 War Horse Lieutenant Stewart / Rudi Royal National Theatre, London