Kingsley Ben-Adir

Kingsley Ben-Adir (born 20 November 1986) is a British actor. His credits include playing pathologist Marcus Summer in ITV's Vera (2014–2018), private detective Karim Washington on Netflix's The OA, Colonel Ben Younger in the BBC drama Peaky Blinders (2017–2019), and Gravik in the superhero miniseries Secret Invasion (2023).

He starred as Malcolm X in the Amazon Studios film One Night in Miami... (2020), for which he won the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Performer, and as Bob Marley in Bob Marley: One Love (2024).

Early life and education Ben-Adir was born in Kentish Town, London, England. His maternal grandparents were from Trinidad and Tobago. His paternal grandparents were born in England; his surname is Hebrew, meaning son of the strong or mighty. He attended Rhyl Street Primary School in Kentish Town, London.

He attended secondary school at William Ellis School in Gospel Oak, Northwest London. He graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2011.

Career In 2011, Ben-Adir performed in Gillian Slovo's play The Riots at the Tricycle Theatre. In 2012, he played Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.

In 2013, he played Borachio in Mark Rylance's production of Much Ado About Nothing at the Old Vic in London and also played in God's Property at the Soho Theatre.

In 2014, Ben-Adir performed in the play We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884–1915 at the Bush Theatre in London. The play received positive reviews.

From 2017 to 2019, Ben-Adir appeared in series four and five of the BBC One television series Peaky Blinders, playing Colonel Ben Younger. He played private detective Karim Washington on Netflix's The OA (2019),

In 2020, Ben-Adir starred as Malcolm X in the Amazon Studios film One Night in Miami... directed by Regina King.

In April 2022, he joined the ensemble cast of Barbie. In 2023, he appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series Secret Invasion as Gravik, a Skrull rebel plotting to conquer Earth.

Acting credits Film Year Title Role Notes 2012 City Slacker Thug 2013 World War Z Officer Hawkins Uncredited 2016 Trespass Against Us Sampson 2017 King Arthur: Legend of the Sword Wet Stick 2018 The Commuter Agent Garcia 2019 Noelle Jake Hapman 2020 One Night in Miami... Malcolm X 2023 Barbie Basketball Ken 2024 Bob Marley: One Love Bob Marley 2026 Frank & Louis Frank TBA Scorn Filming

Television Year Title Role Notes 2013 Agatha Christie's Marple Errol 1 episode 2014–2018 Vera Dr. Marcus Summer Main role, 16 episodes 2016 Midsomer Murders Bartholomew Hines 1 episode 2016 Ordinary Lies Jake 1 episode 2017 Death in Paradise Irie Johnson 1 episode 2017 Diana and I Russell Television film 2017–2019 Peaky Blinders Col. Ben Younger Main role, 5 episodes 2018 Deep State Khalid Walker 4 episodes 2019 The OA Karim Washington Main role, 6 episodes 2020 High Fidelity Russell McCormack Recurring role, 7 episodes 2020 Love Life Grant 1 episode 2020 The Comey Rule Barack Obama Miniseries, 2 episodes 2020 Soulmates Franklin 1 episode 2023 Secret Invasion Gravik Miniseries, main role, 6 episodes

Theatre Year Title Role Venue 2011 The Riots Performer Tricycle Theatre, London 2012 A Midsummer Night's Dream Demetrius Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London 2013 Much Ado About Nothing Borachio The Old Vic, London 2013 God's Property Soho Theatre, London 2014 We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884–1915 Actor 2 Bush Theatre, London 2024 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Brick Almeida, London

Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryWorkResult2021 British Academy Film Awards Rising Star Award 2021 Cannes Film Festival Trophée Chopard of Male Revelation 2021 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture One Night in Miami 2021 Independent Spirit Award Robert Altman Award 2020 Gotham Awards Breakthrough Actor 2020 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards Most Promising Performer 2020 San Francisco Film Awards Outstanding Ensemble 2020 Atlantic Film Critics Circle Breakthrough Performer 2020 Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actor 2020 Indiana Film Journalists Association Best Actor