Lucian Msamati

Lucian Gabriel Wiina Msamati (born 5 March 1976) is a British-Tanzanian actor, director, producer, and writer. He is known for his work in theatre, film, television and radio. His notable screen roles include Salladhor Saan in the HBO series Game of Thrones, J.L.B. Matekoni in the BBC/HBO adaptation of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, David Runihura in the Netflix/BBC thriller Black Earth Rising, Ed Dumani in the Sky/AMC series Gangs of London and Cardinal Adeyemi in Conclave.

In theatre, Msamati was the first Black actor to portray Iago at the Royal Shakespeare Company, in a 2015 production of Othello. He has also performed other significant roles such as Toledo in the National Theatre's revival of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom in 2016, Antonio Salieri in the National Theatre's revival of Amadeus in 2017–2018, and Arturo Ui in Brecht's The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui at the Lyric Hammersmith in 2008. Additionally, he portrayed Kevin/Albert in Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris at the Royal Court Theatre and The Wyndhams Theatre in the West End from 2010 to 2011.

Msamati is a patron of Lewisham Youth Theatre, WildChild and The Actor's Children's Trust (ACT) and currently serves on the board of trustees at the Donmar Warehouse.

Early life and education Msamati

Career Theatre

After university, he worked as an advertising copywriter and freelance radio presenter. He also worked as a voice-over artist, compère and after-dinner speaker.

In 1994, Msamati and some school friends founded the Over the Edge Theatre Company in Harare. The company celebrated its 10th anniversary in December 2004, having toured Europe, the United States and South Africa. From 1998 to 2001, it performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland; some plays were written by Msamati. He has continued to work with Tiata Fahodzi, directing Boi Boi is Dead in February–March 2015.

From October 2016 to March 2017 and from February to April 2018, he performed in the leading role of Antonio Salieri in Peter Shaffer's play Amadeus at the National Theatre, a performance which Michael Billington, in a four-starred review for The Guardian, described as "excellent".

In 2019, he starred as Sam in Master Harold and the Boys at the Royal National Theatre.

Msamati has appeared in several other theatrical productions in London, UK, including:

Fabulation, Tricycle Theatre Ruined, Almeida Theatre Clybourne Park, Royal Court Theatre

Television He has also appeared in several television productions, including episodes of the television series Ultimate Force and Spooks. In 2008, he took on his most prominent role, playing JLB Matekoni in the BBC/HBO-produced series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. He has guest starred in episodes of the BBC television series Luther, Ashes to Ashes, Doctor Who, Taboo, and Death in Paradise, as well as playing the part of the pirate Salladhor Saan in the HBO series Game of Thrones. He recently appeared as Lord Faa in His Dark Materials on BBC One. In 2020 Msamati appeared as Ed Dumani in Sky Atlantic's Gangs of London and in an episode of the BBC's production of Alan Bennett's Talking Heads.

Film Msamati appeared in the film The International (2009). Other film credits include Lumumba (1999), directed by Raoul Peck; the animated feature The Legend of the Sky Kingdom (2003), directed by Roger Hawkins and Richard II, directed by Rupert Goold.

Radio Msamati appeared as Matthew in the BBC Radio 4 drama Burned to Nothing (2011) by Rex Obano.

Personal life Msamati permanently moved to the UK in 2003,

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2003 The Legend of the Sky Kingdom Italiano (voice) Credited as Wina Msamati 2009 The International General Charles Motomba 2016 Seekers Yusuf Short film 2019 The Good Liar Beni 2020 Zog and the Flying Doctors The Lion (voice) Short film 2022 See How They Run Max Mallowan 2024 Conclave Cardinal Adeyemi

Television