Ariyon Bakare is one of those actors whose face is instantly familiar, even if you don’t always know his name — but his story is anything but ordinary.
Born in 1971 in East London, with a Nigerian father, Bakare grew up in a challenging environment. He left home aged 15 following a falling-out with his father and spent periods of homelessness while still at school.
At 17, he moved to New York to train as a dancer. But after realising the physical toll and limited span of a dance career, he turned to acting, eventually studying at Drama Centre London. His first major TV breakthrough came when he starred in A Respectable Trade (1998), becoming the first Black man to lead a BBC period drama.
Career Highlights
Bakare has built a diverse body of work across theatre, television and film:
- On television: roles in Doctors (as Dr Benjamin Kwarme), His Dark Materials, Carnival Row, and Mr Loverman.
- Film work has included appearances in Life, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Jupiter Ascending, The Dark Knight, among others.
- Theatre: performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company and in productions such as A Servant to Two Masters.
Recently, Bakare won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Mr Loverman.
Personal Drive & Impact
Bakare has spoken openly about how his early years, especially the time he was homeless, left a deep emotional imprint. He has also used his platform for advocacy: founding iC4RE, a racial justice initiative; speaking on issues of identity, representation and systemic inequality.
Why He Matters
What makes Bakare stand out is not only his versatility and range — from period dramas to fantasy, from stage to screen — but his steadfast commitment to authenticity. He seems to choose roles and projects that challenge norms and explore the complex intersections of race, identity, power and humanity. For many, he represents both resilience and aspiration: someone who came from hardship, but has built a career marked by depth, integrity and impact.