Ariyon Bakare

Cast · Writer · Director

Born

June 2, 1971 · London, England, UK

Birth name

Ariyon Debo Bakare

Ariyon Bakare is a British actor, writer, and director who has worked across film, television, and theatre since graduating from Drama Centre London. Born and raised in the East End of London, he was brought up by his Nigerian father in the East End. At a young age, Bakare moved to New York City to study dance, However, at twenty-one, he shifted his focus to acting. Bakare continued his training at the HB Studio in New York, studying under the renowned Uta Hagen, before returning to the UK to attend the prestigious Drama Centre London. There, he studied under theatre luminaries Yat Malgren and Christopher Fettes, two of the UK's most respected acting pedagogues. In 1998, Bakare made history as the first Black man to lead a BBC period drama, portraying Mehuru in the BAFTA-nominated adaptation of Philippa Gregory's A Respectable Trade. His performance was widely praised for its intelligence and emotional depth. He gained wider recognition as Dr. Ben Kwarme in the BBC series Doctors (2001-2005), earning nominations for Best Actor at both the Royal Television Society Midlands Awards and the British Soap Awards. His diverse television credits include standout roles in His Dark Materials, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Doctor Who, Carnival Row, Thirteen, Karen Pirie, and Dancing on the Edge. Bakare's portrayal of Lord Boreal in His Dark Materials garnered a dedicated fan following, further expanding his reach and impact. His recent role as Morris De La Roux in the BBC drama Mr Loverman sparked significant discussion on social media, with audiences praising his nuanced performance and the show's fresh representation of LGBTQ+ narratives within the Black British community. For this role, he won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2025. His film credits include Life (2017), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), The Dark Knight (2008), Jupiter Ascending (2015), and After the Rain (1999). On stage, Bakare has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Court Theatre, and Young Vic. He received an Ian Charleson Award commendation for his role in A Servant to Two Masters, with other notable theatre credits including Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, The Dream Of The Dog, The Mountaintop, and God of Carnage. His lead role in the short film "Waiting for Time" earned him multiple Best Actor awards at major international film festivals. As a writer and director, Bakare has directed episodes of Doctors, co-wrote, and is also the star of the Channel Four drama "Stealing Lives." He was awarded a UK Film Council development grant for his debut feature project, Kodak Cowboy. He is the founder of the anti-racism initiative iCARE. He serves as an ambassador for WaterAid, delivering a keynote address at St James's Palace in 2025 on global water access and environmental justice. Reflecting on his work, Bakare has said, "I'm not interested in playing stereotypes. I aim to portray human beings as multifaceted and complex.