Archie Madekwe (/məˈdɛkw/, born 10 February 1995) is a British actor.[1] On television, he is known for his role in the Apple TV+ series See (2019–2022). His films include Midsommar (2019), Gran Turismo and Saltburn (both 2023).

Archie Madekwe
Born (1995-02-10) 10 February 1995 (age 29)
Lambeth, London, England
EducationLAMDA, BRIT School
OccupationActor
Years active2014–present
RelativesAshley Madekwe (cousin)

Early life and education

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Madekwe was born in South London.[2] His cousin is actress Ashley Madekwe. He is of English, Nigerian and Swiss descent.[3]

At 14, Madekwe began attending the BRIT School. He also joined the National Youth Theatre. He furthered his studies at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), and left early when he was cast in The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? on the West End.[4]

Career

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Madekwe made his television debut in 2014 with a guest appearance in an episode of the BBC medical drama Casualty.[5] He then portrayed Luca in two episodes of the Channel 4 comedy-drama Fresh Meat in 2016.

In 2017, Madekwe made his West End debut in The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? at the Theatre Royal Haymarket alongside Damian Lewis and Sophie Okonedo.[6] He landed his first named film role as Luke in Teen Spirit after the casting director saw him in the play. That year he was named a Screen International ‘Star of Tomorrow’. The same year he also appeared in the Channel 4 sitcom Hang Ups.

In 2019, Madekwe began starring as Kofun in the Apple TV+ science fiction series See,[7] played Courfeyrac in the BBC One adaptation of Les Misérables, and starred as Simon in Ari Aster's A24 folk horror film Midsommar. In 2021, he appeared in the film Voyagers alongside Colin Farrell and Lily-Rose Depp and voiced Sedgwick in the Emmy winning "Ice" installment of the Netflix animated anthology series Love, Death & Robots.

In 2023, Madekwe starred in Neill Blomkamp's sports film based on a true story, Gran Turismo. [8] He also appeared in both Heart of Stone for Netflix and had a leading role in Emerald Fennell's critically acclaimed Saltburn.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2018 Teen Spirit Luke
2019 Midsommar Simon
2021 Voyagers Kai
2023 Gran Turismo Jann Mardenborough
Heart of Stone Ivo
Beau Is Afraid Laughing Man
Saltburn Farleigh Start

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2014 Casualty Benjamin Mason Episode: "To Yourself Be True"
2016 Fresh Meat Luca 2 episodes
2018 Hang Ups Jackson Bailey 3 episodes
Informer Eddy Episode: "The Masterplan"
2019 Les Misérables Courfeyrac Miniseries; 3 episodes
2019–2022 See Kofun Lead role
2020 Unprecedented Louis 1 episode
2021 Love, Death & Robots Sedgwick Voice role; episode: "Ice"

Stage

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Year Title Role Notes
2017 The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? Billy Theatre Royal Haymarket, London
2023 Further than the Furthest Thing Francis Young Vic, London

References

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  1. ^ Tutt, Louise (2 October 2017). "Stars of Tomorrow 2017: Archie Madekwe (actor)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  2. ^ van Spall, India (16 July 2021). "Archie Madekwe: "In this day and age, being a person of colour is political"". The Face. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  3. ^ Tudtud, Christell Fatima M. (September 8, 2023). "Archie Madekwe's Parents Divorced When He Was a Child – Facts about His Family & Ethnicity". news.amomama.com.
  4. ^ Marine, Brooke (25 October 2019). "New Faces: Archie Madekwe, See's Dystopian Leading Lad". W Magazine. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  5. ^ Swain, Marianka (20 March 2017). "Interview: Archie Madekwe On THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA?". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  6. ^ "NEWS: Jason Hughes & newcomer Archie Madekwe join The Goat cast". My Theatre Mates. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  7. ^ Petski, Denise (3 August 2018). "Sylvia Hoeks & Archie Madekwe Join Apple Drama Series 'See' From Steven Knight & Francis Lawrence". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  8. ^ Kit, Borys (15 September 2022). "Gran Turismo Casts See Actor Archie Madekwe in Starring Role Opposite David Harbour (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
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