Ariyon Bakare

Ariyon Bakare
Born (1971-06-02) 2 June 1971
London, England
EducationDrama Centre London
OccupationActor
Years active1990–present
Television
Height1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)

Ariyon Bakare (Listenⓘ) (born 1 July 1971)[1] is an English actor, writer and director. He is known for his roles in shows including Doctor Who, His Dark Materials, and Doctors.

In 1998, he became the first Black man to play a lead role in a BBC period drama, portraying Mehuru in the BAFTA-nominated miniseries A Respectable Trade. In 2025, he won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Mr Loverman.

Early life and education

Bakare was born on 1 July 1971 in London. He grew up in many places including the East London, Leytonstone, and Hackney with his Nigerian father who was an electrician. Growing up, he watched black and white movies with his dad which led to him having a passion for acting.[2] When he was 15, Bakare was kicked out of his house after having conflicts with his father and spent a few years being homeless in East London.[3][4]

After reconciling with his father, Bakare moved to New York City to study dance when he was 17 at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He gave up dance however after talking to a professional he respected who was retiring at an early age. Bakare went back to London at 19 to study drama at DRAMA CENTRE in Camden.[3][5]

Career

Film and television

Bakare had his first success in acting after landing the play Ion which also starred Jude Law. [6]

His career in television expanded with his role as Mehuru in the BAFTA-nominated BBC A Respectable Trade. Bakare then landed a role in Doctors as Dr Ben Kwarme in 2001. Other notable shows he acted for include Thirteen (TV series), Good Omens, His Dark Materials, and Mr Loverman.[7]

Stage

Bakare's acts include productions at the RSC, Young Vic, and the Royal Court Theatre. Among other theater credits include A Servant to Two Masters, Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, The Dream Of The Dog, The Mountaintop and God of Carnage.[8]

Awards and nominations

In 2025, Bakare won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Mr Loverman.[9]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1999After the RainVusisizwe (Joseph)
1999The Secret Laughter of WomenRev. Fola
1999Dead Bolt DeadThe Thug
2000–2001Family AffairsAdrian ScottSeries regular
2001–2005DoctorsBen KwarmeSeries regular
2006Shoot the MessengerElroy
2008The Dark KnightGuard Commander
2009Happy Ever AftersWilson
2012Full FirearmsLaslo
2013Lewis Carl Drew Episode “Intelligent Design”
2015Jupiter AscendingGreeghan
2015Jonathan Strange & Mr NorrellStephen Black7 episodes
2015Dusha shpionaSam
2015Doctor WhoLeandroEpisode: "The Woman Who Lived"
2016ThirteenChief Superintendent Burridge4 episodes
2016Silent WitnessFather Daws2 episodes
2016Death in ParadiseAstor HenriEpisode: "Flames of Love"
2016Rogue One: A Star Wars StoryBlue Four
2017LifeHugh Derry
2019FrankieIanFilm
2019Good OmensLigurMiniseries
2019–2020His Dark MaterialsLord BorealMain role
2019–2023Carnival RowDariusRecurring role (season 1-episodes 1-5 of season 2), Main role (season 2)
2021Too CloseDougie Thompson2 episodes
2022CrossfirePaul2 episodes
2022Karen PirieAlex Gilbie Sr.Regular role
2022The Amazing MauriceDarktanVoice
2022Wedding SeasonVince
2022The Mosquito CoastRichardSeries regular
2023Black OpsDetective Inspector Clinton Blair
2024Mr LovermanMorris De La Roux
2025Doctor WhoThe BarberEpisode: "The Story and the Engine"

Stage

Year Title Roles Notes
2023 God of Carnage Alan Lyric Theatre
2025 Hamlet Claudius Minerva Theatre

References

  1. ↑ "Ariyon Bakare". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  2. ↑ Clark, Stuart (21 November 2024). "Ariyon Bakare: "I heard a gunshot and whilst simultaneously being petrified thought, 'Oh my god, I'm in New York living and breathing it!'"". www.hotpress.com. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  3. 1 2 Aftab, Kaleem (29 March 2017). "Life: Sci-fi film star Ariyon Bakare on identity politics, Samuel L Jackson's Get Out comments and getting ahead as a British black actor". www.the-independent.com. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  4. ↑ Lobb, Adrian (15 November 2020). "His Dark Materials' Ariyon Bakare: 'My homelessness meant total invisibility'". www.bigissue.com. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  5. ↑ Ekpoudom, Aniefiok (11 October 2020). "Ariyon Bakare: 'Everything has fallen into place'". www.theguardian.com. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  6. ↑ "Ariyon Bakare – From the East End to the National Theatre". www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  7. ↑ Anderson, Hayley (10 May 2025). "Inside BBC Doctor Who's The Barber guest star Ariyon Bakare's career". www.express.co.uk. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "Ariyon Bakare". www.imdb.com. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "Ariyon Bakare wins 'Supporting Actor' BAFTA TV award!". Retrieved 14 July 2026.
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