Skip to content
MovieCove
Paapa Essiedu

Paapa Essiedu

Actor · Born June 11, 1990 (36) · Southwark, London, England, UK

Primetime Emmy nominee · BAFTA Award nominee · 1 other major award body

Paapa Kwaakye Essiedu (/ˈpɑːpə ˌɛsiˈeɪduː/; born 11 June 1990) is a British actor. He started his career in 2012 when he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, acting in numerous production including The Merry Wives of Windsor (2012), Hamlet (2016), and King Lear (2016). He has won an Independent Spirit Award and a Laurence Olivier Award and has been nominated for numerous other accolades such as a nominations for a British Academy Television Award, a Dorian Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. His screen breakthrough came in 2020 with his role in BBC One's I May Destroy You, earning nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award and British Academy Television Award. He portrayed George Boleyn in the Channel 5 historical drama Anne Boleyn in 2021, and had starring roles in the AMC+ action series Gangs of London (2020–2022), the science fiction series The Lazarus Project (2020–2023), and Black Mirror: Demon 79 (2023). Essiedu made his feature film acting debut as a policeman in Kenneth Branagh's mystery film Murder on the Orient Express (2017). He took roles in the horror film Men (2022), the fantasy film Genie (2023), and the drama The Outrun (2024). He gained acclaim for his stage roles in Caryl Churchill's play A Number (2022), and Lucy Prebble's play The Effect (2023–2024). Description above from the Wikipedia article Paapa Essiedu, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 11, 1990 (36)
From
Southwark, London, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
20 on MovieCove · 39 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Down 19% in 30 days

What are Paapa Essiedu's films like?

Across their 11 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Society.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
22%
Society
21%
Morality
15%
Survival
12%
Bonds
11%
Power
10%
Ideas
9%
Purpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeLegacy2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 5 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 3 · Serious 1 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 2 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 2 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 4 · Shifting 0 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 3 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 2 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 3 · Affecting 0 · Heavy 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 3 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 2 of 6 analyzed roles.

Hero
2 of 6
Shapeshifter
1 of 6
Trickster
1 of 6
Shadow
1 of 6
Ally
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
6
Melancholic
7
Contemplative
7
Dread
4
Warm
2
Other
5

How their films linger

Thought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet4
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Paapa Essiedu's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 15 of their 20 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Paapa Essiedu's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

39 credits, 20 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Harry Potter(2026)

    Show 1 episode · as Severus Snape

  • Falling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 6 episodes · as David

  • National Theatre Live: All My Sons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Chris Keller

  • Babies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 6 episodes · as Stephen

  • Laundreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Danny

  • National Theatre Live: Death of England: Delroy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Delroy

  • Black Doves(2024)

    Show 2 episodes · as Elmore Fitch

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • The Outrun(2024)

    as Daynin

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • National Theatre Live: The Effect (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Tristan

  • Genie(2023)

    as Bernard Bottle

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Lazarus Project(2022)

    Show 16 episodes · as George Addo

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Men(2022)

    as James

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Anne Boleyn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 3 episodes · as George Boleyn

  • Femme (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Jordan

  • The Exit Plan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Zeke

  • Unsaid Stories (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Michael

  • I May Destroy You(2020)

    Show 12 episodes · as Kwame Acheamong

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Gangs of London(2020)

    Show 10 episodes · as Alexander Dumani

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Stand Still (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as David

  • The Capture(2019)

    Show 12 episodes · as Isaac Turner · as Isaac Turner MP

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70(2018)

    as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Black Earth Rising(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Jaalen

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Press(2018)

    Show 6 episodes · as Ed Washburn

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • National Treasure: Kiri(2018)

    Show 4 episodes · as Nate Akindele

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • The Miniaturist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Otto

  • The Miniaturist(2017)

    Show 2 episodes · as Otto

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Murder on the Orient Express(2017)

    as Young Policeman

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Canned (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Charlie

  • RSC Live: King Lear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Edmund

  • RSC Live: Hamlet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Hamlet

  • A Midsummer Night's Dream(2016)

    as Demetrius

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Shakespeare Live! From the RSC(2016)

    as Hamlet

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Not Safe for Work(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • National Theatre Live: King Lear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as The Duke of Burgundy

  • Utopia(2013)

    Show 2 episodes · as Roy

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Black Mirror(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Gaap

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Sweet Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Billy

  • The Scurry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Tyrant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 39 titles, 35 of them dated from 2011 to 2026; peak year 2024.

Biggest box office

Men (2022)

$11M worldwide

Highest rated

The Capture (2019)

Midcredits 90th

Film career

MilestoneNomination
20112026

Peak 2024 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting39 of 39: 39 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score65th

By decade

2010s18 · acting2020s17 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 0% of 5 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

Awards

1 major award from 4 major nominations, 2021–2024.

WinNomination
  1. 2024
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Leading Actor
  2. 2021
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Leading Actor
    • +1 other major body · 1 win
      • Independent Spirit Award, won · Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Paapa Essiedu's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 64th percentile, the median of all 7; across their 5 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 69th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Approval · how many liked their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Reach · how many have seen their films

88thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Midcredits score across 19 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th3

Shape of the crowd

10 of their 19 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser10
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

A Midsummer Night's Dream (2016)

73rd percentile spread · 23% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Shakespeare Live! From the RSC (2016)

Midcredits 92nd · 78% liked

Reviewers score the acting 76/100 in their films, across 4 reviewed titles; fans 86, detractors 55. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Paapa Essiedu's work okay for kids?

Across up to 7 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles44–88 · median 53 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity7 titles28–77 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity6 titles50–79 · median 69 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles31–88 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles44–86 · median 60 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Paapa Essiedu work with?

People who share at least 2 of Paapa Essiedu's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Lia Williams shares the most, 2.

Actors

Producers