Lucian Msamati

Lucian Gabriel Wiina Msamati (born 5 March 1976) is an English Tanzanian actor, writer, director and producer known for his work in theatre, film, television and radio. His notable screen roles include Salladhor Saan in the HBO series '' Game of Thrones'', J.L.B. Matekoni in the BBC/HBO adaptation of '' The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency'', David Runihura in the Netflix/BBC thriller '' Black Earth Rising,'' Ed Dumani in the Sky/ AMC series '' Gangs of London'' and Cardinal Adeyemi in ''Conclave''.

In theatre, Msamati was the first Black actor to portray Iago at the Royal Shakespeare Company, in a 2015 production of '' Othello.'' He has also performed other significant roles such as Toledo in the National Theatre's revival of August Wilson's '' Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'' in 2016, Antonio Salieri in the National Theatre's revival of '' Amadeus'' in 2017–2018, and Arturo Ui in Brecht's '' The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui'' at the Lyric Hammersmith in 2008. Additionally, he portrayed Kevin/Albert in '' Clybourne Park'' by Bruce Norris at the Royal Court Theatre and The Wyndhams Theatre in the West End from 2010 to 2011.

Msamati is a patron of Lewisham Youth Theatre, WildChild and The Actor's Children's Trust (ACT) and currently serves on the board of trustees at the Donmar Warehouse.

Early life and education

Msamati was born at St Thomas' Hospital, London on 5 March 1976 and brought up in Zimbabwe by his Tanzanian parents, a doctor and a nurse. After secondary education at Prince Edward School in Harare, he studied towards a BA honours degree in French and Portuguese at the University of Zimbabwe from 1995 to 1997.

Career

Theatre

After university, he worked as an advertising copywriter and freelance radio presenter. He also worked as a voice-over artist, compère and after-dinner speaker.

In 1994, Msamati and some school friends founded the Over the Edge Theatre Company in Harare. The company celebrated its 10th anniversary in December 2004, having toured Europe, the United States and South Africa. From 1998 to 2001, it performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland; some plays were written by Msamati. The last few years have seen individual members pursuing other interests and although not officially disbanded, there are no immediate plans for an Over the Edge reunion.

In November 2010, Msamati was appointed the artistic director of British-African theatre company Tiata Fahodzi, until being succeeded in 2014 by Natalie Ibu. He has continued to work with Tiata Fahodzi, directing ''Boi Boi is Dead'' in February–March 2015.

In the spring of 2015, Msamati became the first black actor ever to play Iago in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of '' Othello'' (with Hugh Quarshie in the title role).

From October 2016 to March 2017 and from February to April 2018, he performed in the leading role of Antonio Salieri in Peter Shaffer's play '' Amadeus'' at the National Theatre, a performance which Michael Billington, in a four-starred review for ''The Guardian'', described as "excellent".

In 2019, he starred as Sam in '' Master Harold and the Boys'' at the Royal National Theatre.

Msamati has appeared in several other theatrical productions in London, UK, including:

*'' Fabulation'', Tricycle Theatre
*'' Gem of the Ocean'', Tricycle Theatre
*'' I.D.'', Almeida Theatre
*''Mourning Becomes Electra'', Royal National Theatre
*'' The Overwhelming'', Royal National Theatre
*'' Pericles, Prince of Tyre'', played the title role, Royal Shakespeare Company
*'' President of an Empty Room'', Royal National Theatre
*'' The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui'', Lyric Hammersmith
*'' Walk Hard'', Tricycle Theatre
*'' Death and the King's Horseman'', Royal National Theatre
*'' Ruined'', Almeida Theatre
*'' Clybourne Park'', Royal Court Theatre

Television

He has also appeared in several television productions, including episodes of the television series '' Ultimate Force'' and '' Spooks''. In 2008, he took on his most prominent role, playing JLB Matekoni in the BBC/HBO-produced series '' The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency''. He has guest starred in episodes of the BBC television series '' Luther'', '' Ashes to Ashes'', ''Doctor Who'', ''Taboo,'' and '' Death in Paradise'', as well as playing the part of the pirate Salladhor Saan in the HBO series '' Game of Thrones''.
He recently appeared as Lord Faa in '' His Dark Materials'' on BBC One. In 2020 Msamati appeared as Ed Dumani in Sky Atlantic's '' Gangs of London'' and in an episode of the BBC's production of Alan Bennett's ''Talking Heads''.

Film

Msamati appeared in the film '' The International'' (2009). Other film credits include '' Lumumba'' (1999), directed by Raoul Peck; the animated feature '' The Legend of the Sky Kingdom'' (2003), directed by Roger Hawkins and '' Richard II'', directed by Rupert Goold.

Radio

Msamati appeared as Matthew in the BBC Radio 4 drama ''Burned to Nothing'' (2011) by Rex Obano.

Personal life

Msamati permanently moved to the UK in 2003, and now resides in London. He is married and has two children, a son and a daughter.

Filmography

Film

Television

References

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Msamati, Lucian
1976 births
Living people
20th-century British male actors
20th-century Zimbabwean male actors
21st-century British male actors
21st-century Zimbabwean male actors
Actors from Harare
Actors from the London Borough of Lambeth
Alumni of Prince Edward School
Black British male actors
British male dramatists and playwrights
British male film actors
British male stage actors
British male television actors
British male voice actors
English male Shakespearean actors
Zimbabwean people of Tanzanian descent
English people of Tanzanian descent
Male actors from London
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Screen Actors Guild Award winners
University of Zimbabwe alumni
Zimbabwean dramatists and playwrights
Zimbabwean male film actors
Zimbabwean male stage actors
Zimbabwean male television actors
Zimbabwean male voice actors
Zimbabwean male actors