Career Timeline of Paapa Essiedu: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Paapa Essiedu made an impact.

Paapa Essiedu is a British actor who began his career in 2012. He gained prominence through his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, appearing in productions such as The Merry Wives of Windsor (2012), Hamlet (2016), and King Lear (2016).

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2012: Joined Royal Shakespeare Company

In 2012, Paapa Essiedu began his career by joining the Royal Shakespeare Company and acting in productions such as The Merry Wives of Windsor.

2016: Acting in Hamlet and King Lear

In 2016, Paapa Essiedu acted in Royal Shakespeare Company productions of Hamlet and King Lear.

2016: Early Television Roles

In 2016, Paapa Essiedu began his television career with a role as Demetrius in Russell T Davies' television film adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

2016: Starred in Hamlet and King Lear, voiced roles in BBC Radio dramas

In 2016, Paapa Essiedu starred in the Royal Shakespeare Company productions of Hamlet as the titular role and King Lear as Edmund. In the same year, he voiced Tunde in the BBC Radio 3 drama As Innocent As You Can Get by Rex Obano, and in the BBC Radio 4 drama Wide Open Spaces.

2017: Feature Film Debut in Murder on the Orient Express

In 2017, Paapa Essiedu made his feature film acting debut as a policeman in Kenneth Branagh's mystery film Murder on the Orient Express.

2017: Role in The Miniaturist and Murder on the Orient Express

In 2017, Paapa Essiedu played Otto in the period drama The Miniaturist and made his feature film debut in Murder on the Orient Express.

2018: Roles in Kiri and Press

In 2018, Paapa Essiedu played Nate Akindele in Channel 4's Kiri and Ed Washburn in the BBC One drama Press.

2019: Acted in The Convert

In 2019, Paapa Essiedu acted in the Danai Gurira play The Convert starring alongside Letitia Wright at the Young Vic.

2020: Starred in Gangs of London and I May Destroy You

From 2020 to 2022, Paapa Essiedu starred as Alex Dumani in the crime drama Gangs of London. In 2020, Essiedu portrayed Kwame in the BBC One series I May Destroy You.

2020: Breakthrough with I May Destroy You and roles in Gangs of London and The Lazarus Project

In 2020, Paapa Essiedu had his breakthrough role in the BBC's I May Destroy You, earning award nominations. He also had starring roles in Gangs of London (2020-2022) and The Lazarus Project (2020-2023).

2021: Played George Boleyn in Anne Boleyn

In 2021, Paapa Essiedu played George Boleyn, 2nd Viscount Rochford in the three-parter Anne Boleyn starring Jodie Turner-Smith for Channel 5.

2022: Gangs of London role

From 2020 to 2022, Essiedu starred as Alex Dumani in Gangs of London.

2022: Starred in Gangs of London

From 2020 to 2022, Paapa Essiedu starred as Alex Dumani in the crime drama Gangs of London on Sky Atlantic.

2022: Roles in A Number, The Lazarus Project, Men, and The Capture

In 2022, Paapa Essiedu returned to the theatre playing three separate roles in the Caryl Churchill play A Number at The Old Vic. In the same year, Essiedu began starring in the Sky Max science fiction time loop series The Lazarus Project and also appeared in Alex Garland's folk horror film Men and joined the cast of mystery thriller series The Capture.

2022: Roles in Men and A Number

In 2022, Paapa Essiedu took roles in the horror film Men and the play A Number.

2023: Acted in Black Mirror, The Effect

In 2023, Paapa Essiedu acted in the Black Mirror episode Demon 79 alongside Anjana Vasan and starred opposite Taylor Russell in The Effect.

2023: Starring in Black Mirror: Demon 79

In 2023, Paapa Essiedu starred in Black Mirror: Demon 79.

2023: Role in Genie and The Effect

In 2023, Paapa Essiedu took roles in the fantasy film Genie and gained acclaim for his stage role in The Effect.

2024: Acted opposite Saoirse Ronan in The Outrun

In 2024, Paapa Essiedu acted opposite Saoirse Ronan in the film The Outrun which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

2024: Role in The Outrun

In 2024, Paapa Essiedu took role in the drama The Outrun.

March 2025: Reported nearing deal to portray Severus Snape in Harry Potter series reboot

In March 2025, it was reported that Paapa Essiedu was nearing a deal to portray Severus Snape in the HBO television reboot of the Harry Potter series.

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