Top 10 Actors With Nigerian Roots in Recent Foreign Movies & TV Series

Although there are a large number of actors with Nigerian roots in the global film industry, Sputnik Africa has compiled a list of 10 of the most notable ones, who have made a name for themselves in recent foreign films and TV series as of 2023.

These actors continue to inspire many with their performances, many of them proudly representing their Nigerian heritage on global platforms.

Born to a Norwegian mother and a Nigerian father, Toks Olagundoye is a native of Lagos, Nigeria. Educated in Nigeria, Switzerland, and England for elementary, middle, and high school, she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre from Smith College.

Captivated by cinema from a very early age, Toks was always eager to move to the United States, the location of all of her favorite films (except the James Bond series). She was overjoyed when she moved to Massachusetts for college and now resides and works in the US.

In 2023, she has worked on "Frasier" and "Fatal Attraction". Her upcoming work includes “Clear Mind”.

Gbenga Akinnagbe, an American actor and writer, is best known for his roles as Chris Partlow on the HBO series "The Wire" and as Larry Brown on the HBO series "The Deuce". Akinnagbe was born in Washington, D.C., to Yoruba Nigerian parents, and was raised in Silver Spring, Maryland.

He is the second oldest of six children, with one older sister and four younger brothers. He attended Colonel Zadok A. Magruder High School in Rockville, Maryland and Bucknell University on a wrestling scholarship, graduating in 2000 with a degree in Political Science and English.

In 2023, he appeared in "Starbright", "Fast Charlie", "Power Book II: Ghost", and "Wu-Tang: An American Saga". His future work includes "The Thicket".

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Hakeem Kae-Kazim’s parents emigrated to study in the United Kingdom when he was one and moved to South Africa when he was 25. From blockbusters to the prime time small screen, Kae-Kazim has made his impact in the world of entertainment and has worked alongside many industry greats.

He gained international recognition for his portrayal of George Rutugunda in the Oscar-nominated film "Hotel Rwanda," which led to leading roles in the TNT movie "Librarian 2" opposite Noah Wyle, and "The Triangle" opposite Eric Stoltz and Sam Neill.

He recently filmed the much-awaited feature "King Kong vs. Godzilla" playing Admiral Wilcox, Mambo in the local film "Riding with Sugar," Zimbabwean revolutionary Robert Mugabe in "MUGABE," and Joseph Damba in the TV series "Deep State II."

David Oyelowo, born in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England to Nigerian parents of the Yoruba tribe, made history when he became the first black actor to portray an English monarch for the Royal Shakespeare Company when he played the title role in a production of "Henry VI Parts I, II and III."

Also known as 'David O', he is a classically trained stage actor who has quickly become one of Hollywood's most sought-after talents.

In 2023, he worked on "The Book of Clarence," "The After," and "Silo." His upcoming projects include "Lawmen: Bass Reeves" and "Role Play."

Wunmi Mosaku, born on July 31, 1986 in Zaria, Nigeria, is an actress known for her roles in "His House" (2020), "Lovecraft Country" (2020), "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" (2016), and "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" (2016).

The award-winning Nigerian actress can be seen in the TV series "Loki", "Scavengers Reign" and "Black Mirror" in 2023.

Carmen Elizabeth Ejogo was born in Kensington, London, England, to a Nigerian father and a Scottish mother. Her television career began in the United Kingdom in the early 1990s, where she presented the children’s series Saturday Disney.

Subsequently, she has had an acting career in the United States. She has appeared in "Metro" (1997) with Eddie Murphy and "What's the Worst That Could Happen?" (2001) with Martin Lawrence.

In 2023, she was featured in "The Crowded Room", "I'm a Virgo", "Your Honor", and "The Space Within".

With his roots traced back to Nigeria's Igbo people, Forest Whitaker is an acclaimed actor and director. He won an Academy Award for his riveting performance as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the film "The Last King of Scotland."

He has visited the land of his ancestors and received the honorary title of Chief "Nwannedinamba de Nkwerre", which means "a brother in a foreign land."

In 2023, he appears in the series "Godfather of Harlem," the TV series "Extrapolations," and the documentary film "Big George Foreman."

Actor, producer, and humanitarian activist Danny Glover has been a commanding presence on screen, stage, and television for more than 35 years. Glover was born in San Francisco, California, to Carrie (Hunley) and James Glover, both of whom had Nigerian roots.

Glover visits Nigeria at least three times a year, according to media reports. In 2009, Glover and Forest Whitaker visited Nkwerre village together in Imo state, Eastern Nigeria.

This year, Glover appears in the series "I'm a Virgo", the thriller "Double Soul", and the comedy "The Naughty Nine".

London-born John Boyega, whose parents are Nigerian immigrants, shot to fame with his role as Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy films.

Other credits include historical fiction drama film "Half of a Yellow Sun" (2013), four episodes of the television series "24: Live Another Day" (2014), and the drama films "Imperial Dreams" (2014), "The Circle" (2017), and "Detroit" (2017).

He will be seen next in films like "They Cloned Tyrone" and TV series like "Dark Matter" in 2023.

Dayo Okeniyi, best known for playing Thresh in "The Hunger Games," was born in Lagos, Nigeria. Okeniyi began performing on stage in elementary school. In 2003, the youngest of five siblings, Okeniyi moved to the United States with his family from Nigeria.

Okeniyi received a Bachelor's degree in visual communications design in 2009. After college, he decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue acting, his true passion. He is known for the films "Rise" and "Emperor".

In 2023, he appeared in the Disney+ movie "Rise" and the film "Hypnotic".