Sope Dirisu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù
Dirisu at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival
Born	1991 (age 33–34) London, England
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2012–present
Known for	Gangs of London Mr. Malcolm's List

Sope Dirisu (Yoruba: Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, [ʃɔ̄k͡pɛ́ dìɾísù]; born in 1991) is an English actor. He started his film career in 2016. His first movies included Sand Castle, Criminal, and The Huntsman: Winter's War. Since 2020, he has played Elliot Carter / Finch in the Sky Atlantic TV series Gangs of London. In 2022, he starred as the main character in the historical drama film Mr. Malcolm's List.

About Sope Dirisu

Early Life and School

Sope Dirisu was born in 1991 in London, England. His parents are from Nigeria. His father studied history and his mother studied law. Both of his parents later became preachers.

He went to Bedford Modern School. There, he was very good at drama. In 2006, he joined the National Youth Theatre.

Later, he studied Economics at the University of Birmingham. While at university, he played quarterback for the University of Birmingham Lions American Football team.

Acting Career

In 2012, Sope Dirisu successfully tried out for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Open Stages Programme. His very first role on stage was as Pericles in Shakespeare’s play Pericles, Prince of Tyre. After working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Dirisu went back to the National Youth Theatre. He trained there for eight months in their REP company program.

He has acted in many TV shows. These include The Mill, Utopia, Humans, The Casual Vacancy, Siblings, and Undercover.

Dirisu at the 2015 London Comic Con

Dirisu appeared in three films in 2016. These were Criminal, The Huntsman: Winter's War, and Sand Castle. In 2016, he also appeared in an episode called "Nosedive" from the TV series Black Mirror.

He received a special mention at the Ian Charleson Awards in 2017. This was for his performance as Coriolanus in the play Coriolanus at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

In 2020, he was nominated for Best Actor at the British Independent Film Awards. This was for his role as Bol in the film His House.

In 2023, Dirisu played Sean Donovan in the third season of the Apple TV series Slow Horses.

Stage Performances

From October to December 2016, Dirisu played Cassius Clay in the play One Night in Miami. This play was written by Kemp Powers. It was performed at the Donmar Warehouse in London. He acted alongside David Ajala, Arinzé Kene, and Francois Battiste.

Other plays he has been in include The Whipping Man, Tory Boyz, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Red Riding Hood, Our Days of Rage, Fallujah, and Pericles with the RSC.

Awards and Nominations

Sope Dirisu has been recognized for his acting.

Images for kids

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  Dirisu at the 2015 London Comic Con

See also

In Spanish: Sope Dirisu para niños