ActorEnglishJamaican descentBAFTA winner

Malachi Kirby

British actor and writer Malachi Kirby is recognized for his BAFTA-winning role in Small Axe, and notable performances in Roots and Black Mirror.

1. Early Life

Malachi Kirby grew up as an only child on the Patmore Estate in Battersea, London. His father passed away when Kirby was six years old. His parents were born in London, their own parents having immigrated from Jamaica. Reflecting on his heritage, Kirby participated in DNA testing alongside the cast of Roots, which revealed his ancestry to be predominantly West African, with smaller traces of South Asian and European heritage. He has expressed a desire to conduct more specific research into his family's origins.

1.1. Childhood and Education

Kirby attended Southfields Academy. Although he initially had a strong interest in literature, he discovered his passion for acting in year nine through a course offered at the Battersea Arts Centre. He continued his studies at Richmond upon Thames College before being admitted to the prestigious Identity School of Acting in 2007, where he received formal training in his craft.

2. Career

Malachi Kirby's professional acting career began in theatre, a medium he still considers to be his artistic home. He transitioned into television and film, gradually building a distinguished profile through a series of critically acclaimed performances.

2.1. Theatre Career

Kirby started his career on the stage, describing himself as a theatre actor "at heart." His early work in theatre garnered attention, notably leading to his shortlisting for the Outstanding Newcomer award at the 2011 Evening Standard Theatre Awards for his role in a production of Mogadishu.

2.2. Television and Film Career

Following his initial success in theatre, Kirby began to take on roles in television and film. Early in his career, he appeared in several television shows, including a stint on the popular British soap opera EastEnders, and took on a lead role in the television film My Murder. His burgeoning talent was recognized when he was named a Screen International Star of Tomorrow in 2013, marking him as a promising new talent in the industry.

2.3. Major Roles and Works

Kirby's career has been defined by several significant and critically acclaimed performances that have brought him international recognition and showcased his versatility as an actor.

2.3.1. Roots (2016 miniseries)

In 2016, Kirby starred as Kunta Kinte in the American miniseries Roots, a remake of the iconic 1977 miniseries of the same name. His portrayal of Kunta Kinte, a young man captured in Africa and sold into slavery in America, was widely praised by critics. Reviewers described his performance as "well received," "exceptional," and an "astonishing, star-making turn," highlighting his ability to convey the profound pain and resilience of the character.

2.3.2. Black Mirror

In October 2016, Kirby appeared in an episode of the acclaimed anthology series Black Mirror titled "Men Against Fire". In this episode, directed by Jakob Verbruggen, Kirby played the character Stripe. The episode explores themes of dehumanization and the psychological impact of warfare through advanced technology.

2.3.3. Small Axe

Kirby took on the role of Darcus Howe in the "Mangrove" installment of Steve McQueen's Small Axe anthology, which premiered in 2020. This role was particularly significant for Kirby as it marked the first time he had the opportunity to play an explicitly Caribbean character. His powerful performance earned him the 2021 British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actor, recognizing his contribution to the series' examination of racial injustice and social activism in the UK.

2.3.4. A Thousand Blows

Kirby plays the lead role of Hezekiah Moscow in A Thousand Blows, a British drama series created by Steven Knight, known for Peaky Blinders. Set in 1880s London, the series delves into the world of organized crime and illegal bare-knuckle boxing. The first series premiered in 2025, and Kirby is expected to reprise his role in a second series, which was filmed concurrently with the first.

2.3.5. Anansi Boys

In September 2021, it was announced that Kirby would star opposite Delroy Lindo in the Amazon Prime adaptation of Neil Gaiman's novel Anansi Boys. He is cast in the significant dual role of both of Mr. Nancy's sons, Charlie and Spider, in the highly anticipated series.

2.3.6. Other Notable Television and Film Roles

Beyond his major roles, Kirby has appeared in a variety of other significant television series and films. On television, he played Michael Garwick in the 2019 Sky One dystopian drama Curfew and Oliver Harris in the Italian series Devils. He also had roles in Doctor Who as Gastron in the "Hell Bent" episode, and appeared in series such as Casualty, Silent Witness, The Bill, Doctors, Way to Go, Lawless, BBC Comedy Feeds, Jekyll and Hyde, The Machine, and My Name is Leon.

His film credits include roles in My Brother the Devil, Offender, Gone Too Far!, The Last Showing, Kajaki, Dough, Fallen, Boiling Point, and Wicked Little Letters. He also appeared in several short films such as Molly & Plum, Exhale, Checkpoint, Jonah, and A Place for You and Me.

3. Writer Activities

In addition to his acting career, Malachi Kirby has also ventured into playwriting. He penned his first play, titled Level Up, which made its premiere at the Bush Theatre in London in 2019.

4. Filmography

4.1. Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2009Molly & PlumTroublemakerShort film
2009ExhaleChrisShort film
2012My Brother the DevilJ-Boy
2012CheckpointSocratesShort film
2012OffenderHarry
2013JonahJumaShort film
2013Gone Too Far!Yemi
2014The Last ShowingClive
2014KajakiSnoop
2015DoughShaun
2016FallenRoland Sparks
2019A Place for You and MeShort film
2021Boiling PointTony
2023Wicked Little LettersBill

4.2. Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2008CasualtyGroup LeaderEpisode: "Interventions"
2008Silent WitnessTic-Toc2 episodes
2009The BillMichael ClarkEpisode: "Back to School"
2011DoctorsTony CoeEpisode: "Decent People"
2012My MurderDanny McLeanTelevision film
2013Way to GoNkanta2 episodes
2013LawlessTyler ReptonTelevision film
2014EastEndersWayne Ladlow8 episodes
2014BBC Comedy FeedsDJ Dee DangerEpisode: "Vodka Diaries"
2015Doctor WhoGastronEpisode: "Hell Bent"
2015Jekyll and HydeSpring Heeled Jack BurtonMiniseries; 2 episodes
2016RootsKunta KinteMiniseries
2016Black MirrorStripeEpisode: "Men Against Fire"
2017The MachineAaronTelevision film
2019CurfewMichael GarwickMain role
2020DevilsOliver HarrisMain role
2020Small AxeDarcus HoweMiniseries; episode: "Mangrove"
2022My Name is LeonTufty BurrowsTelevision film; upcoming
2025A Thousand BlowsHezekiah MoscowMain role
TBAAnansi BoysCharlie / SpiderMain role; upcoming

4.3. Video Games

YearTitleRoleNotes
TBASquadron 42Joachim SteigerUpcoming

5. Awards and Nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult
2011Evening Standard Theatre AwardsOutstanding NewcomerMogadishuNominated
2016Screen Nation Film and Television AwardsRising StarJekyll & Hyde, DoughWon
2017Male Performance in TVRootsWon
2017Black Reel AwardsOutstanding Actor, TV Movie or Limited SeriesNominated
2017NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic SpecialNominated
2021British Academy Television AwardsBest Supporting ActorSmall AxeWon

6. Personal Life

Malachi Kirby did not grow up in a religious household. However, as an adult, he embraced religion and is now a member of a Christian fellowship located in East London.