Calvin Demba
Calvin Demba | |
---|---|
Occupation(s) | Actor, writer, director |
Years active | 2011–present |
Calvin Demba is a British actor, writer and director. He is best known for his roles in Hollyoaks, Youngers and Life.[1]
Early life
Demba was born and raised in East London. From the age of 17, Demba attended The Half Moon youth theatre in Limehouse, before signing with an acting agency in Hoxton.[2]
Career
Demba first came to prominence in 2011, when he was cast as Scott Sabeka in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.[3] Demba stayed in the role for over a year, filming 82 episodes as Sabeka.[4][5]
In 2013, Demba made his theatrical debut, in the play Routes, portraying Kola. The play was staged at the Royal Court Theatre in London.[6][7]
From 2013-2014, Demba portrayed Jay[8] in the E4 comedy-drama series Youngers.[9][10] In an interview with The National Student, Demba shared, "I’m hoping shows like this will open up the doors for more young black actors and this will be good for that reason alone. It conveys young people in a positive way and as goal-orientated which is not always done. There are no drug references, no sex and not even any swearing. I feel like we’re going in the right direction with this because it shows we’re not all drug-taking people without hope. There are diamonds in the rough."[11]
In 2015, Demba was nominated for the Evening Standard 'Emerging Talent' Award for his performance in Patrick Marber's The Red Lion at the National Theatre, London.[12][13]
In 2020, Demba starred as Andy Okonkwo in the BBC drama Life, alongside Alison Steadman, Victoria Hamilton and Adrian Lester.[14][15]
In 2022, Demba wrote and directed short film, Babydolls, which was his directing debut, and a project backed by the BFI.[16] Demba was one of four writers honoured at the 2022 Film London Lodestars; the ceremony honours innovative creators and practitioners to watch.[17]
Demba is featured in the upcoming Netflix drama series, Supacell.[18]
Credits
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Fast Freddie, The Widow and Me | Terry | Television film |
2011-2012 | Hollyoaks | Scott Sabeka | 82 episodes |
2012 | Twenty8k | Inmate 1 | |
Casualty | Danny Beresford | Episode: The Blame Game | |
2013-2014 | Youngers | Jay | 16 episodes |
2014 | Sherlock | Isaac Whitney | Episode: His Last Vow |
Babylon | Jason Delgado | Episode: Maze Hill | |
2015 | London Road | Alec | |
Shakespeare on Death | The Speaker | ||
2016 | Brotherhood | Marshall | |
Rue Boy | Callum | Short film; also writer | |
2017 | Nico, 1988 | Alex | |
Kingsman: The Golden Circle | Brandon | ||
The Vest | Macman | ||
2018 | Yardie | Sticks | |
Brixton Rock | Brenton Brown | ||
Killed by My Debt | Nat Rogers | Television film | |
2019 | Mickey and the Bear | Wyatt Hughes | |
Last Christmas | Nathan | ||
Urban Myths | Basquiat | Episode: Madonna and Basquiat | |
2020 | Life | Andy Okonkwo | 6 episodes |
2021 | Professor T. | Freddie Samson | Episode: The Dutiful Child |
2022 | Babydolls | Short film; Writer and director; directing debut | |
TBA | The Rig | Baz | 6 episodes |
Supacell | Currently filming |
References
- ^ "Calvin Demba". BFI. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ Boyd-Wallis, Rebecca (8 December 2015). "actor, calvin demba, says "fuck that, take me back to the old and golden days"". i-D. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Interview With…Calvin Demba". Pride. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Demba announces Hollyoaks exit". RTE. 16 July 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Calvin Demba Filmography". IMDb. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Hollyoaks' Demba debuts in Routes". Official London Theatre. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Routes, Royal Court Upstairs - theatre review". Evening Standard. 26 September 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "'Youngers': The stars of E4's new drama speak to Digital Spy - video". Digital Spy. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Youngers (TV series)". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Youngers cast on new series, Idris Elba and 1D cameo". Independent IE. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ Findlater, Deborah (12 March 2013). "Interview: Calvin Demba". The National Student. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ Curtis, Nick (10 November 2015). "Evening Standard Theatre Awards: Stars of the future take the spotlight". Evening Standard. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ Trueman, Matt (11 June 2015). "London Theater Review: Patrick Marber's 'The Red Lion'". Variety. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ Bley Griffiths, Eleanor (27 October 2020). "Meet the cast of BBC drama Life". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Who is in the cast of Life and where have you seen them before?". Heart. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "FILM LONDON LODESTARS: Calvin Demba". Film London. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Film London announce 2022 Lodestars". British Cinematographer. 4 July 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ Bamigboye, Baz (11 August 2022). "Netflix's 'Supacell': '61st Street' Star Tosin Cole To Lead 'Blue Story' Creator Rapman's Superhero Drama". Deadline. Retrieved 23 November 2022.