Lucian Msamati
Lucian Gabriel Wiina Msamati (born 5 March 1976) is a British-Tanzanian film, television and theatre actor. He played Salladhor Saan in HBO series Game of Thrones and was the first black actor to play Iago at the Royal Shakespeare Company's 2015 production of Othello.
Lucian Msamati | |
---|---|
Lucian Msamati (2010) | |
Born | Lucian Gabriel Wiina Msamati 5 March 1976 London, England |
Other names | Wiina Msamati |
Occupation | Actor and playwright |
Early life and education
Msamati was born in the United Kingdom and brought up in Zimbabwe by his Tanzanian parents, a doctor and a nurse; he is the eldest of four siblings. His primary education began at Olympio Primary School in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, and continued at Avondale Primary School in Harare, Zimbabwe. After secondary education at Prince Edward School in Harare, he studied towards a BA Honours Degree in French and Portuguese at the University of Zimbabwe from 1995 to 1997.[1][2][3]
Career
Theatre
After university, he took a day-job as an advertising copywriter and freelance radio presenter. He also worked as a voice-over artist, compere and after-dinner speaker.
In 1994, Msamati and school friends Shaheen Jassat (deceased), Craig and Gavin Peter, Kevin Hanssen, Roy Chizivano, Sarah Norman founded what would become Zimbabwe's acclaimed Over the Edge Theatre Company[4] in Harare, later joined by Erica Glyn-Jones, Zane E. Lucas, Chipo Chung, Karin Alexander, Rob Hollands and Michael Pearce. The company celebrated its 10th anniversary in December 2004, having flown the Zimbabwe flag across Europe, the United States and South Africa. The last few years have seen individual members pursuing other interests. Though not officially disbanded, there are no immediate plans of an Over the Edge reunion. From 1998 to 2001, the company performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland; some plays were written by Msamati.[1]
He most recently starred as Sam in Master Harold and the Boys at the Royal National Theatre. [5]
Msamati has appeared in several theatrical productions in London, UK, including:
- Fabulation, Tricycle Theatre[4]
- Gem of the Ocean, Tricycle Theatre[4]
- I.D., Almeida Theatre[1]
- Mourning Becomes Electra, Royal National Theatre[4]
- The Overwhelming, Royal National Theatre[4]
- Pericles, Prince of Tyre, played the title role, Royal Shakespeare Company[4]
- President of an Empty Room, Royal National Theatre[4]
- The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Lyric Hammersmith[1]
- Walk Hard, Tricycle Theatre[4]
- Death and the King's Horseman, National Theatre
- Ruined, Almeida Theatre
- Clybourne Park, Royal Court Theatre
- Amadeus, National Theatre
In November 2010, Msamati was appointed the Artistic Director of British-African theatre company Tiata Fahodzi, [3] until being succeeded in 2014 by Natalie Ibu.[6] He has continued to work with Tiata Fahodzi, directing Boi Boi is Dead in February–March 2015.[3]
In the spring of 2015, Msamati became the first black actor ever to play Iago in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Othello (with Hugh Quarshie in the title role).[3][7]
Television
He has also appeared in several television productions, including episodes of the television series Ultimate Force and Spooks. In 2008, he took on his most prominent role, playing JLB Matekoni in the BBC/HBO-produced series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. He has guest starred in episodes of the BBC television series Luther, Ashes to Ashes, Doctor Who, Taboo, and Death in Paradise, as well as playing the part of the pirate Salladhor Saan in the HBO series Game of Thrones.[8] Currently appearing in His Dark Materials as Lord Faa on BBC One.
Film
Msamati appeared in the film The International (2009). Other film credits include Lumumba (1999), directed by Raoul Peck; the animated feature The Legend of the Sky Kingdom (2003), directed by Roger Hawkins and Richard II, directed by Rupert Goold.[9]
Radio
Msamati appeared as Matthew in the BBC Radio 4 drama Burned to Nothing (2011) by Rex Obano.[10]
Filmography
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1997 | The Knock | Doctor | Episode #3.2 Credited as Wina Msamati |
2005 | Ultimate Force | Blessed | Episode: "Never Go Back" |
2006 | Spooks | Manu Buffong | Episode #5.4 Uncredited |
2008–2009 | The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency | JLB Matekoni | 7 episodes |
2009 | 10 Minute Tales | Flirty Orderly | |
2010 | Doctor Who | Guido | Episode: "The Vampires of Venice" |
2010 | Ashes to Ashes | Tobias Ndbele | Episode #3.7 |
2012 | The Hollow Crown | Bishop of Carlisle | Episode: Richard II |
2013 | Death in Paradise | Dr Johnson | Episode: "Murder on the Plantation" |
2013 | Doctors | Joseph Segunle | Episode: "Thicker Than Water" |
2013 | Holby City | Dumisani Themba | Episode: "Ask Me No Questions" |
2013 | Luther | Ken Barnaby | 2 episodes |
2012–2014 | Game of Thrones | Salladhor Saan | 3 episodes |
2015 | Inspector George Gently | Ellison | Episode: "Son of a Gun" |
2015 | Urban Myths | Herbert Muhammed | Episode: "The Greatest. Of All Time." |
2017 | Taboo | George Chichester | |
2017 | Electric Dreams | The Director | Episode: "Crazy Diamond" |
2018 | Kiri | Tobi Akindele | Miniseries |
2018 | Black Earth Rising | David Runihura | |
2019 | His Dark Materials | John Faa | TV series |
2020 | Gangs of London | Ed Dumani | TV series |
2020 | Talking Heads | Wilfred Paterson | Episode: "Playing Sandwiches" |
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2003 | The Legend of the Sky Kingdom | Italiano (voice) | Credited as Wina Msamati |
2009 | The International | General Charles Motomba | |
2016 | Seekers | Yusuf | Short film |
2019 | The Good Liar | Beni | N/A |
References
- Edemariam, Aida (21 March 2008). "And Now for the Good News..." The Guardian. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
- "biographies: wiina lucian msamati". Over the Edge. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
- Gilbey, Ryan (28 January 2015). "Lucian Msamati: danger zone". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- Staff writer (13 March 2008). "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency – Lucian Msamati Plays JLB Matekoni". BBC Online. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
- , Lyttelton Theatre, National Theatre
- Hutchison, David (12 November 2014). "Tiata Fahodzi names new artistic director". The Stage. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- Shenton, Mark (12 February 2016), "Lucian Msamati: ‘Some people still see the colour, not the actor’", The Stage.
- Goldberg, Lesley (26 August 2011). "'Game of Thrones': Trio Join Sprawling Season 2 Cast". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
- Database (n.d.). "Lucian Msamati". The Spotlight. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
- "Burned to Nothing, Afternoon Drama - BBC Radio 4". BBC.