PAAPA ESSIEDU

From Hamlet to time loops, nothing daunts him

Paapa Essiedu is relishing being home in London, despite a “weird” transition after spending the last six months “out in the sticks”, in Wales and Bristol, filming sci-fi thriller series Extinction. “In central London, I feel trepidation every time someone looks at me — and I’m a Londoner,” he laughs. “I haven’t had a chance to do anything but eat or sleep or work since January, but it’s amazing to be at the centre of [the show].”

It’s been a mad couple of years for the actor, who went from the West End stage, in productions of Hamlet and King Lear, to the small screen as pragmatic businessman Alex in crime series

Gangs Of London and charming fitness instructor Kwame in Michaela Coel’s critically acclaimed series I May Destroy You. That global attention, plus an award-winning performance (the cast earned an Independent Spirit award for Best Series Ensemble and several TV BAFTA nominations) has led to his own top billing in Sky’s apocalyptic time-loop series, from Giri/haji creator Joe Barton. “I admire [Joe] as a writer and this project is crazy ambitious,” he says. “It’s different to what I’ve done before, there’s more action, but there is still a lot of heart and originality to the idea which drew me to it.”

He credits his time on I May Destroy You for preparing him for a role requiring leadership in front of and behind the camera and Coel was a big part of that, even though it was a bit awkward at first. “It was funny, no-one wants to try hard in front of their friends, but she’s a great leader of people,” Essiedu says. “A lot of things I observed her doing, in terms of creating a space for everyone to feel welcomed and involved in, I’ve taken that influence into this project.”

His theatre roots continue to hold, with Essiedu set to perform at The Old Vic opposite Lennie James in Caryl Churchill’s A Number next January, and he is committed to being just as discerning with his roles in the future as he has been in the past. “I’ve always been really ambitious in my artistry and considerate in the work I do,” he says. “It’s a bit of a nightmare for my agent, but if you’re not too motivated by being on a billboard but by doing something that is going to challenge you or deepen your craft then, eventually, you start being recognised for that.”

We see you, Paapa.

EXTINCTION WILL AIR ON SKY IN 2022