Kingsley Ben-Adir (born November 20, 1986, in London, England) is a British actor known for his compelling portrayals of real-life figures and complex characters across film and television. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Ben-Adir began his career on the London stage before transitioning to television, gaining early recognition as pathologist Marcus Summer in the ITV crime drama Vera (2014–2018) and later as Colonel Ben Younger in the acclaimed BBC series Peaky Blinders. His television résumé expanded with notable roles including private detective Karim Washington in the Netflix sci-fi drama The OA and appearances in series such as High Fidelity and Love Life.

Ben-Adir achieved widespread critical acclaim with his portrayal of civil rights leader Malcolm X in One Night in Miami… (2020), directed by Regina King. The performance earned him multiple accolades, including the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Performer, the Atlantic Film Critics Circle Award for Breakthrough Performer, and nominations from the British Academy Film Awards (Rising Star), the Satellite Awards, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards as part of the film’s ensemble.

His film career has continued to expand with roles in projects such as The Photograph (2020) and the holiday film Noelle (2019), while he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Skrull revolutionary Gravik in the Disney+ series Secret Invasion (2023). In the same year, he appeared as “Basketball Ken” in Barbie, the global blockbuster directed by Greta Gerwig.

In 2024, Ben-Adir took on one of the most high-profile roles of his career, portraying the legendary reggae icon Bob Marley in the biographical drama Bob Marley: One Love, directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green. The film chronicles Marley’s rise to global stardom and was produced in partnership with the Marley family. It premiered in Jamaica before its worldwide theatrical release and went on to gross more than $180 million globally.

By early 2026, Kingsley Ben-Adir has established himself as one of the most versatile actors of his generation, seamlessly moving between prestige dramas, major studio films, and franchise television while building a reputation for immersive portrayals of historical figures and culturally significant icons. His work across projects like One Night in Miami…, Secret Invasion, Barbie, and Bob Marley: One Love continues to position him as a prominent and evolving presence in contemporary film and television.