Obi Abili
Obi Abili | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1977 London, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Known for | Tula: The Revolt, Gambit, Afterlife |
Obi Abili is an actor of Nigerian heritage based in Britain, with a career spanning stage, television, and cinema.
Early life
Abili was born in London in 1977. Around the age of eight, his family relocated to Nigeria, where he experienced a significant change from affluence to hardship. By the time he was 12, he had returned to London and spent much of his youth in foster care.
Career
He received his acting education at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). Abili made his television debut in 2006 with a part in Afterlife. His first film appearance occurred in 2012 with Gambit, featuring alongside Colin Firth and Cameron Diaz. In 2013, he took on the leading role in Tula: The Revolt.
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Reunion | Mamadou Kargbo | |
| 2021 | Spinning Gold | Edwin Hawkins | |
| The Survivalist | John Larsson | ||
| 2020 | Violation | Caleb | |
| Here After | Stranger | Premiered as Faraway Eyes at the 2020 Cinequest Film Festival; released in the US in 2021. | |
| 2019 | 21 Bridges | Sgt. Butchco | |
| 2018 | London Fields | Thelonius | |
| 2017 | Forgotten Man | Executive Slazenger | |
| 2016 | Bachelor Games | Max | |
| 2013 | Tula: The Revolt | Tula | |
| 2012 | Gambit | Executive Slazenger |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Step Up: High Water | ||
| 2018 | Billions | Roland Aduba | Appeared in two episodes |
| 2016 | Delicious | Reverend Norton | Featured in three episodes |
| 2011 | Injustice | DS Nick Taylor | Participated in five episodes |
| 2010 | The Nativity | Gaspar | |
| 2009 | The Take | Des | |
| Moses Jones | Joseph | Appeared across three episodes | |
| 2008 | 10 Days to War | James | |
| 2006 | Afterlife | Aaron |
Podcast Series
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | The Hookup | PNPeter | Regular cast member |
| 2021 | See You in Your Nightmares |
Theater
| Year | Title | Role | Venue(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | The Oresteia | Agamemnon | Theatre for a New Audience | Virtual debut performance |
| 2017 | 'The Emperor Jones' | 'Brutus Jones' | 'Irish Repertory Theatre' | |
| '2016' | 'Six Degrees of Separation' | 'Paul' | 'West End theatre' | |
| '2015' | 'Antigone' | 'Guard / chorus' | 'Brooklyn Academy of Music' | 'Performance adapted into BBC4 TV Movie titled Antigone at the Barbican' |
External links
Categories:
- Born in 1977
- English male actors of the 20th century
- English male actors of the 21st century
- English male performers in film
- English male actors specializing in Shakespeare
- English male stage performers
- English male television performers
- English nationals with Nigerian heritage
- Graduates of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
- Living people