O-T Fagbenle
O-T Fagbenle is an Emmy nominated actor, director, writer and producer. From drama to comedy, writing, producing, and acting, O-T Fagbenle has become one of the most-watched talents in the entertainment industry today. He made history in 2020 by becoming the first person to create, write, direct, compose, executive produce, and star in the pilot of a television series broadcast on a major network with his original TV comedy series, "Maxxx." (Channel 4, Hulu). This year, Fagbenle was seen starring in a lead role opposite Scarlett Johansson in Marvel's feature film "Black Widow." The film premiered in the US on May 7, 2021.
On the television front, Fagbenle recently garnered a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the Golden Globe and Emmy award winning drama series "The HandmaidsTale" (HULU). Based on the best-selling novel by Margaret Atwood, the series is set in Gilead, a future totalitarian society that has formed throughout the United States. Fagbenle instantly became a fan favorite as Luke, June Osborne's (Moss) husband from the previous unrepressed world, and his heartbreaking scenes have contributed to the casts many award nominations and wins including: Outstanding Drama Series at the Primetime Emmy Awards, Best Drama Series for the Critic's Choice Television Awards, Best Television Series - Drama at the Golden Globe Awards, Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Best International Programme at the BAFTA Television Awards.
Fagbenle recently wrapped production on Showtime's much anticipated anthology series "The First Lady" where he'll star as Barack Obama opposite Viola Davis, Gillian Anderson, and Michelle Pfeiffer. The limited series is a reframing of American leadership, told through the lens of the women at the heart of the White House. It was also recently announced that Fagbenle has joined the cast of Apple TV+'s limited series "WeCrashed" where he'll star opposite Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway. "WeCrashed" is about the greed-filled rise and inevitable fall of WeWork, one of the world's most valuable startups, and the narcissists whose chaotic love made it all possible. Fagbenle will play Cameron Lautner, a partner at a powerful investment firm who is tasked with trying to instill discipline at WeWork.
In Europe Fagbenle recently has held lead roles in two flagship UK series: Harlan Coben's "The Five" on Netflix and "The Interceptor" for the BBC. In theatre, Fagbenle led the National Theatre cast of August Wilson's New York Drama Critic Circle award-winning play, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, to the prestigious Olivier Award. Fagbenle was also nominated for Best Actor (alongside his alma mater Ralph Fiennes) for the illustrious Evening Standard Awards.
Additional film and television credits for Fagbenle include: the HBO film "Looking" completing his memorable characterization of Frank from the network's cult dramedy series of the same name, the BBC's critically acclaimed features "NW," by Zadie Smith and "Walter's War" as Walter Tull, a biopic of the first mixed heritage officer in the British Army," "Breaking and Entering" (Miramax) opposite Jude Law, Robin Wright, and Juliette Binoche,and "I Could Never Be Your Woman" (The Weinstein Co) alongside Michelle Pfeiffer, Paul Rudd, and Saoirse Ronan. Fagbenle also starred in the television series "Thorne," an adaptation of the Mark Billingham novels Sleepyhead and Scaredy Cat. Directed by "24" producer Stephen Hopkins, the six one hour episodes also starred Sandra Oh, and David Morrissey, and was sold to over 100 countries.
In addition to his work in front of the camera, Fagbenle has a passion for working behind the scenes as well. He wrote, produced, directed, composed, and starred in the British comedy series "Maxxx."The series centers around a formerly famous boyband star Maxxx (Fagbenle) who tries to make his music comeback in a bid to win back his famous supermodel ex-girlfriend (Jourdan Dunn), and prove to the world he isn't a washed up, has been.The series debuted in the UK on Channel 4 and made its US debut on Hulu in 2020.
Born in London and raised across London, Spain, and Nigeria, Fagbenle was a world traveler at a young age. As a child music was his passion and he played the saxophone in bands across Europe, performing at the Edinburgh Festival, Wembley Arena, the Royal Albert Hall, and even touring Spain. At 16 years old he landed his first proper role in a Nigerian adaptation of the William Shakespeare play Macbeth. He went on to attend the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, graduating early in 2001 and joining alumni such as Sean Bean, Ralph Fiennes, and Anthony Hopkins. Theatre became his passion, as he appeared in dozens of plays across the UK, working in notable productions including the national tours of shows such as Ragamuffin, Romeo & Juliet [as Mercutio], and the West End debut of Porgy and Bess,The Musical. His work was met by outstanding reviews and multiple awards and nominations including an Off West End nomination for Best Actor for his leading role as Suplianek in The Conquest of the South Pole and taking home the M.E.N. Theatre Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his part in the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award nominated play Six Degrees of Separation.
When not on set, Fagbenle loves to play basketball, volunteers at numerous schools providing free drama and music classes for kids, and launched the charity organization ABC Foundation which is dedicated to providing tech opportunities to young women in Africa. Fagbenle currently splits his time between Los Angeles, London, and Atlanta.
