Calvin Demba

Calvin Arron A. Demba (born 1993) is an English actor, writer and director. He is known for his roles in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks (2011–2012), the E4 series Youngers (2013–2014), and the BBC One drama Life (2020).[1]

Calvin Demba
Born1993 (age 29–30)
Stepney, London, England
Occupation(s)Actor, writer, director
Years active2011–present

Early life

Demba was born in Stepney, East London[2] and grew up in Bethnal Green. He is of Gambian, African-American, and Scottish descent.[3] From the age of 17, Demba attended The Half Moon youth theatre in Limehouse, before signing with an acting agency in Hoxton.[4]

Career

Demba first came to prominence in 2011, when he was cast as Scott Sabeka in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.[5] Demba stayed in the role for a year, filming 82 episodes as Sabeka.[6]

In 2013, Demba made his theatrical debut, in the play Routes, portraying Kola. The play was staged at the Royal Court Theatre in London.[7][8]

From 2013-2014, Demba portrayed Jay[9] in the E4 comedy-drama series Youngers.[10][11] In an interview with The National Student, Demba shared, "I’m hoping shows like this will open up the doors for more young black actors and this will be good for that reason alone. It conveys young people in a positive way and as goal-orientated which is not always done. There are no drug references, no sex and not even any swearing. I feel like we’re going in the right direction with this because it shows we’re not all drug-taking people without hope. There are diamonds in the rough."[12]

In 2015, Demba was nominated for the Evening Standard 'Emerging Talent' Award for his performance in Patrick Marber's The Red Lion at the National Theatre, London.[2][13]

In 2020, Demba starred as Andy Okonkwo in the BBC drama Life, alongside Alison Steadman, Victoria Hamilton and Adrian Lester.[14][15]

In 2022, Demba wrote and directed short film, Babydolls, which was his directing debut, and a project backed by the BFI.[16] Demba was one of four writers honoured at the 2022 Film London Lodestars; the ceremony honours innovative creators and practitioners to watch.[17]

Demba is featured in the upcoming Netflix drama series, Supacell.[18]

Personal life

Demba is in a relationship with Irish actress Louisa Harland.[19]

Credits

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2012 Twenty8k Inmate 1
2015 London Road Alec
Shakespeare on Death The Speaker Short film
2016 Brotherhood Marshall
Rue Boy Callum Short film; also writer
2017 Nico, 1988 Alex
Kingsman: The Golden Circle Brandon
The Vest Macman Short film
2018 Yardie Sticks
Brixton Rock Brenton Brown Short film
2019 Mickey and the Bear Wyatt Hughes
Last Christmas Nathan

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2011 Fast Freddie, The Widow and Me Terry Television film
2011–2012 Hollyoaks Scott Sabeka 82 episodes
2012 Casualty Danny Beresford Episode: The Blame Game
2013–2014 Youngers Jay 16 episodes
2014 Sherlock Isaac Whitney Episode: His Last Vow
Babylon Jason Delgado Episode: Maze Hill
2018 Killed by My Debt Nat Rogers Television film
2019 Urban Myths Basquiat Episode: Madonna and Basquiat
2020 Life Andy Okonkwo 6 episodes
2021 Professor T. Freddie Samson Episode: The Dutiful Child
2022 Babydolls Short film; Writer and director; directing debut
2023 The Rig Baz 6 episodes ; Prime Video
TBA Supacell Currently filming

References
  1. "Calvin Demba". BFI. Archived from the original on 13 October 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  2. Curtis, Nick (10 November 2015). "Evening Standard Theatre Awards: Stars of the future take the spotlight". Evening Standard. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  3. Hamilton, Davina (1 October 2013). "'We Might Be Typecast, But We're Getting Cast'". The Voice. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  4. Boyd-Wallis, Rebecca (8 December 2015). "actor, calvin demba, says "fuck that, take me back to the old and golden days"". i-D. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  5. "Interview With…Calvin Demba". Pride. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  6. "Demba announces Hollyoaks exit". RTE. 16 July 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  7. "Hollyoaks' Demba debuts in Routes". Official London Theatre. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  8. "Routes, Royal Court Upstairs - theatre review". Evening Standard. 26 September 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  9. "'Youngers': The stars of E4's new drama speak to Digital Spy - video". Digital Spy. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  10. "Youngers (TV series)". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  11. "Youngers cast on new series, Idris Elba and 1D cameo". Independent IE. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  12. Findlater, Deborah (12 March 2013). "Interview: Calvin Demba". The National Student. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  13. Trueman, Matt (11 June 2015). "London Theater Review: Patrick Marber's 'The Red Lion'". Variety. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  14. Bley Griffiths, Eleanor (27 October 2020). "Meet the cast of BBC drama Life". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  15. "Who is in the cast of Life and where have you seen them before?". Heart. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  16. "FILM LONDON LODESTARS: Calvin Demba". Film London. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  17. "Film London announce 2022 Lodestars". British Cinematographer. 4 July 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  18. Bamigboye, Baz (11 August 2022). "Netflix's 'Supacell': '61st Street' Star Tosin Cole To Lead 'Blue Story' Creator Rapman's Superhero Drama". Deadline. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  19. Trainor, Julie Ann (23 April 2023). "'I love London but I miss home so much' – Derry Girls star Louisa Harland on life, love and her latest project". Irish Independent. Retrieved 19 August 2023.(subscription required)
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