Bio
O.T. Fagbenle is a British actor best known for his role as Chris in the television comedy series Material Girl, in 2010; and as Frank, who plays in a band and lives across the San Francisco Bay in Oakland, where he's trying to convince Agustín to move, in the comedy-drama television series Looking.
Named one of Backstage's "Top 30 Actors to Watch in 2014," Fagbenle was born in London and raised across London, Spain, and Nigeria, and was a world traveler at a young age.
Fagbenle attended 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 U.K., 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.
Fagbenle was soon offered his first lead role for the stage, in John Guare's award-winning play Six Degrees of Separation. In 2006, Fagbenle made his feature film debut, appearing in Breaking and Entering opposite Jude Law, Robin Wright and Juliette Binoche.
He was next seen in I Could Never Be Your Woman in 2007 alongside Michelle Pfeiffer, Paul Rudd and Saoirse Ronan. In 2008, he made his first appearance on U.S. television, starring on NBC's Quarterlife, playing singer-songwriter John, a role that allowed Fagbenle to pen and perform all the songs his character played on the show.
That year also saw starring roles for Fagbenle in the U.K., as he appeared as Walter Tull in the critically acclaimed Walter's War, a biopic of the first mixed heritage officer in the British Army, and Consuming Passion for the BBC.
In 2010, Fagbenle took a leading role as Chris in the BBC One flagship show Material Girl. He 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 2010, Fagbenle returned to the States, where he starred opposite Tia and Tamera Mowry in the Lifetime movie Double Wedding. Fagbenle went back to his theatre roots in 2012, taking on the role of Slupianek (originated by Alan Cumming) in The Conquest of the South Pole at the Arcola and Rose Theatres.
Once again he won critical acclaim across the board, and secured a nomination for best male performance at the Off West End Awards.
In 2013, he landed a series regular role in the BBC comedy Quick Cuts. His additional credits include Happy Endings, Brothers, My Boys and Doctor Who.
In addition to his work in front of the camera, Fagbenle has a passion for working behind the scenes, completing two shorts films which he directed, wrote, and produced: Big Bad Blood and Moth.
He also occasionally lends his voice out to projects, working with various programs for BBC Radio, reaching over 2 million listeners, and he can be heard as the voice of "Calico" Jack Rackham in the internationally bestselling video game Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.
Music is also still a passion in Fagbenle's life and he loves to collaborate with artists from time to time. He worked with Grammy nominated artist Tyga, co-writing the single "Storm" for his Black Thoughts Vol. 2 mixtape.
In his down time, Fagbenle loves to go backpacking, play basketball and volunteers at numerous schools, putting on free drama and music classes for kids.