Jacob Anderson

Jacob Basil Anderson (born 18 June 1990) is a British actor and musician. As an actor, he is known for his roles as Grey Worm in ''Game of Thrones'' (2013–19), Louis de Pointe du Lac in '' Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire'' (2022–present), his recurring roles in ''Episodes'' (2012) and ''Broadchurch'' (2013), and the thirteenth series of the revival of ''Doctor Who'' (2021–22). As a musician, he uses the alias Raleigh Ritchie (named after his favorite characters from ''The Royal Tenenbaums''); his debut album, ''You're a Man Now, Boy'', was a soul and trip hop album released in 2016 to positive reviews. Anderson's second studio album, '' Andy'', was released in 2020.

Early life

Jacob Basil Anderson was born on 18 June 1990 in Bristol, England. His father is of Afro-Caribbean descent. His parents were divorced when he was 18 months old; he has sisters from his father's second marriage. Anderson was encouraged to participate in school plays and started acting professionally at the age of 16. A year later, he left a film-making course to pursue a career in London.

Acting career

Anderson played Angelo in the film '' 4.3.2.1.'' He starred in the ITV drama series ''Injustice'' as Simon, a teenager in a youth offender institution. He also had a one-episode guest role on '' Outnumbered''. He also appeared in an episode of '' Skins'', and appeared in the feature film '' Comedown'', co-starring ''Adulthood''s Adam Deacon and directed by '' Kidulthood'' director Menhaj Huda. Anderson featured in various plays, including '' Dunsinane'' for the RSC, ''King Lear'' (with Pete Postlethwaite) at the Young Vic Theatre, and '' War Horse'' at the National Theatre. He was seen in the teen slasher film '' Demons Never Die'', playing Ricky, and appeared in the BBC Two comedy ''Episodes'', alongside Matt LeBlanc and Stephen Mangan.

In 2012, Anderson was cast for the third season of HBO's television series ''Game of Thrones'' as Grey Worm, the leader of Daenerys Targaryen's Unsullied army. Anderson continued to portray this role through season 4, season 5, season 6, season 7 and season 8. He played Dean Thomas, the boyfriend of Chloe Latimer, on the ITV drama ''Broadchurch'' in 2013. In July 2021, he was revealed to be joining the cast of ''Doctor Who'' for the 13th series. In August 2021, Anderson was cast as the titular vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac in the AMC television series ''Interview with the Vampire''. His performance was widely praised by critics. In their 2024 best performance reviews, Jackson McHenry of ''Vulture'' gave Anderson' performance "immense credits" for grounding the series, while Daniel Canfield of '' Vanity Fair'' praised Anderson’s ability to fully embrace "the majestic emotional range required" in his portrayal.

Music career

2005–2009: Early career

In 2006, Anderson was featured as a vocalist on Typesun's " The PL". They released another track in 2007, titled "Let Me Know." Anderson recorded a song with Plan B, which was featured on the ''Adulthood'' soundtrack, titled " Plan B".

2010–2017: ''You're a Man Now, Boy''

In 2013, Anderson signed to Columbia Records, and released a free three-track EP, ''The Middle Child'', under the stage name Raleigh Ritchie. A second EP, ''Black and Blue'', followed in 2014.

Anderson's musical influences include Erykah Badu, David Bowie, Jill Scott, The Smiths, and Stevie Wonder. In March 2014, his track " Stronger Than Ever" from ''Black and Blue'' was remixed by UK garage producer MJ Cole and released as a standalone single. "Stronger Than Ever" has been used in television adverts promoting the launch of ITV Encore, as well as in montage videos during Sky Sports' coverage of Professional Darts Corporation events. The song reached number 30 on the UK Singles Chart in June 2014. Anderson supported George Ezra on his February 2015 UK tour.

His debut album, ''You're a Man Now, Boy'', was released on 26 February 2016; it charted at number 32 on the UK Albums Chart. He also featured on Stormzy's debut album '' Gang Signs & Prayer'' track 13 – "Don't Cry For Me" which was released on 24 February 2017.

2020–2021: ''Andy''

On 6 May 2020, Anderson released a new single called "Aristocrats". It was the second single to promote Anderson's second studio album '' Andy'', after a 2018 single "Time In A Tree" also included on the record. In June, "Aristocrats" was followed by the songs "Party Fear" and "Squares". ''Andy'' was released on 26 June 2020 via Alacran Records.

On 30 July 2021, Anderson released the single "Say What You Mean". Robin Murray for ''Clash'' called it a "defiant return". Anderson commented, “I write songs for myself, to get things off my chest and process my emotions, but then I release them and I don’t own them anymore ��I hope there is someone who listens to it and ��I hope that makes them feel less lonely.” "Say What You Mean" was followed by the release of the single "Lucky".

2024–present: ''Dead Ends and Diversions''

On 31 May 2024, Anderson released the single "Love Is Dumb" and announced his upcoming project, ''Dead Ends and Diversions'', which was released on 26 July 2024. It was followed by the second single "Security" on 28 June. Described as a 13-track EP, ''Dead Ends and Diversions'' features songs that had never made onto an album and several recordings from his live-stream event at The O2 Arena. Anderson held two sold-out shows at Outernet London on July 30 and 31 to support the EP.

Personal life

In December 2018, Anderson married actress Aisling Loftus, after having been together for around seven years. He and Loftus are parents of two daughters, born in 2020 and 2024. Anderson and his family live in West London.

Discography

* ''You're a Man Now, Boy'' (2016)
* '' Andy'' (2020)

Acting credits

Film

Television

Web

Stage

Radio

Video games

Accolades

Notes

References

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson, Jacob
1990 births
21st-century English male actors
21st-century Black British male singers
21st-century British male singers
Black British male actors
English contemporary R&B singers
English male film actors
English male television actors
English people of Trinidad and Tobago descent
Columbia Records artists
Living people
Male actors from Bristol
Singers from Bristol