# Lucian Msamati

Lucian Gabriel Wiina Msamati (born 5 March 1976) is a Zimbabwean actor, writer, director and producer known for his work in theatre, film, television and radio. His notable screen roles include Salladhor Saan in the HBO series Game of Thrones, J.L.B. Matekoni in the BBC/HBO adaptation of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, David Runihura in the Netflix/BBC thriller Black Earth Rising, Ed Dumani in the Sky/AMC series Gangs of London and Cardinal Adeyemi in Conclave.
In theatre, Msamati was the first Black actor to portray Iago, in a 2015 production of Othello. He has also performed other significant roles such as Toledo in the National Theatre's revival of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom in 2016, Antonio Salieri in the National Theatre's revival of Amadeus in 2017–2018, and Arturo Ui in Brecht's The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui at the Lyric Hammersmith in 2008. Additionally, he portrayed Kevin/Albert in Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris at the Royal Court Theatre and The Wyndhams Theatre in the West End from 2010 to 2011.
Msamati is a patron of Lewisham Youth Theatre, WildChild and The Actor's Children's Trust (ACT) and currently serves on the board of trustees at the Donmar Warehouse.

## Early life and education

Msamati was born at St Thomas' Hospital, London on 5 March 1976 and brought up in Zimbabwe by his Tanzanian parents, a doctor and a nurse. After secondary education at Prince Edward School in Harare, he studied towards a BA honours degree in French and Portuguese at the University of Zimbabwe from 1995 to 1997.

## Career
### Theatre

After university, he worked as an advertising copywriter and freelance radio presenter. He also worked as a voice-over artist, compère and after-dinner speaker.
In 1994, Msamati and some school friends founded the Over the Edge Theatre Company in Harare. The company celebrated its 10th anniversary in December 2004, having toured Europe, the United States and South Africa. From 1998 to 2001, it performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland; some plays were written by Msamati. The last few years have seen individual members pursuing other interests and although not officially disbanded, there are no immediate plans for an Over the Edge reunion.
In November 2010, Msamati was appointed the artistic director of British-African theatre company Tiata Fahodzi, until being succeeded in 2014 by Natalie Ibu. He has continued to work with Tiata Fahodzi, directing Boi Boi is Dead in February–March 2015.
In the spring of 2015, Msamati became the first black actor ever to play Iago in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Othello (with Hugh Quarshie in the title role).
From October 2016 to March 2017 and from February to April 2018, he performed in the leading role of Antonio Salieri in Peter Shaffer's play Amadeus at the National Theatre, a performance which Michael Billington, in a four-starred review for The Guardian, described as "excellent".
In 2019, he starred as Sam in Master Harold and the Boys at the Royal National Theatre.
Msamati has appeared in several other theatrical productions in London, UK, including:
* Fabulation, Tricycle Theatre
* Gem of the Ocean, Tricycle Theatre
* I.D., Almeida Theatre
* Mourning Becomes Electra, Royal National Theatre
* The Overwhelming, Royal National Theatre
* Pericles, Prince of Tyre, played the title role, Royal Shakespeare Company
* President of an Empty Room, Royal National Theatre
* The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Lyric Hammersmith
* Walk Hard, Tricycle Theatre
* Death and the King's Horseman, Royal National Theatre
* Ruined, Almeida Theatre
* Clybourne Park, Royal Court Theatre

### Television

He has also appeared in several television productions, including episodes of the television series Ultimate Force and Spooks. In 2008, he took on his most prominent role, playing JLB Matekoni in the BBC/HBO-produced series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. He has guest starred in episodes of the BBC television series Luther, Ashes to Ashes, Doctor Who, Taboo, and Death in Paradise, as well as playing the part of the pirate Salladhor Saan in the HBO series Game of Thrones. He recently appeared as Lord Faa in His Dark Materials on BBC One. In 2020 Msamati appeared as Ed Dumani in Sky Atlantic's Gangs of London and in an episode of the BBC's production of Alan Bennett's Talking Heads.

### Film

Msamati appeared in the film The International (2009). Other film credits include Lumumba (1999), directed by Raoul Peck; the animated feature The Legend of the Sky Kingdom (2003), directed by Roger Hawkins and Richard II, directed by Rupert Goold.

### Radio

Msamati appeared as Matthew in the BBC Radio 4 drama Burned to Nothing (2011) by Rex Obano.

## Personal life

Msamati permanently moved to the UK in 2003, and now resides in London. He is married and has two children, a son and a daughter.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2003 | The Legend of the Sky Kingdom | Italiano (voice) | Credited as Wina Msamati |
| 2009 | The International | General Charles Motomba | |
| 2016 | Seekers | Yusuf | Short film |
| 2019 | The Good Liar | Beni | |
| 2020 | Zog and the Flying Doctors | The Lion (voice) | Short film |
| 2022 | See How They Run | Max Mallowan | |
| 2024 | Conclave | Cardinal Adeyemi | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1997 | The Knock | Doctor | Series 3, episode 2 Credited as Wina Msamati |
| 2005 | Ultimate Force | Blessed | Episode: "Never Go Back" |
| 2006 | Spooks | Manu Buffong | Series 5, episode 4 Uncredited |
| 2008–2009 | The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency | JLB Matekoni | 7 episodes |
| 2009 | 10 Minute Tales | Flirty Orderly | |
| 2010 | Doctor Who | Guido | Episode: "The Vampires of Venice" |
| 2010 | Ashes to Ashes | Tobias Ndbele | Series 3, episode 7 |
| 2012 | The Hollow Crown | Bishop of Carlisle | Episode: Richard II |
| 2012–2014 | Game of Thrones | Salladhor Saan | 3 episodes |
| 2013 | Death in Paradise | Dr Johnson | Episode: "Murder on the Plantation" |
| 2013 | Doctors | Joseph Segunle | Episode: "Thicker Than Water" |
| 2013 | Holby City | Dumisani Themba | Episode: "Ask Me No Questions" |
| 2013 | Luther | Ken Barnaby | 2 episodes |
| 2015 | Inspector George Gently | Ellison | Episode: "Son of a Gun" |
| 2015 | Urban Myths | Herbert Muhammed | Episode: "The Greatest. Of All Time." |
| 2017 | Taboo | George Chichester | |
| 2017 | Electric Dreams | The Director | Episode: "Crazy Diamond" |
| 2018 | Kiri | Tobi Akindele | Miniseries |
| 2018 | Black Earth Rising | David Runihura | |
| 2019 | His Dark Materials | John Faa | TV series |
| 2020 | Talking Heads | Wilfred Paterson | Episode: "Playing Sandwiches" |
| 2020–2022 | Gangs of London | Ed Dumani | TV series |
| 2023 | Best Interests | Derek | Miniseries |