Sope Dirisu, often referred to as Dope Dirisu in some contexts, is a British-Nigerian actor recognized for roles in Gangs of London, His House, and Mr. Malcolm’s List. Born in London to Nigerian parents, he has established a prominent career across film, television, and stage.
Profile Summary
| Full name | Sope Dirisu (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù) |
| Date of birth | January 9, 1991 |
| Place of birth | Edgware, London, England, UK |
| Nationality | British |
| State of Origin | Unknown (Nigerian Yoruba descent) |
| Partner | N/A |
| Children | N/A |
| Occupations | Actor, producer |
| Net Worth | $1 million USD |
Early Life and Education
Sope Dirisu was born in 1991 in London to Nigerian Yoruba parents who studied history and law before becoming preachers.
He attended Bedford Modern School, where he excelled in drama, and joined the National Youth Theatre in 2006. Dirisu later studied Economics at the University of Birmingham, playing quarterback for the university’s American football team.
Career
Sope Dirisu started his acting career in 2012 with the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Open Stages Programme. He first played Pericles in a show that got good reviews from critics. This early work on stage led to TV roles in shows like Humans from 2015 to 2018. He also appeared in a standout episode of Black Mirror called “Playtest” in 2016. These parts showed he could play deep and intense characters well.
His big break came in the tough crime show Gangs of London, which started in 2020 and is still going. He plays Elliot Carter, a soldier who joins a world of crime, and people love his strength and feelings in the role over many seasons.
In movies, he led the Netflix horror His House in 2020 as a refugee facing pain and scary supernatural things. Later films showed his range, like the romance Mr. Malcolm’s List in 2022 where he was the main love interest, thrillers such as Silent Night and Mothering Sunday in 2021, and action like Sand Castle in 2017.
By 2025, he starred in big hits like The Gorge, a sci-fi action movie with Anya Taylor-Joy, and My Father’s Shadow, a family story about Nigerian roots that excited festivals. On TV, he was the scary Sean Donovan in Slow Horses in 2023 and will play Wes in Black Rabbit in 2025. He now produces too, to tell more diverse stories, and there are talks about him in big projects like James Bond. His roles mix British and Nigerian stories with real culture and wide appeal.
Personal Life
In early 2026, Sope Dirisu seems to be single. He often appears in photos with actress Dominique Tipper at big events like the BAFTA Film Awards and movie premieres. However, in a March 2025 interview with The Times, he said he was single and lives in Peckham, UK.
They are good friends who have fueled dating rumors by showing up together at events for years, such as the No Time to Die premiere in 2021 and the BAFTAs in 2022 and 2024.
Dirisu keeps his private life out of the spotlight. He has talked about wanting to share his Nigerian culture with his future kids one day, but no recent partner has been named publicly. He has visited Nigeria to connect with relatives and highlighted Nigerian culture in works like My Father’s Shadow.
Net Worth
Sope Dirisu’s net worth is estimated at around $1 million, derived from acting in films, television, and stage productions. No updated figures for 2026 are confirmed.
Filmography
Films
- Sand Castle (2017) as Sgt. Cole
- His House (2020) as Bol
- Mothering Sunday (2021) as Donald
- Silent Night (2021) as James
- Mr. Malcolm’s List (2022) as Mr. Malcolm
- The Gorge (2025) as Jasper “J.D.” Drake
- My Father’s Shadow (2025) as Folarin
Television
- Gangs of London (2020–present) as Elliot Carter
- Slow Horses (2023) as Sean Donovan
- Black Rabbit (2025) as Wes
Awards and Recognitions
- Commendation at the 2017 Ian Charleson Awards for Coriolanus
- British Independent Film Award nomination for Best Actor (His House, 2020)
- BAFTA Rising Star nomination (2021)
- Critics’ Choice Super Award for Best Actor in a Horror Movie (His House, 2021)
- Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Lead Performance (My Father’s Shadow, 2025)
