If we are talking about prominent foreign based Nollywood actors right now, Dapo Opayinka has to be one of the first names on the list.
The UK-based bilingual moviestar is a respected talent who is known for his versatility, cultural authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to storytelling.
After his training at the renowned London Drama School, Olayinka’s career journey started on the theatre stage, where he groomed his acting skills under the spotlight of British-Nigerian productions.
He delivered his acting roles with charm and depth, especially with his memorable performances as Mallam Gaskiya in Ola Rotimi’s satire “Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again” and as Gbonka in the Yoruba tragedy “The Gods Are Not to Blame.”
He then played Etieno, a Kenyan freedom fighter in Lydia Ollets’ “Darkest Hour to Victory,” and the project helped him to flaunt his incredible range and ability to portray characters in a near-perfect manner.
As a UK-based actor with solid Nigerian roots, Olayinka has smoothly crossed over into the beautiful world of Nollywood.
Some of his unique projects include “Basira in London” with Eniola Badmus, TY Moore’s “Captivated”, and popular streaming releases like “My London Slaves” and “Sista Sista.”
Dapo also featured in the TV show “Apostle Do Good,” produced by Toyin Moore and aired on the UK’s first Black entertainment channel, Ben TV on Sky, where he embodied a lead supporting role enough to endear him to a diverse audience.
Popular for his amazing command of both English and Yoruba, Dapo is also a charming MC, making him the man to call for several cultural and entertainment events across Europe.
Beyond lights, camera and action, the actor is a brilliant storyteller and an emerging filmmaker who has produced 4 independent movies titled “The Actor,” “The Passport,” “Amuwa,” and “Apeje.”
All 4 projects prove his impeccable vision to create socially relevant and indigenous stories that can capture a global audience. His present pre-production work on “The Telepath” is set to unleash the kind of creativity we have never seen before.
His most recent screen appearance in the forthcoming project “Ireke Movie,” which had a private viewing at the Cannes Film Festival, will further attract him to a global audience ahead of its 25 July 2025 worldwide release.
Dapo Olayinka is not just featuring in movies, he is the epitome of what UK-based Nollywood is about nowadays. His increasing reputation as a renowned creative brain within the diaspora has positioned him as a crucial figure when it comes to the next generation of African cinematic storytellers abroad.
His talent, bilingual fluency, stage presence, and production gift will make him stand out among his peers for years to come.
“As a performer and filmmaker, I believe our stories deserve the world stage. My aim is to connect the African experience with universal emotions through characters that feel real, relevant, and respected,” he said.
With a rising list of movies and an unwavering commitment to elevate African voices, Dapo Opayinka is not just a UK-based bilingual Nollywood actor, he is a cultural bridge-builder, a creative genius, and a strong voice in the future of global African storytelling.
