Archie Madekwe: Biography, Age, Ethnicity, and Films

Archie Madekwe can vanish into a period drama, then reappear in a high-octane racing film, and still feel like a discovery. Over the past few years, he has quietly built a career that moves from the folk-horror dread of Midsommar to the blockbuster engine of Gran Turismo, and most recently to the sharp social satire of Saltburn.

Born: 10 February 1995 ·
Age: 30 (as of 2025) ·
Ethnicity: English and Nigerian ·
Notable works: See, Midsommar, Gran Turismo

Six facts about Archie Madekwe, one pattern: every major data point — from birth to training to breakout roles — is publicly documented, but personal details like height and relationship status remain deliberately off the record.

The data below consolidates the confirmed details.

What is Archie Madekwe’s ethnicity?

Father and mother’s backgrounds

Archie Madekwe is of mixed heritage. In a major interview profile with W Magazine (cultural lifestyle publication), his father is described as Nigerian-Swiss and his mother as English. The English Wikipedia entry for Madekwe similarly records his descent as English, Nigerian, and Swiss. His cousin is actress Ashley Madekwe (Revenge, Salem), which places him within a family with a notable screen presence.

Place of birth

Madekwe was born in Lambeth, South London, on 10 February 1995, according to his IMDb profile (industry filmography database). He was raised in South London, as reported by W Magazine. His nationality is British.

The implication: Madekwe’s identity is rooted in London’s multicultural fabric. His father’s Nigerian-Swiss heritage and his mother’s English background inform a public persona that resists any single categorisation — a trait that has become an asset in an industry increasingly seeking authentic diversity.

How old is Archie Madekwe?

Date of birth

Archie Madekwe was born on 10 February 1995, as recorded by IMDb and cross-referenced across multiple Wikipedia language editions including English, Spanish, and French.

Age as of current year

As of 2025, Archie Madekwe is 30 years old.

What this means: At 30, Madekwe has already accumulated a decade of screen credits, a West End stage credit, and lead roles in both streaming series and theatrical films. His age places him in a sweet spot where he can credibly play characters in their twenties and early thirties — a range that gives him casting flexibility across genres.

Did Archie Madekwe go to drama school?

The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology

Madekwe attended the BRIT School in Croydon, London, a state-funded performing arts school that has produced alumni including Adele, Tom Holland, and Amy Winehouse. His attendance is confirmed by the French Wikipedia entry and the German Wikipedia entry for Madekwe.

Early acting training

According to a profile in Hunger magazine (fashion and culture publication), Madekwe began studying theatre at age 14. The German Wikipedia entry also notes that he trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), one of the UK’s most prestigious drama conservatoires. This dual training — a state-funded creative school followed by a conservatoire — mirrors the path of several successful British actors.

The pattern: BRIT School and LAMDA gave Madekwe a rigorous foundation, but they also placed him in a competitive pipeline where many graduates vie for the same roles. His ability to break out suggests the training translated into tangible screen presence.

What is Archie Madekwe famous for?

Television: See (2019–2022)

Madekwe is widely recognised for his role in the Apple TV+ series See, where he starred alongside Jason Momoa. The series, which ran for three seasons from 2019 to 2022, is one of his most-viewed credits, according to Wikipedia (Spanish).

Film breakouts: Midsommar (2019) and Gran Turismo (2023)

In 2019, Madekwe appeared in Ari Aster’s horror film Midsommar, a critical and commercial success that became a cultural touchstone for folk horror. Four years later, he played Jann Mardenborough in Gran Turismo, a biographical sports film based on the video game series. The role required him to embody a real-life racing driver, a shift from his earlier indie work. Both credits are listed on his IMDb profile.

Recent role: Saltburn (2023)

Madekwe played Farleigh Start in Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn, a psychological thriller about class and obsession set at an Oxford estate. The film was released in 2023 and became a major talking point in awards-season conversations. His performance is noted by Famous Birthdays (celebrity database) as one of his key roles.

The pattern: Madekwe’s career is not defined by a single franchise but by a deliberate mix of streaming, indie, and studio work. This diversification reduces the risk of typecasting and gives him leverage to choose projects based on director and script rather than paycheck alone.

Who is Archie Madekwe in Saltburn?

Character overview: Farleigh Start

According to Famous Birthdays (celebrity database), Madekwe played Farleigh Start in the 2023 film Saltburn. Farleigh Start is a cousin of the Catton family, a sharp-tongued, observant presence who serves as a foil to the protagonist.

Reception of the role

The role received positive attention for Madekwe’s ability to convey menace and vulnerability in equal measure. The film itself was a box-office success and generated extensive cultural conversation about class, privilege, and the aesthetics of wealth.

What this means: Saltburn placed Madekwe in front of a wide audience and demonstrated his ability to hold screen space alongside established names like Barry Keoghan and Rosamund Pike. It confirmed that his earlier work in See and Midsommar was not a peak but a foundation.

Timeline

The pattern: Madekwe’s timeline shows a steady, unflashy ascent. There is no overnight viral moment. Each step — from BRIT School to LAMDA to a West End debut to streaming to film — builds on the previous one. That trajectory is increasingly rare in an era of rapid social-media-driven casting.

What’s confirmed and what’s not

Confirmed facts

• Born 10 February 1995 in Lambeth, London
• Father is Nigerian-Swiss; mother is English
• Attended the BRIT School and trained at LAMDA
• Known for See, Midsommar, Gran Turismo, Saltburn
• Made West End debut in 2017 in The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?
• Cousin is actress Ashley Madekwe

What’s unclear

• Exact height (not confirmed in authoritative sources)
• Marital status and partner details
• Net worth

Quotes and perspectives

“Archie Madekwe’s father is Nigerian-Swiss and his mother is English.”

— W Magazine (cultural lifestyle publication)

“Madekwe began studying theatre at age 14 and made his West End debut in 2017 in The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? alongside Damian Lewis and Sophie Okonedo.”

— Hunger (fashion and culture publication)

For UK casting directors and talent agents, the implication is clear: Madekwe is a versatile actor who can move between indie film, streaming series, and studio blockbusters without losing his artistic credibility. For audiences, the takeaway is simpler — he is worth watching, and his career is still in its early chapters.

Related reading: **Sophie Okonedo: Biography, Ethnicity, and Career** · **Norman Reedus Biography**

For a deeper look into Archie Madekwes early life and training, the Evening Ledger offers a detailed account of his upbringing and career milestones.

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