Damson Idris Biography: Early Life, Career, Films, Awards, Girlfriend & Net Worth

Adamson Alade-Bo “Damson Idris” (born September 2, 1991) is a British-Nigerian actor, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is most recognised for his role in John Singleton’s crime thriller Snowfall, which premiered on FX in 2017 and concluded in 2023 after six seasons. He co-starred in Netflix‘s 2021 sci-fi action film Outside the Wire and as Formula One racer Joshua Pearce in the 2025 sports drama film F1.

Damson Idris Biography

Idris was born in Peckham, South East London, to a Nigerian family of Yoruba origin. He’s the youngest of six children. His mother, Philippa, is an entrepreneur. Adamson was named for his grandfather, Adam Alade Idris. Idris played football and aspired to be “the next Cristiano Ronaldo“.

He also played rugby and shook Queen Elizabeth II’s hand in 2002 as his team celebrated her Golden Jubilee. One of his older sisters works as his public relations agent.

Idris studied drama at Brunel University in London. He obtained a BA Honours degree in Theatre, Film, and Television Studies. In 2024, the university presented him with the Alumni Award for Outstanding Contribution to Culture and Creativity. Following graduation, Idris attended Identity School of Acting in London, where he studied with John Boyega, Letitia Wright, and Malachi Kirby.

Career

At Brunel, Idris met actress Cathy Tyson, who suggested he meet Ade Solanke and audition for a role in her play Pandora’s Box. He accepted the job, signed with an agency, and began appearing in further productions. After appearing at London’s Royal National Theatre, Idris opted to explore television and film opportunities.

He appeared in various British programs, including Miranda (2013), Doctors (2015), and Casualty (2015). Idris’ breakthrough role is Franklin Saint, a driven 19-year-old heroin dealer in Los Angeles, in the FX crime thriller Snowfall, which premiered in July 2017.

The first season of Snowfall, set in 1983 when the United States is on the edge of a crack cocaine pandemic, weaves together the experiences of numerous characters whose lives intersect due to narcotics. Idris auditioned by video in London before flying to Los Angeles, where he spent the day with John Singleton, who wanted to guarantee Idris could learn the accent.

He worked with rapper WC to practise his American accent and learn South Central Los Angeles mannerisms. The second season of Snowfall, set in 1984, debuted in July 2018. Idris made his cinematic debut in 2016 in the British thriller City of Tiny Lights, starring Riz Ahmed.

In 2017, he made his American film debut in Megan Leavey, co-starring Kate Mara as the titular character in the eponymous war picture. Idris also stars in Farming, a semi-autobiographical film directed by Nigerian-British actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, and appears as an FBI agent in the 2018 thriller The Commuter, which also stars Liam Neeson.

Idris plays the character based on Akinnuoye-Agbaje, who, like many Nigerians in the late twentieth century, was “farmed out” to a white family in the UK in the hopes of a better life, while Kate Beckinsale plays his strict foster mother.

Idris’ performance earned him the Best Actor in a British Film Award at the Edinburgh Film Festival in 2019.  He also appears in “Smithereens”, the second episode of the fifth season of the anthology show Black Mirror.

In May 2017, Idris received the “Emerging Talent Award” at the 12th Screen Nation Film and Television Awards in London. Idris co-starred in Outside the Wire, a sci-fi action film on Netflix, in 2021. In 2023, he was named a brand ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger menswear.

Idris has appeared in various commercial advertisements for Prada as a brand ambassador. In 2025, he appeared in the Formula One racing film, F1. In January 2025, it was revealed that Idris would star alongside Thuso Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, and Tosin Cole in the film Children of Blood and Bone.

On May 12, 2025, it was reported that Idris would act alongside Anamaria Vartolomei in the upcoming film Miles & Juliette, directed by Bill Pohlad.

Film

• City of Tiny Lights
• Megan Leavey
• The Commuter
• Astral
• Farming
• Outside the Wire
• F1
• Children of Blood and Bone †
• Miles & Juliette †

Damson Idris Wife

Idris has had a relationship with model Lori Harvey since 2022.

Damson Idris Net Worth

Damson Idris has an estimated net worth of $12 million. He has received acclaim for his appearances in successful films such as The Commuter, Black Mirror: Smithereens, and Outside the Wire.

Social Media

Instagram: @damsonidris