Babou Ceesay, born as Baboucarr Alieu Ceesay in London, England, has carved out a solid reputation in both film and television over the years. His acting journey began with a notable performance in the comedic thriller Severance (2006), where he portrayed one of the unfortunate professionals stuck in a sinister office retreat. Following that early success, Ceesay found himself increasingly drawn into the world of television, taking on guest roles in a number of acclaimed British series.
He appeared in episodes of long-running shows such as Silent Witness (BBC One 1996–present), Law & Order: UK (ITV 2009–2014), and Luther (BBC One 2010–15). These roles helped build his presence on screen and showcased his versatility as an actor. Around this time, he also took part in the darkly comedic hospital series Getting On (BBC Four 2009–2012), where he held a recurring role that further demonstrated his range.
Eager to return to film, Babou Ceesay starred in two significant historical dramas in quick succession: Half of a Yellow Sun (2013), a romantic drama set during the Nigerian Civil War, and ’71 (2014), a gripping war thriller. These performances elevated his standing in the industry and opened doors to more high-profile opportunities.
He then took on a spiritually significant role in the NBC biblical miniseries A.D. The Bible Continues (2015), playing the prophet John. That was followed by a powerful turn in the BBC One TV movie Damilola, Our Loved Boy (2016), which dealt with the real-life tragic story of a young boy’s death in London.
This led to what many consider his most prominent role to date: a small but memorable part in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), where he played Rebel Alliance soldier Taidu Selfa. Soon after, Ceesay joined an impressive ensemble cast in Ben Wheatley’s action-comedy Free Fire (2015), starring alongside A-listers like Brie Larson, Armie Hammer, and Sharlto Copley. The film further cemented his place among respected actors in the international film scene.
Babou Ceesay has been part of several notable projects over the years, but his highest rated movie so far is The Show (2020), which received widespread acclaim. On the other hand, one of his more recent works, Killer Heat (2024), ended up being his lowest rated film to date. While opinions may vary, it’s clear that The Show remains a standout in Babou Ceesay’s filmography.