Celebrity Info
Ed Skrein, born Edward George Skrein in Camden, England on March 29, 1983, started out as both a rapper and an aspiring actor. Ed Skrein earned a Bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Central Saint Martins, and after graduation, he dove into the music scene. He began performing at music festivals as an MC and even released his own rap albums under the stage name The Dinnerlady P.I.M.P. His debut album came out in 2007 under that moniker, but over time, Ed Skrein found himself drawn more toward acting.
One of his early breaks came through his close friend, rapper Plan B, who cast Ed Skrein in the crime drama “iLL Manors” (2012). That role helped open doors, and soon after, Ed Skrein appeared in “Game of Thrones” (HBO, 2011–), portraying the charismatic Daario Naharis during the show’s third and fourth seasons. Though his time on the series was brief, it raised his profile significantly.
Looking to expand his career, Ed Skrein left the role behind to take on leading parts in new projects—most notably, the reboot of the “Transporter” film series. Around the same time, he starred in the British adaptation of the popular Scandinavian series “The Bridge,” reimagined as “The Tunnel” (Sky Atlantic, 2013). In this detective drama, Ed Skrein once again stepped into the shoes of a complex character—a pimp—showcasing his range as an actor.
Between 2014 and 2015, Ed Skrein kept busy with a string of action-packed roles. He appeared in historical epics like “Northmen – A Viking Saga” (2014) and “Sword of Vengeance” (2015), as well as the intense thriller “Tiger House” (2015). But it was his performance in “The Transporter Refueled” (2015) that truly marked a turning point, giving Ed Skrein greater international recognition.
Then came 2016, when Ed Skrein played a major supporting role in the wildly successful comic-book film “Deadpool.” The movie was a box office hit, and Ed Skrein’s portrayal added depth to the ensemble cast. Buoyed by this success, he landed the role of Marine captain Ben Daimio in the 2018 reboot of “Hellboy.” However, the casting sparked controversy online due to concerns about “whitewashing”—the practice of casting white actors in roles originally written as characters of color. Since Daimio is Japanese-American in the original comics, many fans voiced their disappointment.
In response, Ed Skrein made the decision to step down from the role. He publicly apologized, expressing regret for taking on the part and urging the studio to recast it with an actor of appropriate heritage. It was a bold and respectful move, one that reflected Ed Skrein’s awareness of representation in Hollywood and his personal integrity. Throughout his journey—from rapper to rising film star—Ed Skrein has continued to evolve, both professionally and ethically.
When it comes to Ed Skrein’s filmography, fans and critics alike often point to If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) as his standout performance—this movie stands out as Ed Skrein’s highest-rated film by a noticeable margin. The critically acclaimed drama showcased Ed Skrein in a powerful supporting role, earning praise for its emotional depth and storytelling. On the other end of the spectrum, Ed Skrein’s lowest rated movie tends to be Sword of Vengeance (2015), which received mixed to negative reviews upon release. While Ed Skrein brought intensity to the action-packed role, the film itself didn’t resonate as strongly with audiences or critics. Overall, Ed Skrein has had a varied career, with projects like these highlighting both the highs and lows across his body of work.
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