Jacob Anderson
Quick Facts
Biography
Jacob Basil Anderson (born 18 June 1990) is a British actor, singer-songwriter, and record producer. As an actor, he is known for his role as Grey Worm in the television series Game of Thrones, and his recurring appearances in the first seasons of Episodes and Broadchurch. As a musician, he uses the alias Raleigh Ritchie (named after his favorite characters from The Royal Tenenbaums); his debut album, You're a Man Now, Boy, was a soul and trip hop album released in 2016 to positive reviews.
Early life
Anderson was born and raised in Bristol, England. His father is of Afro-Caribbean descent. At the age of 17, Anderson moved to London in order to launch his music career.
Acting career
Anderson played Angelo in the film 4.3.2.1. He starred in the ITV drama series Injustice as Simon, a teenager in a youth offender institution. He also had a one-episode guest role on Outnumbered. He also appeared in an episode of Skins, and appeared in the feature film Comedown, co-starring Adulthood's Adam Deacon and directed by Kidulthood director Menhaj Huda. Anderson featured in various plays, including Dunsinane for the RSC, King Lear (with Pete Postlethwaite) at the Young Vic Theatre, and War Horse at the National Theatre. He was seen in the teen slasher film Demons Never Die, playing Ricky, and appeared in the BBC Two comedy Episodes, alongside Matt LeBlanc and Stephen Mangan.
In 2012, Anderson was cast for the third season of HBO's television series Game of Thrones as Grey Worm, the leader of Daenerys Targaryen's Unsullied army. Anderson continued to portray this role through season 4, season 5, season 6, season 7 and season 8. He played Dean Thomas, the boyfriend of Chloe Latimer, on the ITV drama Broadchurch in 2013.
Music career
2005–09: Early career
In 2006, Anderson was featured as a vocalist on Typesun's "The PL". They released another track in 2007, titled "Let Me Know." Anderson recorded a song with Plan B, which was featured on the Adulthood soundtrack, titled "Plan B".
2010–present: You're a Man Now, Boy
In 2013, Anderson signed to Columbia Records, and released a free three-track EP, The Middle Child, under the stage name Raleigh Ritchie. A second EP, Black and Blue, followed in 2014.
Anderson's musical influences include Erykah Badu, David Bowie, Jill Scott, The Smiths, and Stevie Wonder. He attributes the inspiration for many of the songs on "Black and Blue" to time spent with his older brother, Alfie Anderson, and his younger cousin Matan Inbar-Hansen, on family trips to California. In March 2014, his track "Stronger Than Ever" from Black and Blue was remixed by UK garage producer M. J. Cole and released as a standalone single; it debuted in the Official Singles Chart at number thirty. "Stronger Than Ever" has been used in television adverts promoting the launch of ITV Encore, as well as in montage videos during Sky Sports' coverage of Professional Darts Corporation events. The song peaked at number 30 on the UK Singles Chart. Anderson supported George Ezra on his Spring 2015 UK tour.
His debut album, You're a Man Now, Boy, was released on 26 February 2016; it debuted on the Official Albums Chart, peaking at number thirty-two, but left the charts the following week due to low sales.
He also featured on Stormzy's debut album Gang Signs & Prayer track 13 – "Don't Cry For Me" which was released on 24 February 2017.
Personal life
In December 2018, Anderson married actress Aisling Loftus.
Discography
- You're a Man Now, Boy (2016)
Awards and nominations
MOBO Awards
Year | Nominated work | Category | Result | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Raleigh Ritchie | Best Newcomer | Nominated |
Screen Actors Guild Award
Year | Nominated work | Category | Result | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Game of Thrones | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | Nominated | |
2017 | Nominated |
Urban Music Awards
Year | Nominated work | Category | Result | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Raleigh Ritchie | Best Newcomer | Nominated |