Jacob Basil Anderson (born 18 June 1990) is an English actor and musician. On television, he is known for his roles as Grey Worm in the HBO series Game of Thrones (2013–19) and Louis de Pointe du Lac in the AMC series Interview with the Vampire (2022–present). He also had recurring roles in the BBC sitcom Episodes (2012) and the ITV crime drama Broadchurch (2013), and the thirteenth series of the revival of Doctor Who (2021–22). As a soul and trip hop musician under the alias Raleigh Ritchie, he signed to Columbia Records and released the albums You're a Man Now, Boy (2016) Andy (2020).
Early life Jacob Basil Anderson was born on 18 June 1990 in Bristol, England. His father is of Afro-Caribbean descent. His parents were divorced when he was 18 months old; he has sisters from his father's second marriage. Anderson attended Cotham School in Bristol and was encouraged to participate in school plays and started acting professionally at the age of 16. A year later, he left a film-making course to pursue a career in London.
Career Acting
Anderson made his feature film debut in the 2008 film Adulthood. This was followed by a role ans Angelo in the 2010 film 4.3.2.1. In 2011, he starred in the ITV drama series Injustice as Simon, a teenager in a youth offender institution. He also had a guest role in the BBC One sitcom Outnumbered. In 2012, he appeared in an episode of the E4 drama Skins and reunited with his Adulthood co-star Adam Deacon the feature film Comedown, directed by 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. In July 2021, he was revealed to be joining the cast of Doctor Who for the 13th series. In August 2021, Anderson was cast as the titular vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac in the AMC television series Interview with the Vampire. His performance was widely praised by critics. In their 2024 best performance reviews, Jackson McHenry of Vulture gave Anderson's performance "immense credits" for grounding the series, while Daniel Canfield of Vanity Fair praised Anderson's ability to fully embrace "the majestic emotional range required" in his portrayal.
Music
2005–2009: 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".
2010–2017: 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. In March 2014, his track "Stronger Than Ever" from Black and Blue was remixed by UK garage producer MJ Cole and released as a standalone single. "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 reached number 30 on the UK Singles Chart in June 2014. Anderson supported George Ezra on his February 2015 UK tour.
His debut album, You're a Man Now, Boy, was released on 26 February 2016; it charted at number 32 on the UK Albums Chart. 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.
2020–2021: Andy
On 6 May 2020, Anderson released a new single called "Aristocrats". It was the second single to promote Anderson's second studio album Andy, after a 2018 single "Time In A Tree" also included on the record. In June, "Aristocrats" was followed by the songs "Party Fear" and "Squares". Andy was released on 26 June 2020 via Alacran Records.
On 30 July 2021, Anderson released the single "Say What You Mean". Robin Murray for Clash called it a "defiant return". Anderson commented, "I write songs for myself, to get things off my chest and process my emotions, but then I release them and I don't own them anymore […] I hope there is someone who listens to it and […] I hope that makes them feel less lonely." "Say What You Mean" was followed by the release of the single "Lucky".
2024–present: Dead Ends and Diversions
On 31 May 2024, Anderson released the single "Love Is Dumb" and announced his upcoming project, Dead Ends and Diversions, which was released on 26 July 2024. It was followed by the second single "Security" on 28 June. Described as a 13-track EP, Dead Ends and Diversions features songs that had never made onto an album and several recordings from his live-stream event at The O2 Arena. Anderson held two sold-out shows at Outernet London on July 30 and 31 to support the EP.
Personal life In December 2018, Anderson married actress Aisling Loftus, after having been together for around seven years. He and Loftus have two daughters (born 2020 and 2024 respectively). Anderson and his family live in West London.
Acting credits
Film
+ Year Title Role Note 2008 Adulthood Omen (Royston Peel) 2010 Chatroom Si 4.3.2.1. Angelo 2011 Demons Never Die Ricky 2012 The Swarm Calvin Short film Offender Patrick Comedown Lloyd Paper Mountains Reveller Boy Short film2016 Hi Maintenance Short film2017 The Super Recogniser Scott Short film2018 Overlord Private Charlie Dawson 2020 Everything – The Real Thing Story Narrator (voice) Documentary on The Real Thing2023 Slow Burn Tug Short film2024 Timestalker Scipio 2025 Bad Apples Sam2026Still LifeMaxShort filmTBAGood People, Bad ThingsTomPost-productionBlazeVincentPre-production
Television
+ Year Title RoleNotes 2007 Doctors Ryan Garvey Episode: "Social Disease" The Bill Clayton Fortune Episode: "Code of Silence" The Whistleblowers Anthony James Episode: "No Child Left Behind" 2008 Primeval Lucien Episode: "#2.4" West 10 LDN Benji Television film Casualty Dom Parke Episode: "Diamond Dogs" The Things I Haven't Told You Danny Rae Television film Spooks Dean Mitchell Episode: "#7.6" 2009 Gunrush Leo Television film 2010 Royal Wedding Wesley Television film 2011 Injustice Simon Miniseries Outnumbered Chugger Episode: "#4.2" 2012 Skins Ryan Episode: "Mini" Silent Witness Dave 2 episodes Episodes Kevin Garillo Recurring role (season 2) Beaver Falls Randy Episode: "#2.2" 2013–2014 The Mimic Steven Coombs Main role 2013–2019 Game of Thrones Grey Worm Recurring role (seasons 3–7); main role (season 8) 2013 Broadchurch Dean Thomas Recurring role (season 1) 2021–2022 Doctor Who Vinder Recurring role (Series 13 and "The Power of the Doctor") 2022–present Interview with the Vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac Lead role 2025 The Sandman Daniel Hall / Dream of the Endless 2 episodes
Web
+ Year Title RoleNotes 2016 Chicken Shop Date Himself 1 episode 2016-2017 Game Grumps Himself 4 episodes 2017 Jack and Dean of All Trades Marcus Rose Episode: "Librarians" 2020 Raleigh Ritchie Live at the O2 Himself Virtual concertThe O2
Stage
+ Year Title Role Venue 2008–2009 King Lear Boy Everyman Theatre, LiverpoolYoung Vic, London 2009 Painting a Wall Peter Finborough Theatre, London 2010 Dunsinane Soldier Hampstead Theatre, London 2010–2011 War Horse Billy Narracott Gillian Lynne Theatre, London
Radio
+ Year Title RoleNotes 2017 Anansi Boys Charlie BBC Radio 4
Video games + Year Title RoleNotes 2023 Asgard's Wrath 2 Abraxas Voice role
Discography
You're a Man Now, Boy (2016) Andy (2020)
Awards and nominations
+ Award Year Category Nominee/work Result Astra TV Awards 2025 Best Actor in a Drama Series Interview with the Vampire Best Cast Ensemble in a Cable Drama Series Interview with the Vampire Black Reel Awards 2023 Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama Series Interview with the Vampire 2025 Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama Series Interview with the Vampire Critics' Choice Super Award 2023 Best Actor in a Horror Series, Limited Series or TV Movie Interview with the Vampire Dorian Awards 2024 Best TV Performance–Drama Interview with the Vampire Gold Derby Awards 2025 Drama Actor Interview with the Vampire Gotham Awards 2023 Outstanding Performance in a New Series Interview with the Vampire IGN TV of the Year Awards 2019 People's Choice for Best Ensemble Game of Thrones MOBO Awards 2014 Best Newcomer Raleigh Ritchie 2025Best Performance in a TV Show/FilmInterview with the Vampire National Television Awards 2024 Drama Performance Interview with the Vampire Pride Awards2025 Best Actor in a Series or Miniseries Interview with the Vampire Best Ensemble Cast (Series or Miniseries) Interview with the Vampire Screen Actors Guild Award 2015Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesGame of Thrones 2017 2018 2020 TCA Awards 2025 Individual Achievement in Drama Interview with the Vampire UK Music Video Awards 2015 Best Urban Video – UK "Bloodsport '15 Pt 2" 2020 Best Styling in a Video "Aristocrats" Urban Music Awards 2016 Best Newcomer Raleigh Ritchie
Notes
References
External links