He was, for years, a steady presence on the London stage, doing A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Regent’s Park, Much Ado About Nothing at the Old Vic, and new dramas including Gillian Slovo’s
he Riots at the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn and Arinze Kene’s God’s Property at the Soho Theatre. But his work in television and film has been quieter, characterized by mostly supporting parts in projects like Peaky Blinders, The OA, High Fidelity, and, last year, Marvel’s Secret Invasion and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. (It was little more than instinct that pulled him away from the theater; in 2014, against his then agent’s advice, Ben-Adir declined an offer to make his West End debut in Shakespeare in Love, determined, he says, that he should “get some camera experience.”)
Yet it feels strange to call the 37-year-old a character actor—not only because of his marquee-idol good looks and reedy six-foot-two frame but also because, over the past few years, Ben-Adir has developed a knack for playing Great Men. In 2020, shortly after appearing as Barack Obama in Showtime’s The Comey Rule, he popped up again as Malcolm X in Regina King’s One Night in Miami…, a part that won him the Gotham Award for Breakthrough Actor. (“I was like, ‘I didn’t know you could get nominated for breakthrough work at 34,’” he joked at the time.)
This story is from the March 2024 edition of Vogue US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2024 edition of Vogue US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Free Reign
Boho chic, the liberated and unfettered style statement of the aughts, is back with a floaty, festival-ready vengeance.
No Filler
The sandwich” facial migrates to other parts of the body.
Now and Forever
From corsetry and embroidery to the fineness of tailoring, this season's most beguiling silhouettes offer a palpable sense of history and craft. Liya Kebede and her children connect the dots between past, present, and future.
DOUBLE ACT
Married artists Sam Moyer and Eddie Martinez have built their lives and careers on parallel tracks. Now, with simultaneous shows at the same museum, they are converging.
A WATERY STAGE
The Paris Games will kick off, in spectacular fashion, with a procession on the Seine. Gaby Wood meets the creative director orchestrating it all.
Madame Paris
Mayor Anne Hidalgo has long been a leader under scrutiny. And now she and her glorious city will be center stage for the Olympics.
THE OTHER SIDE
Sophie Turner talks about the harsh glare of attention following her breakup and how she has emerged stronger, happier, and healthier than ever.
Forza!
Tennis has a new force: the 22-year-old Italian ski racer turned court champion Jannik Sinner nickname: The Fox). Abby Aguirre meets him in the midst of an electrifying winning streak.
Everything Under the Sun
To Kendall Jenner, mental health means many things: rest, reflection, riding, reading—and being open. She talks to Rob Haskell about a decade in modeling. Photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.
The Longest Journey
In 2022 a stroke brought Hamish Bowless teeming life to a crashing halt. After months spent in the hospital and a year back at home, he reflects on just how far hes come.