Adamson Alade-Bo "Damson" Idris (born 2 September 1991) is a Nigerian British actor, entrepreneur and film producer. He began his career in theatre. He is best known for playing Franklin Saint in the FX crime drama Snowfall (2017–2023) and Joshua Pearce in Joseph Kosinski's sports film F1.

Early life Idris was born in Peckham, South East London, to a Nigerian family of Yoruba descent. He is the youngest of six children. His mother Philippa is an entrepreneur. He was named Adamson after his grandfather, Adam Alade Idris. Idris played football and dreamed of being "the next Lionel Messi." He also played rugby, and in 2002, shook the hand of Queen Elizabeth II when his team took part in her Golden Jubilee.

Idris studied drama at Brunel University London. He completed a BA Honours degree in Theatre, Film & Television studies. He later received an Alumni Award for Outstanding Contribution to Culture and Creativity from the university in 2024. After graduating, Idris continued his training at Identity School of Acting in London alongside John Boyega, Letitia Wright, and Malachi Kirby.

Career At Brunel, Idris met actress Cathy Tyson, who encouraged him to meet Ade Solanke and audition for a part in her play, Pandora's Box. He got the role, signed with an agent and began performing in more plays. After performing at the Royal National Theatre in London, Idris decided to pursue television and film roles. He also had several parts on British series including Miranda (2013), Doctors (2015) and Casualty (2015).

Idris's portrayed the role of Franklin Saint, an ambitious 19-year-old drug dealer in Los Angeles, in the FX crime drama Snowfall, which debuted in July 2017. The first season of Snowfall — set in 1983 as The United States is on the verge of the crack cocaine epidemic — weaves together the stories of several characters whose lives collide because of drugs. Idris auditioned through video in London before flying to Los Angeles, where he spent the day with John Singleton, who wanted to ensure Idris had mastery of the accent. To practice his American accent he worked with rapper WC, who tutored him on mannerisms specific to South Central Los Angeles. Idris earned strong reviews for his performance; Malcolm Venable of TV Guide called him "nothing short of captivating." The second series of Snowfall, set in 1984, premiered in July 2018.

Idris had his first film role in 2016 in the British thriller City of Tiny Lights, starring Riz Ahmed. In 2017, he made his American film debut in Megan Leavey alongside Kate Mara, who plays the title character in the eponymous war film. Idris also plays an FBI agent in the 2018 film The Commuter with Liam Neeson; and starred in Farming, a semi-autobiographical story of Nigerian-British actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, who directed the film. Idris plays the character based onAkinnuoye-Agbaje, who was adopted by a white family in the United Kingdom, while Kate Beckinsale portrays his strict foster mother. In 2019, Idris won the Award for Best Actor in a British Film at the Edinburgh Film Festival for his portrayal. He also appears in "Smithereens", the second episode of the fifth season of the anthology series Black Mirror.

In May 2017, Idris won the "Emerging Talent Award" at the 12th Screen Nation Film and Television Awards in London.

In 2021, Idris co-starred in Netflix's sci-fi action film Outside the Wire. In 2023, he became a brand ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger's menswear. Idris has featured in several brand campaigns for Prada as their brand ambassador In 2025, he starred in F1, a film related to Formula One racing. The film would later go on to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. He was later appointed as the global brand ambassador for the sport in the following year. In January 2025, it was announced that Idris would be joining Thuso Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, and Tosin Cole in the feature Children of Blood and Bone. On 12 May 2025, it was announced that Idris will star alongside Anamaria Vartolomei in the upcoming film Miles & Juliette, directed by Bill Pohlad.

In 2025, Idris launched DIDRIS, a fine jewelry brand. He debuted the line at the 2025 Met Gala and has said it was inspired by his mother, Silifat Idris.

Personal life Idris began dating Lori Harvey in 2022. News broke that the pair had broken up in November 2023, but they were spotted frequently after the reports surfaced. The two got back together in 2025 before splitting up again in April 2026.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes 2016 City of Tiny Lights Hakim 2017 Megan Leavey Michael Forman 2018 The Commuter Agent Denys Astral Jordan Farming Enitan 2021 Outside the Wire Lt. Thomas Harp 2025 F1 Joshua Pearce 2027 Prince InanPost-production Miles Davis

Television Year Title Role Notes 2013 Miranda Commuter Episode: "A Brief Encounter"2015 Casualty Leon James Episode: "Heart Over Head" Doctors Krispin Northcote Episode: "Surrogate Dad" 2017–2023 Snowfall Franklin Saint Main cast2019 The Twilight Zone Dorian Harrison Episode: "Replay" Black Mirror Jaden Tommins Episode: "Smithereens" 2023Swarm Khalid Episode: "Stung"

Theatre Year Title Role Theatre Playwright2012 Khadija Is 18 Sam Finborough Theatre Shamser Sinha Pandora's Box Tope Arcola Theatre Ade Solanke2013 Ghost Town Joe Pilot Theatre Jessica Fisher The DugOut Leo Tobacco Factory Theatre Amanda Whittington 2014 Hotel Other Royal National Theatre Polly Stenham

Video game Year TitleRole Notes2026Squadron 42 Marcus Corell Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRef.2017Screen Nation Film and Television AwardsEmerging Talent Award 2019Edinburgh International Film FestivalBest Performance in a British Feature FilmFarming2021MOBO AwardsBest Performance in a TV Show/FilmSnowfallBET AwardsBest Actor2022NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesBET AwardsBest Actor2023NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesBET AwardsBest ActorCelebration of Cinema and TelevisionActor (TV)2024Black Reel AwardsOutstanding Lead Performance in a Drama SeriesMOBO AwardsBest Performance in a TV Show/FilmBET AwardsBest ActorNAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic SpecialSwarm2025Celebration of Cinema and TelevisionSupporting Actor Award (Film)F12026African-American Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting ActorBET Awards Best Actor Black Reel AwardsBest Breakthrough PerformanceOutstanding Supporting PerformanceImage AwardsOutstanding Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture

References

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