Kadiff Kirwan (born 3 February 1989) is a British-Montserratian actor and writer. He is known for his roles in several British television series, particularly Chewing Gum, Timewasters, The Stranger, and Slow Horses.
Early life and education Kadiff Kirwan was born on 3 February 1989 and raised in Plymouth, Montserrat. Kirwan moved with his family to Antigua, at the age of 7, after the 1995 Soufrière Hills volcanic eruption destroyed the family home. After two years in Antigua, Kirwan's family moved to Preston, England.
Kirwan said that he was misbehaving at school and not doing well until his Year 9 drama teacher persuaded him to attend drama classes after school. He realised his misbehaviour was due to grappling with being secretly gay, later saying that acting "saved me. It gave me my voice". At 14 Kirwan was cast in a school production of Bugsy Malone.
He graduated from the Central School of Speech and Drama in 2011.
Career Kirwan is an actor and writer. He has had roles in several British television series, including Chewing Gum, This Way Up, Slow Horses, and The Stranger. He has said that he enjoys acting on stage more than on screen.
Personal life In a 2022 interview with Attitude, he spoke about coming out as queer to his family. He has been in a relationship with Ben Whishaw since 2022.
Filmography Film Year Title Role 2018 Mary Queen of Scots Attaché 2019 Pokémon Detective Pikachu Mayor 2022 My Policeman Nigel 2026 Ladies First Austin 2026 Supergirl Bomar
Television Year Title Role Notes 2015 Call the Midwife Terence Bissette Episode: "4.2" Crims Jason 6 episodes 2015–2017 Chewing Gum Aaron 8 episodes 2016 Comedy Feeds James Episode: "Pumped" Black Mirror Chester Episode: "Nosedive" Drifters Patrick 3 episodes 2017 Drunk History Knight Episode: "King Arthur/Eric Liddell" Queers Fredrick Episode: "Safest Spot in Town" C.B. Strike Guy Somé 3 episodes 2018 Informer Adrian Hodge Episode: "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" Zapped Bramble 3 episodes 2019 Flack Gary Episode: "Patrick" Fleabag Anthony Episode: "2.5" Timewasters Jason 12 episodes DS Charlie Fereday Episode: "What Happens in Helmand" This Way Up Bradley 5 episodes Himself Episode: "2.4" 2020 DC Wesley Ross 8 episodes Inside No. 9 Sam Episode: "Death Be Not Proud" I May Destroy You Officer Tom Episode: "...It Just Came Up" Death in Paradise Henri Dupre Episode: "Death in the Salon" 2021 Time Pete Episode: "1.1" Dodo Pete Wilson 20 episodes 2022 This Is Going to Hurt Julian 6 episodes 2022–2024 Slow Horses Marcus Longridge 18 episodes 2023 Everyone Else Burns Andrew 11 episodes 2025 Doctor Who Mike Gabbastone Episode: "The Interstellar Song Contest"
Theatre Year Title RoleVenue2013Home Nadia FallThe Shed, Royal National Theatre 2015 Jerome HanikieDonmar Warehouse 2019 Guys and Dolls Sky MastersonCrucible Theatre2024The Hot Wing KingCordellDorfman Theatre, Royal National Theatre2026The Resistible Rise of Arturo UiRomaSwan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon (Royal Shakespeare Company)
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