Hammed Animashaun

© Dan Wooller

Hammed is a British actor from Hackney, East London. He began his acting journey aged 11, when he joined Half Moon Young People’s Theatre. His first professional role was in the Manchester Royal Exchange’s MOGADISHU in 2012. 

Hammed can be seen in a leading role as PCSO Kay for BBC Studios’ new comedy-thriller BLACK OPS in which he stars alongside the show’s creators, Gbemisola Ikumelo and Akemnji Ndifornyen. The six-part series follows eager officers Dom (Ikumelo) and Kay as they become embroiled in a high-stakes undercover mission for which they are woefully unprepared. Some reviews of the show are below:

Hammed also stars as the Ogier Loial in the Amazon Prime Video series THE WHEEL OF TIME, based on the novels by Robert Jordan. This fantasy epic follows the magician Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) as she leads a ragtag group on a journey across continents, hoping that one of them will be the Dragon Reborn, prophesied to either save or destroy the world.

In 2019, Hammed appeared in Nicholas Hytner’s reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. Leading the cast alongside Gwendoline Christie, Oliver Chris, and David Moorst, it was Hammed’s interpretation of Bottom which won him numerous accolades. These included an Ian Charleson Award (2021), a WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play (2020), a Critics’ Circle Award for Best Shakespearean Performance (2019), and a Clarence Derwent Award (2019).

Hammed continued his 2019 stage success in the National Theatre’s production of ‘MASTER HAROLD’ … AND THE BOYS. This semi-autobiographical piece written by Tony Award-winner Athol Fugard explores the nature of friendship, love, and hurt in the context of apartheid-era South Africa. Hammed danced the big-hearted tea room employee Willie into the foreground, a role which contributed to his winning the Clarence Derwent Award.

Hammed’s other notable TV credits include series regular Johnny Jackson in the BBC Three mockumentary PLS LIKE alongside Liam Williams, and an appearance in the memorable BLACK MIRROR episode USS CALLISTER. He has also starred in Comedy Central’s GODS OF THE GAME, BBC’s BREEDERS, and Channel 4’s FURIOUS ANDREW and WIZARD SLEEVE.

Hammed’s major film appearances include the 2018 comedy THE FESTIVAL. In it, he plays Shane Stubbs, best friend to lead Nick (Joe Thomas) who he tries to drag out of his post-break up blues with a three-day festival binge. Other film credits include the role of Elliot in the upcoming comedy-horror THE LONELIEST BOY IN THE WORLD, and Durab in the Sundance thriller SURGE, starring alongside Ben Wishaw. He has also appeared in Film4’s HOW TO BUILD A GIRL and Dan Scully’s THE ELLINGTON KID.

It was recently announced that Hammed has started an exciting six-month writing residency with the BBC’s Creator in Residence programme. He will be creating new scripted work based on his own original ideas.