Chiké Okonkwo

Chiké Okonkwo launched his professional acting career in 2001 after being selected from 12,000 applicants for the BBC Talent Scheme, which led to his debut role in ‘Holby City’. His dedication to the performing arts began earlier, with acceptances into both the National Youth Theatre and the National Youth Music Theatre between 1999 and 2002. Okonkwo further developed his craft with a year performing at the Royal National Theatre, appearing in productions such as Philip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’, and subsequently worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, including their acclaimed production of ‘Julius Caesar’ which concluded in 2013. Early in his television career, he was featured as PC Clark in ‘New Tricks’ from 2003 to 2004.

He also lent his voice to ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’ (2020), ‘Anthem’ (2019), and ‘Mass Effect: Andromeda’ (2017). In 2024, Okonkwo continued his voice acting work, voicing Besteel in the upcoming Apple TV+ animated series ‘WondLa’. He also dedicates his time to philanthropic efforts, acting as an Ambassador for One United Bank, the largest Black-owned bank in the US, where he advocates for community banking. He actively supports the Children’s Defense Fund in its mission to eradicate child poverty and is a respected member of the Master Artist Council of the Arthur Miller Foundation.