Gbenga Akinnagbe

Gbenga Akinnagbe is an American actor and writer, recognized for his roles in critically acclaimed television series and films, who also champions social justice and entrepreneurship. After gaining significant recognition for his role as Chris Partlow on the critically acclaimed HBO series The Wire, which saw him progress from a recurring character in 2004 to a series regular for its fifth and final season in 2008, Gbenga Akinnagbe established himself as a prominent actor in the industry. His early television work included an appearance as Ben Ellis in Numb3rs in 2005, and he also portrayed ‘Zim’ in the NYC Fringe Festival’s Modern Missionary in 2006. Akinnagbe expanded his filmography with notable roles in the feature films The Savages (2007) and The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009).

Akinnagbe continued his extensive television career with a guest appearance in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2009) and a recurring role as Pastor Isiah Easton in The Good Wife from 2010 to 2015. During this period, he also appeared as Kelly Slater in Nurse Jackie (2011–2012) and took on leading roles in the films Home and Big Words, both released in 2013. Demonstrating his versatility across genres, Akinnagbe starred as CIA Agent Erik Ritter in the acclaimed limited series 24: Live Another Day in 2014. Venturing beyond acting, Akinnagbe is also a committed entrepreneur and social activist.

Concurrently, he took on the recurring role of Mook in the Hulu series Wu-Tang: An American Saga from 2021 to 2023. As a writer and advocate, Akinnagbe’s diverse progression continues to encompass impactful acting roles and socially conscious entrepreneurial endeavors, making him a compelling and versatile talent.