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February 15, 2026
‘Every role I do, I’m going to be a Black man first’: David Jonsson on winning Baftas, rebooting Alien and leaving TV’s hottest show
He went from being the east London boy who was expelled from school to becoming the Bafta award‑winning star of Alien: Romulus. Ahead of his prison drama Wasteman, David Jonsson discusses the pressures of being a leading Black British actor
TL;DR
- David Jonsson stars as heroin addict Taylor in the ultraviolent British prison drama 'Wasteman,' a role he describes as his most personal.
- Jonsson grew up in Custom House, East London, experienced instability after his parents' separation, and was expelled from school for fighting.
- He discovered acting through school plays and the National Youth Theatre, eventually attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Rada.
- His audition for 'Wasteman' was his first film audition, and the project had a long development history.
- Jonsson gained significant recognition for his role in the BBC and HBO series 'Industry' and later starred in the romcom 'Rye Lane' and Agatha Christie adaptation 'Murder Is Easy.'
- He addresses the conversation around diversity casting and the criticism faced by Black actors in period dramas.
- Jonsson's casting as a Black robot in 'Alien: Romulus' brought visibility and an unexpected edge to the film's themes of humanity.
- He won a Bafta rising star award and has spoken about the need for more diverse talent and representation in the industry.
- In 'Wasteman,' Jonsson prepared intensely, working with charities and studying prison life, noting how Taylor's Blackness subtly shapes his experience within the system.
- He finds faith crucial for navigating personal darkness and the challenges of his career.
- Jonsson also stars in 'The Long Walk,' a Stephen King adaptation, and is reuniting with co-star Cooper Hoffman for 'The Chaperones.'
- Upcoming projects include Colman Domingo's directorial debut 'Scandalous' and Frank Ocean's directorial debut.
- Jonsson views acting as a 'job' and approaches his growing visibility with a grounded, unassuming attitude, acknowledging the thin line between his own life and the characters he plays.
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