Jacob Basil Anderson (born 18 June 1990) is an English actor and musician. On television, he is known for his roles as Grey Worm in the HBO series Game of Thrones (2013–19) and Louis de Pointe du Lac in the AMC series Interview with the Vampire (2022–present). He also had recurring roles in the BBC sitcom Episodes (2012) and the ITV crime drama Broadchurch (2013), and the thirteenth series of the revival of Doctor Who (2021–22). As a soul and trip hop musician under the alias Raleigh Ritchie, he signed to Columbia Records and released the albums You're a Man Now, Boy (2016) Andy (2020).
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Early life
Jacob Basil Anderson was born on 18 June 1990 in Bristol, England. His father is of Afro-Caribbean descent. His parents were divorced when he was 18 months old; he has sisters from his father's second marriage. Anderson attended Cotham School in Bristol and was encouraged to participate in school plays and started acting professionally at the age of 16. A year later, he left a film-making course to pursue a career in London.
Career
Acting
Anderson made his feature film debut in the 2008 film Adulthood. This was followed by a role as Angelo in the 2010 film 4.3.2.1. In 2011, he starred in the ITV drama series Injustice as Simon, a teenager in a youth offender institution. He also had a guest role in the BBC One sitcom Outnumbered. In 2012, he appeared in an episode of the E4 drama Skins and reunited with his Adulthood co-star Adam Deacon the feature film Comedown, directed by Menhaj Huda. Anderson featured in various plays, including Dunsinane for the RSC, King Lear (with Pete Postlethwaite) at the Young Vic Theatre, and War Horse at the National Theatre. He was seen in the teen slasher film Demons Never Die, playing Ricky, and appeared in the BBC Two comedy Episodes, alongside Matt LeBlanc and Stephen Mangan.
In 2012, Anderson was cast for the third season of HBO's television series Game of Thrones as Grey Worm, the leader of Daenerys Targaryen's Unsullied army. Anderson continued to portray this role through season 4, season 5, season 6, season 7 and season 8. He played Dean Thomas, the boyfriend of Chloe Latimer, on the ITV drama Broadchurch in 2013. In July 2021, he was revealed to be joining the cast of Doctor Who for the 13th series. In August 2021, Anderson was cast as the titular vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac in the AMC television series Interview with the Vampire. His performance was widely praised by critics. In their 2024 best performance reviews, Jackson McHenry of Vulture gave Anderson's performance "immense credits" for grounding the series, while Daniel Canfield of Vanity Fair praised Anderson's ability to fully embrace "the majestic emotional range required" in his portrayal.
Music
In 2006, Anderson was featured as a vocalist on Typesun's "The PL". They released another track in 2007, titled "Let Me Know." Anderson recorded a song with Plan B, which was featured on the Adulthood soundtrack, titled "Plan B".
In 2013, Anderson signed to Columbia Records, and released a free three-track EP, The Middle Child, under the stage name Raleigh Ritchie. A second EP, Black and Blue, followed in 2014.
Anderson's musical influences include Erykah Badu, David Bowie, Jill Scott, The Smiths, and Stevie Wonder. In March 2014, his track "Stronger Than Ever" from Black and Blue was remixed by UK garage producer MJ Cole and released as a standalone single. "Stronger Than Ever" has been used in television adverts promoting the launch of ITV Encore, as well as in montage videos during Sky Sports' coverage of Professional Darts Corporation events. The song reached number 30 on the UK Singles Chart in June 2014. Anderson supported George Ezra on his February 2015 UK tour.
His debut album, You're a Man Now, Boy, was released on 26 February 2016; it charted at number 32 on the UK Albums Chart. He also featured on Stormzy's debut album Gang Signs & Prayer track 13 – "Don't Cry For Me" which was released on 24 February 2017.
On 6 May 2020, Anderson released a new single called "Aristocrats". It was the second single to promote Anderson's second studio album Andy, after a 2018 single "Time In A Tree" also included on the record. In June, "Aristocrats" was followed by the songs "Party Fear" and "Squares". Andy was released on 26 June 2020 via Alacran Records.
On 30 July 2021, Anderson released the single "Say What You Mean". Robin Murray for Clash called it a "defiant return". Anderson commented, "I write songs for myself, to get things off my chest and process my emotions, but then I release them and I don't own them anymore […] I hope there is someone who listens to it and […] I hope that makes them feel less lonely." "Say What You Mean" was followed by the release of the single "Lucky".
On 31 May 2024, Anderson released the single "Love Is Dumb" and announced his upcoming project, Dead Ends and Diversions, which was released on 26 July 2024. It was followed by the second single "Security" on 28 June. Described as a 13-track EP, Dead Ends and Diversions features songs that had never made onto an album and several recordings from his live-stream event at The O2 Arena. Anderson held two sold-out shows at Outernet London on July 30 and 31 to support the EP.
Personal life
In December 2018, Anderson married actress Aisling Loftus, after having been together for around seven years. He and Loftus have two daughters (born 2020 and 2024 respectively). Anderson and his family live in West London.
Acting credits
Discography
You're a Man Now, Boy (2016)
Andy (2020)