Edward George "Ed" Skrein (born March 29, 1983) is an English actor and musician.
Prior to acting, he performed as a rapper and released an album, The Eat Up, in 2007. He then moved onto taking roles in films and television, appearing in the Plan B film Ill Manors and originating the role of Daario Naharis in HBO's hit fantasy series Game of Thrones, where he'd be succeeded by Michiel Huisman due to creative differences between himself and the producers.
In 2016, he starred in the X-Men film Deadpool (2016) as villain Ajax, opposite Ryan Reynolds and Morena Baccarin.
In 2017, he was cast as Ben Daimio in the upcoming Hellboy reboot; however, after learning that the character is originally Japanese-American in the comics as a result of a whitewashing controversy, he stepped down from the role, hoping for a more appropriate replacement. Daniel Dae Kim was ultimately chosen for the role.
Selected filmography
- Ill Manors (2012) as Ed Richardson
- The Tunnel (2013) as Anthony Walsh
- Game of Thrones (2013) as Daario Naharis note
- The Transporter Refueled (2015) as Frank Martin
- Deadpool (2016) as Francis Freeman / Ajax
- Alita: Battle Angel (2018) as Zapan
- TAU (2018) as Alex
- Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)
- Midway (2019) as Lieutenant Richard Halsey "Dick" Best
Discography
- Mind Out / Once Upon a Skrein EP (2004)
- The Eat Up (2007)
- Pre-Emptive Nostalgia EP (2007)
