**Chiwetel Ejiofor** (London, 1977) is a British actor of acclaimed versatility, known for his intense dramatic performances. He gained international recognition with his starring role in Stephen Frears' *Dirty Pretty Things* (2002).

His most iconic and lauded performance was as Solomon Northup in Steve McQueen's *12 Years a Slave* (2013), which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and numerous awards.

Demonstrating great versatility, he has shined in diverse roles such as the drag queen Lola in *Kinky Boots* (2005) and the activist Luke in *Children of Men* (2006). In recent years, he has also become a familiar face to wider audiences thanks to his role as Mordo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starting with *Doctor Strange* (2016).

Ejiofor is appreciated for his ability to embody characters of great dignity, moral complexity, and inner strength, often with a magnetic intensity.