Damson Idris has become one of the most recognisable British actors working in Hollywood. Born and raised in London to a Nigerian family, he went from performing on the British stage to becoming an international star through his acclaimed role as Franklin Saint in Snowfall. His performance in the FX crime drama established him as a serious leading actor and opened the door to major film roles, including F1: The Movie opposite Brad Pitt.
In 2026, Idris is 35 and continues to expand his career beyond television and film. His upcoming projects include the Netflix thriller series The Lords’ Day, the historical drama Miles & Juliette and Children of Blood and Bone.
Here is a detailed look at Damson Idris’s age, height, family background, career, movies and TV shows, awards, estimated net worth and relationship history.
Who is Damson Idris?
Damson Idris is a British-Nigerian actor, producer and entrepreneur best known for playing Franklin Saint in Snowfall. His birth name is Adamson Alade-Bo Idris, and he was born on 2 September 1991 in London, England.
Idris grew up in Peckham, South London, as the youngest of six children. He initially dreamed of becoming a professional footballer before discovering acting. He studied Theatre, Film and Television Studies at Brunel University London and later trained at the Identity School of Acting.
His professional acting career began on stage before he moved into British television and film. His early credits included appearances in Casualty, Doctors and Miranda, followed by film roles and guest appearances in internationally recognised productions.
His breakthrough came with Snowfall, which ran from 2017 to 2023. Idris played Franklin Saint throughout all six seasons and also became a producer on the series. FX describes Franklin as a young street entrepreneur determined to improve his position through whatever means necessary.
How old is Damson Idris?
Damson Idris was born on 2 September 1991, making him 35 years old as of September 2026.
He was born in London and has Nigerian heritage. His background has remained an important part of his public identity, particularly as his career has developed from British theatre and television into major international productions.
How tall is Damson Idris?
Damson Idris is generally listed at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 metres) tall.
His height, distinctive appearance and strong screen presence have also made him a prominent figure in fashion. He has worked with major luxury brands and has appeared in campaigns and high-profile red-carpet events alongside his acting work.
Who are Damson Idris’s parents?
Idris was raised in London by his Nigerian family and is the youngest of six children. His mother, Philippa, has been described publicly as an entrepreneur.
Information about his father is considerably more limited than information about his mother. Idris has generally kept his family life private, so readers should be cautious about online claims that provide detailed information about his father without a reliable source.
His family background is sometimes confused with that of another famous British actor, Idris Elba. However, the two men are not related. The similarity in their surnames has repeatedly led to speculation, but there is no established family relationship between them.
Is Damson Idris related to Idris Elba?
No. Damson Idris and Idris Elba are not brothers or close relatives.
Both are British actors with African heritage, and both have achieved major international success, but they come from different families. Idris has spoken about meeting Elba earlier in his career, and Elba has been described in media coverage as an influential figure in Idris’s professional journey.
The confusion is understandable because of their shared surname and similar career paths, but there is no blood relationship.
Damson Idris movies
Although Snowfall remains the project most closely associated with Idris, his film career has grown considerably.
Some of his notable movies include:
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | City of Tiny Lights | Hakim |
| 2017 | Megan Leavey | Michael Forman |
| 2018 | The Commuter | Agent Denys |
| 2018 | Farming | Enitan |
| 2021 | Outside the Wire | Lt. Thomas Harp |
| 2025 | F1: The Movie | Joshua Pearce |
| 2027 | Children of Blood and Bone | Prince Inan |
His performance in Farming was particularly important in demonstrating his dramatic range. The film, directed by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, explores the experience of a Nigerian child who is raised by a white British family.
In Outside the Wire, Idris moved into science-fiction action, starring opposite Anthony Mackie. FX also highlights Megan Leavey, Farming, Black Mirror and The Twilight Zone among his significant early credits.
Damson Idris in F1: The Movie
One of Idris’s biggest film opportunities came with 2025’s F1: The Movie.
He plays Joshua Pearce, a young Formula 1 driver and member of the fictional APXGP team. Brad Pitt stars as veteran driver Sonny Hayes, who returns to racing and becomes a mentor to Pearce.
The film was directed by Joseph Kosinski and gave Idris the opportunity to work on a major Hollywood production built around real Formula 1 race weekends. His casting also represented a significant step forward from his earlier supporting film roles.
Damson Idris TV shows
Idris’s television work includes both British productions and major American series.
Snowfall (2017–2023)
Snowfall is undoubtedly Damson Idris’s defining television role.
He played Franklin Saint, a young man in 1980s Los Angeles whose involvement in the cocaine trade grows into a vast criminal operation. The series explores the social and political consequences of the crack cocaine epidemic while following Franklin’s transformation from an ambitious teenager into a powerful drug dealer.
Idris appeared throughout the show’s six-season run and also received a producer credit. FX identifies him as Franklin Saint/Producer in its official cast information.
The role required Idris to portray Franklin at different stages of his life, and his performance helped make Snowfall his international breakthrough.
Black Mirror
In 2019, Idris appeared in the Black Mirror episode “Smithereens”, playing Jaden Tommins.
The episode starred Andrew Scott and explored technology, social media and the emotional consequences of online life.
The Twilight Zone
Idris also appeared in Jordan Peele’s 2019 revival of The Twilight Zone.
In the episode “Replay”, he played Dorian Harrison opposite Sanaa Lathan, who portrayed his mother, Nina. The episode follows a mother and son whose journey becomes dangerous after they encounter a racist police officer, with a mysterious camcorder offering a way to alter events.
This is the answer to a common search about Damson Idris and Sanaa Lathan: they appeared together in an episode of The Twilight Zone, rather than a feature film.
Swarm
In 2023, Idris appeared in Donald Glover’s series Swarm, playing Khalid.
The role was another example of his willingness to take supporting parts outside the crime-drama genre that made him famous.
What is Damson Idris’s new movie?
Idris has several significant projects in development or production.
One of the most notable is ** Miles & Juliette **, in which he is set to play legendary jazz musician Miles Davis. The film is directed by Bill Pohlad and centres on Davis’s 1949 trip to Paris and his relationship with French singer Juliette Gréco.
He is also set to appear as Prince Inan in Children of Blood and Bone, Gina Prince-Bythewood’s adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling fantasy novel. The film is currently listed for 2027.
Damson Idris’s upcoming TV series: The Lords’ Day
Another major project is Netflix’s ** The Lords’ Day **.
Idris stars as Harry Jones, a British spy caught inside the Palace of Westminster during a hostage siege on the State Opening of Parliament.
The six-episode thriller comes from Bad Wolf and is based on Michael Dobbs’s novel. The cast also includes Harry Lawtey, Arsema Thomas, Sophie Willan, Gemma Whelan and Timothy Spall.
Netflix has confirmed the project, but as of September 2026, an exact release date has not yet been announced.
Is Damson Idris married?
There is no reliable public evidence that Damson Idris is married, and he has not publicly identified a wife.
The actor tends to keep his private life away from the spotlight, so claims about a secret marriage or wife should be treated carefully unless supported by a credible source.
Who is Damson Idris’s girlfriend?
Damson Idris’s best-known public relationship was with Lori Harvey, the model and entrepreneur and daughter of Marjorie Harvey and adoptive stepdaughter of television personality Steve Harvey.
The pair were first linked in late 2022 and made their relationship public in January 2023. Their relationship attracted considerable attention because both were already prominent figures in entertainment and fashion.
They announced their split in November 2023 after roughly a year together, saying that they were going in separate directions while remaining friends.
There were later reports of the pair reconnecting in 2025. However, relationship reporting surrounding celebrities can change quickly, and it is better not to describe Idris as having a confirmed current girlfriend unless he or a reliable source confirms it.
Damson Idris and Lori Harvey
The relationship between Damson Idris and Lori Harvey became a frequent subject of entertainment coverage.
Harvey had previously been in a high-profile relationship with Michael B. Jordan, which ended in 2022. Idris and Harvey were subsequently linked later that year and went public with their relationship in January 2023.
This explains why searches for Damson Idris and Michael B. Jordan often appear alongside searches for Lori Harvey. The two actors are connected through Harvey’s dating history rather than through a film project or family relationship.
What is Damson Idris’s net worth?
There is no independently verified public figure for Damson Idris’s exact net worth.
Celebrity wealth websites and entertainment publications have published estimates, with some 2026 estimates putting his wealth around $10 million to $13 million. These figures should be treated as estimates rather than confirmed financial statements.
His income comes from several areas, including:
- Film and television acting
- Producer work
- Brand partnerships
- Fashion campaigns
- Business ventures
- His luxury jewellery company, DIDRIS
His expanding film career, fashion work and entrepreneurial activities mean that his sources of income are broader than acting alone.
Damson Idris awards and nominations
Idris has received significant recognition for his work, particularly for Snowfall.
One of his most important honours came at the NAACP Image Awards, where he won Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for Snowfall. The NAACP’s official awards coverage lists Idris as the winner in the category.
His awards history also includes recognition from organisations such as the Black Reel Awards and Screen Nation. He has received nominations and wins across television and film categories, reflecting the growing critical recognition of his performances.
In 2024, Brunel University London also honoured its former student with an Alumni Award for Outstanding Contribution to Culture and Creativity.
What is Damson Idris best known for?
Damson Idris is best known for playing Franklin Saint in Snowfall.
The role transformed his career. Before Snowfall, Idris had accumulated stage, television and supporting film credits, but Franklin gave him the opportunity to lead a major series and carry a complex character through six seasons.
His later appearance in F1: The Movie showed a different side of his acting, while upcoming projects such as The Lords’ Day, Miles & Juliette and Children of Blood and Bone suggest that he is continuing to move into larger and more varied roles.
Damson Idris career at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Adamson Alade-Bo Idris |
| Professional name | Damson Idris |
| Date of birth | 2 September 1991 |
| Age | 35 |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Heritage | Nigerian |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in / 1.85 m |
| Education | Brunel University London |
| Best-known role | Franklin Saint in Snowfall |
| Major recent film | F1: The Movie |
| Upcoming series | The Lords’ Day |
| Upcoming films | Miles & Juliette, Children of Blood and Bone |
| Relationship most associated with him | Lori Harvey |
| Marital status | No publicly confirmed wife |
| Profession | Actor, producer and entrepreneur |
Frequently asked questions about Damson Idris
Is Damson Idris Nigerian?
Damson Idris was born in London and was raised in a Nigerian family. His Nigerian heritage is an important part of his background.
Is Damson Idris related to Idris Elba?
No. Despite their shared surname and both being prominent British actors, Damson Idris and Idris Elba are not related.
How old is Damson Idris?
Damson Idris is 35 years old as of September 2026. He was born on 2 September 1991.
How tall is Damson Idris?
He is listed at approximately 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 metres).
Does Damson Idris have a wife?
There is no publicly confirmed information that Damson Idris is married or has a wife.
Who did Damson Idris date?
His most prominent publicly known relationship was with Lori Harvey. They began dating around late 2022, made their relationship public in early 2023 and announced their split in November 2023.
What movie did Damson Idris make with Sanaa Lathan?
Damson Idris and Sanaa Lathan appeared together in “Replay,” an episode of The Twilight Zone. Idris played Dorian Harrison, while Lathan played his mother, Nina Harrison.
What is Damson Idris’s most famous role?
His most famous role is Franklin Saint in Snowfall, the FX crime drama that ran from 2017 to 2023.
What is Damson Idris’s latest major movie?
His most recent major film is ** F1: The Movie (2025)**, in which he plays Joshua Pearce opposite Brad Pitt.
Final thoughts
Damson Idris has built an impressive career without being defined by a single genre. His breakthrough as Franklin Saint in Snowfall established him as a powerful dramatic actor, while F1: The Movie introduced him to an even wider international audience.
At 35, he is also entering an interesting stage of his career. With The Lords’ Day, Miles & Juliette and Children of Blood and Bone on his slate, Idris is moving between television, major studio films and more character-driven projects.
For audiences in the UK who first discovered him through his British roots and early television appearances, his journey from London theatre to Hollywood leading man is arguably just as interesting as the roles themselves.
