Currently, Amari Bacchus is making his professional stage debut playing Brandon in the world premiere of Mass at Donmar Warehouse, which is booking until Saturday 6th June and is written by Fran Kranz and directed by Carrie Cracknell. For Amari’s first regular screen character, he filmed in Northern Ireland for new BBC One, CBBC and BBC iPlayer series Crookhaven as Ade Okaro, which is created by Justin Young and based on the books by JJ Arcanjo and set in a secret school for aspiring crooks. Amari has worked on two short films playing Connor in Words on a Page – which started its film festival campaign in November as part of Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and he played Frankie in Far From the Plain. For the Netflix mini-series Adolescence, Amari worked closely with Ashley Walters (DI Luke Bascombe), where he played his on-screen son Adam, and attended the National Television Awards, which saw Adolescence win for Best New Drama. It has been announced that Amari will be in the casts of the upcoming films Frank and Percy (which stars Ian McKellen and Roger Allam, and is based on the Ben Weatherill play) and The Night House (which stars Aaron Paul and Jacob Tremblay). We talked with Amari about playing Brandon for his professional theatre debut in Mass at Donmar Warehouse, filming as Ade Okaro in Crookhaven and working with Ashley Walters in mini-series Adolescence.
On stage, you are currently performing in the world premiere of Mass at Donmar Warehouse as Brandon, how does it feel to be making your professional stage debut with the show, and how different are you finding it to filming for screen?
Honestly, it’s been pretty surreal. Mass is such a powerful piece, so to make my professional stage debut with something like this feels like a huge privilege. Theatre is so different to screen work – there’s no pause or reset, you’re right there with the audience the whole time. It’s a lot more exposing, but that’s also what makes it exciting and rewarding.
Can you tell us about Mass and your character, and who do you think the play will appeal to?
At its core, Mass is about grief, responsibility, and trying to process something unimaginable. Brandon is right in the middle of all of that. He’s complex and not always easy to read, which is what I enjoy about playing him. I think it’ll really connect with people who like character‑driven stories that stay with you after you’ve seen them.
What is it like being part of telling the story of Mass, and what are you looking forward to for continuing in the show until Saturday 6th June?
It’s definitely intense. You’re stepping into some really raw emotional places every night. But sharing that experience with a live audience is special – you can really feel when it lands. I’m excited to see how it keeps changing as the run goes on. Theatre evolves night by night, so I think it’ll feel very different by the end compared to the beginning.
What is Ade Okoro like to play in the new series Crookhaven, and how would you describe the character?
Ade is genuinely really fun to play. He’s sharp, funny and observant, but also quite guarded. There’s always something going on under the surface, and he doesn’t give much away easily. That mix made him really interesting to develop.
Was there anything that drew you to the role of Ade, and how have you found the experience having him as your first regular character on screen?
It was definitely his humour. I liked that I could bring something slightly different to him each time. Even with a younger cast, Ade felt grounded and real. Being my first regular screen role, it was a big learning curve, but in the best way. Having the time to really explore his journey meant a lot.
How was it working alongside the rest of the Crookhaven cast and filming on location in Northern Ireland?
Filming in Northern Ireland was amazing – such a beautiful place and really welcoming. The locations added so much to the show. The cast were great too; everything felt natural and easy. That kind of atmosphere makes a big difference, especially on a longer shoot.
Do you have any favourite highlights from your time on set that you can share?
Honestly, it was often the little moments between takes – everyone messing around and then instantly switching back into really intense scenes. The food‑eating scenes were definitely up there as a highlight!
You played Connor in the new short film Words on a Page – which started its film festival campaign in November as part of Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, what was the project like to be involved with and how was it taking on the role of Connor?
Words on a Page was a really meaningful project to be part of, especially with it linking into Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Connor carries a lot internally, so I wanted to approach him with honesty and care. Projects like that feel important beyond just entertainment, and I was really grateful to be involved.
What was it like playing Frankie in last year’s short film Far from the Plain?
That was a very different experience tonally. Frankie’s world is much quieter and more understated, which gave me the chance to explore a more internal style of storytelling. It’s not the kind of film you see all the time, which really drew me to it. Everyone involved cared deeply about telling the story properly. It’ll be out on a streaming platform soon, which is exciting.
Can you tell us about working on the Netflix mini-series Adolescence as Adam Bascombe (son of DI Luke Bascombe, played by Ashley Walters), and how did you prepare for filming?
That project was a big one for me. Playing Adam meant really thinking about his relationships and the life he lives beyond what’s shown on screen. I spent a lot of time building his backstory so I fully understood who he was. Ashley and I talked a lot before filming and worked through his world together, which really helped once we got on set.
How was it seeing the fan response to the release of Adolescence, and what was it like attending the National Television Awards, where the show won Best New Drama?
The response has been overwhelming, but in a really positive way. Knowing people connected with the show meant a lot. Going to the National Television Awards and seeing Adolescence win Best New Drama was a real “wow” moment. It feels special to be part of something that’s had that kind of impact.
It has been announced that you are in the casts of the upcoming films Frank and Percy (based on Ben Weatherill’s play and starring Ian McKellen and Roger Allam) and The Night House (starring Aaron Paul and Jacob Tremblay), what was it like filming for both?
Both were amazing experiences, but for very different reasons. Working alongside actors like Ian McKellen and Roger Allam on Frank and Percy was a huge learning experience – just being in the room with them, as well as working with Sean Mathias. The Night House was completely different – much darker and more atmospheric. I can’t say too much yet, but it’s definitely something people will be drawn to.
How did you get into acting and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?
It happened pretty naturally. A lot of it started when I was younger through wrestling actually – copying my favourite wrestlers, creating characters, and just playing around and having fun. It wasn’t until GCSE Drama that it really clicked as something I wanted to take seriously. I went to a performing arts school, tried dance and singing, which were new to me but surprisingly enjoyable, and from there it just grew into something more.
What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?
It changes all the time. I’m really drawn to character‑led work where performances are at the centre. I love Snowfall, pretty much anything with Denzel Washington, and one of my all‑time favourite film franchises is The Mighty Ducks. I’m always into grounded stories that still have something to say.
How do you like to spend your time away from your career?
I’m quite low‑key, honestly. Spending time with family and close friends, playing football or computer games with people I’ve known since I was a kid really keeps me grounded. They just see me as Amari, which matters. The job can get intense, so those quieter moments are important.
Do you have any further projects coming up that you can talk about, and what are you hoping 2026 brings for you?
There’s a few things in the pipeline that I can’t talk about yet. Looking ahead to summer and autumn 2026, I just want to keep growing and taking on roles that challenge me and keep things interesting.
Follow Amari on: