Tosin Cole is a British-American actor recognised for his work in television, film and theatre. He became widely known as Ryan Sinclair in Doctor Who before taking leading roles in 61st Street, Till, Bob Marley: One Love and Netflix’s Supacell.
Born on 23 July 1992, he is 34 years old in 2026. He holds British and American citizenship and has Nigerian Yoruba heritage. Although he was born in the United States, London has strongly shaped his identity, accent and acting career.
Tosin Cole Early Life and Nigerian Heritage
Tosin Cole was born in Florida and spent part of his early childhood in New York. When he was eight, he moved to London after his parents separated. He was raised in south-east London, an area that later became an important influence on his acting and choice of roles.
Tosin Cole has spoken warmly about South London, describing it as home. The area’s streets, music, football culture and diverse communities helped shape his understanding of people and storytelling.
Cole grew up in a large family with five siblings and many cousins. His family did not always feel certain that acting would provide him with a stable future. Over time, however, his relatives became proud of his achievements. His father was especially pleased when he played musician Tyrone Downie in Bob Marley: One Love.
Tosin Cole Education at Abbey Wood School
Tosin Cole attended Abbey Wood Secondary School in Greenwich. He did not enjoy Shakespeare during his early school years because he found the language difficult and distant from his own experiences.
His view changed after joining a youth theatre programme. The experience introduced him to modern stage productions and showed him that theatre could tell stories about people from London and different cultural backgrounds.
He left school before completing his A-levels after receiving professional acting opportunities. There is no confirmed record of a university degree. His training came mainly through youth theatre, stage performances and practical work in television and film.
Discovering a Passion for Acting
The Influence of Intermission Youth Theatre
Tosin Cole began acting at 16 after a girl he liked encouraged him to attend a theatre workshop. He joined Intermission Youth Theatre, a group that helped young people develop confidence and creative skills.
His first stage experience involved a modern version of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. What began as a casual opportunity soon became a serious ambition. Cole enjoyed performing, making people laugh and becoming different characters.
The programme also helped him meet professionals who recognised his natural ability. He soon gained an agent and began working in television. Before fully committing to acting, he briefly explored grime music and performed as an MC.
Tosin Cole Early Television Career
Tosin Cole made one of his first major television appearances in the BBC youth drama The Cut. He played Noah Achebe, a role that gave him early experience in front of the camera.
He then joined EastEnders: E20, the online spin-off of the popular BBC soap. His character, Sol Levi, was a thoughtful young man who became involved in friendship, family and relationship problems. The role also required Cole to perform a dance routine, which he later described as a stressful but memorable experience.
Hollyoaks
From 2011 to 2012, Cole played Neil Cooper in Hollyoaks. Neil was one of a group of new sixth-form students introduced to the programme. The role increased Cole’s visibility among British television audiences. His time on the soap ended during a dramatic bus explosion storyline, but the experience gave him valuable knowledge of long-running television production.
Tosin Cole Doctor Who Breakthrough
Tosin Cole reached a much wider audience when he was cast as Ryan Sinclair in Doctor Who. He joined the programme during Jodie Whittaker’s first series as the Thirteenth Doctor. Ryan was written as a young man with dyspraxia, a condition that affects coordination and motor skills. The character’s journey involved learning to manage personal difficulties while travelling through time and helping protect the universe.
Tosin Cole played Ryan in Series 11 and Series 12, working with Jodie Whittaker, Bradley Walsh and Mandip Gill. He left the regular cast after the New Year’s Day special Revolution of the Daleks. The role gave him international recognition and helped him move from youth television into larger film and drama projects.
Tosin Cole Film Career and Major Roles
Tosin Cole’s film credits include Gone Too Far!, Second Coming, Honeytrap, Burning Sands, Unlocked, The Souvenir, Ear for Eye, Pirates, House Party and The Souvenir Part II. He also had a small role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, playing Lieutenant Bastian, an X-wing pilot. Although it was not a leading part, the film introduced him to one of the world’s biggest entertainment franchises.
Playing Medgar Evers in Till
One of Cole’s most serious performances came in Till, a historical drama about the murder of Emmett Till and the fight for justice led by his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. Cole played civil-rights activist Medgar Evers. The role demanded careful preparation because Evers was a real person with an important place in American history. Cole studied his voice, mannerisms and public work. He also spoke with Evers’s widow, Myrlie Evers, to understand his character more deeply.
Bob Marley: One Love
In Bob Marley: One Love, Cole portrayed Tyrone Downie, the keyboard player and pianist who worked with Bob Marley and the Wailers. The film focused on Marley’s music, personal struggles and political influence. The role allowed Cole to combine acting with musical performance and placed him alongside Kingsley Ben-Adir, who played Bob Marley.
Supacell and Wider Recognition
In 2024, Cole took the leading role of Michael Lasaki in Netflix’s Supacell. Michael is a South London delivery driver whose life changes when he develops superpowers. The series follows five Black South Londoners who gain extraordinary abilities. Michael’s mission is to bring the group together and protect Dionne, the woman he loves.
Unlike many superhero dramas, Supacell connects fantasy with real social issues. The story explores inequality, policing, missing children, family pressure and the challenges faced by working-class communities.
Cole’s performance showed a more vulnerable side of his acting. Michael is brave, but he is also frightened, uncertain and emotionally exposed. The role helped establish Cole as a leading actor rather than only a supporting performer.
Theatre Work and Shifters
Theatre has remained an important part of Cole’s career. His stage credits include Wasted, Verona Road, Pandora’s Box, HMP Macbeth, Stop, They Drink It in the Congo and Ear for Eye. In 2024, he starred as Dre in Benedict Lombe’s play Shifters. The production first ran at the Bush Theatre before transferring to London’s West End.
The story follows Dre and Des, former childhood sweethearts who meet again after years apart. Heather Agyepong played Des, while Cole portrayed Dre. Their performances received strong attention for their emotional honesty and natural chemistry. Heather Agyepong is Cole’s co-star, not his wife. Their relationship belongs to the storyline of Shifters.
Tosin Cole’s Wife and Personal Life
Tosin Cole has not confirmed that he is married, and no reliable source identifies a wife. He keeps romantic relationships away from most interviews and social-media posts. His relationship with Dionne in Supacell is fictional. Dionne is played by Adelayo Adedayo, and their engagement forms an important part of the drama. It should not be confused with Cole’s real life. His Lake Como photographs also provide no evidence of a wife or partner. Fan comments beneath the post do not establish his relationship status.
Interests, Style and Future Projects
Cole enjoys football, music, trainers and fashion. He has described himself as a sneaker enthusiast and has attended major fashion events, including Louis Vuitton shows. His upcoming work includes The Sheep Detectives, in which he plays Caleb Merrow. He is also due to appear as Tzain in Paramount’s fantasy film Children of Blood and Bone, scheduled for release in January 2027.
Final Overview
Tosin Cole’s career has developed from youth theatre in London to major international productions. His work covers youth drama, soap opera, science fiction, historical film, musical biography, superhero television and serious theatre.
His strongest roles so far include Ryan Sinclair in Doctor Who, Medgar Evers in Till, Michael Lasaki in Supacell and Dre in Shifters. Despite his growing fame, he continues to protect his private life, particularly details about relationships and family.
As of 2026, Tosin Cole has no publicly confirmed wife, but his professional career continues to grow through ambitious film, television and theatre projects.
Also Read