David Jonsson has become one of Britain’s most versatile actors, seamlessly transforming into every role he plays. From a lovestruck South Londoner in Rye Lane to a high-powered banker in Industry, and a paranoid android in Alien: Romulus, Jonsson’s range is remarkable. Now 32, he stars as Taylor, a heroin-addicted father in the gritty British prison drama Wasteman, a role he describes as the most personal of his career. “This is the closest I’ve come to myself,” Jonsson says. “It’s dark, but I understand these men. Especially coming from my background.” Growing up in East London, Jonsson witnessed the struggles of youth facing societal pressures, giving him insight into his character’s world. Jonsson’s early life was shaped by his Creole heritage and a working-class upbringing. His mother was a police officer and his father an IT engineer at Heathrow Airport. After his parents separated when he was 11, Jonsson struggled with instability, which led to expulsion from school for fighting. He discovered acting in a new school in Hammersmith and joined the National Youth Theatre, eventually winning a scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York before training at RADA. He treats acting as a professional commitment rather than a calling, saying, “My parents are hard workers: if you want something, prove it. There’s no point talking about it.” This approach has guided him through diverse projects, from theatre to film and television. Jonsson’s breakthrough on screen came with Industry in 2020, portraying Augustus “Gus” Sackey, a privileged Black banker navigating a predominantly white world. The performance earned critical acclaim, but he left after two seasons, believing in the importance of pursuing life beyond comfort zones. Following this, he appeared in Rye Lane, a Sundance-acclaimed romcom, and starred in the BBC’s Murder Is Easy, becoming the first Black lead in an Agatha Christie adaptation. His role as a Black android in Alien: Romulus also sparked discussion. Jonsson embraced the opportunity to explore identity within the sci-fi genre. The film grossed $351 million worldwide, and Jonsson received the 2025 BAFTA Rising Star Award. Reflecting on the responsibility of representation, he says, “Every character I do, no matter what, I’m going to be a Black man first. Until we change what it is [to be a Black man], everyone’s going to have a certain view on it.” In Wasteman, Taylor’s Black identity subtly influences every interaction, from how guards speak to him to the systemic obstacles he faces. Jonsson prepared by consulting charities that help former inmates and reviewing extensive footage from British prisons, aiming for authenticity. The film portrays the harsh realities of rehabilitation, addiction, and parental absence, highlighting cycles of trauma and resilience. Jonsson also co-stars with Cooper Hoffman in The Long Walk, a Stephen King adaptation exploring intense human endurance. Filmed chronologically over six-and-a-half weeks in Winnipeg, the actors covered nearly 350 miles on screen, creating genuine physical and emotional weariness for their roles. Jonsson describes the experience as transformative, particularly witnessing Hoffman’s authentic grief performance. Currently, Jonsson is filming Colman Domingo’s Scandalous, portraying Sammy Davis Jr., and is set to star in Frank Ocean’s directorial debut. Despite his rising profile, he maintains a grounded perspective, describing acting as a job rather than a destiny. Jonsson’s career is marked by daring choices and a commitment to authentic representation. He navigates visibility with humility, reflecting on the paths not taken and the lives mirrored in his characters. In Wasteman, for the first time, he does not vanish into a role; he confronts and shares the reality of what his life could have been. “Taylor made a choice I didn’t, but I could have,” Jonsson says. “It was scary to see myself in that character. That fear makes it real.”