Delroy Lindo's historic nomination could have been a breakthrough moment for Britain in the Oscars. The actor, born in south London in 1952, was a surprise pick in the best supporting actor category for his role as Delta Slim in Ryan Coogler's box office hit Sinners, edging out supposed sure thing Paul Mescal and helping to take the film to a record 16-nod haul.
Lindo was reportedly taken aback when he heard the news. His son rang him on Thursday morning, telling him the good news. "Really? Are you for real?" Lindo asked, before checking his phone to see 179 messages confirming it.
Despite being a child of the Black Atlantic, Lindo's experience is more nuanced than Mosaku's. Unlike her, he has no hint of a London accent after leaving the capital for the US as a teenager. His first film role was in an army sergeant in More American Graffiti, shot while he was still in acting school.
Lindo's CV is peppered with roles that black British actors plying their trade in the UK could only dream of in the 1980s and 1990s. He made his Broadway debut alongside Danny Glover in apartheid-era drama Master Harold β¦ and the Boys, after understudying James Earl Jones for Star Wars.
The actor's relationship with Spike Lee has been described as Lee's "secret weapon". The pair have collaborated four times, producing critically lauded work such as Malcolm X, Crooklyn, Clockers, and Da 5 Bloods. Lindo was a strong contender for an Oscar nod in 2020 for his performance in Da 5 Bloods, but was ultimately overlooked.
Lindo's historic nomination could be a game-changer for Britain in the Oscars. The actor's commitment to his craft has been rewarded with a record number of nominations in recent years. His recognition by Hollywood voters is long overdue and will hopefully focus on the body of his work rather than just his latest role.
Lindo was reportedly taken aback when he heard the news. His son rang him on Thursday morning, telling him the good news. "Really? Are you for real?" Lindo asked, before checking his phone to see 179 messages confirming it.
Despite being a child of the Black Atlantic, Lindo's experience is more nuanced than Mosaku's. Unlike her, he has no hint of a London accent after leaving the capital for the US as a teenager. His first film role was in an army sergeant in More American Graffiti, shot while he was still in acting school.
Lindo's CV is peppered with roles that black British actors plying their trade in the UK could only dream of in the 1980s and 1990s. He made his Broadway debut alongside Danny Glover in apartheid-era drama Master Harold β¦ and the Boys, after understudying James Earl Jones for Star Wars.
The actor's relationship with Spike Lee has been described as Lee's "secret weapon". The pair have collaborated four times, producing critically lauded work such as Malcolm X, Crooklyn, Clockers, and Da 5 Bloods. Lindo was a strong contender for an Oscar nod in 2020 for his performance in Da 5 Bloods, but was ultimately overlooked.
Lindo's historic nomination could be a game-changer for Britain in the Oscars. The actor's commitment to his craft has been rewarded with a record number of nominations in recent years. His recognition by Hollywood voters is long overdue and will hopefully focus on the body of his work rather than just his latest role.