Race Across The World star Kola Bokinni's life off screen and biggest role (2024)

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Celebrity Race Across The World season two is almost ready but what is there to know about contestant Kola Bokinni?

The 32-year-old from Peckham will be travelling from Belem, Northern Brazil, across the length of South America and finishing in Southern Chile with nothing and no one but his cousin Mary Ellen for assistance.

With BBC fans ready to follow Kola and Mary's every step during the nine-episode series, many are curious to know all there is about the famous contestant.

Kola Bokinni's biggest role to date

Actor Kola Bokinni may be remembered for starring in Black Mirror's Men Against Fire episode which aired in 2016, as well as films such as American Assassin, Annihilation and Brad Pitt's War Machine.

Celebrity Race Across The World Kola Bokinnis biggest role and superstar school pal (Image: GETTY)

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Celebrity Race Across The World's Kola Bokinni will be starring with his cousin Mary Ellen. (Image: BBC)

However, it was in 2019 when Bokinni started getting viewers' attention as he appeared in six episodes of Netflix's Top Boy as Leyton.

It was then the following year that he got his biggest role to date in Apple TV+'s award-winning comedy-drama Ted Lasso.

Bokinni is behind Richmond AFC's captain Isaac McAdoo, starring alongside Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham and Brett Goldstein.

Kola Bokinni's school days

Even before Bokinni was making a name for himself on the big and small screens, he was rubbing shoulders with soon-to-be big stars.

The Ted Lasso actor attended Croydon's iconic BRIT School, whose alumni includes Raye, Amy Winehouse and Adele, just to name a few.

Actor Kola Bokinni's biggest role to date is in Ted Lasso as Richmond AFC captain Isaac McAdoo. (Image: APPLE TV PLUS)

Explaining why he wanted to take part in this year's Celebrity Race Across The World, Bokinni told Radio Times: "It's not so many times that you get to do something like this.

"Obviously, I've travelled with my job but I've always had to play other characters.

"But to do something and it's me, and with my family and I'll get to see what we're all about, and test our mustards a little bit.

"So, that's the reason why I wanted to do it, to just experience a different side of life and the world."

Celebrity Race Across The World airs every Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One.