Gbemisola Ikumelo: From Bafta Judgement to a Breakout 2026

Comic actor Gbemisola Ikumelo is preparing for a major year. Her wide range of roles—from a chicken-obsessed schoolboy to a clumsy police officer—suggests she may soon need more awards space. In 2020, Ikumelo made a difficult choice. She posted online about subtle racial slights, known as microaggressions, she faced during an earlier play. She feared career damage. Instead, her phone buzzed with congratulations for a surprise Bafta nomination. She won that award, and later a second one. “When I won the first one, I was living in a small flat, and I felt like the statue was judging me,” she jokes. “I was like, I might have to refurbish or move.” Now, her career is accelerating. After roles in the U.S., she joined the 2025 cast of NBC's "The Office" spinoff, "The Paper." In the UK, she filmed more of the buddy-cop comedy "Black Ops," which earned her second Bafta. Ikumelo remains hopeful her award-winning short film, "Brain in Gear," will become a full series. With these projects, 2026 is set to be her biggest year yet.