Tunji Kasim

From bringing characters to life on stage and appearing in hit television series, award-nominated actor Tunji Kasim has quickly made a name for himself in the entertainment industry as "one to watch," and he isn't slowing down anytime soon. This year, Tunji reprises his starring role as Ned 'Nick' Nickerson on The CW's hit supernatural thriller/drama series "Nancy Drew". Based on the iconic books created by publisher Edward L. Stratemeyer and written by a variety of authors under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene, the show follows brilliant teen sleuth Nancy Drew (Kennedy McMann) as she solves mysteries in her hometown of Horseshoe Bay, Maine. Tunji instantly became a fan favorite as Nick, a former teenage convict (also Nancy's ex-boyfriend) who is forced to confront his previous life in Florida, while working to help solve crimes alongside his new friends in Maine. Season three of "Nancy Drew" is slated to premiere on October 8, 2021. Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, and raised in Nigeria until he was 12, Tunji is the youngest of three children. Having a Nigerian father, a Scottish mother and growing up in both countries, Tunji and his sisters were immersed in a rich, diverse, blended cultural experience. Upon moving back to Scotland as a pre-teen, Tunji enrolled in drama classes and began participating in local musicals and theatre. At 17 he was accepted into the prestigious Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, and before he even graduated was cast in Michael Attenborough's Big White Fog at the Almeida Theatre in London, making his professional onstage debut. Arriving in London as a young man and being exposed to a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities from all walks of life, Tunji felt a surprising sense of relief. Growing up in Nigeria with a predominantly Black community and in contrast, moving to Scotland, which is largely white, arriving in London married multiple worlds together. For the first time, Tunji didn't feel out of place. On stage, Tunji went on to star in The Brothers Size written by Oscar winner Tarell Alvin McCraney ("Moonlight") and directed by Bijan Sheibani. He was nominated for an Ian Charleston Award for starring in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Julius Caesar and went on to be in a handful of plays with the RSC, which brought him to New York City's Park Avenue Armory, marking his first time working in the United States. Additional theatre credits for Tunji include Network by Lee Hall (adapted from the 1976 film), Simon Godwin's Antony and Cleopatra, and Yael Farber's Les Blancs, all at the National Theatre. As well as David Farr's King Lear and Chris Luscombe's Much Ado about Nothing at the RSC. Film credits for Tunji include Bill Condon's "Good Liar," and Dan Krauss' "The Kill Team." When he isn't on set, you can find Tunji barefoot-running, always setting a new physical challenge for himself. Last year he ran a sub-20-minute 5km, incorporating fundraising for Covenant House Vancouver, which provides support for at-risk street youth in the Vancouver B.C. area. This year he has challenged himself to run a total of 1000km. Tunji is also vegan and is passionate about living a life that excludes all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, whether it be from food, clothing, and more. He has a huge place in his heart for giving back and has been active with a handful of organizations over the years. He currently splits his time between London and Vancouver, where he films "Nancy Drew."