Anatol Yusef

{{Short description|British actor (born 1978)}} {{Use British English|date=August 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}} {{Infobox person | name = Anatol Yusef | image = | birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|15|1994|1|17}} | birth_place = London, England | education = Bristol Old Vic Theatre School | occupation = Actor }}

'''Anatol Yusef''' (born {{birth based on age as of date|15|1994|1|17|noage=yes}})<ref>{{cite news |date=1994-01-27 |title=Duo Talk Way to Victory |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1258406187/ |work=Wanstead and Woodford Guardian |quote=...Anatol (15), of Vicarage Lane, Chigwell... |page=7 |access-date=2025-12-24}}</ref> is an English film, television and stage actor. He is best known for his work at the Royal Shakespeare Company, his portrayal of Meyer Lansky in the television series ''Boardwalk Empire'', and Channel 4's ''Southcliffe''.

==Biography== Yusef was born in Barking, London, England.<ref>{{cite web |title=Anatol Yusef Biography |url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/anatol-yusef/bio/3000012413/ |website=TV Guide |quote=Birth Place: Barking, East London, United Kingdom. |access-date=2025-12-24}}</ref> He is of Turkish descent,<ref name="Morton" /><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Reiss |first=Jon |date=2011-12-12 |title=Meyer Lansky Lives: Talking With Anatol Yusef Of Boardwalk Empire |url=https://www.jewcy.com/arts-and-culture/meyer-lansky-lives-talking-with-anatol-yusef-of-boardwalk-empire/ |magazine=Jewcy |access-date=2025-12-24}}</ref> and visited Turkey with his family every two years as a child.<ref>{{cite web|author=DigiTurk|title=Boardwalk Empire'da Türk ışığı|url=http://www.digiturk.com.tr/digilife/dizi-haberleri/boardwalk-empireda-turk-isigi|access-date=2012-01-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110144140/http://www.digiturk.com.tr/digilife/dizi-haberleri/boardwalk-empireda-turk-isigi|archive-date=10 January 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He attended the Chigwell School in Chigwell, Essex, from 1986 to 1996.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=December 2009 |title=American Dream: Anatol Yusef (1986–1996) |url=https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/53337249/the-magazine-of-chigwell-alumni |magazine=The OC Mitre |page=8 |access-date=2025-12-24}}</ref>

As a teenager, Yusef found early work in television shows including ''Jeeves and Wooster'', ''Grange Hill'', and ''The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles''. He appeared in the films Batman and Aliens (director's cut). He received the country’s highest marks in GCSE and A-Level Drama studies which awarded him a scholarship from Essex County Council for Acting School. He then trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. While training he worked on the television show ''Thief Takers'' and was a finalist in the BBC Carleton Hobbs Radio Award.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Graduates |url=http://www.winterbourne.freeuk.com/BOVTSgraduates.html |publisher=Winterbourne |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100508203133/http://www.winterbourne.freeuk.com/BOVTSgraduates.html |archive-date=8 May 2010 }}</ref>

Upon graduating drama school in 2000, Yusef was offered a role in Fred Schepisi's award-winning film ''Last Orders'', playing the younger self of Bob Hoskins' "Ray" and working with British actors Sir Michael Caine, Dame Helen Mirren, Ray Winstone, David Hemmings, and Tom Courtenay.<ref>{{cite web|title=Last Orders Cast|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0253200/|publisher=IMDB}}</ref>

He became a resident company member with the Royal Shakespeare Company. In the RSC's production of ''King Lear'', Nicholas de Jongh of the ''London Evening Standard'' claimed "Anatol Yusef's tremendous Cornwall, the best [he] [had] ever seen".<ref>{{cite web|last=de Jongh|first=Nicholas|title=King Lear|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/a-tunbridge-wells-lear-7381387.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018071931/http://www.standard.co.uk/arts/theatre/a-tunbridge-wells-lear-7381387.html|url-status=live|archive-date=18 October 2012|work=Evening Standard|access-date=1 July 2004}}</ref>

In 2006, Yusef's performance as Mercutio in Bill Bryden's ''Romeo and Juliet'' at the Birmingham Rep was heralded as "sparkl[ing]"<ref>{{cite web|last=Uusitalo|first=Irja|title=Romeo and Juliet|url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/romeo-and-juliet-review-at-rep-birmingham|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060104003109/http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/9905/romeo-and-juliet|url-status=live|archive-date=4 January 2006|work=The Stage|access-date=6 October 2005}}</ref>

In 2008, Yusef appeared in the title role in a New York off-off Broadway production of ''Richard III'', and was described by Backstage as "a superlative actor" and "magnetic".<ref>{{cite web|last=Cohen|first=Ron|title=Richard III|url=http://www.backstage.com/bso/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003870782|work=Backstage|access-date=6 October 2008}}</ref> Yusef has since remained in New York City. He has worked throughout New York, in 2011 appearing in ''A Movement of the Soul'', playing Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, for which he learned American Sign Language. In 2012, he appeared in José Rivera’s “Massacre (Sing to Your Children)” and received special mention by David Rooney in The New York Times for his role as Joe.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rooney |first=David |date=2012-04-16 |title=They Kill the Tyrant but Can't Seem to Bury Him |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/17/theater/reviews/massacre-sing-to-your-children-at-rattlestick.html |access-date=2022-10-01 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In 2010 he was cast as Meyer Lansky in HBO's ''Boardwalk Empire'', first appearing in Episode 7 of Season 1, "Home" and remained throughout the series. In an interview with The Morton Report, Yusef described Lansky as self-educated, a massively intelligent overachiever and "a ruthless, ruthless man".<ref name="Morton">{{cite web |author=The Morton Report |title=He's Not a Gangster, He Just Plays One on TV: An Interview with Boardwalk Empire's Anatol Yusef |url=http://www.themortonreport.com/entertainment/television/hes-not-a-gangster-he-just-plays-one-on-tv-an-interview-with-boardwalk-empires-anatol-yusef/ |access-date=2011-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003052040/http://www.themortonreport.com/entertainment/television/hes-not-a-gangster-he-just-plays-one-on-tv-an-interview-with-boardwalk-empires-anatol-yusef/ | archive-date=3 October 2011}}</ref> Anatol's characterization of Mr. Lansky has been recognized in many publications, including from author and critic Clive James's article in Prospect magazine, "American God"<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Higashi |first1=Sumiko |last2=Robinson |first2=David |last3=Scorsese |first3=Martin |date=June 1997 |title=From Peep Show to Palace: The Birth of American Film. |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2171678 |journal=The American Historical Review |volume=102 |issue=3 |pages=910 |doi=10.2307/2171678 |jstor=2171678 |issn=0002-8762|url-access=subscription }}</ref> where he describes Yusef’s as “the most impressive performance in the show,” as well as Michael Noble's review of the show on Den of Geek.<ref>{{cite web |author=Noble, Michael|title=Boardwalk Empire season 4 episode 4 review: All In|date=October 2013 |publisher=Den of Geek|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/ray-donovan-season-1-finale-review-all-in/|access-date=2014-12-17}}</ref>

In 2014 he appeared in a central ensemble including, Rory Kinnear, Shirley Henderson, Sean Harris, and Eddie Marsan, in Channel 4's BAFTA-nominated ''Southcliffe'', receiving special mention in an article by IndieWire on the best TV episodes of 2014.<ref>{{cite web |author=The Playlist Staff|title=The 15 Best TV Episodes Of 2014|date=23 December 2014 |publisher=IndieWire|url=http://www.indiewire.com/2014/12/the-15-best-tv-episodes-of-2014-268920|access-date=2016-08-17}}</ref>

In 2016, Yusef narrated the European championship series on Howler Radio, a collection of five podcast narratives written by a selection football journalists, the most popular being "The Summer Football Came Home".<ref>{{cite web|title=The Summer Football Came Home: The Story of Euro 96|url=https://player.fm/series/howler-radio-1287388/the-summer-football-came-home-the-story-of-euro-96}}</ref>

In 2017, he appeared as Laertes and the Player King in Sam Gold’s ''Hamlet'' at the Public Theatre with Oscar Isaac in the title role. He received unilaterally excellent reviews including, Marilyn Stasio of ''Variety'' who stated that “he makes his presence felt in a riveting performance”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stasio |first=Marilyn |date=2017-07-14 |title=Off Broadway Review: Oscar Isaac in 'Hamlet' |url=https://variety.com/2017/legit/reviews/hamlet-review-oscar-isaac-1202493640/ |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> and Ben Brantley of ''The New York Times'' added that he “is splendid as a pugilistic Laertes and a lyrical Player King.”<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |date=2017-07-14 |title=Review: The Greatest of Danes, as Oscar Isaac Takes On 'Hamlet' |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/13/theater/hamlet-review-oscar-isaac-public-theater.html |access-date=2022-08-30 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Helen Shaw also commented that Anatol “does a speech as the Player that runs rings around the stars nearby.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shaw |first=Helen |title=Hamlet |url=https://4columns.org/shaw-helen/hamlet |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=4columns.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rooney |first=David |date=2017-07-13 |title='Hamlet': Theater Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/oscar-isaac-hamlet-theater-1020612/ |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2018, Anatol starred as King Leontes in Arin Arbus’ production of The Winter’s Tale at Theatre for a New Audience, again receiving positive reviews. ''Off Off Online'' praised him as “completely convincing, masterly in the language and commanding a range of emotions.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Winter's Tale |url=https://www.offoffonline.com/offoffonline/2018/3/23/the-winters-tale |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=Off Off Online |language=en-US}}</ref> Jesse Green of ''The New York Times'' called the production terrific and haled Anatol’s performance.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Green |first=Jesse |date=2018-03-26 |title=Review: A Moving 'Winter's Tale,' With Women in Charge |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/25/theater/the-winters-tale-review-shakespeare.html |access-date=2022-08-30 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Anatol was last seen on stage playing opposite Elizabeth McGovern in the two-hander ''Ava: The Secret Conversations'', directed by Gaby Dellal, and written by McGovern. His portrayal of biographer Peter Evans as well as turns as Frank Sinatra, Mickey Rooney, and Artie Shaw were described as "capturing the essence of Ava’s trio of lovers with an interesting character performance that really brings the story to life.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Philpott |first=Maryam |title=Anatol Yusef |url=https://maryamphilpottblog.wordpress.com/tag/anatol-yusef/ |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=Cultural Capital |language=en}}</ref>

==Filmography== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes |- | 2001 || ''Last Orders'' || Young Ray || |- | 2003 || ''Ten Minutes'' || Peter || Short |- | 2003 || ''The Gathering'' || The Gathering || |- | 2006 || ''O Jerusalem'' || Major Tell || |- | 2009 || ''The Reward'' || Felix || Short |- | 2011 || ''Corner Shop'' || Danny || Short |- | 2016 || ''Bastille Day'' || Tom Luddy || |- | 2024 || ''You can't Win'' || Dirty Dick || |- |2023 |''Day of the Fight'' | | |}

===Television===

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! |- | 1990, 1992 || ''Jeeves and Wooster'' || Sydney Blumenfield || Seasons 1 and 3 |- | 1993 || ''The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles'' || Hubert Van Hook || Episode: "Benares, January 1910" |- | 1995 || ''Grange Hill'' || Mark || Episode #18.4 |- | 1999 || ''Thief Takers'' || Aziz || Episode: "Shadows" |- | 2000 || ''Second Sight: Kingdom of the Blind'' || Sandwich Shop Owner || TV movie |- | 2002, 2006 || ''The Bill'' || Rick Lessalles, Kevin Mann || 2 episodes |- | 2003 || ''Trial & Retribution'' || PC Barry Skinner || 2 episodes |- | 2003 || ''The Afternoon Play: Turkish Delight'' || Ahmed || |- | 2010–2014 || ''Boardwalk Empire'' || Meyer Lansky ||31 episodes |- | 2013 || ''Southcliffe'' || Paul Gould || TV miniseries |- | 2016 || ''Preacher'' || Deblanc || Season 1 |- | |}

==Theatre== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes |- | 2000 || ''The Mysteries'' || Herod/Cain || |- | 2000 || ''Under Milk Wood'' || Rev. Eli Jenkins, Dai Bread || |- | 2000 || ''After Miss Julie'' || John || |- | 2002 || ''Blackbird'' || Sarhad || |- | 2004 || ''Best of Motives'' || Ahmed || |- | 2005 || ''King Lear'' || Duke of Cornwall || |- | 2005 || ''Romeo and Juliet'' || Sampson || |- | 2005 || ''Macbeth'' || Banquo || |- | 2006 || ''Romeo and Juliet'' || Mercutio || |- | 2007 || ''Startled Response'' || Umut || |- | 2008 || ''Richard III'' || Richard III || |- | 2009 || ''Moonlight'' || Jake || |- | 2010 || ''Proof'' || Hal || |- | 2010 || ''The Science of Guilt'' || Kevin || |- | 2011 || ''A Movement of the Soul'' || Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet || |- | 2012 || ''Massacre (Sing to Your Children)'' || Joe || |- | 2017 || ''Hamlet'' || Laertes, The Player King || |- | 2018 || ''The Winter's Tale'' || Leontes || |- |2022 ||''Ava: The Secret Conversations'' || |Peter Evans, Frank Sinatra, Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw || |}

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== *{{IMDb name|0992195}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yusef, Anatol}} Category:English male film actors Category:English male stage actors Category:English male television actors Category:English people of Turkish descent Category:English people of Turkish Cypriot descent Category:Actors from the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Category:Alumni of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Male actors from London Category:People from Barking, London