Michael Balogun, who studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), made the decision to become an actor after a difficult childhood which led to him spending his early life in and out of prison.

Following his graduation from RADA, the south London based actor made his debut in the National Theatre's Macbeth, alongside Rory Kinnear and Anne-Marie Duff, and has since starred in People, Places and Things, and Barber Shop Chronicles. This year, Balogun was cast as the understudy for Giles Terera, in the National's production of Death of England: Delroy, before Terera was forced to withdraw ahead of its opening to undergo emergency surgery. In a tweet, Terera said he was ‘beyond sad not to get the chance to play Delroy’ but was sending 'power and love' to Balogun who will now take centre stage.