Bashy

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Bashy
Thomas at the MOBO Awards in 2025 Newcastle, UK.jpg
Bashy at the MOBO Awards in 2025
Born
Ashley Thomas

(1985-02-04) 4 February 1985 (age 40)
Hammersmith, London, England
CitizenshipUnited Kingdom
Education BRIT School
Occupations
  • Actor
  • rapper
Years active2002–present
Musical career
Also known asBashy
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active2002–present
Website bashy.com

Ashley Thomas (born 4 February 1985), also known by the stage name Bashy, [1] is a British actor and rapper. [2]

Contents

Early life

Thomas was born in Hammersmith, West London. His mother is of Jamaican heritage and his father is of Dominican heritage. [1] He attended St. Mary's of the Angels RC Primary School. Aged 8, his family moved to Kensal Rise, in the London Borough of Brent. He attended Cardinal Hinsley High School, [1] where he excelled in drama studies. Thomas then went on to join the BRIT School for Performing Arts as a theatre student. [1]

Before finding acting and music success Thomas worked as a postman for the Royal Mail and later as a London bus driver during his early twenties. [3]

Career

Music

By his late teens, Thomas was a part of the UK’s emerging grime scene, rapping on pirate radio stations.

In 2007, Thomas released the song "Black Boys". [3] With frequent reports of shootings and stabbings on news bulletins, and with the media focusing on the lack of role models in black communities, Thomas felt that the British inner-city youth could be reminded they had a number of positive role models they could look to for inspiration. [3]

In 2008, Thomas started working on Adulthood . [3] Noel Clarke, the writer and director of Adulthood, first encountered Thomas when he was passed a copy of The Chupa Chups Mixtape, which contained samples from Clarke's previous film, Kidulthood . [4] Clarke was impressed with what he heard and disregarded concerns around the copyright infringement instead finding a way for Thomas to work on the official soundtrack for Adulthood. [4] Thomas delivered the film's theme song Kidulthood to Adulthood. [4]

Thomas released his debut album, Catch Me If You Can in 2009. [3] The album was nominated for the 2009 MOBO Award for Album of the Year.

In 2010, Thomas featured on the song "White Flag" by Gorillaz from their critically acclaimed album Plastic Beach . [3] The song saw Bashy feature alongside UK rapper Kano and the Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music. [3]

In 2013, Thomas stepped away from music to focus on his acting career full time.

Thomas released his first full-length album in 15 years, Being Poor is Expensive , on 12 July 2024. [5] The album received critical acclaim and won the 2025 MOBO Award for Album of Year. Bashy also won the MOBO Award for Best Hip Hop Act that same year. [6] His song How Black Men Lose Their Smile was nominated for an Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song.

Acting

Thomas landed his first role in 2010 as Rager in British flick, Shank , [3] an independent action film set in a decaying future London. He then went on to feature as Smoothy in the movie 4.3.2.1. that same year. [3] In April 2010, BBC Learning launched Off By Heart Shakespeare, a recital contest for secondary school pupils, [7] and Thomas was asked to play the role of Shylock from The Merchant of Venice . [7]

In 2011, Thomas played the part of Mental Mickey in Cockneys vs Zombies . [8] Later that year, he played Tyrone Jones in The Veteran . [8] His first television role came in the winter of 2011, in the Emmy award-winning series Black Mirror , by Charlie Brooker for Channel 4 as Judge Wraith in the episode "Fifteen Million Merits". [7]

In 2012, Thomas played the lead role in The Man Inside , opposite Peter Mullan, David Harewood and Michelle Ryan. His next film was My Brother the Devil , [8] which received critical acclaim, winning awards at both the Sundance Film Festival and Berlin Film Festival.

In 2013, he played the recurring character Jermaine Newton in Top Boy , a role he reprised in 2019 after it was announced that Netflix was to revive the British drama series. [7]

Early in 2015, Thomas guest-starred in the BBC series The Interceptor . Thomas' next TV appearance would be as Gil in the short-lived fantasy drama Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands for ITV in January 2016. Thomas signed up to the ensemble cast of A Hundred Streets released the same year. [7]

Early in 2016, it was confirmed Thomas was to appear as Calvin Hart in the HBO limited series The Night Of directed by James Marsh and Steve Zaillian. [9] In March 2016, Thomas was set as a lead role in the 20th Century Fox Television reboot of franchise series 24 as Isaac Carter. [10] Early in 2018, Thomas played the brother of Luca Quinn (Cush Jumbo) in the legal drama The Good Fight , airing on CBS All Access. [7] Later that year Thomas starred in Skin, the film won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film at the 91st Academy Awards.

In 2019 it was announced Thomas would co-star in the NYPD Blue reboot. [11] That same year Thomas was set to headline the Amazon Prime horror series Them ; [12] for his performance he received an Independent Spirit Award nomination. [13] In 2021, Thomas starred in the British limited series The Ipcress File on ITV. In February 2022, the cast for the Steven Knight's adaptation of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations for the BBC was announced, [14] with Olivia Colman cast as Miss Havisham, Fionn Whitehead cast as Pip and Thomas cast as Mr Jaggers, becoming the first black actor to play the role; for his performance he received a Royal Television Society Programme Award nomination. [15] Later that year, Thomas had been cast as the male lead in the Hulu drama series Black Cake opposite Adrienne Warren and Mia Isaac. [16] In 2023 Thomas joined the cast of The Serpent Queen as Alessandro de Medici. [17] In March 2024, Thomas was cast in the Netflix political television series Hostage as Dr Alex Anderson, alongside Suranne Jones. Filming began that month with the working title The Choice. [18] In November 2024 it was announced Thomas had been cast in the Channel 4 crime thriller drama series In Flight. [19]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums
YearAlbum details
Catch Me If You Can
  • Released: 1 June 2009
  • Label: Ragz2Richez
Being Poor is Expensive
  • Released: 12 July 2024 [5]
  • Label: Bish Bash Bosh Music

Mixtapes/EPs

Singles and music videos

List of singles and music videos
TitleYearChart positionsAlbum
UK
[20]
"Black Boys"2008Catch Me If You Can
"Kidulthood to Adulthood"86
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" (featuring Toddla T)2009
"Your Wish Is My Command" (featuring H-Boogie)
"Fantasy" (featuring Preeya Kalidas)88Non-album singles
"Make My Day" (vs. NAPT)2010
"These Are the Songs"201387
"Bring the Lights Down" (featuring Jareth)2014

Guest appearances

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2010 Shank Rager
2010 4.3.2.1. Smooth
2011 The Veteran Tyrone Jones
2011 Cockneys vs Zombies Mental Mickey
2012 The Man Inside Clayton
2012 My Brother the Devil Lenny
2016 100 Streets Jules
2016 Brotherhood Calvin
2018 Skin Jaydee
2018 Been So Long Wendell
2018 Kill Ben Lyk Charming Ben Lyk

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2011 Black Mirror Judge WraithEpisode: Fifteen Million Merits
2015 The Interceptor Dexter BlairEpisode: 1.3
2016 Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands Gil4 episodes
2016 The Night Of Calvin Hart2 Episodes
2017 24: Legacy Isaac Carter10 Episodes
2018 The Good Fight Dominic QuinnEpisode: Day 429
2018 Ice Malcolm Rose10 Episodes
2018 Salvation Alonzo Carter10 Episodes
2013–2019 Top Boy Jermaine Newton7 episodes
2019 NYPD Blue Detective Chris GamblePilot (Unaired)
2021 Them: Covenant Henry Emory10 Episodes
2022 The Ipcress File Paul Maddox6 Episodes
2023 Great Expectations Jaggers6 Episodes
2023 Black Cake Byron Bennett8 Episodes
2024 The Serpent Queen Alessandro De Medici5 Episodes
2025 Hostage Dr Alex Anderson5 Episodes
2025 In Flight Dom4 Episodes

Awards and nominations

MUSIC
YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2008MOBO AwardsBest VideoKidulthood to AdulthoodNominated [21]
Urban Music AwardsBest VideoBlack BoysNominated [22]
Urban Music AwardsMost Inspirational ArtistWon [23]
Screen Nation AwardsBest Music Performance in Film/TVWon [24]
2009MOBO AwardsBest AlbumCatch Me If You CanNominated [25]
Best UK ActNominated [26]
Urban Music AwardsBest Hip HopNominated [21]
2024UK Music Video AwardsBest Hip Hop, Rap and Grime Being Poor is Expensive Nominated [27]
BET Hip Hop AwardsBest InternationalNominated [28]
DJ Mag: Best Of British AwardsBest Rap AlbumNominated [29]
2025MOBO AwardsAlbum of the YearWon [30]
Best Hip Hop ActWon [31]
Best Male ActNominated [32]
Ivor Novello AwardsBest Contemporary Song (How Black Men Lose Their Smile)Nominated [33]
BET AwardsBest International ActNominated [34]
FILM / TV
YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2021MOBO AwardsBest Performance in a TV Show/Film Them Nominated [35]
2022 Independent Spirit Awards Best Male Performance in a Scripted Series Them Nominated [36]
2024 Royal Television Society Awards Breakthrough Talent Great Expectations Nominated [37]


References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Fevre, Juliette (21 October 2021). "Top Boy actor Bashy returns to Harlesden school to surprise pupils". -www.kilburntimes.co.uk//.
  2. Barzey, Whelan (18 April 2021). "The rapper who's gone from driving London buses to starring in an Amazon Prime TV show". -www.mylondon.news/.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Bashy - The bus driver who found a ticket to hip-hop fame". The Independent. 12 November 2010. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 "BrOTHERHOOD clip: Noel Clarke nearly SUED Bashy before he signed him up for the soundtrack". uk.sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  5. 1 2 Keith, James (12 July 2024). "Bashy's New Album, Being Poor is Expensive, Is an Essential Listen". Complex . Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  6. Keith, James (18 February 2025). "Bashy Mobo Awards, Bashy, Darkoo and Odeal top winners at 2025 Mobo awards". the Guardian . Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Ashley 'Bashy' Thomas — underrated, legendary and inspiring". medium.com. 24 February 2019.
  8. 1 2 3 "Ashley "Bashy" Thomas Credits". tvguide.com. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  9. Petski, Denise (11 March 2016). "James Gandolfini's Passion Project 'Criminal Justice' Gets Summer Premiere On HBO As 'The Night Of'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  10. Petski, Denise (10 March 2016). "'24: Legacy': Ashley Thomas Set As Lead In Fox Reboot". -Deadline.com.
  11. Petski, Denise (18 January 2019). "'NYPD Blue': Ashley Thomas To Co-Star In ABC Sequel Pilot". -Deadline.com.
  12. Andreeva, Nellie (27 July 2019). "'Them': Deborah Ayorinde & Ashley Thomas To Star In Amazon Anthology Series From Lena Waithe". -Deadline.com.
  13. Lang, Brent (14 December 2021). "Indie Spirit Awards 2022: Full List of Nominations". -variety.com/.
  14. "Casting announced for Steven Knight's adaptation of Great Expectations for the BBC". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  15. Shafer, Ellise (7 March 2024). "Gary Oldman, Hannah Waddingham, Bella Ramsey Among Royal Television Society Programme Awards Nominees". Variety. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  16. Andreeva, Nellie (5 July 2022). "'Black Cake': Ashley Thomas To Star In Hulu Drama Series, Zetna Fuentes To Direct Pilot Episode". Deadline. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  17. Otterson, Joe (6 March 2024). "Minnie Driver Among 10 Cast in 'Serpent Queen' Season 2 at Starz". Variety. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  18. "The Choice: we couldn't be more ready for this new Netflix political thriller starring Suranne Jones". www.stylist.co.uk. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  19. "Channel 4 announces thrilling new drama In Flight starring Katherine Kelly | Channel 4". www.channel4.com. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  20. "Bashy songs and albums | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  21. 1 2 "Dizzee Rascal, Jay-Z and Estelle lead MOBO nominations | News". Nme.com. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  22. "Interviews With Bashy, Sway, Tinchy Stryder, Skeelo & Richard Blackwood". Pr-inside.com. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  23. "Urban Music Awards 08 Nominations". 10 October 2008.
  24. "~* 7th Screen Nation Awards 2010 *~". Screennation.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 July 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  25. "Full List of Nominations and Winners". 10 September 2009.
  26. "Full List of Nominations and Winners". 10 September 2009.
  27. "awards.ukmva.com". awards.ukmva.com. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  28. Grein, Paul (18 September 2024). "Megan Thee Stallion Leads 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards Nominations: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  29. "DJ Mag announces nominations for 18th annual Best of British Awards". 18 November 2024.
  30. "Bashy wins best album at Mobo Awards after 15-year hiatus as Central Cee makes history". 18 February 2025.
  31. "Bashy wins best album at Mobo Awards after 15-year hiatus as Central Cee makes history". 18 February 2025.
  32. "Spice, Krept and Konan and Bashy announced as first MOBO 2025 performers". 20 January 2025.
  33. "Charli XCX, Lola Young, Raye and JADE among artists nominated for Ivor Novello Awards". Sky News. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  34. Victorian, Brande (8 May 2025). "Kendrick Lamar Leads 2025 BET Awards Nominations With 10 Nods". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  35. Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (11 November 2021). "Dave tops nominations at 2021 Mobo awards". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  36. "These are the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominees". www.filmindependent.org/. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  37. "Nominations announced for the RTS Programme Awards 2024". rts.org.uk. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.