You know that feeling when you're watching a show and a specific actor just... scares the absolute life out of you? Not because of jump scares, but because they feel so unpredictably real? That’s the Eric Kofi-Abrefa effect. If you’ve spent any time on Starz or Netflix lately, you’ve definitely seen his face. Most people know him as the terrifyingly volatile Lamar Silas from BMF, but his filmography is a weird, wonderful, and honestly massive journey through British theatre, Hollywood blockbusters, and gritty street dramas.
He isn't just another face in the crowd. Born in London with Ghanaian roots, he trained at the BRIT School and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. That's a high-pedigree background for a guy who can pivot from a helicopter mercenary in a dinosaur flick to a heartbroken drug dealer in Detroit.
The BMF Breakthrough: Lamar Silas Explained
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: BMF. Honestly, Eric Kofi-Abrefa’s portrayal of Lamar Silas is one of the most polarizing things on television. He’s the "villain," sure, but he’s also a tragic figure. He’s loosely based on the real-life Layton Simon, a rival to the Flenory brothers.
Most actors would play a guy like Lamar as a one-dimensional thug. Eric didn't do that. He gave him this twitchy, schizophrenic energy that makes you want to look away and keep watching at the same time. Remember that scene where he’s singing while doing something horrific? Pure nightmare fuel. It’s that range—the ability to be a "cross between a serial killer and a court jester"—that made him the standout star of the first two seasons. Even when fans were screaming for Lamar to finally get what was coming to him, they were mostly just impressed by the performance.
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Eric Kofi-Abrefa Movies and TV Shows: A Survival Guide
If you're trying to track down his best work, it's actually spread across a bunch of different genres. You've probably seen him in things without even realizing it.
The Big Screen Hits
- Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018): He plays a helicopter mercenary. It’s a smaller role, but hey, getting chased by dinosaurs is a rite of passage for any serious actor these days.
- Blue Story (2019): This is a must-watch. Directed by Rapman, this film is a brutal look at gang culture in London. Eric plays Switcher, and he brings a level of gravitas to the role that anchors the more chaotic parts of the story.
- The Book of Clarence (2024): He recently appeared in this Jeymes Samuel biblical epic alongside LaKeith Stanfield. It shows he’s moving into that "prestige" territory where directors want him for his presence alone.
- Fury (2014) & Snowden (2016): He had smaller roles here as a Company Messenger and in the ensemble, respectively. It’s cool to see him working with big names like Brad Pitt and Oliver Stone early on.
The Small Screen Essentials
- Supacell (2024): If you haven't binged this on Netflix yet, what are you doing? It’s basically "What if South Londoners got superpowers?" Eric plays Andre, a father trying to do right by his son while navigating some pretty heavy stuff. It’s a total 180 from his BMF character.
- The One: Another Netflix sci-fi series where he plays Mark Bailey. It’s a show about a DNA test that finds your perfect soulmate. He’s great in it, playing a much more grounded, relatable guy.
- Harlots: He played Lord Fallon’s footman. Total period drama vibes.
- Humans: A sci-fi show about synthetic robots. Again, he’s showing up in these "high-concept" shows because he has that "gravelly authority" (as his voice agents put it) that makes the weird stuff feel believable.
The Stage Pedigree You Probably Didn't Know About
Before he was causing chaos in Detroit, Eric was a heavy hitter in the London theatre scene. We’re talking the National Theatre and the Royal Court. He played Jean in Julie alongside Vanessa Kirby. Think about that for a second. Going from the National Theatre stage to playing a mercenary in a Jurassic Park movie is some incredible professional whiplash.
He also did Ear for Eye at the Royal Court. This matters because it’s where he developed that "depth" people keep talking about. You can’t fake the kind of intensity he brings to the screen; it comes from years of having to command a room with nothing but your voice and your eyes.
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Why He’s the Actor to Watch in 2026
We're currently seeing a shift where actors aren't being pigeonholed as just "action guys" or "theatre actors." Eric Kofi-Abrefa is the poster child for this. He can do the voice work (he's a sought-after voice artist for documentaries and commercials), he can do the physical stunts, and he can do the deep emotional heavy lifting.
The industry is finally catching up to his versatility. Whether he’s playing a dad with superpowers in Supacell or a ruthless kingpin in BMF, there’s a consistent "weight" to his performances. He makes you care—or at least feel something—about characters that are often written as expendable.
Your Next Steps: Where to Start?
If you want to actually see what the hype is about, don't just jump into a random IMDB credit. Start with these three specific things to see his full range:
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- Watch BMF Season 1: Just to see the "Beast" version of Eric. It’s his most iconic role for a reason.
- Stream Supacell on Netflix: This shows his "hero" side. It’s a completely different energy—vulnerable, protective, and powerful.
- Check out Blue Story: For a look at his roots in the UK scene. It’s raw, it’s low-budget, and it’s arguably some of his best acting.
Once you've cleared those, keep an eye out for his name in the credits of upcoming thrillers and sci-fi projects. He’s clearly found his lane in those high-stakes, "prestige-genre" stories that are dominating the streaming world right now.
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan of character-driven crime dramas, prioritize BMF and Blue Story. If you prefer speculative fiction with a heart, Supacell and The One should be your first stops. The common thread across all Eric Kofi-Abrefa movies and tv shows is a refusal to play characters the "easy" way, making almost anything he's in worth at least a one-episode trial.