Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Michael Obiora was born in North-West London to Nigerian parents.
After starting drama classes aged seven, he was soon encouraged to join an agency by his drama teacher. He then joined another drama group at nine years of age, and within a year, landed a part in the hit children’s’ school drama, ‘Grange Hill’. Michael played ‘Max Abassi’ in the program for five years and is down as the youngest ever actor to have appeared on the show.
Michael went on to appear in such programs as ‘Doctors’, ‘The Bill’ and ‘Holby City’, but it was his role in the stage play ‘Exclude Me’ that really set the ball rolling. He completed a successful 11-week run on stage at The Chelsea Theatre. Lead roles in the award winning play ‘Fallout’ at the Royal Court Theatre and ‘Badnuff’ at The Soho Theatre soon followed.
Equally adept at drama and comedy, Michael showcased his skills by appearing in other popular television shows such as ‘My Family’, ‘Judge John Deed’ and ‘Sea Of Souls’.
In 2005, aged 18, Michael started a seven-month run in the award winning play, ‘Elmina’s Kitchen’ written by Kwame Kwei-Armah, at the Garrick Theatre. Michael was short-listed as ‘Best New Comer’ for this performance.
Before the West End run of ‘Elmina’s Kitchen’ came to an end, Michael won the part of receptionist, ‘Ben Trueman’, in the BBC1 smash, ‘Hotel Babylon’. It is for this role that Michael is most famous. The show ran for four seasons, regularly achieving figures of 6 million viewers per episode. It is one of the BBC’s most successful exports and continues to be shown in over one hundred countries including, America, Africa, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Latin America, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Australia, Israel, Pay TV in the Middle East, India, Bulgaria, Thailand, Croatia, Bahrain, Poland and Hong Kong.
As well appearing in ITV1′s ‘Afterlife,’ E4′s BAFTA winning ‘Misfits’ and giving a notable performance in the ‘Blink’ episode of BBC1′s ever-popular ‘Doctor Who’ as ‘DI Billy Shipton’ (recently voted into the Top ten all-time best ever Doctor Who episodes), Michael is hugely recognisable for his portrayal of outspoken nurse ‘Lloyd Asike’ in BBC1′s long running BAFTA award-winning medical drama ‘Casualty.’
Alongside Michael’s successful stage and television career, he has enjoyed many radio play roles, including as ‘DS Watende Robinson’ in all six series of Amelia Bullmore’s ‘Craven’, alongside Maxine Peake.
London boy Michael, is a sports and fitness enthusiast. He is a keen Arsenal fan, enjoys going to games at the Emirates and can often be seen going berserk in the stands!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Book title: Vivian’s Couch
Why I wrote it:
As an actor I’m very interested in human behaviour and the motivation for ones’ actions. I find it fascinating how we can all seem so different on the surface, but I’m even more fascinated by how similar we can be when we dig a little deeper.
I wanted to find a way to incorporate these themes into a hopefully insightful story and show how people from every walk of life can experience chaos, identity issues, betrayal, depression, and insecurities.
I also wanted wanted to write another book that reflects the diversity of my home city – London. This diversity is something I really appreciate, especially since I have spent time in other cities in the UK, where I have experienced very little diversity. And that’s not a criticism, just an observation, and something I guess I was surprised by.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have no structure at all! The busier I am as an actor, it seems the more writing I get done because I respect the free time I have a little bit more when I’m busy.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I don’t have any direct influences but my favourite non-fiction writer is Malcolm Gladwell, and my favourite books are The Devils’ Double by Latif Yahia, and Half of A Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie.
What are you working on now?
I’m promoting my second novel Vivian’s Couch. I’m also about to start promoting Fortitude, which is an eleven-part crime thriller that is going to be on Sky Atlantic (UK), and the Pivot channel (US) in January 2015.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media, Social media, social media!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I still consider myself new.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Actions speak louder than words – I don’t who said that, but I live by it.
What are you reading now?
Thriller – A Collection of Short Stories edited by James Patterson. And Meditation by Marcus Aurelius.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a book of poetry and monologues for actors that I think I’ll release in 2015, I’m starting to put ideas together for a children’s rhyme book, and I’ve had an idea for a new novel that first came to me in 2010 – all I’ll say is that it involves Nollywood! I plan to start fleshing that out early in the new year.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk To Freedom – for the inspiration if I get scared! Outliers and the Tipping Point both by Malcolm Gladwell. And Half of A Yellow Sun because it’s the best piece of fiction (based on fact) that I’ve read.
Author Websites and Profiles
Michael Obiora Website
Michael Obiora Amazon Profile
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