February is not only the month of love but alsoBlack History Month. What could be a better way to celebrate both at the same time by checking outBob Marley: One Lovewhen it hits theaters onValentine’s Day, February 14? The upcoming biopic will center around the life and music of singer, guitarist, and songwriterBob Marley, his career, and the people who influenced him. Directed byReinaldo Marcus Green(King Richard), the movie was written by Green,Terence Winter(The Wolf of Wall Street),Frank E. Flowers(Shooting Stars), andZach Baylin(Creed III), based on a story by Flowers and Winter.
The movie will bejam-packed with the reggae icon’s personal experiences as he strives to overcome adversity and bring some love into the world through his musical excellence. Although Marley ultimately succumbed after battling cancer, one of his most poignant quotes to remember when watching the biopic still rings true to this day:“Beginnings are usually scary, and endings are usually sad, but it’s everything in between that makes it all worth living.”This handy guide will tell you everything you need to know about who’s playing who in the film.
Kingsley Ben-Adir Is Lost in the Music in New ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ Image
The biopic also casts Lashana Lynch, James Norton, Jesse Cilio, and more.
Kingsley Ben-Adir
Bob Marley
Kingsley Ben-Adiris no stranger to portraying iconic black figures, as he appeared as former PresidentBarack Obamain the 2020 miniseriesThe Comey RuleandMalcolm Xin the 2020 dramaOne Night in Miami. In addition to stepping into the shoes of Bob Marley, he has Gravik inThe Secret Invasion, Ken inBarbie, Col. Ben Younger inPeaky Blinders, andKarim Washington inThe OA. The 37-year-old British actor has proven himself more than capable of mastering various accents throughout his career, with his latest foray into taking on a Jamaican accent for his role inBob Marley: One Love. Marley has been attributed to increasing the visibility of Jamaican music, which he infused with elements of reggae, ska, and rocksteady. He went on to become a Rastafarian icon, blending his spirituality with his music.
In addition to his contributions to the music world, Marley was also politically outspoken, advocating for the legalization of cannabis and Pan-Africanism. In 1976, he survived an assassination attempt at his Kingston home, which seven armed men carried out. The attempt on his life was suspected to have been politically motivated as he was set to perform two days later at theSmile Jamaica Concertto promote peace amidst violence in the nation. He made his appearance anyway, stating, “The people who are trying to make this world worse are not taking the day off – why should I?”
Lashana Lynch
Rita Marley
Rita Marleywas married to Bob Marley for 15 years before he passed away in 1981. Rita was also a reggae singer, born in Santiago de Cuba and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. Her group, the Soulettes, provided backup vocals for Bob Marley’s group, the Wailers. In 2004, she published her memoirNo Woman, No Cry: My Life with Bob Marleyand also received the Jamaican Consulate General’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.
Rita Marley will be portrayed by British actressLashanna Lynch. Lynch is best known for her role as Maria Rambeau inCaptain Marvel,The Marvels, and as Captain Marvel inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In addition to these formidable roles, she starred as Izogie inThe Woman King, a historical action-adventure film inspired by the real-life Agojie, an all-female warrior unit in West Africa from the 17th to 19th centuries.
James Norton
Chris Blackwell
Chris Blackwellfounded Island Records in 1959 and was credited as the “single person most responsible for turning the world onto reggae music,” when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Island Records, which will be collaborating with Tuff Gong, is set to release the soundtrack EP forBob Marley: One Loveon the day of the film’s theatrical release.
Blackwell will be portrayed byJames Norton(Little Women). Norton also starred inA Little Life,Ex-Husbands, and the television seriesHappy Valley. He is also slated to star in the upcoming biographical drama,Joy, along withThomasin McKenzieandBill Nighy,and the upcoming drama miniseries,Playing Nice.
Sheldon Shepherd
Neville Garrick
Sheldon Shepherdis best known for his role as Ricky inStorm Saulter’s crime-dramaBetter Mus’ Come, which is a fictional dramatization of the political factions' use of gangs in Jamaica in the 70s. He also appeared as King Fox inIdris Elba’s crime drama Yardie. He will be featured as Lord Capulet in the upcoming modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, ROMEO + JULIET 4EVA.
Shepherd will portray Jamaican graphic artist and photographerNeville GarrickinBob Marley: One Love. Garrick is credited with creating the iconic designs associated with the reggae movement as Bob Marley’s art director in the 70s and 80s. He became the art director for the record label Tuff Gong, which produced albums for Bob Marley and the Wailers. After Marley’s death, Garrick co-founded the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, Jamaica, and served as its executive director until his recent death in November 2023.
Cindy Breakspeare
Cindy Breakspearewas involved romantically with Bob Marley from 1976 until his death in 1981, although Marley never divorced his wife, Rita. Breakspeare was born in Canada to a Jamaican father and a white Canadian mother of British descent. As an established Canadian-Jamaican jazz singer and musician, Breakspeare became Miss World in 1976, the year she met Bob. She shared a son through her relationship with Marley, reggae musicianDamien Marley, and it’s been widely speculated that Bob Marley’s songs “Turn Your Lights Down Low” and “Waiting in Vain” were written about her. Breakspeare will be portrayed byUmi Myers(Silent Witness).
Michael Gandolfini(The Many Saints of Newark),Nadine Marshall(The Smoking Room),Micheal Ward(Top Boy),Anthony Welsh(Starred Up),Tosin Cole(House Party), andLuca Slade(Everything Now) have all been cast in undisclosed roles inBob Marley: One Love. Joining the cast will beSam Palladio(Nashville) as The Clash’sJoe Strummer, whofamously covered Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” withJohnny Cash. Additionally,Naomi Cowan(When Morning Comes) will make an appearance as Marcia Griffiths,Hector Donald Lewisas Carlton Carly Barrett,Anna Share Blake(Losing Patience) as Judy Mowatt,Sundra Oakley(Legends) as Diane Jobson, andAlexx A-Gameas Peter Tosh have joined the cast in this Bob Marley biopic.
Bob Marley: One Lovewill be coming to United States theaters on February 14, with a theatrical release in the United Kingdom on July 07, 2025. You can find tickets to see the film by using the link below!
Bob Marley: One Love
A look at the life of legendary reggae musician Bob Marley.
