Only his second credited role, Chiwetel Ejiofor, delivered a standout performance as Ensign Covey in the historical drama Amistad. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film tells the gripping true story of a group of enslaved Africans who revolt against their captors aboard the ship La Amistad. 

Ejiofor's breakthrough role came in Stephen Frears' Dirty Pretty Things, where he portrayed Okwe, a Nigerian immigrant working as a cab driver in London. His nuanced portrayal garnered widespread acclaim and earned him several award nominations, establishing Ejiofor as a rising star in the industry.

In Steve McQueen's powerful historical drama, Ejiofor delivered a breathtaking performance as Solomon Northup, a free man who is abducted and sold into slavery. His portrayal of Northup's emotional journey through unimaginable hardship earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

Based on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's classic novel, Ejiofor played a pivotal role in this Nigerian-British drama. Also starring Thandie Newton, his performance as Odenigbo, an intellectual revolutionary during the Nigerian Civil War, showcased his ability to navigate complex characters and embody their emotional depth.

Ejiofor's versatility extended to blockbuster films, as he took on the role of Mordo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Doctor Strange. 

In his directorial debut, Ejiofor also starred as the father of a young Malawian boy who, against all odds, invents a wind turbine to save his village from famine. Ejiofor's heartfelt performance captured the love and determination of a father facing adversity and his directorial skills shined.