Multi-talented actor, writer, and director Noel Clarke celebrates his 45th birthday Sunday, December 6. After becoming well known for playing unlikely companion Mickey Smith in Doctor Who, he went on to win a BAFTA Rising Star award, create the acclaimed British coming-of-age movies Kidulthood, Adulthood, and Brotherhood, and appear in 2013’s Star Trek into Darkness. To toast his birthday, here’s a reminder of some of his super-varied recent projects.

1. 10x10

Clarke wrote, produced, and appeared in this 2018 abduction thriller starring Luke Evans and Kelly Reilly. It begins with Evans’ character kidnapping Reilly’s heroine before locking her in a 10x10 padded room; at first we have no idea what’s going on, but Clarke gradually reveals his motivations and the rather surprising relationship between victim and captor. It’s a somewhat underrated movie well worth seeking out.

2. Bulletproof

Clarke co-created and stars in this popular British crime series which airs in the U.S. on The CW. He and co-creator Ashley Walters play Bish and Ronnie, two men from very different backgrounds who partner up to fight organized crime as NCA (National Crime Agency) detectives. There have been two seasons to date, and a three-part special set in South Africa is due in early 2021.

As the Black Lives Matter movement was sparking a long overdue conversation about diversity in the film and TV industry, Clarke tweeted in May: "Just remember nobody wanted bulletproof, we were told #Bulletproof would never work or sell with two BLACK leads. NEVER. Look now."

3. Fishermen’s Friends

In the same series of tweets, Clarke criticized the makers of this British comedy movie for failing to include his image on the promotional poster – despite the fact he has above-the-title billing. The six white actors with above-the-title billing all appeared prominently on the poster.

Clarke appears in the movie as a music industry boss who pranks one of his executives (Daniel Mays) into signing four sea shanty-singing Cornish fisherman as an unlikely new boyband. It’s based on a true story, and the fishermen-turned-singers end up doing pretty well for themselves.

4. Twist

Clarke is a producer on this modern-day update of Oliver Twist, which was originally scheduled for release this year but will now hit theaters in 2021. He appears in the movie as Brownlow, traditionally a savior figure for the orphan title character, joining a strong ensemble cast led by Sir Michael Caine as Fagin, Lena Headey as a gender-swapped Sikes, and Rafferty Law (Jude Law’s son) as Oliver.

5. Noel Clarke’s Career Chronicles

During the U.K.’s lockdown earlier this year, Clarke kept fans entertained with his 'Career Chronicles' Instagram series. Each episode saw him joined by a different actor or creative for a free-wheeling conversation about how they built their career in the entertainment industry. You can head to his Instagram channel to catch up with fascinating chats with the likes of former Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies, Clarke’s Bulletproof co-star Ashley Walters, The Watch's Ruth Madeley, and the inimitable John Barrowman.

Do you have a favorite Noel Clarke role?