Jermel Nakia is an American actor and director who is known for playing the role of Young William in This is Us. He began acting soon after completing his college education, and he has been on the acting scene for over 20 years.
Jermel Nakia may have appeared in a handful of shows, but the role he is most proud of is the role of Young William in This is Us. While talking to Mandy Moore, Chris Sullivan, and Sterling K. Brown of the “That Was Us” podcast, Jermel noted that he had fun playing the role and it was a wholesome experience.
Biography
Jermel Nakia was born in 1976 in Kansas City, Missouri. He rarely talks about his childhood, but in had a normal childhood while growing up in Kansas City. Jermel began showing an interest at a young age; when he was in grade 3, he participated in several plays. At this time, he started realizing that he was passionate about acting and would have loved to pursue it professionally once he was older.
Jermel began his education in Kansas City. After his elementary education, he joined Lee’s Summit High School, which was in his hometown. Upon completion of his high school education, Jermel Nakia moved to Los Angeles in search of acting opportunities.
Acting Career
After relocating to Los Angeles, Jermel Nakia studied the art of acting and began seeking acting opportunities. He began with theatre appearances, appearing in several plays. It was easy at first, and as such, Jermel had to odd jobs to earn a living. Despite the initial struggle, Jermel Nakia did not give up on his dream of becoming a top actor.
In 2004, Jermel appeared in a short film titled The One Who Wears Red. From there, he did not appear in any major movie or television show until the early 2010s. In 2012, he appeared in a short film, and four years later, he landed his breakthrough role. He was cast as Young William in This Is Us. Since his breakthrough, Jermel has continued with his theater work, appearing in various plays.
Role on This Is Us
Landing the role of Young William on This Is Us had a huge impact on Jermel Nakia’s acting career. He had not appeared in huge and highly acclaimed shows before, and This Is Us was so huge for his career. While speaking to his cast mates Mandy Moore, Chris Sullivan, and Sterling K. Brown, Jermel noted that he was surprised with how easy it was for him to land the role. He had gone for the auditions on a Monday, met Ron Cephas Jones who was playing William on Tuesday, and by Thursday he had the job.
Jermel Nakia was able to play the role so well, such that viewers would not tell the difference between him and Ron. It was a great opportunity for him to showcase his talent, and it helped him grow as an actor. Jermel currently has a role in Kombucha Cure, a comedy series.