If you haven't been paying attention to Martin Bobb-Semple, honestly, you're missing out. The British-born actor has quietly become one of the most reliable faces in young adult drama, and his career is basically hitting hyperdrive right now. You might know him as the baseball standout Lando Johnson, or maybe as the guy from that Netflix horse show your younger sister obsessed over.
Either way, he’s everywhere.
The range is what's really wild. He can go from a buttoned-up, "perfect boyfriend" type in a murder mystery to a brooding, menacing athlete with a chip on his shoulder. It’s that versatility that landed him a massive spot in Amazon’s upcoming Tomb Raider series. People are finally realizing that Bobb-Semple isn't just a "teen drama" actor—he's a heavyweight in the making.
The Roles That Put Martin Bobb-Semple on the Map
Most fans first clocked him in the Netflix series Free Rein. He played Alex, a main character across the second and third seasons. It was a wholesome start, but it showed he could handle the pressure of a major streaming platform. He even did the Christmas special, The Twelve Neighs of Christmas, which is still a staple for horse lovers on the platform.
Then came the pivot to the US.
In 2019, he landed a role in the CW's sci-fi series Pandora. Playing Thomas James Ross was a departure from the stables of England. The show was actually filmed in Bulgaria, which Bobb-Semple has described as a "really cool" experience in past interviews. It gave him a taste of the American network TV machine, preparing him for the two shows that would eventually make him a household name for Gen Z.
One of Us Is Lying: The Peacock Breakout
If you haven't seen One of Us Is Lying, you should probably clear your weekend. Bobb-Semple played Evan Neiman, the devoted boyfriend of Bronwyn (one of the main suspects).
- He stayed for both seasons.
- His character was the "perfect match" on paper.
- But (no spoilers) in a town full of liars, "perfect" is always a bit suspicious.
Playing Evan allowed him to show a more restrained, intellectual side. It was a complete 180 from what was coming next.
Why All American: Homecoming Changed Everything
The real turning point for Martin Bobb-Semple movies and tv shows fans was definitely his entrance into the All American universe. He showed up as Orlando “Lando” Johnson. Initially, Lando was just supposed to be a rival for the lead character, Damon. He was the antagonist from a rival school, arrogant and talented.
But then the writers saw the chemistry.
Fans absolutely lost it over the "Lando vs. Damon" dynamic, especially once Lando transferred to Bringston University. What started as a recurring guest spot turned into a series regular role by Season 3. He wasn't just a baseball player anymore; he was one-third of a massive love triangle with Simone and Damon.
To pull off Lando, Bobb-Semple had to go through intensive baseball training. He also admitted to watching a lot of American reality TV to nail the specific regional accent. He wanted to make sure he wasn't just "a Brit doing a voice." He wanted Lando to feel real. It worked. By the time the series ended in 2024, Lando had evolved from a villain into a total fan favorite because of his hidden empathy.
The Massive 2026 Tomb Raider News
Here is what most people are getting wrong: they think he’s done with TV for a while. Not even close.
As of early 2026, production is officially underway for the Prime Video Tomb Raider series. This is a huge deal. The show is being run by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (the genius behind Fleabag), and Sophie Turner is playing Lara Croft. Martin Bobb-Semple has been cast in a "major series regular role" as Zip.
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For the uninitiated, Zip is Lara’s tech support and one of her closest friends from the games. It's a pivotal role that puts him right in the middle of a global franchise. Filming reportedly started in January 2026, and the buzz on set is that this is going to be a much grittier, more modern take on the Lara Croft lore.
A Career Built on the West End
It’s easy to forget that this guy started on the stage.
He wasn't just a kid who got lucky on Instagram.
When he was only nine years old, he was cast in the West End production of Oliver!.
Growing up in North West London with Caribbean parents, he spent his weekends at stage school and eventually trained at the Identity School of Acting. That’s the same school that produced John Boyega and Letitia Wright. You can see that training in the way he approaches his characters. He treats a CW sports drama with the same technical discipline as a Shakespeare play.
The Full Filmography (So Far)
- Dixi (2014): His first TV role as Zane. He did 30 episodes of this CBBC series.
- So Awkward (2016): A guest spot as Trent Gatsby.
- Free Rein (2018–2019): His first big Netflix break as Alex.
- Pandora (2019): Thomas James Ross.
- One of Us Is Lying (2021–2022): Evan Neiman.
- All American: Homecoming (2022–2024): Orlando "Lando" Johnson.
- Tomb Raider (2026): Zip (Upcoming).
What’s Next for Fans?
If you want to keep up with his career, your best bet is to revisit All American: Homecoming to see his growth as Lando. It’s the best example of his ability to turn a one-dimensional "bad guy" into a complex, relatable human.
The move to Amazon’s Tomb Raider suggests he’s heading into the action-adventure genre, which is a massive leap from high school and college dramas. Keep an eye on Prime Video's announcements through 2026 for the first teasers of him in character as Zip. Given his track record, he’s likely going to bring a lot of charm and much-needed humor to the tech-wizard role.
To stay updated on his latest projects, watch for production updates from Amazon MGM Studios, as the Tomb Raider series is expected to be a multi-season flagship for the platform.