Charles Mnene was born in Nairobi, Kenya and is an only child. Charles was raised by his grandmother until the age of 6 and moved around Africa in his early years; living in different places around the country. He flew to England alone at the age of nine with only five shillings in his pocket and his passport and moved to Willesden, North West London. A defining moment in his life was watching Laurence of Arabia at the age of 11 and this may have spawned his love for epic cinema. W hen he left high school, he studied Video Production and Drama at Westminster Arts College. Studying under Tracy 'O Leary, he was cast in Blue Orange, playing the character of Christopher. After only seven months, he kick-started his film career when playing Ben in The Great Ecstasy of Robert Carmichael in 2003 while still in study. After completing his course, while attending an audition for The Chosen Ones cast by Chloe Emmerson, she introduced him to his agent.

Mnene is part of a Taveta tribe on the east coast of Kenya.Favorite cartoon is Boondocks.In 2006, while rehearsing for the Balthall at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, his car flipped over 3 times on the duel carriage way. He miraculously survived to complete rehearsals and perform at the Balthall, directed by Nick Bagnall.Favorite monologue is The Resistible Rise of Arturo.Was trained by martial artists for Chromophobia.