The oldest of 5 children Nikolai grew up in Somerset West just outside Cape Town South Africa. After finishing school he spent some time in the UK working after returning to SA , Nikolai set his sites on his career and attended New York Film Academy where he graduated with distinction from the Acting for film degree. After doing a few short films in New York and California he returned to Cape Town to peruse a career in film in his home country. After honing his craft in the theatre he landed his first feature in 2012 as the younger McCormack brother in the Perfect Wave.