Ricky was born in Oldham, Lancashire. His father was in the Royal Air Force, which meant traveling the world to different bases. Ricky was scouted to play as a professional footballer for Arsenal and Celtic football clubs, but this was thwarted by injury, and instead, he went to Southampton University to read Law. While there, he began modeling and became the Face of Reebok for 2000. He then moved into acting, with his first lead role in the football drama ‘Dream Team’.

In 2007, he left to play in another British soap, as P.C. Calvin Valentine in the award-winning soap ‘Hollyoaks’. In 2010, Ricky took his talents to Los Angeles, immediately booking a lead in Sony romantic comedy Austenland before gaining several TV roles in Mistresses, NCIS, Single Ladies, amongst others.

His versatility and nuance depicted as Lincoln in sci-fi Netflix drama The100 before his breakout role and critically acclaimed portrayal as Shadow Moon in the award-winning American Gods, streamed worldwide on Amazon.