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Alex Lawther

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Alex Lawther
Born (1995-05-04) 4 May 1995 (age 29)
Petersfield, Hampshire, England
EducationChurcher's College
King’s College London
OccupationActor
Years active2011-present

Alex Lawther (born 4 May 1995) is an English actor. He is known for portraying the young Alan Turing in the film The Imitation Game (2014), which won him the London Film Critics' Circle Award for Young British Performer of the Year, and has received acclaim as James in The End of the F***ing World and as Kenny in the series three episode "Shut Up and Dance" in the science fiction anthology series Black Mirror.

Early life

Lawther was born in Petersfield, Hampshire.[1] The youngest of three, he has said that his aspiration to be an actor came from having to make up his own games to entertain himself as a child.[2] His parents both work in law,[2] while his older brother, Cameron Lawther, is a film producer, and his older sister Ellie Lawther works in public policy.[3] In 2010, the brothers worked together on The Fear.

In 2009, Lawther wrote and put together a play as part of his drama club involvement at Churcher's College.[4][5] Lawther played Ratty in The Wind in the Willows at school.[6] Lawther did not study drama at GCSE or A level.[3] Until his first professional acting performance, he was set to study History at King's College London.[3] He trained with the National Youth Theatre.

Career

Lawther's professional debut came at the age of 16, when he appeared as John Blakemore in David Hare's South Downs at Chichester Festival Theatre.[2] He made his feature film debut in the Academy Award-winning film The Imitation Game (2014).[2][7][8][9] The role won him the London Film Critics' Circle Award for "Young British Performer of the Year" in 2015.[10] In 2015, he appeared in a supporting role in the critically acclaimed coming-of-age drama film X+Y. In 2016, he gained his first lead role playing Elliot, alongside Juliet Stevenson in the British film, Departure, the debut film of Andrew Steggall.[11]

In 2016, Lawther played the main character Kenny in "Shut Up and Dance", an episode from series three of the British science fiction anthology series Black Mirror.[12] While the episode overall received mixed reviews, Lawther received acclaim and significant recognition for his performance. In 2017, he also starred, alongside Jessica Barden, as James in the television series, The End of the F***ng World. The role also brought Lawther more acclaim from critics.

Recognition

Lawther has been praised by Dame Maggie Smith for his work, reportedly telling him that "most of us spend our lives trying to do what you've achieved".[2] He has been compared to actor Ben Whishaw,[2] whom he cites as an idol of his.[13]

Personal life

Lawther often kayaks down Camden Lock in his spare time.[13] He tries to spend most of his money on books, theatre and film tickets.[2]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Benjamin Britten: Peace and Conflict Benjamin Britten[14] Docudrama
2014 The Imitation Game Young Alan Turing London Film Critics' Circle Award for "Young British Performer of the Year"[15]
Nominated – BFI London Film Festival Award for Best British Newcomer[16]
2014 X+Y Isaac Cooper[14]
2016 Departure Elliot[17]
2017 Freak Show Billy Bloom
2017 Goodbye Christopher Robin Older Christopher Robin
2018 Ghost Stories Simon Rifkind

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2014 Holby City Fred Bamber 1 episode[18]
2016 Black Mirror Kenny Episode: "Shut Up and Dance"
2017 Carnage Volunteer: Joseph Mockumentary
2017 The End of the F***ing World James TV
2017 Howards End Tibby Miniseries

Stage

Year Title Role Venue
2011 South Downs John Blakemore Chichester Festival Theatre[19]
2012 South Downs John Blakemore Harold Pinter Theatre[20]
2013 Fault Lines Ryan Hampstead Theatre[21]
2014 The Glass Supper Jamie Hampstead Theatre[22]
2015 Crushed Shells and Mud Derek Southwark Playhouse[23]
2017 The Jungle Sam Young Vic Theatre[24]

Radio

Year Title Role Notes
2013 South Downs John Blakemore
2014 How to Say Goodbye Properly Toby[25]
2014 Rock Me Amadeus Charlie[26] BBC Radio 4[26]
2015 Decline and Fall[27] Peter

References

  1. ^ "25 Under 25s to Look Out For".
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Bellotti, Alex. "Teenage prodigy Alex Lawther following footsteps of Ben Whishaw and Benedict Cumberbatch". Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  3. ^ a b c "Actor Profile".
  4. ^ "Bordon Post". Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  5. ^ "Old Churcherian Alex Lawther has continued to enjoy a successful and varied acting career since leaving Churcher's". Churcher's College.
  6. ^ Parkes, Tom (16 February 2015). "New star in the game". Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  7. ^ Bellotti, Alex. "Teenage prodigy Alex Lawther following footsteps of Ben Whishaw and Benedict Cumberbatch". Ham & High. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  8. ^ Zakarin, Jordan. "Meet the Actor Who Plays a Young Benedict Cumberbatch in 'The Imitation Game'". Yahoo. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  9. ^ Barnard, Linda. "Alex Lawther's performance as teen Turing gave director goosebumps". The Star. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  10. ^ "'Boyhood' Wins at U.K. Critics' Awards as U.S. Talent Triumphs". Variety.
  11. ^ Harvey, Dennis (18 January 2016). "Film Review: 'Departure'". Variety. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  12. ^ "The Stories For 'Black Mirror' Season 3 Have Been Revealed (Spoiler-Free)". The Verge. 9 September 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Alex Lawther Tickets - Tour Dates & Artist Information - ATG Tickets". Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  14. ^ a b "Alex Lawther: Actor". The Stage.
  15. ^ "Alex Lawther: Actor". The Critics Circle. Archived from the original on 18 February 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "Alex Lawther: Actor". British Film Institute.
  17. ^ "Alex Lawther: Actor". Peccadillo Pictures.
  18. ^ "Holby City". BBC.
  19. ^ "South Downs/The Browning Version, Minerva Theatre, Chichester, review". The Telegraph.
  20. ^ "South Downs/ The Browning Version, Harold Pinter Theatre - review". London Evening Standard.
  21. ^ "Fault Lines Cast and Crew". Hampstead Theatre.
  22. ^ "The Glass Supper, Hampstead Downstairs - theatre review". London Evening Standard.
  23. ^ "Crushed Shells and Mud Official site". Southwark Playhouse.
  24. ^ https://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/the-jungle
  25. ^ "Afternoon Drama on BBC R4". BBC Radio 4.
  26. ^ a b "Rock Me Amadeus". BBC Radio 4.
  27. ^ "Afternoon Drama".
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