Olly Alexander
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2015) |
Olly Alexander | |
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| Born | Oliver Alexander Thornton 15 July 1990 Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom |
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| Years active | 2008–present |
| Musical career | |
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Oliver Alexander Thornton (born 15 July 1990 in England), known as Olly Alexander, is an English actor, scriptwriter and lead singer of the band Years & Years. The band released their debut single "Traps" via Kitsuné in September 2013.
Early life
Alexander was born in England. His mother, Vicki Thornton,[1] was one of the founders of the Coleford Music Festival.[2] In a YouTube video uploaded from NylonMagazineTV Olly Alexander said he dropped out of school.[3]
Career
Acting career
Alexander's acting career began in theatre plays and films such as Summerhill and Bright Star, which was nominated for an Academy Award in the United States (for Best Achievement in Costume Design). He has also acted in films such as Tormented starring Alex Pettyfer, Enter the Void. Alexander contributed to the script and music for the indie film The Dish & the Spoon which was released in early 2011.
From March to June 2013, Olly starred as Peter Pan in the West End play Peter and Alice acting alongside Ben Whishaw and Judi Dench. Olly also had a supporting role in the final series of Skins playing Cassie Ainsworth's stalker in the two-part episode "Skins Pure", which aired in July 2013.
Alexander plays one of the main characters in the 2014 musical feature film God Help the Girl, where he also sings and plays guitar. The film was written and directed by Stuart Murdoch, the lead singer of the group Belle and Sebastian, as part of the God Help the Girl project.
Alexander also appeared in The Riot Club, the film adaptation of Laura Wade's stage play Posh alongside British actors Sam Claflin, Max Irons and Douglas Booth. Alexander briefly portrayed the vampire Fenton in the British-American horror series Penny Dreadful in episodes aired in 2014.[4]
Music career
His band Years & Years formed in 2010, with Olly joining the band as lead vocalist after guitarist Mikey heard him singing in the shower and reckoned he had "a good voice". Olly's voice has been commented on for its unique tone with the music being described as "Nina Simone...crooning a melodic lullaby to the folktronic lovechild of Beach House and Terry Riley".[5]
Their debut single proper "Traps" achieved support from Radio 1 and Radio 6, as well as many online publications such as The Guardian and The Fader. "Traps" also features on Kitsuné Maison's 15th compilation.
The band released their second single "Real" on Kitsuné and iTunes in February 2014 and the music video featured an appearance from Olly's Peter and Alice co-star, Ben Whishaw, and former Misfits actor Nathan Stewart-Jarrett. They are playing a few select shows in the UK as well as festival Les Inrocks in Paris, supporting Swim Deep.
Years & Years' most successful single, "King", headed straight to number one in March 2015, earning the band national recognition. Their debut studio album, Communion, was released on the 10th July 2015 and entered the UK Album Chart at number 1.[6]
Personal life
Alexander is gay[7] and is in a relationship with Clean Bandit's violinist Neil Milan Amin-Smith.[8][9] The couple added their support to the Irish Gay Marriage referendum with an Instagram message.[10]
Filmography
Films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Summerhill | Ned | |
| 2009 | Bright Star | Tom Keats | |
| 2009 | Tormented | Jason Banks | |
| 2009 | Enter the Void | Victor | |
| 2009 | Dust | Elias | |
| 2010 | The Fades | Himself | |
| 2010 | Gulliver's Travels | Prince August | |
| 2010 | The Dish & the Spoon | Boy | |
| 2012 | Cheerful Weather for the Wedding | Tom | |
| 2012 | Great Expectations | Herbert Pocket | |
| 2013 | Le Week-End | Michael | |
| 2014 | God Help the Girl | James | |
| 2014 | The Riot Club | Toby Maitland | |
| 2015 | Funny Bunny | Titty |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Lewis | Hayden Wishart | "Allegory of Love" |
| 2013 | Skins | Jakob | "Skins Pure" (series 7) |
| 2014 | Penny Dreadful | Fenton | "Resurrection" and "Demimonde" |
Theatre
| Year | Title | Theatre | Also starring |
|---|---|---|---|
| September–October 2010 | The Aliens[11] | Bush Theatre London | Ralf Little and Mackenzie Crook |
| March–April 2012 | Mercury Fur | Old Red Lion Theatre | |
| March–June 2013 | Peter and Alice | Noël Coward Theatre | Judi Dench and Ben Whishaw |
References
- ^ Alexander, Olly (June 2015). "Vicki Thornton & Olly Alexander - Backstage at performance of Years & Years Shephards Bush Theatre". Instagram.
- ^ "Good golly, Olly's off to Hollywood!". Gloucester Citizen. 4 June 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
- ^ Young Hollywood 2010 - Olly Alexander. YouTube. 10 May 2010.
- ^ Barton, Steve (12 January 2015). "Penny Dreadful". Dread Central. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
- ^ Oberman, Jameela (10 May 2011). "Disorder Magazine". Jameela Louise Oberman Freelance Journalist. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "Years & Years' debut at Number 1: "This is the best day of our lives"". The Official UK Charts Company. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ Murray, Peter (24 March 2015). "A Frank Conversation with Years & Years Frontman Olly Alexander". The Downtowner. Washington, D.C. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
- ^ Hattersley, Giles (28 June 2015). "Sound of summer". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|subscription=ignored (|url-access=suggested) (help) - ^ "7 Things That Are Everything This Week". The Advocate. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
- ^ Alexander, Olly (May 2015). "ollyyears #voteyes". Instagram. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
- ^ "Mackenzie Crook cast in The Aliens at the Bush Theatre". LondonTheatre.co.uk. 13 August 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
External links
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