Alex Lawther is a British stage and film actor. He shot to fame with his role in the third season of "Black Mirror", his portrayal of young Alan Turing in the biographical film "The Imitation Game", and standout performances in "X+Y", "Departure", and "Goodbye Christopher Robin".
British actor Alex Lawther
Early Life and Youth
Alex was born on May 4, 1995, in the small town of Petersfield in Hampshire. Lawther's parents are lawyers, his older brother Cameron is a film producer, and his elder sister Ellie works in public policy. He's since described his upbringing as a "middle-class white bubble".
Alex Lawther (right) with his brother during childhood
From an early age, Alex found himself drawn to the stage and acting. Lawther says he partly chose his career path because of his siblings.
They didn't want to play with me because I was too young. I had to create my own games.
In 2009, a 14-year-old Lawther wrote and staged a play in a drama club at a private school in Hampshire where he was studying at the time. Despite Alex's obvious passion for theater, his parents insisted he enroll in the history department at King's College London—but their plans weren't meant to be.
Acting Career
In 2010, Lawther made his film debut in the short "The Fear" (dir. Casper Logan), which his brother also worked on. At 16, Alex landed his first professional theater role in a new play called "South Downs" at the Chichester Theater.
60 Seconds with Alex Lawther
That experience completely changed Lawther's life plans. The play was a tremendous success and soon transferred from the small town to a theater in London's West End. Not long after, Lawther received a nomination for a WhatsOnStage Award in the "Best Newcomer" category and signed with a film agent.
In 2013, Lawther snagged a role in the documentary "Benjamin Britten: Peace and Conflict" about the British composer and pianist, where he brought the renowned musician to life.
Alex Lawther in the film 'Benjamin Britten: Peace and Conflict'
Next up, he appeared in the comedy "X+Y" alongside Asa Butterfield, Rafe Spall, and Sally Hawkins, plus the less successful drama "Virtuoso" by Alan Ball.
Alex Lawther in the movie 'X+Y'
In 2014, Lawther caught the world's attention with the release of the biographical film "The Imitation Game" about British wartime cryptographer Alan Turing. In the film, Lawther portrayed the scientist in his younger years. Working on the hugely popular and critically acclaimed film put Alex alongside powerhouse actors like Benedict Cumberbatch (who played the adult Turing), Keira Knightley (who played his wife), Charles Dance, and Matthew Goode.
Alex Lawther in the movie 'The Imitation Game'
After "The Imitation Game" premiered, Lawther got accepted into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. But film opportunities came calling: he landed a role in Andrew Steggall's drama "Departure", which hit theaters in May 2016, and he dropped out of school. "A part of me constantly wonders if I made the right choice. On the other hand, I feel like I learn so much on set," Lawther shared.
Alan Turing's early life scenes in The Imitation Game
Soon after, Lawther showed up in the third episode of "Black Mirror's" third season ("Shut Up and Dance"). He played a shy teenager blackmailed by mysterious hackers who use a compromising video to force him into breaking the law. He shared the screen with Jerome Flynn, known for his role as Bronn in "Game of Thrones".
Alex Lawther in 'Black Mirror'
Lawther also landed the lead role in the mini-series "The End of the F***ing World", based on Charles Forsman's comics. He played 17-year-old "psychopath" James, who fantasizes about graduating from killing animals to humans. He falls for his unpredictable classmate Alyssa (Jessica Barden), who drags him into searching for her father, who abandoned their family years earlier. The show received rave reviews and had a sequel in 2019.
Alex Lawther and Jessica Barden in 'The End of the F***ing World'
2017 turned out to be a breakout year for Lawther. He starred in the successful comedy by British director and actress Trudie Styler, "Freak Show", the mini-series "Howards End", British comedian Simon Amstell's debut film "Carnage: Swallowing the Past", the story about the creator of Winnie the Pooh, "Goodbye Christopher Robin", and the horror "Ghost Story", which released in March 2018.
The End of The F***ing World season two interview
Lawther landed a key role in the thriller "The Translators" (2019), then went on to work with powerhouse directors Ridley Scott on "The Last Duel" and Wes Anderson on "The French Dispatch" – both hitting theaters in 2021.
Alex Lawther in 'The Last Duel'
Alex Lawther's Personal Life
Lawther keeps his romantic life completely under wraps and stays off social media entirely. "They don't really interest me. I already spend way too much time on my phone for work as it is," he explains.
Alex Lawther prefers to keep his personal life private
When he's not acting, Lawther can be found kayaking through Camden Lock in London. He's known to drop serious cash on books, theater tickets, and movies.
Getting to know Alex Lawther
Lawther looks up to Ben Whishaw ("Perfume: The Story of a Murderer," "Cloud Atlas," "Spectre"), and critics often draw comparisons between the two actors.
Alex Lawther Now
In 2021, Lawther joined the "Star Wars" universe with "Andor," playing a rebel fighter from Aldan in the acclaimed series.
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In July 2023, it was announced that Alex Lawther would join the cast of the series "Alien", which will be part of the "Alien" franchise. He will have one of the leading roles.
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