Tom Ellis (actor)
Welsh actor (born 1978)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thomas John Ellis (born 17 November 1978) is a Welsh actor. He became known for playing Gary Preston in the BBC One sitcom Miranda (2009–2015), then achieved wider recognition for his role as Lucifer Morningstar in the Fox/Netflix urban fantasy series Lucifer (2016–2021), also the Arrowverse franchise crossover "Crisis on Infinite Earths" (2019), and Colin Glass in the CBS drama series CIA (2026–present).
Early life
Thomas John Ellis was born at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on 17 November 1978,[1] the son of Marilyn Jean (née Hooper) and Christopher John Ellis.[2] He has three sisters, one of whom is his twin; when they were born, they broke the Welsh record for heaviest twins.[3] His father, uncle, and one of his sisters are all Baptist ministers.[4] Shortly after his birth, the family left Wales for England and settled in Sheffield[5], where he attended High Storrs School and played the French horn in the city's youth orchestra.[6] He later earned a BA in Dramatic Studies from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.[6]
Career
Ellis first became known for his role as Gary Preston on the BBC One sitcom Miranda (2009–2015). His other roles around this time included Justyn in the Channel 4 series No Angels (2005–2006), Thomas Milligan in the Doctor Who episode "Last of the Time Lords" (2007), and King Cenred in the BBC series Merlin (2008). He has also appeared in the soap opera EastEnders, the sketch comedy show The Catherine Tate Show, and the medical drama Holby City, and the comedy-drama Monday Monday.[7][8] He was cast as Detective Inspector Bland in Agatha Christie's Poirot.
Ellis had his breakout role as Lucifer Morningstar in the Fox/Netflix series Lucifer (2016–2021), based on DC Comics' character of the same name.[9] On 23 June 2020, it was announced that Netflix had renewed the show for a sixth and final season.[10] He reprised the role for The Flash crossover Arrowverse episode "Crisis on Infinite Earths".[11] He won the 2021 Tell-Tale TV Award for Favorite Actor in a Cable or Streaming Sci-fi/Fantasy/Horror Series.[12]
Ellis starred as Nick in the Netflix romantic comedy film Players (2024) and voiced GodCat in the animated series Exploding Kittens (2024). In April 2025, he was cast as the leading role of the upcoming CBS series CIA.[13]
Personal life
In 2006, Ellis married English actress Tamzin Outhwaite, to whom he was introduced by Scottish actor James McAvoy.[14] They had two daughters together[15] before she filed for divorce in September 2013, citing adultery after he admitted to having an affair with an unnamed co-star while filming Gothica.[16][17][18] The divorce was finalised in April 2014.[14] Ellis also has a daughter from an earlier relationship.[19][20]
Ellis married American screenwriter Meaghan Oppenheimer on 2 June 2019.[19] They reside in Los Angeles.[21] Their daughter was born via surrogate in November 2023.[22]
When asked by Zoe Williams in a January 2025 interview if he believed he was destined for an acting career, Ellis replied, "I grew up in the church so talking about stuff like that is quite interesting because people would believe that if you had faith it would be like God's work, doing it for you, and he's had a plan for you and all those things. I don't personally share that belief these days, but who knows?"[23]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | High Heels and Low Lifes | Uniformed Officer |
| Buffalo Soldiers | Squash | |
| 2003 | I'll Be There | Ivor |
| 2004 | Vera Drake | Police Constable |
| 2005 | The Best Man | Groom |
| 2006 | Calon Gaeth | Edward |
| 2008 | Miss Conception | Zak |
| 2019 | Isn't It Romantic | Dr. Todd |
| 2024 | Players | Nick Russel |
| 2025 | The Thursday Murder Club | Jason Ritchie |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Kiss Me Kate | Ben | Episode: "Kate's Niece" |
| 2001 | The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby | John Browdie | Television film |
| Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story | Bigger boy 1 | Miniseries | |
| 2001–2002 | Nice Guy Eddie | Frank Bennett | Main role |
| 2002 | Wild West | Bungee jump instructor | Episode: "Fear of Bungee" |
| Linda Green | Marko | Episode: "Viva Espana" | |
| 2003 | Pollyanna | Timothy | Television film |
| Holby City | David Jones | Episode: "Endgame" | |
| 2004 | Messiah III: The Promise | Dr. Phillip Ryder | 2 episodes |
| 2005 | Twisted Tales | Alex | Episode: "The Irredeemable Brain of Dr Heinrich Hunsecker" |
| Doctors | Ricky Adams | Episode: "Slim Chance" | |
| Midsomer Murders | Lee Smeeton | Episode: "Midsomer Rhapsody" | |
| Waking the Dead | Harry Taylor | Episode: "Straw Dog" | |
| Love Soup | Mike | Episode: "Take Five" | |
| ShakespeaRe-Told | Claudio | Episode: "Much Ado About Nothing" | |
| 2005–2006 | No Angels | Justyn | 4 episodes |
| 2006 | EastEnders | Dr. Oliver Cousins | Recurring role |
| Pulling | Sam | 2 episodes | |
| 2006–2007 | Suburban Shootout | PC Haines | Main role |
| The Catherine Tate Show | Detective Sergeant Sam Speed | 2 episodes | |
| 2007 | Casualty | Joe Kelsall | Episode: "Combat Indicators: Part 1" |
| Doctor Who | Tom Milligan | Episode: "Last of the Time Lords" | |
| 2008 | Trial & Retribution | Nick Fisher | 2 episodes |
| The Passion | Apostle Philip | 4 episodes | |
| Harley Street | Dr Ross Jarvis | Recurring role | |
| 2009 | Monday Monday | Steven McColl | Main role |
| 2009–2015 | Miranda | Gary Preston | |
| 2010 | Dappers | Marco | Episode: "Proper Job" |
| Merlin | Cenred | 4 episodes | |
| Accused | Neil McGray | Episode: "Liam's Story" | |
| 2011 | Sugartown | Max Burr | Main role |
| The Fades | Mark Etches | ||
| 2012 | Silent Witness | Father Jacobs | Episode: "Fear" |
| Playhouse Presents | Bill | Episode: "The Other Woman" | |
| Gates | Mark Pearson | 5 episodes | |
| The Secret of Crickley Hall | Gabe Caleigh | Miniseries | |
| 2013 | Once Upon a Time | Robin Hood | Episode: "Lacey" |
| Agatha Christie's Poirot | Detective Inspector Bland | Episode: "Dead Man's Folly" | |
| Gothica | Victor Frankenstein | Television film | |
| 2014 | Under Milk Wood | Mr. Ogmore | |
| Rush | Dr. William Rush | Main role | |
| 2015 | The Strain | Rob Bradley | Episode: "Identity" |
| 2016–2021 | Lucifer | Lucifer Morningstar / Michael Demiurgos | Main role |
| 2018 | Family Guy | Oscar Wilde (voice) | Episode: "V Is for Mystery"[24] |
| Queen America | Andy | 2 episodes | |
| 2019 | The Flash | Lucifer Morningstar | Episode: "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Three" |
| 2022 | Robot Chicken | Michelin Man (voice) | Episode: "May Cause Indecision...Or Not" |
| The Great North | Rick Chateau (voice) | Episode: "Dick, Rick, Groom Adventure" | |
| 2024 | Exploding Kittens | Godcat (voice) | Recurring role |
| Tell Me Lies | Oliver[25] | Main role | |
| 2025 | Washington Black | Christopher 'Titch' Wilde | |
| 2026–present | CIA | CIA case officer Colin Glass | Main role |
| TBA | Second Wife † | Jacob | Pre-production |
| † | Denotes works that have not yet been released |