Tom Ellis (actor)
Tom Ellis | |
|---|---|
 Ellis in September 2022 | |
| Born | Thomas John Ellis 17 November 1978 Cardiff, Wales |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 4 |
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) and the Arrowverse franchise crossover "Crisis on Infinite Earths" (2019).
Early life
Thomas John Ellis was born in Cardiff on 17 November 1978, the son of Marilyn Jean (née Hooper) and Christopher John Ellis.[1] He has three sisters, one of whom is his twin. His father, uncle, and one of his sisters are all Baptist ministers.[2] Shortly after his birth, the family left Wales for England and settled in Sheffield,[3] where he attended High Storrs School and played the French horn in the city's youth orchestra.[4] He later earned a BA in Dramatic Studies from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.[4]
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.[5][6] 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.[7] On 23 June 2020, it was announced that Netflix had renewed the show for a sixth and final season.[8] He reprised the role for The Flash crossover Arrowverse episode "Crisis on Infinite Earths".[9] He won the 2021 Tell-Tale TV Award for Favorite Actor in a Cable or Streaming Sci-fi/Fantasy/Horror Series.[10]
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.[11]
Personal life
In 2006, Ellis married English actress Tamzin Outhwaite, to whom he was introduced by Scottish actor James McAvoy.[12] They had a daughter and a son together[13] 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.[14][15][16] The divorce was finalised in April 2014.[12] Ellis also has a daughter from an earlier relationship.[17][18]
Ellis married American screenwriter Meaghan Oppenheimer on 2 June 2019.[17] They reside in Los Angeles.[19] Their daughter was born via surrogate in November 2023.[20]
When asked by Zoe Williams if he believed he was destined for an acting career on the Clear Minds podcast in January 2025, 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?"[21]
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 |
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; 2 episodes | |
| 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 | 29 episodes |
| 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 | 5 episodes | |
| 2009 | Monday Monday | Steven McColl | Main role |
| 2009–2015 | Miranda | Gary Preston | Main role |
| 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 | Main role | |
| 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; 3 episodes | |
| 2013 | Once Upon a Time | Robin Hood | S2 Episode 19 "Lacey" |
| Agatha Christie's Poirot | Detective Inspector Bland | Episode: "Dead Man's Folly" | |
| Gothica | Victor Frankenstein | Television film | |
| 2014 | Under Milk Wood | Mr. Ogmore | Television film |
| 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"[22] |
| 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) | 9 episodes |
| Tell Me Lies | Oliver | Series regular (Season 2)[23] | |
| 2025 | Washington Black | Christopher 'Titch' Wilde | Main role |
| TBA | FBI/CIA † | CIA Agent Hart Hoxton | Pre-production |
| Second Wife † | Jacob | Pre-production |
| † | Denotes works that have not yet been released |
References
- ^ "10 Things You Never Knew About Tom Ellis, Star of 'Lucifer' and 'Miranda'". BBC America. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ Cox, Emma (25 October 2016). "Miranda's Tom Ellis on mixing his religious upbringing with playing the Devil in Lucifer". Radiotimes. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
- ^ "Well known alumni". High Storrs School. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ a b Brown, Emma (23 September 2015). "The Devil in Tom Ellis". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ Hibberd, James (22 February 2013). "TV's Pilot Season Goes (Very) High-Concept". Entertainment Weekly. p. 26.
- ^ Thompson, Zac (2 March 2015). "DC Comics' "Lucifer" Pilot Finds Its Star At FOX". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
- ^ Barton, Steve (27 February 2015). "Lucifer – Tom Ellis Gets His Horns". Dread Central. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
- ^ Nellie, Andreeva (29 July 2018). "Netflix Chief On Cancelling 'Everything Sucks' & 'Lady Dynamite', Rescuing 'Lucifer' & 'Shadowhunters' Future – TCA". Deadline. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
- ^ Moore, Trent (10 December 2019). "Surprise! Crisis on Infinite Earths crossed over with Netflix's Lucifer with a perfect cameo". SYFY WIRE. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ "The 2021 Tell-Tale TV Awards: Results! 'Julie and the Phantoms,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Lucifer,' and 'WandaVision' Among Winners". telltaletv.com. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (22 April 2025). "'FBI' Offshoot 'CIA' Starring Tom Ellis Ordered Straight-To-Series By CBS For 2025-26 Season". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Tamzin Outhwaite breaks silence after ex-husband Tom Ellis remarries". Hello! magazine. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ Billson, Chantelle (25 July 2025). "'I had two daughters, now I have a son': EastEnders star reveals child is trans". PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ "Tamzin To Divorce Hubby After 'One-Night Stand'". HuffPost UK. 10 September 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ McNally, Kelby (10 September 2013). "Tamzin Outhwaite 'files for divorce from Tom Ellis, citing adultery'". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ McNally, Kelby (19 September 2013). "'We're all moving forward' Tom Ellis speaks out about Tamzin Outhwaite". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ a b Heller, Corrine (3 June 2019). "Lucifer Star Tom Ellis Marries Meaghan Oppenheimer in Star-Studded Ceremony". E! News.
- ^ Crosbie, Eve (27 May 2021). "Lucifer star Tom Ellis looks almost unrecognisable in first-ever television role". Hello Magazine. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ Murphy, Nichola (2 June 2021). "Lucifer's Tom Ellis shares never-before-seen wedding photo with wife Meaghan". HELLO!. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ^ Cook, Sam (10 November 2023). "Actor Tom Ellis and wife welcome baby daughter via surrogate". Wales Online. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ "Tom Ellis - the Lucifer Actor Opens up About Mental Health and Life Balance with Dr. Zoe Williams". YouTube. 5 January 2025.
- ^ "Family Guy [Deleted]". The Futon Critic. 11 March 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (24 January 2024). "'Tell Me Lies': Tom Ellis Joins Season 2 Of Hulu Series". Deadline. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.