Connor Swindells
Swindells in 2019
Born
Connor Ryan Swindells

Lewes, East Sussex, England
Occupation(s)Actor, model
Years active2015–present

Connor Ryan Swindells is an English actor and model. He gained prominence through his role as Adam Groff in the Netflix comedy-drama Sex Education (2019–2023).[1] He has since starred in the BBC One historical drama SAS: Rogue Heroes (2022–present). He has appeared in the films The Vanishing (2018), Emma (2020), Barbarians (2021), and Barbie (2023).

Early life and education

Connor Ryan Swindells'[2][better source needed] was born in Lewes, East Sussex, the youngest of four sons to parents Ian and Phoebe. His mother was of Romani heritage.[3] She died of bowel cancer when Swindells was seven years old, which he has said he is still processing.[4] After her death, he and his father went to live with Swindells' paternal grandparents in West Chiltington until moving out to Billingshurst, both in the Horsham District of West Sussex.[5]

Swindells attended Rydon Community College and Steyning Grammar School.[6] He dropped out of college at age 17.[7]

Career

Swindells began acting when he saw an audition poster for a local play and his friend dared him to audition; he got the lead role. He then acted in two more local plays and signed with an agent at the end of the third play.[8]

In 2017, Swindells made his television debut with guest appearances in episodes of the Hulu period drama Harlots as Mostyn and the Sky One historical drama Jamestown as Fletcher.

In March 2017, Swindells was cast to replace Joe Alwyn as Donald in The Vanishing, a Scottish psychological thriller film directed by Kristoffer Nyholm, starring Gerard Butler and Peter Mullan. The film screened at the 2018 Sitges Film Festival before having a theatrical release on 4 January 2019.[9] Swindells also starred as Adam in the 2018 drama film VS.[10]

In 2019, Swindells began starring alongside Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Asa Butterfield, and Gillian Anderson in the Netflix comedy-drama series Sex Education as Adam Groff, the headmaster's son, initially a bully who has a tense relationship with his father.

Swindells appeared in the films Emma (2020) and Barbarians (2021), and played Simon Hadlow in the 2021 BBC One crime drama Vigil led by Suranne Jones. The following year, he began starring in the lead role of David Stirling in the World War II series SAS: Rogue Heroes, also on BBC One.

Swindells appeared in Greta Gerwig's Barbie, reuniting with his Sex Education co-stars Ncuti Gatwa and Emma Mackey.[11] He also has an upcoming role in the Netflix film Scoop.

Personal life

As of November 2022 Swindells was in a relationship with actress Amber Anderson, who also appeared in the film Emma.[12]

Filmography

Key
† Denotes works that have not yet been released

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2018 VS. Adam
2019 The Vanishing Donald McArthur
2020 Emma Robert Martin
2021 Barbarians Dan
2023 Barbie Aaron Dinkins
TBA Scoop † Jae Donnelly Post-production[13]
William Tell † Filming[14]
Jingle Bell Heist † Nick In production[15]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2017 Harlots Mostyn Episode #1.3
Jamestown Fletcher Episode #1.5
2019–2023 Sex Education Adam Groff Main role; 24 episodes
2021 Vigil Lieutenant Simon Hadlow Miniseries
2022–present SAS: Rogue Heroes David Stirling Main role

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2017 Screen International Stars of Tomorrow Inducted [16]
2019 MTV Movie Awards Best Kiss (with Ncuti Gatwa) Sex Education Nominated [17]
2023 Broadcasting Press Guild Awards Best Actor SAS: Rogue Heroes Pending

References

  1. ^ Tutt, Louise. "Stars of Tomorrow 2017: Connor Swindells (actor)". Screen. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  2. ^ "Connor Ryan Swindells". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  3. ^ Lewis, Tim (30 October 2022). "'It brings out the devil in me': Sex Education's Connor Swindells on his latest role in SAS Rogue Heroes". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  4. ^ Murray, Iana (21 November 2022). "Running the Gauntlet with Connor Swindells". GQ.
  5. ^ Jones, Richard (14 January 2020). "Connor Swindells Interview: The Sex Education Star Is Arousing Interest". Fashion Beans. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Billingshurst actor stars in new film in cinemas across the UK". West Sussex County Times. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  7. ^ "Running the Gauntlet with Connor Swindells". 21 November 2022.
  8. ^ "Introducing Connor Swindells: Meet The Ex-Boxer Breaking Out In Rap Drama 'VS.'". timeout.com. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  9. ^ Lodderhose, Diana (23 March 2017). "Connor Swindells Joins Gerard Butler & Peter Mullan In 'Keepers'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  10. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (19 October 2018). "VS. review – the 8 Mile of Southend". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  11. ^ Kroll, Justin (15 April 2022). "'Barbie': Kingsley Ben-Adir, Rhea Perlman, Emerald Fennell, Scott Evans, More Round Out Cast Of Warner Bros, Mattel And LuckyChap Pic". Deadline. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  12. ^ McEvoy, Sophie (8 November 2022). "Peaky Blinder Fans Will Likely Recognise Connor Swindells' Girlfriend". Bustle. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  13. ^ Kanter, Jake (14 March 2023). "'Scoop': Connor Swindells, Romola Garai Join Cast Of Netflix's Prince Andrew Movie As Jeffrey Epstein Snapper & 'Newsnight' Editor". Deadline. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  14. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (24 October 2023). "Beta Cinema Launches Nick Hamm's Epic William Tell With Claes Bang, Connor Swindells, Ellie Bamber, Golshifteh Farahani & Ben Kingsley; Releases First-Look Image – AFM". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  15. ^ Grobar, Matt (15 December 2023). "Jingle Bell Heist': Olivia Holt, Connor Swindells & More Set For ACE Entertainment Rom-Com". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Screen unveils Stars of Tomorrow 2017 with BFI London Film Festival". Screen International. 2 October 2017. Archived from the original on 2 January 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  17. ^ "MTV Movie & TV Awards 2019: The Complete List of Nominations". E!. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.

External links

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