---
name: "David Harewood"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/david-harewood"
fi1m_id: "david-harewood"
imdb_id: "nm0362873"
tmdb_id: 16752
wikidata_id: "Q3018042"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "8 December 1965"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 4
average_fi1m_score: 82
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 4
updated: "2026-10-22T01:55:44.731799+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# David Harewood

## Identity

David Harewood

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/david-harewood
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** david-harewood
- **IMDb ID:** nm0362873
- **TMDB ID:** 16752
- **Wikidata ID:** Q3018042
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Harewood, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3018042, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0362873/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/16752

Actor. Born 8 December 1965 in Small Heath, Birmingham, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 8 December 1965, Small Heath, Birmingham, England, UK
- **Active:** 1995–present
- **Average Fi1m score:** 82, as actor, over 4 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 85 (1), 2010s 80 (2), 2020s 82 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 80 to 79 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Crime 4, Drama 3, Mystery 2, War & Politics 1
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Harewood, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3018042, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0362873/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/16752

## Coming up

- *Pierre*, as Pierre — [page](https://film.one/tv/pierre.md)

## Streaming the US now

- **Tubi:** [*Criminal Justice*](https://film.one/tv/criminal-justice.md) (85)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Night Manager*](https://film.one/tv/the-night-manager.md) (81)
- **Disney+:** [*Homeland*](https://film.one/tv/homeland.md) (78)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on David Harewood

> David Harewood is the man behind the desk who has to say no, and his gift is to make the no cost him something. Television has kept him in offices ever since it noticed, and we wish the offices were larger.

In *Homeland* (2011), David Harewood plays David Estes, the boss who has to say no. It is the least loved job in a spy story: the man behind the desk exists so that Claire Danes can be right and he can be wrong, week after week. Harewood does not play it that way. He plays a man who has read the file and reached a conclusion he does not enjoy, and he delivers the refusal as a decision rather than a reflex. We found ourselves on his side in rooms where the script plainly was not, and it was because he let every no visibly cost him something. Our review said Estes was given more decency than that job usually gets; most of it came from Harewood.

The habit started on stage. He trained at RADA and began working in 1990, and in 1997 he was the first Black actor to play Othello at the National Theatre. Television and film here were slower to find him parts of that size, and he has said so: "It’s almost impossible for me to play a role of this magnitude in the U.K." *Blood Diamond* (2006) gave him Captain Poison, opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, and then *Homeland* gave him Estes and an American career. He spent six years on *Supergirl* (2015 to 2021) as J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter, and directed episodes of it, which is not the usual path for the man in the office. He came home for *The Night Manager* (2016), as Joel Steadman in Susanne Bier's series.

Our review of *The Night Manager* did not single him out, and that is the risk of the kind of actor he is. He is good at intelligence men, police officers, people with clearance, and he is cast that way often enough that a viewer can stop noticing him doing it. The gravity is real: he listens like a man who will be blamed for whatever happens next, and he never asks for our sympathy, which is why we give it. What we have not seen enough of, on screen at least, is what happens when the desk is taken away. The stage has had that from him; the camera has mostly had the desk.

He was appointed president of RADA, the school he trained at, in 2024. The first three seasons of *Homeland* remain the place to watch him, and to notice how much of a scene he holds while the camera is on someone else.

## Biography

David Harewood is an English actor. Born on 8 December 1965 in Small Heath, Birmingham, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

He is known for his television roles as David Estes in *Homeland* (2011–2012) and J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter and Hank Henshaw in *Supergirl* (2015–2021). Film credits include Captain Poison in *Blood Diamond* (2006). He appeared as Joel Steadman in *The Night Manager* (2016). In 1997 he became the first Black actor to play Othello at the National Theatre.

Harewood has presented BBC documentaries on mental health and race. He was appointed president of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2024 and received an OBE.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, variety.com.*

## On Fi1m (4)

- *Sherwood* (2022), Fi1m 82, as Denis Bottomley — [page](https://film.one/tv/sherwood.md)
- *The Night Manager* (2016), Fi1m 81, as Joel Steadman — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-night-manager.md)
- *Homeland* (2011), Fi1m 78, as David Estes — [page](https://film.one/tv/homeland.md)
- *Criminal Justice* (2008), Fi1m 85, as Freddie Graham — [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-justice.md)

## Complete filmography (107)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Othello* (2026), as Othello
- *2025: The Year from Space* (2026), as Narrator (Voice)
- *Judi Dench: Shakespeare, My Family and Me* (2025), as Narrator (voice)
- *Happy Face* (2025), series, as Dr. Greg
- *The Agency* (2024), series, as Dalaga
- *Arthur's Whisky* (2024), as Hal
- *The Acolyte* (2024), series, as Senator Rayencourt
- *Dickens: Phantoms and Fiction* (2023), as Presenter
- *Herald of Darkness* (2023), as Warlin Door
- *The Canterville Ghost* (2023), as Hiram Otis (voice)
- *National Theatre Live: Best of Enemies* (2023), as William F. Buckley, Jr.
- *Man to Man* (2023), as Malcolm
- *2022: The Year from Space* (2023), as Narrator (voice)
- *Wendell & Wild* (2022), as Lane Klaxon (voice)
- *Moment of Truth* (2022), series, as Narrator
- *Sherwood* (2022), series, as Denis Bottomley — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/sherwood.md)
- *Young Vic: Best of Enemies* (2021), as William F. Buckley, Jr.
- *The Abominable Snow Baby* (2021), as Narrator
- *The Black Panthers of WW2* (2021), series, as Narrator
- *Why Is Covid Killing People Of Colour?* (2021), Producer
- *Earth's Tropical Islands* (2020), series, as Narrator
- *Lost Pharaohs of the Nile* (2019), as Host
- *David Harewood: Psychosis and Me* (2019), as David Harewood · Presenter
- *Parallel* (2018), as Mr. Parkes
- *Army: Behind the New Frontlines* (2017), series, as Narrator
- *Free in Deed* (2017), as Abe Wilkins
- *Tulip Fever* (2017), as Mr. Prater
- *Madiba* (2017), series, as Walter Sisulu
- *Grimsby* (2016), as Black Gareth
- *The Night Manager* (2016), series, as Joel Steadman — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-night-manager.md)
- *DC's Legends of Tomorrow* (2016), series, as J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter
- *Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands* (2016), series, as Scorann
- *Supergirl* (2015), series, as J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter · Director
- *SuperBob* (2015), as Simon
- *Spooks: The Greater Good* (2015), as Francis Warrender
- *The Man in the High Castle* (2015), series, as Equiano Hampton
- *The Gospel of John* (2014), as Narrator (voice) – New International Version
- *The Flash* (2014), series, as J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter
- *Selfie* (2014), series, as Sam Saperstein
- *A Midsummer Night's Dream* (2014), as Oberon
- *Third Person* (2014), as Jake
- *The Pygmy Hippo: A Very Secret Life* (2014), as Narrator
- *By Any Means* (2013), series, as Napier
- *Arrow* (2012), series, as J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter
- *The Man Inside* (2012), as Eugene Murdoch
- *The Last Bite* (2012), as Rook
- *Playhouse Presents* (2012), series, as Victor
- *Treasure Island* (2012), series, as Billy Bones
- *Treasure Island* (2012), as Billy Bones
- *Homeland* (2011), series, as David Estes — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/homeland.md)
- *Victim* (2011), as Mr. Ansah
- *The Body Farm* (2011), series, as Wilkes
- *Perspectives* (2011), series, Actor
- *Frankenstein's Wedding... Live in Leeds* (2011), as The Creature
- *The Hot Potato* (2011), as Harrison
- *Welcome to Lagos* (2010), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Mrs Mandela* (2010), as Nelson Mandela
- *Gunrush* (2009), as Robbie
- *Criminal Justice* (2008), series, as Freddie Graham — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-justice.md)
- *The True Story* (2008), series, as Narrator
- *The Fixer* (2008), series, Actor
- *The Last Enemy* (2008), series, as Patrick Nye
- *The Palace* (2008), series, as Major Simon Brooks
- *The Shadow in the North* (2007), as Nicholas Bedwell
- *The Philosopher's Stone: The True Story* (2007), as Narrator
- *The Ruby in the Smoke* (2006), as Matthew Bedwell
- *Blood Diamond* (2006), as Captain Poison
- *Robin Hood* (2006), series, as Tuck
- *New Street Law* (2006), series, as DI Branston
- *Separate Lies* (2005), as Inspector Marshall
- *The Merchant of Venice* (2004), as Prince of Morocco
- *Strings* (2004), as Erito
- *Hustle* (2004), series, as Don Coleman
- *New Tricks* (2004), series, Actor
- *Celebrity Mastermind* (2003), series, Actor
- *Babyfather* (2001), series, as Gus
- *Fat Friends* (2000), series, as Max Robertson
- *Always and Everyone* (1999), series, as Dr Mike Gregson
- *The Vice* (1999), series, as DS Joe Robinson
- *I Wonder Who's Kissing You Now* (1998), as Moses
- *An Unsuitable Job for a Woman* (1997), series, as DI Peterson
- *Macbeth on the Estate* (1997), as Macduff
- *Silent Witness* (1996), series, as Angus Stuart
- *Ballykissangel* (1996), series, as Henry
- *Agony Again* (1995), series, as Daniel
- *Game On* (1995), series, as Paul 'The Rage' Johnson
- *Hearts and Minds* (1995), series, as Trevor
- *Great Moments in Aviation* (1994), as Steward
- *Bermuda Grace* (1994), Actor
- *The Hawk* (1993), as Sergeant Streete
- *Harnessing Peacocks* (1993), as Terry
- *Anna Lee: Headcase* (1993), as Stevie Johnson
- *Black Poppies* (1992), Actor
- *Pirate Prince* (1991), as Jean-Baptiste
- *Murder Most Horrid* (1991), series, as Jonathon
- *Performance* (1991), series, as Macduff
- *For the Greater Good* (1991), series, as David West
- *South of the Border* (1988), series, as Errol
- *Casualty* (1986), series, as Paul Grant, Leon — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/casualty.md)
- *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Sergeant Streete
- *The Bill* (1984), series, Actor
- *Natural World* (1983), series, as Narrator
- *Minder* (1979), series, as Vinny's Minder — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/minder.md)
- *Horizon* (1964), series, as Narrator
- *Benn/Eubank*, as Adonis · Director
- *Hyde*, as Lt. Robert Malloy
- *Pierre*, series, as Pierre — coming soon, [page](https://film.one/tv/pierre.md)

## Gallery

- ![David Harewood & Sabina Emrit Harper at the TV BAFTA red carpet May 26 (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/22931/gallery-bebab1d5cf03.jpg) David Harewood & Sabina Emrit Harper at the TV BAFTA red carpet May 26 (2026) — JaceMerlyn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/David_Harewood_%26_Sabina_Emrit_Harper_at_BAFTA_2026_01.jpg/1280px-David_Harewood_%26_Sabina_Emrit_Harper_at_BAFTA_2026_01.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Harewood (cropped) (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/22931/gallery-d7fbfde53844.jpg) David Harewood (cropped) (2015) — Red Carpet Report on Mingle Media TV, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/David_Harewood_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-David_Harewood_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Harewood (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/22931/gallery-586813fa1561.jpg) David Harewood (2015) — Red Carpet Report on Mingle Media TV, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/David_Harewood_2015.jpg/1280px-David_Harewood_2015.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Harewood](https://film.one/media/person/22931/gallery-deaa1a903e61.jpg) David Harewood — Soccer Aid for UNICEF, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/David_Harewood_Soccer_Aid_for_UNICEF_2024.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![David Harewood](https://film.one/media/person/22931/gallery-f678432aed70.jpg) David Harewood — Image via TMDB
- ![David Harewood](https://film.one/media/person/22931/gallery-e1f9c124fe76.jpg) David Harewood — Image via TMDB
- ![David Harewood](https://film.one/media/person/22931/gallery-049282a88d66.jpg) David Harewood — Image via TMDB
- ![David Harewood on the red carpet at BAFTA TV Awards May 26 (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/22931/gallery-9e3761466a45.jpg) David Harewood on the red carpet at BAFTA TV Awards May 26 (2026) — JaceMerlyn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/David_Harewood_at_BAFTA_2026.jpg/1280px-David_Harewood_at_BAFTA_2026.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/david-harewood