---
name: "David Hewlett"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/david-hewlett"
fi1m_id: "david-hewlett"
imdb_id: "nm0382110"
tmdb_id: 5892
wikidata_id: "Q353640"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "18 April 1968"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 4
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 4
updated: "2026-09-20T08:14:12.250757+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 Hewlett

## Identity

David Hewlett

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/david-hewlett
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** david-hewlett
- **IMDb ID:** nm0382110
- **TMDB ID:** 5892
- **Wikidata ID:** Q353640
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hewlett, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q353640, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0382110/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5892

Actor. Born 18 April 1968 in Redhill, Surrey, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 18 April 1968, Redhill, Surrey, England, UK
- **Active:** 1998–present
- **Also known as:** David Ian Hewlett, David Hewlitt, دیوید هیولت
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 4 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 76 (1), 2010s 82 (2), 2020s 66 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 74 across 4 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 3, Thriller 3, Science Fiction 2, Action 1, Crime 1, Fantasy 1
- **Screen time:** 8 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $726m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hewlett, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q353640, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0382110/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5892

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*The Shape of Water*](https://film.one/film/the-shape-of-water.md) (83)
- **Pluto TV:** [*Cube*](https://film.one/film/cube.md) (76)

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

## Fi1m on David Hewlett

> David Hewlett is useful company in science fiction, where his clever, abrasive characters give an ensemble something to contend with. *Cube* is our clearest recommendation, though its quarrelling can test the patience as thoroughly as its puzzles.

The lethal rooms in *Cube* (1998) demand ingenuity, but the people inside them also have to decide whose judgement to trust. David Hewlett plays Worth in an ensemble that must keep distinct personalities visible while the puzzles compete for attention. We felt uneasy about the shifting loyalties, because these people had to rely on judgements they could not trust. Hewlett helps keep those exchanges alive even when the characters become tiresome. It is a good introduction to an actor frequently cast as intelligent, cynical or neurotic men.

His association with director Vincenzo Natali began in student films, well before *Cube* became a breakthrough. A regular role in *Traders* (1996–2000) was another early step, followed by the leading television role of Dr Rodney McKay in *Stargate Atlantis* (2004–2009). McKay, the brilliant but abrasive astrophysicist, became his most recognised character. That is a substantial part for an actor more often used in supporting film roles. Supporting parts in *Rise of the Planet of the Apes* (2011) and *The Shape of Water* (2017) continued his work in genre ensembles.

Natali keeps the puzzle prominent enough in *Cube* that Hewlett and his fellow actors have something concrete to argue over. The limitation is how often the film lets the arguments run on, and how broadly the ensemble sometimes plays the strain of confinement. This is a reservation about the group, not a fault we would pin on Hewlett alone. Still, a cynical character needs more to do than disagree, however forcefully. The shifting loyalties supply that extra interest here, keeping us attentive when the arguments grow wearisome.

In *The Shape of Water*, Hewlett plays Fleming, a supporting part in Guillermo del Toro's creature romance. The film is tender and persuasive, although it can be too eager to tell us how to feel. Sally Hawkins and Doug Jones make the attraction convincing; Hewlett is not being asked to carry it. We recommend the film more warmly than *Cube*, but would send anyone curious about Hewlett back to Natali first.

## Biography

David Hewlett is a British-Canadian actor, writer and director. Born in Redhill, Surrey, England, he moved with his family to Canada at the age of four.

He began acting in the 1980s in Canadian television series and low-budget films. He gained attention for his role as Grant Jansky in the series *Traders* (1996–2000) and as David Worth in the film *Cube* (1997).

Hewlett is best known for playing Dr. Rodney McKay in the *Stargate* science-fiction franchise, notably in *Stargate Atlantis* (2004–2009). His other film credits include *Rise of the Planet of the Apes* (2011) and *The Shape of Water* (2017).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, rottentomatoes.com.*

## On Fi1m (4)

- *Nightmare Alley* (2021), Fi1m 66, as Dr. Elrood — [page](https://film.one/film/nightmare-alley-2021.md)
- *The Shape of Water* (2017), Fi1m 83, as Fleming — [page](https://film.one/film/the-shape-of-water.md)
- *Rise of the Planet of the Apes* (2011), Fi1m 80, as Douglas Hunsiker — [page](https://film.one/film/rise-of-the-planet-of-the-apes.md)
- *Cube* (1998), Fi1m 76, as Worth — [page](https://film.one/film/cube.md)

## Complete filmography (80)

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

- *Levels* (2024), as Oliver
- *Mistletoe Murders* (2024), series, as Ray
- *Gatekeepers* (2024), as Bruce
- *A Thousand Cuts* (2024), as Cornelius
- *Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities* (2022), series, as Masson
- *The Swearing Jar* (2022), as Bill
- *Nightmare Alley* (2021), as Dr. Elrood — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/nightmare-alley-2021.md)
- *Clarice* (2021), series, as Anthony Herman
- *Lie Exposed* (2020), as Brian
- *Turkey Drop* (2019), as Mr. Jacobs
- *Midway* (2019), as Husband Kimmel
- *All About Who You Know* (2019), as Michael
- *See* (2019), series, as Tormada
- *Lucky Day* (2019), as Derrek Blarney
- *Warigami* (2019), series, Actor
- *Departure* (2019), series, as Bill Ratch
- *Hudson & Rex* (2019), series, as Nelson Dwyer
- *The Shape of Water* (2017), as Fleming — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/the-shape-of-water.md)
- *Incorporated* (2016), series, as Chad
- *Private Eyes* (2016), series, as Earl Baer
- *Dark Matter* (2015), series, as Talbor Calchek
- *The Stanley Dynamic* (2015), series, Actor
- *Debug* (2014), Director, Writer
- *State of Syn* (2013), series, as Aslin Kane
- *Haunter* (2013), as Olivia's Father
- *Rage of the Yeti* (2011), as Mills · Director
- *Morlocks* (2011), as Radnor
- *Rise of the Planet of the Apes* (2011), as Douglas Hunsiker — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/rise-of-the-planet-of-the-apes.md)
- *Suits* (2011), series, as Nathan Burns
- *The Whistleblower* (2010), as Fred Murray
- *Splice* (2010), as Barlow
- *Helen* (2009), as Frank
- *Stargate Universe* (2009), series, as Rodney McKay
- *Stargate Atlantis: Fans' Choice* (2009), as Rodney McKay
- *Murdoch Mysteries* (2008), series, as Dilton Dilbert
- *A Dog's Breakfast* (2007), as Patrick · Director, Writer, Story
- *The Closer* (2005), series, as Special Agent Jerry Moore
- *Boa vs. Python* (2004), as Dr. Emmett
- *Stargate Atlantis* (2004), series, as Rodney McKay
- *Darklight* (2004), as Anders Raeborne
- *Ice Men* (2004), as Bryan
- *Foolproof* (2003), as Lawrence Yeager
- *Nothing* (2003), as Dave · Story
- *Cypher* (2002), as Virgil C. Dunn
- *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Fred Watkins
- *Mutant X* (2001), series, as Hector Freimark
- *Treed Murray* (2001), as Murray
- *Century Hotel* (2001), as Michael
- *The Triangle* (2001), as Gus Gruber
- *And Never Let Her Go* (2001), series, as Gerry Capano
- *The District* (2000), series, as Frederick
- *autoerotica* (2000), as Gord
- *The Life Before This* (1999), as Nick
- *Twice in a Lifetime* (1999), series, as Mr. Green
- *Survivor* (1999), as Doc
- *Cube* (1998), as Worth — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/cube.md)
- *On the 2nd Day of Christmas* (1997), as Mel
- *Under Pressure* (1997), as Andrew
- *Joe's Wedding* (1996), as Rob Fitzgerald
- *Elevated* (1996), as Hank
- *Traders* (1996), series, as Grant Jansky
- *ER* (1994), series, as Mr. Schudy — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *Monster Force* (1994), series, Actor
- *Dead Meat* (1993), Actor
- *The Boys of St. Vincent: 15 Years Later* (1992), as Steven Lunney (age 25)
- *Forever Knight* (1992), series, Actor
- *Desire and Hell at Sunset Motel* (1992), as Deadpan
- *Quiet Killer* (1992), as Nyles Chapman
- *The First Circle* (1992), as 'Ruska' Rostislav
- *A Savage Christmas: The Fall of Hong Kong* (1992), as Walter Jenkins
- *The Valour and the Horror* (1992), series, as Walter Jenkins
- *Split Images* (1992), as Gary Hammond
- *Scanners II: The New Order* (1991), as David Kellum
- *Deep Sleep* (1990), as Terry
- *Where the Heart Is* (1990), as Jimmy
- *The Penthouse* (1989), as Joe Dobson
- *Pin* (1988), as Leon
- *My Secret Identity* (1988), series, Actor
- *Friday the 13th: The Series* (1987), series, as Cal
- *The Darkside* (1987), as Chuckie

## Gallery

- ![David Hewlett on 2014 London Film & Comic Con](https://film.one/media/person/87342/gallery-6467c5480ac0.jpg) David Hewlett on 2014 London Film & Comic Con — RepliCarter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/David_Hewlett_2014_LFCC_01.JPG/1280px-David_Hewlett_2014_LFCC_01.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Hewlett on 2014 London Film & Comic Con](https://film.one/media/person/87342/gallery-37dfaaf2254b.jpg) David Hewlett on 2014 London Film & Comic Con — RepliCarter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/David_Hewlett_2014_LFCC_02.JPG/1280px-David_Hewlett_2014_LFCC_02.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Hewlett](https://film.one/media/person/87342/gallery-8ab5b4016761.jpg) David Hewlett — Image via TMDB
- ![David Hewlett](https://film.one/media/person/87342/gallery-c08b6bb2936d.jpg) David Hewlett — Image via TMDB

---
© 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-hewlett