---
name: "David Thewlis"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/david-thewlis"
fi1m_id: "david-thewlis"
imdb_id: "nm0000667"
tmdb_id: 11207
wikidata_id: "Q212790"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "20 March 1963"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 24
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 24
updated: "2026-10-07T11:18:33.975045+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 Thewlis

## Identity

David Thewlis

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/david-thewlis
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** david-thewlis
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000667
- **TMDB ID:** 11207
- **Wikidata ID:** Q212790
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Thewlis, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212790, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000667/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11207

Actor. Born 20 March 1963 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 20 March 1963, Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK
- **Active:** 1981–present
- **Also known as:** David Wheeler
- **Frequently works with:** [Claire Skinner](https://film.one/person/claire-skinner.md), [Emily Watson](https://film.one/person/emily-watson.md), [Mike Leigh](https://film.one/person/mike-leigh.md), [Simon Channing-Williams](https://film.one/person/simon-channing-williams.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 24 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 84 (1), 1990s 81 (6), 2000s 65 (5), 2010s 69 (9), 2020s 68 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 69 to 67 across 20 titles
- **Score spread:** 10 at 80+, 9 at 60–79, 5 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 3 of 11 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 13, Adventure 7, Comedy 7, Crime 6, Fantasy 6, Romance 3
- **Screen time:** 37 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $7,591m across 17 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Thewlis, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212790, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000667/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11207

## Streaming the US now

- **The Criterion Channel:** [*Naked*](https://film.one/film/naked.md) (84), [*Life Is Sweet*](https://film.one/film/life-is-sweet.md) (84)
- **HBO Max:** [*Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban.md) (82), [*Landscapers*](https://film.one/tv/landscapers.md) (78)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Macbeth*](https://film.one/film/macbeth.md) (77)
- **Netflix:** [*The Theory of Everything*](https://film.one/film/the-theory-of-everything.md) (72)

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

## Fi1m on David Thewlis

> David Thewlis can make a quick answer sound like a threat. We value his ability to keep a cruel man recognisably human, and *Naked* remains our clearest reason to seek him out.

In *Naked* (1993), Johnny keeps talking with the impatience of someone who has already dismissed the reply. Thewlis makes the London drifter's intelligence attractive enough that his cruelty can catch us unprepared. We laughed at his insults, then felt uneasy about how readily their delivery had distracted us from the people being hurt. The speed matters, but so does the relish with which he finds another person to ridicule. Mike Leigh gives him room to make Johnny human without making him agreeable.

His part as Nicola's lover in Leigh's *Life Is Sweet* (1991) came before that much larger opportunity. Leigh's improvisational character work is a useful setting for an actor whose speech can seem to outpace everyone around him. *Naked* made him an international name and opened up supporting parts beyond those early collaborations. What interests us in that breakthrough is how little Thewlis asks us to forgive in return for being entertained.

In *Naked*, editor Jon Gregory allows the arguments to run, and Thewlis rewards that patience with changes of mood that can turn the conversation dangerous. Andrew Dickson's music makes it harder to settle into simply enjoying the jokes. We do not need every exchange to last as long as it does, however persuasive the delivery. Leigh's occasional drift towards caricature also weakens the people around Johnny. Thewlis gives us enough to judge his character without that help, and the performance remains compelling when the film begins repeating itself.

Knox Harrington in *The Big Lebowski* (1998) belongs to the eccentric supporting work that followed, while Remus Lupin in *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* (2004) brought wider recognition. Those roles should not have to reproduce Johnny to justify themselves. Still, the casting habit of making Thewlis either saintly or appalling risks wasting what Leigh found: someone who can hold our attention while making us doubt our own response. Start with *Naked* if you can bear the cruelty; there is pleasure in the performance, and good reason to feel awkward about it.

## Biography

David Thewlis, also credited as David Wheeler, is an English actor. Born David Wheeler on 20 March 1963 in Blackpool, Lancashire, he trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He made his film debut in Little Dorrit (1987) and appeared in Mike Leigh's Life Is Sweet (1990) as Nicola's Lover and Naked (1993) as Johnny, winning the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor for the latter.

Thewlis has worked across film and television in a range of genres. He is known for playing Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter films (2004–2011) and Ares in Wonder Woman (2017). Other credits include The Big Lebowski (1998), The Theory of Everything (2014), and television roles such as V. M. Varga in Fargo (2017) and John Dee in The Sandman (2022).

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

## On Fi1m (24)

- *Avatar: Fire and Ash* (2025), Fi1m 58, as Peylak — [page](https://film.one/film/avatar-fire-and-ash.md)
- *KAOS* (2024), Fi1m 67, as Hades — [page](https://film.one/tv/kaos.md)
- *Landscapers* (2021), Fi1m 78, as Christopher Edwards — [page](https://film.one/tv/landscapers.md)
- *Justice League* (2017), Fi1m 40, as Ares — [page](https://film.one/film/justice-league.md)
- *Anomalisa* (2015), Fi1m 82, as Michael Stone (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/anomalisa.md)
- *Legend* (2015), Fi1m 57, as Leslie Payne — [page](https://film.one/film/legend-2015.md)
- *Macbeth* (2015), Fi1m 77, as Duncan — [page](https://film.one/film/macbeth.md)
- *Fargo* (2014), Fi1m 82, as V.M. Vargas — [page](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md)
- *The Theory of Everything* (2014), Fi1m 72, as Dennis Sciama — [page](https://film.one/film/the-theory-of-everything.md)
- *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2* (2011), Fi1m 83, as Remus Lupin — [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2.md)
- *War Horse* (2011), Fi1m 62, as Lyons — [page](https://film.one/film/war-horse.md)
- *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1* (2010), Fi1m 67, as Remus Lupin — [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-1.md)
- *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince* (2009), Fi1m 66, as Remus Lupin — [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince.md)
- *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix* (2007), Fi1m 68, as Remus Lupin — [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix.md)
- *Basic Instinct 2* (2006), Fi1m 36, as Roy Washburn — [page](https://film.one/film/basic-instinct-2.md)
- *The Street* (2006), Fi1m 74, as Joe Jennerson / Harry Jennerson — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-street.md)
- *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* (2004), Fi1m 82, as Remus Lupin — [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban.md)
- *The Big Lebowski* (1998), Fi1m 85, as Knox Harrington — [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-lebowski.md)
- *Naked* (1993), Fi1m 84, as Johnny — [page](https://film.one/film/naked.md)
- *Damage* (1992), Fi1m 57, as Detective — [page](https://film.one/film/damage.md)
- *Life Is Sweet* (1991), Fi1m 84, as Nicola's Lover — [page](https://film.one/film/life-is-sweet.md)
- *Prime Suspect* (1991), Fi1m 88, as James Jackson — [page](https://film.one/tv/prime-suspect.md)
- *Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit* (1990), Fi1m 86, as Doctor — [page](https://film.one/tv/oranges-are-not-the-only-fruit.md)
- *Only Fools and Horses* (1981), Fi1m 84, as Stew — [page](https://film.one/tv/only-fools-and-horses.md)

## Complete filmography (115)

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

- *Signal One* (2026), as Perry
- *Dirty Business* (2026), series, as Ash Smith
- *Avatar: Fire and Ash* (2025), as Peylak — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/avatar-fire-and-ash.md)
- *The Thing with Feathers* (2025), as Crow (voice)
- *Sherlock & Daughter* (2025), series, as Sherlock Holmes
- *KAOS* (2024), series, as Hades — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/tv/kaos.md)
- *The Artful Dodger* (2023), series, as Norbert Fagin
- *The Amazing Maurice* (2022), as Boss Man / Rat King (voice)
- *Enola Holmes 2* (2022), as Grail
- *The Sandman* (2022), series, as John Dee
- *Human Resources* (2022), series, as Memory Bank Manager (voice), Lionel St. Swithens (voice)
- *Landscapers* (2021), series, as Christopher Edwards — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/landscapers.md)
- *Rare Beasts* (2021), as Vic
- *Zack Snyder's Justice League* (2021), as Ares
- *I'm Thinking of Ending Things* (2020), as Father
- *Eternal Beauty* (2020), as Mike
- *Guest of Honour* (2020), as Jim
- *Barkskins* (2020), series, as Claude Trepagny
- *The Feed* (2019), series, as Lawrence Hatfield
- *The Mercy* (2018), as Rodney Hallworth
- *Justice League* (2017), as Ares — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/justice-league.md)
- *Big Mouth* (2017), series, as Shame Wizard (voice)
- *Wonder Woman* (2017), as Sir Patrick / Ares
- *Anomalisa* (2015), as Michael Stone (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/anomalisa.md)
- *Regression* (2015), as Professor Kenneth Raines
- *Macbeth* (2015), as Duncan — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/macbeth.md)
- *An Inspector Calls* (2015), as Inspector Goole - The Inspector
- *Legend* (2015), as Leslie Payne — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/legend-2015.md)
- *Queen & Country* (2015), as Sargeant Major Bradley
- *The Theory of Everything* (2014), as Dennis Sciama — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/the-theory-of-everything.md)
- *Stonehearst Asylum* (2014), as Mickey Finn
- *Fargo* (2014), series, as V.M. Vargas — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md)
- *Sunday Roast* (2014), as Dick Puck · Writer
- *Separate We Come, Separate We Go* (2013), as Norman
- *The Fifth Estate* (2013), as Nick Davies
- *The Zero Theorem* (2013), as Joby
- *RED 2* (2013), as The Frog
- *Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen* (2012), as (archive footage)
- *War Horse* (2011), as Lyons — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/war-horse.md)
- *The Lady* (2011), as Michael Aris
- *Anonymous* (2011), as William Cecil
- *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2* (2011), as Remus Lupin — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2.md)
- *The Organ Grinder's Monkey* (2011), as Pablo (voice)
- *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1* (2010), as Remus Lupin — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-1.md)
- *London Boulevard* (2010), as Jordan
- *Mr. Nice* (2010), as Jim McCann
- *Athena* (2010), as Chuck
- *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince* (2009), as Remus Lupin — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince.md)
- *Veronika Decides to Die* (2009), as Dr. Blake
- *The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas* (2008), as Father
- *The Inner Life of Martin Frost* (2007), as Martin Frost
- *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix* (2007), as Remus Lupin — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix.md)
- *The Omen* (2006), as Keith Jennings
- *The Street* (2006), series, as Joe Jennerson / Harry Jennerson — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-street.md)
- *Basic Instinct 2* (2006), as Roy Washburn — Fi1m 36, [page](https://film.one/film/basic-instinct-2.md)
- *All the Invisible Children* (2006), as Jonathan (segment "Jonathan")
- *The New World* (2005), as Wingfield
- *Kingdom of Heaven* (2005), as Hospitaler
- *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* (2004), as Remus Lupin — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban.md)
- *Little Wolf's Book of Badness* (2003), as Mr. Twister (voice)
- *Timeline* (2003), as Robert Doniger
- *Cheeky* (2003), as Harry Sankey · Director, Writer
- *D.I.Y. Hard* (2002), as Man
- *Dinotopia* (2002), series, as Cyrus Crabb
- *Discovering Dinotopia* (2002), as Cyrus
- *Dinotopia* (2002), as Cyrus Crabb
- *Hamilton Mattress* (2002), as Hamilton Mattress (voice)
- *Goodbye Charlie Bright* (2001), as Charlie's Dad
- *Endgame* (2000), as Clov
- *Gangster No. 1* (2000), as Freddie Mays
- *The Miracle Maker* (2000), as Judas Iscariot (voice)
- *Whatever Happened to Harold Smith?* (2000), as Nesbit
- *Love Story* (1999), as Dealer
- *Divorcing Jack* (1998), as Dan Starkey
- *The Big Lebowski* (1998), as Knox Harrington — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-lebowski.md)
- *Besieged* (1998), as Jason Kinsky
- *Seven Years in Tibet* (1997), as Peter Aufschnaiter
- *American Perfekt* (1997), as Santini
- *The Island of Dr. Moreau* (1996), as Douglas
- *DragonHeart* (1996), as King Einon
- *James and the Giant Peach* (1996), as Earthworm (voice)
- *Restoration* (1995), as John Pearce
- *Total Eclipse* (1995), as Paul Verlaine
- *Hello, Hello, Hello* (1995), Director, Writer
- *Dandelion Dead* (1994), series, as Oswald Martin
- *Black Beauty* (1994), as Jerry Barker
- *Naked* (1993), as Johnny — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/naked.md)
- *Frank Stubbs Promotes* (1993), series, as Mike Bence
- *The Trial* (1993), as Franz
- *Damage* (1992), as Detective — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/damage.md)
- *Black and Blue* (1992), as Crematorium Attendant
- *Swords at Teatime* (1992), as Mike
- *Afraid of the Dark* (1991), as Locksmith / Tom Miller
- *Journey to Knock* (1991), as Terry
- *Filipina Dreamgirls* (1991), as Tim Shanks
- *Skulduggery* (1991), as Tony
- *Prime Suspect* (1991), series, as James Jackson — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/prime-suspect.md)
- *Life Is Sweet* (1991), as Nicola's Lover — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/life-is-sweet.md)
- *Shrinks* (1991), series, as Terry Slater
- *Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit* (1990), series, as Doctor — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/oranges-are-not-the-only-fruit.md)
- *Screen One* (1989), series, as Tim Shanks
- *Resurrected* (1989), as Kevin Deakin
- *A Bit of a Do* (1989), series, Actor
- *Vroom* (1988), as Ringe
- *Deep Red Instant Love* (1988), Actor
- *Little Dorrit* (1987), as George Braddle
- *The Short & Curlies* (1987), as Clive
- *Road* (1987), as Joey
- *Valentine Park* (1987), series, as Max
- *The Singing Detective* (1986), series, as Soldier
- *ScreenPlay* (1986), series, as Joey, Terry
- *Radio Pictures* (1985), as JIM 'Grams'
- *Summer Season* (1985), series, as Keith
- *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Franz
- *Only Fools and Horses* (1981), series, as Stew — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/only-fools-and-horses.md)

## Gallery

- ![David Thewlis](https://film.one/media/person/77652/gallery-944719379979.jpg) David Thewlis — David_Thewlis_at_San_Sebastian_Filmfestival_2008.jpg: Andreas Tai
derivative work: RanZag (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/David_Thewlis_2008.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![David Thewlis at Avatar fire and ash premiere London 2025](https://film.one/media/person/77652/gallery-0e683286f26c.jpg) David Thewlis at Avatar fire and ash premiere London 2025 — Amy Martin Photography, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/David_Thewlis_at_Avatar_fire_and_ash_premiere_London_2025.jpg/1280px-David_Thewlis_at_Avatar_fire_and_ash_premiere_London_2025.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Thewlis at San Sebastian Filmfestival 2008 presenting "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" directed by Mark Herman](https://film.one/media/person/77652/gallery-69140e536e85.jpg) David Thewlis at San Sebastian Filmfestival 2008 presenting "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" directed by Mark Herman — Andreas Tai, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/David_Thewlis_at_San_Sebastian_Filmfestival_2008.jpg/1280px-David_Thewlis_at_San_Sebastian_Filmfestival_2008.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Gwiazda Davida Thewlisa na Alei Gwiazd w Krakowie na Bulwarze Czerwieńskim. (2023)](https://film.one/media/person/77652/gallery-8720d647ab6e.jpg) Gwiazda Davida Thewlisa na Alei Gwiazd w Krakowie na Bulwarze Czerwieńskim. (2023) — Mach240390, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/GwiazdaDavidaThewlisa-AlejaGwiazd-BulwaryWi%C5%9Blane-POL%2C_Krak%C3%B3w.jpg/1280px-GwiazdaDavidaThewlisa-AlejaGwiazd-BulwaryWi%C5%9Blane-POL%2C_Krak%C3%B3w.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Thewlis](https://film.one/media/person/77652/gallery-8664c9e44615.jpg) David Thewlis — Image via TMDB
- ![David Thewlis](https://film.one/media/person/77652/gallery-a81ee5986a68.jpg) David Thewlis — Image via TMDB
- ![David Thewlis](https://film.one/media/person/77652/gallery-e933c66f5cf0.jpg) David Thewlis — Image via TMDB
- ![Photograph made by artist and photographer Henry Bond for Mulberry A/W 2001 - the photograph depicts actors David Thewlis and Anna Friel, who were reported to h](https://film.one/media/person/77652/gallery-ebfac64527f4.jpg) Photograph made by artist and photographer Henry Bond for Mulberry A/W 2001 - the photograph depicts actors David Thewlis and Anna Friel, who were reported to h — Henry Bond

Uploaded by Bondstudio at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7e/Henry_Bond_for_Mulberry.jpg/1280px-Henry_Bond_for_Mulberry.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-thewlis