---
name: "Rufus Sewell"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/rufus-sewell"
fi1m_id: "rufus-sewell"
imdb_id: "nm0001722"
tmdb_id: 17328
wikidata_id: "Q299217"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "29 October 1967"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 13
average_fi1m_score: 70
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 13
updated: "2026-10-21T04:27:36.578325+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."
---

# Rufus Sewell

## Identity

Rufus Sewell

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/rufus-sewell
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** rufus-sewell
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001722
- **TMDB ID:** 17328
- **Wikidata ID:** Q299217
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufus_Sewell, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q299217, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001722/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17328

Actor. Born 29 October 1967 in Twickenham, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 29 October 1967, Twickenham, England, UK
- **Active:** 1994–present
- **Also known as:** Rufus Frederik Sewell
- **Frequently works with:** [Kate Winslet](https://film.one/person/kate-winslet.md), [Olivia Colman](https://film.one/person/olivia-colman.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 70, as actor, over 13 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 78 (3), 2000s 72 (4), 2010s 56 (4), 2020s 82 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 69 to 65 across 10 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 7 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 4 of 10 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 9, Action 2, Comedy 2, Romance 2, War & Politics 2, Adventure 1
- **Screen time:** 15 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $727m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufus_Sewell, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q299217, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001722/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17328

## Coming up

- *Pride and Prejudice* (2026-12-03), as Mr. Bennet — [page](https://film.one/tv/pride-and-prejudice-2026.md)

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Father*](https://film.one/film/the-father.md) (89), [*Hamlet*](https://film.one/film/hamlet.md) (81), [*The Tourist*](https://film.one/film/the-tourist.md) (37)
- **HBO Max:** [*John Adams*](https://film.one/tv/john-adams.md) (81), [*Judy*](https://film.one/film/judy.md) (65)
- **Apple TV:** [*Middlemarch*](https://film.one/tv/middlemarch.md) (78), [*Charles II: The Power and The Passion*](https://film.one/tv/charles-ii-the-power-and-the-passion.md) (77)
- **Netflix:** [*The Diplomat*](https://film.one/tv/the-diplomat.md) (76)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Dark City*](https://film.one/film/dark-city.md) (76)

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

## Fi1m on Rufus Sewell

> Rufus Sewell makes troublesome men worth listening to. Often cast for brooding menace, he is particularly good when allowed to be funny, as *The Diplomat* demonstrates whenever Hal Wyler starts an argument.

In *The Diplomat* (2023), Rufus Sewell's Hal Wyler seems to know which remark will irritate his wife before he makes it. Keri Russell's replies suggest she has had plenty of practice. We laughed at their squabbling because both actors make each fresh disagreement sound like part of a quarrel that has lasted years. They give these exchanges a history without stopping to explain it. Sewell is good company here, though Hal would be hard work.

His casting has not always made room for this ease with comedy. It is worth remembering that he originated Septimus Hodge in Tom Stoppard's *Arcadia* (1993), a role built around demanding language. His television breakthrough as Will Ladislaw in *Middlemarch* (1994) also preceded the familiar run of screen antagonists. Those beginnings suggest more possibilities than another stern face in a period costume.

John Murdoch, the lead in *Dark City* (1998), and Count Adhemar, the antagonist of *A Knight's Tale* (2001), are plainly different jobs. Yet Sewell has described being repeatedly cast as stoic or villainous men in parts that did not always suit him. As John Smith in *The Man in the High Castle* (2015–2019), he had a long-running television role in which to make another antagonist recognisably human. The subsequent move to Hal in *The Diplomat* gave that troublesome presence a welcome chance to be funny.

Russell is crucial to how well Hal works. Sewell and Russell suggest two people who know each other's weak spots and still cannot resist testing them. Their private disagreements hold our attention more reliably than the workplace plotting, which does not always make the consequences of a bad decision feel real. The actors cannot repair that weakness, but their scenes supply the personal cost the wider plotting sometimes struggles to establish. For the funny, aggravating Sewell, start with *The Diplomat*; a taste for office melodrama will help.

## Biography

Rufus Sewell is a British actor. He trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.

In film, he has appeared in *Dark City* (1998), *A Knight's Tale* (2001), *The Illusionist* (2006), *The Holiday* (2006), *The Tourist* (2010), *Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter* (2012), *The Father* (2020) and *Old* (2021). On television he stars as Hal Wyler in the series *The Diplomat* (2023–).

On stage he originated the role of Septimus Hodge in Tom Stoppard's *Arcadia* (1993) and the role of Jan in Stoppard's *Rock 'n' Roll* (2006), for which he received an Olivier Award.

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

## On Fi1m (13)

- *The Diplomat* (2023), Fi1m 76, as Hal Wyler — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-diplomat.md)
- *The Father* (2020), Fi1m 89, as Paul — [page](https://film.one/film/the-father.md)
- *Judy* (2019), Fi1m 65, as Sid Luft — [page](https://film.one/film/judy.md)
- *Gods of Egypt* (2016), Fi1m 40, as Urshu — [page](https://film.one/film/gods-of-egypt.md)
- *Parade's End* (2012), Fi1m 80, as Reverend Duchemin, Edith's husband — [page](https://film.one/tv/parades-end.md)
- *The Tourist* (2010), Fi1m 37, as The Englishman — [page](https://film.one/film/the-tourist.md)
- *John Adams* (2008), Fi1m 81, as Alexander Hamilton — [page](https://film.one/tv/john-adams.md)
- *The Holiday* (2006), Fi1m 64, as Jasper — [page](https://film.one/film/the-holiday.md)
- *ShakespeaRe-Told* (2005), Fi1m 66, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/shakespeare-told.md)
- *Charles II: The Power and The Passion* (2003), Fi1m 77, as Charles II — [page](https://film.one/tv/charles-ii-the-power-and-the-passion.md)
- *Dark City* (1998), Fi1m 76, as John Murdoch — [page](https://film.one/film/dark-city.md)
- *Hamlet* (1996), Fi1m 81, as Fortinbras — [page](https://film.one/film/hamlet.md)
- *Middlemarch* (1994), Fi1m 78, as Will Ladislaw — [page](https://film.one/tv/middlemarch.md)

## Complete filmography (79)

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

- *Pride and Prejudice* (2026), series, as Mr. Bennet — coming soon, [page](https://film.one/tv/pride-and-prejudice-2026.md)
- *The Uninvited* (2025), as Gerald
- *The Trouble with Jessica* (2024), as Richard
- *Scoop* (2024), as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
- *The Diplomat* (2023), series, as Hal Wyler — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-diplomat.md)
- *Kaleidoscope* (2023), series, as Roger Salas
- *The Sandman* (2022), series, as Time
- *Old* (2021), as Charles
- *The Father* (2020), as Paul — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/the-father.md)
- *The Pale Horse* (2020), series, as Mark Easterbrook
- *Judy* (2019), as Sid Luft — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/judy.md)
- *Modern/Love in 7 Short Films* (2019), as Tom
- *Victoria* (2016), series, as Lord Melbourne
- *Gods of Egypt* (2016), as Urshu — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/gods-of-egypt.md)
- *Rise* (2016), Actor
- *Blinky Bill the Movie* (2015), as The Cat (voice)
- *Killing Jesus* (2015), as Caiaphas
- *The Man in the High Castle* (2015), series, as John Smith
- *The Devil's Hand* (2014), as Jacob Brown
- *Hercules* (2014), as Autolycus
- *The Brunchers* (2013), as Tom
- *I'll Follow You Down* (2013), as Gabriel 'Gabe' Whyte
- *The Sea* (2013), as Carlo Grace
- *All Things To All Men* (2013), as Parker
- *Restless* (2012), series, as Lucas Romer
- *Hotel Noir* (2012), as Felix
- *Parade's End* (2012), series, as Reverend Duchemin, Edith's husband — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/parades-end.md)
- *Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter* (2012), as Adam
- *Zen* (2011), series, as Aurelio Zen
- *The Tourist* (2010), as The Englishman — Fi1m 37, [page](https://film.one/film/the-tourist.md)
- *The Pillars of the Earth* (2010), series, as Tom Builder
- *Eleventh Hour* (2008), series, as Dr. Jacob Hood
- *Vinyan* (2008), as Paul Belhmer
- *John Adams* (2008), series, as Alexander Hamilton — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/john-adams.md)
- *Downloading Nancy* (2008), as Albert Stockwell
- *British Film Forever* (2007), series, Actor
- *The Holiday* (2006), as Jasper — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-holiday.md)
- *Amazing Grace* (2006), as Thomas Clarkson
- *Out of the Blue* (2006), as English Trader
- *The Illusionist* (2006), as Crown Prince Leopold
- *Paris Je T'aime* (2006), as William (Père-Lachaise)
- *Tristan & Isolde* (2006), as Marke
- *The Taming of the Shrew* (2005), as Petruchio
- *ShakespeaRe-Told* (2005), series, Actor — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/shakespeare-told.md)
- *The Legend of Zorro* (2005), as Armand
- *Charles II: The Power and The Passion* (2003), series, as Charles II — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/charles-ii-the-power-and-the-passion.md)
- *Victoria Station* (2003), as The Cabbie
- *Helen of Troy* (2003), series, as King Agamemnon of Mycenae
- *Extreme Ops* (2002), as Ian
- *Mermaid Chronicles Part 1: She Creature* (2001), as Angus
- *A Knight's Tale* (2001), as Count Adhemar
- *Higher Love* (2001), as Ross
- *Bless the Child* (2000), as Eric Stark
- *Arabian Nights* (2000), series, as Ali Baba
- *In a Savage Land* (1999), as Mick Carpenter
- *Illuminata* (1998), as Dominique
- *The Very Thought of You* (1998), as Frank
- *Dark City* (1998), as John Murdoch — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/dark-city.md)
- *Dangerous Beauty* (1998), as Marco Venier
- *The Woodlanders* (1998), as Giles Winterbourne
- *Hamlet* (1996), as Fortinbras — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/hamlet.md)
- *Victory* (1996), as Martin Ricardo
- *Henry IV* (1995), as Harry Percy (Hotspur)
- *Carrington* (1995), as Mark Gertler
- *Cold Comfort Farm* (1995), as Seth Starkadder
- *A Man of No Importance* (1994), as Robbie Fay
- *Citizen Locke* (1994), as Midshipman Clarke
- *Dirtysomething* (1994), as Clive
- *Middlemarch* (1994), series, as Will Ladislaw — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/middlemarch.md)
- *Dirty Weekend* (1993), as Tim
- *Gone to Seed* (1992), series, as Billy Brooker
- *The Last Romantics* (1992), as Mike Costain
- *Performance* (1991), series, as Hotspur
- *Twenty-One* (1991), as Bobby
- *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Mike Costain, Clive, Robbie Fay
- *Mr. Sunny Sky*, Actor
- *Billion Dollar Spy*, as Gus Hathaway
- *Queenstown*, series, Actor
- *All That I Am*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Rufus Sewell at the 'Judy' film premiere, London, UK - 30 Sep 2019](https://film.one/media/person/24506/gallery-f20c4de6a62a.png) Rufus Sewell at the 'Judy' film premiere, London, UK - 30 Sep 2019 — Scott Garfitt, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/Rufus_Sewell.png/1280px-Rufus_Sewell.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rufus Sewell](https://film.one/media/person/24506/gallery-8806ca466dcf.png) Rufus Sewell — Scott Garfitt, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/Rufus_Sewell_%28cropped%29.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Rufus Sewell](https://film.one/media/person/24506/gallery-4afab86a3fac.jpg) Rufus Sewell — Image via TMDB
- ![Rufus Sewell](https://film.one/media/person/24506/gallery-d537a90b63b2.jpg) Rufus Sewell — Image via TMDB
- ![Rufus Sewell](https://film.one/media/person/24506/gallery-1b347ed7f90d.jpg) Rufus Sewell — Image via TMDB
- ![Rufus Sewell](https://film.one/media/person/24506/gallery-8b649c304685.jpg) Rufus Sewell — Image via TMDB
- ![Rufus Sewell](https://film.one/media/person/24506/gallery-5018fa033f78.jpg) Rufus Sewell — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won, 1 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 2008: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Theatre World Award 1995: Theatre World Award (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© 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/rufus-sewell