Aaron Abrams

Aaron Abrams is a Canadian actor, writer, and producer, born on May 12, 1978, in Toronto, Ontario, best known for his recurring television roles as forensic technician Brian Zeller in the psychological thriller Hannibal (2013–2015) and Congressman Matthew Weitz in the crime drama Blindspot (2015–2020).^[1][2][3] Abrams graduated from the Goodman School of Drama at DePaul University in Chicago with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting, after which he began his career in Canadian television, appearing in series such as Slings & Arrows (2003–2006) as Paul and Runaway (2006) in a supporting role.^[3][4] His breakthrough in writing came with the 2007 independent film Young People Fucking, which he co-wrote and starred in as Matt, earning a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Screenplay in 2009.^[2][5] In addition to Hannibal and Blindspot, Abrams has portrayed Randy in Masters of Sex (2013), supporting characters in shows like Rookie Blue (2011) and the comedy Children Ruin Everything (2022–present), where he plays astronaut husband Pete.^[1][6] On film, he has appeared in the sci-fi action series Code 8 (2016, 2019) as Freddie and Officer Davis, respectively, and earned a FilmOut Festival Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2016 for his role in the coming-of-age drama Closet Monster.^[2][7] Abrams has also produced projects including The Lovebirds (2020) and continues to work in both acting and writing, with roles including Dr. Maybrook in the 2025 horror film Clown in a Cornfield.^[1]

Early life and education

Early life

Aaron Abrams was born on May 12, 1978, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to parents Lorne and Jill Abrams.^[1] His ancestry includes Irish, Scottish, German, Polish, and Russian Jewish heritage.^[8] As the youngest child in his family, Abrams grew up in Toronto, where his parents encouraged his early interests.^[1][9] During his childhood, Abrams developed a strong affinity for seeking attention, which manifested in performing activities, and he also pursued sports as primary outlets for his energy.^[10][9] Recognizing his talent, his parents enrolled him in an acting class at age eight after he performed an impression of them, marking his initial exposure to theater through local Toronto programs.^[9] This early engagement with performance laid the foundation for his later pursuit of formal acting education.^[10]

Education

Abrams, a Canadian native, pursued his formal acting training in the United States at The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago, formerly known as The Goodman School of Drama.^[1][2][7] He enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program in Acting, earning his degree in 2001.^[1][11][2] The program's rigorous curriculum emphasized comprehensive training in acting techniques, drawing from influential methods such as those of Stanislavski, Spolin, Grotowski, and Suzuki, alongside voice, movement, and speech development to prepare students for both stage and screen work.^[12][11] Abrams actively participated in theater productions during his studies, including roles in Buried Child by Sam Shepard and Rip van Winkle, gaining hands-on experience in performance and collaborative production processes.^[13][14] This choice to study abroad reflected his early passion for performing, which had been evident since childhood.^[10][1]

Career

Early career

Following his graduation from DePaul University's Theatre School with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting, Aaron Abrams began his professional screen career in 2003. His debut role came in the comedy film The In-Laws, where he played a student in a small part.^[2] That same year, he appeared in the biblical drama The Gospel of John as a man in the temple and took on the recurring role of Paul in the Canadian television series Slings & Arrows, marking his entry into television acting.^[15] Abrams continued building experience with minor film roles in high-profile productions. In 2004, he portrayed an assistant in the action-horror film Resident Evil: Apocalypse.^[16] The following year, he had a brief appearance as a 1928 fan in the biographical drama Cinderella Man, directed by Ron Howard.^[17] These early film credits provided Abrams with exposure in Hollywood while he balanced opportunities in both Canadian and American projects. On television, Abrams secured initial guest and recurring spots to gain footing in the industry. He played the character Tannen in four episodes of the CW drama series Runaway in 2006. Returning to Canadian productions, he appeared as Joel Graves in an episode of the police procedural Flashpoint in 2009, contributing to his growing resume in domestic television. These roles helped Abrams transition from smaller parts to more consistent work across borders.

Television work

Abrams began his television career with guest appearances and supporting roles in Canadian series, building a foundation in dramatic ensemble work before transitioning to more prominent U.S. productions.^[18] One of his early breakthroughs came in the critically acclaimed Canadian series Slings & Arrows (2003–2006), where he portrayed Paul, a young actor navigating the chaotic world of a Shakespearean theater festival; the show earned multiple Gemini Awards, highlighting Abrams' ability to blend humor and pathos in ensemble settings.^[6] He followed this with a series regular role as Ricky Lloyd in The L.A. Complex (2012), playing an aspiring actor grappling with ambition and personal relationships in Hollywood, which showcased his versatility in serialized drama and contributed to the series' exploration of immigrant dreams.^[4] Abrams gained wider international recognition with his recurring role as Brian Zeller in Hannibal (2013–2015), depicting a forensic investigator and medical expert on the FBI's behavioral analysis team who analyzes crime scenes with precision and occasional dry wit, often providing comic relief amid the show's psychological horror.^[19] His portrayal emphasized Zeller's intellectual curiosity and team dynamics, earning praise for adding levity to the intense narrative without undermining the tension.^[20] Building on this, Abrams appeared as Randy in three episodes of Masters of Sex (2016), portraying a colleague in the evolving sex research milieu, further demonstrating his skill in period dramas focused on human intimacy. In Blindspot (2015–2020), Abrams recurred as Matthew Weitz, an ambitious FBI special agent and later acting director who starts as a skeptical antagonist but evolves through moral ambiguities and redemption arcs, including undercover operations and personal sacrifices.^[21][22] Critics and fans noted his performance for injecting complexity into the procedural format, with Weitz's shifting loyalties providing key twists that heightened the series' intrigue.^[23][24] More recently, Abrams has taken on the lead role of James in the comedy Children Ruin Everything (2022–2025), playing a perfectionist father navigating parenthood's chaos alongside his partner Astrid; the series concluded in 2025, winning the Canadian Screen Award for Best Comedy Series, with Abrams nominated for Best Lead Performer in a Comedy for his grounded, empathetic portrayal.^[7][5][25] These roles, particularly in ensemble-driven series like Hannibal and Blindspot, elevated Abrams' profile in American television, allowing him to explore character arcs involving ethical dilemmas and relational growth while maintaining a steady presence in Canadian productions.^[6] Guest spots in shows such as Quantum Leap (2023) as Ronny Abrams and The Watchful Eye (2023) as Otis Winthrope I continue to diversify his television portfolio with genre-bending narratives.

Film work

Abrams began his film career with small roles in major productions, gradually transitioning to more substantial supporting parts in independent cinema. His early appearances included bit roles in films like Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) and Cinderella Man (2005), where he contributed to ensemble casts in action and biographical dramas.^[4] This foundation allowed him to build versatility, later applying television-honed skills to film performances. A pivotal role came in the indie drama Closet Monster (2015), where Abrams played Peter Madly, the divorced father of the protagonist grappling with his son's emerging queer identity. His portrayal of a flawed, homophobic parent navigating family tensions earned critical acclaim, including a FilmOut Award for Best Supporting Actor. The film, praised for its surreal exploration of coming-out struggles and body horror metaphors, holds an 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, underscoring Abrams' impact in LGBTQ+ themed narratives.^[26] Abrams had a brief but memorable appearance as a paramedic in the romantic comedy The Lovebirds (2020), contributing to the chaotic plot involving a couple entangled in a crime. Though a minor part, it showcased his ability to deliver pivotal moments in ensemble-driven stories.^[27] Demonstrating his preference for indie projects, Abrams took on a key supporting role as Dr. Glenn Maybrook in the horror adaptation Clown in a Cornfield (2025), a slasher film about a town terrorized by a clown-masked killer. As a central adult figure amid teen protagonists, his character adds depth to the film's blend of gore and social commentary on community revival. The movie received a 74% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes upon release.^[28][29] Over time, Abrams' film work evolved from peripheral supporting roles to more character-driven performances in indie films, reflecting his affinity for nuanced, genre-blending stories that explore identity and relationships.^[30]

Writing and production

Writing credits

Aaron Abrams began exploring screenwriting shortly after completing his education at DePaul University's Goodman School of Drama, conducting early experiments that paved the way for his involvement in feature films. His debut as a screenwriter came with the 2007 ensemble comedy Young People Fucking (YPF), a controversial exploration of modern relationships through interconnected vignettes, which he co-wrote with director Martin Gero and in which he also starred. The film received acclaim for its bold humor, earning Abrams a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Writing in a Feature Film in 2009. Building on this success, Abrams co-wrote and starred in the 2018 dramedy The Go-Getters, directed by Jeremy LaLonde, a character-focused road trip story about two down-on-their-luck individuals navigating personal redemption in rural Ontario. The screenplay drew from his observations of small-town life, emphasizing witty dialogue and emotional depth to blend humor with themes of loss and reinvention. Critics praised its authentic character arcs and Abrams' multifaceted role in its creation. In 2020, Abrams co-wrote the screenplay for The Lovebirds, a Netflix romantic comedy-thriller starring Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani as a couple wrongly accused of murder and racing to clear their names. He collaborated closely with co-writer Brendan Gall—sharing screenplay duties—and producer Martin Gero, who contributed to the story, resulting in a fast-paced script that fused screwball romance with action elements. The project marked Abrams' entry into major studio filmmaking, with the trio iterating on drafts to balance high-stakes comedy and relational tension.^[31] Abrams' writing often centers on character-driven narratives that mix humor and drama, as seen across his credits.

Production credits

Aaron Abrams has served as a producer on several independent films and television projects, often collaborating with frequent writing partner Brendan Gall to develop and finance stories centered on contemporary relationships and humor. His production work began gaining prominence in the early 2010s with involvement in short films, where he took on logistical roles to support emerging filmmakers. For instance, he produced the 2015 short film Never Happened, directed by Mark Slutsky, which explores themes of fleeting encounters and was featured at film festivals.^[32] Similarly, Abrams served as producer on the 2016 short It's Not What You Know, contributing to its completion as a comedy-drama that highlights interpersonal dynamics.^[33] In television, Abrams held the role of co-executive producer on the CW series The L.A. Complex (2012), where he helped oversee production for episodes focusing on aspiring artists in Los Angeles, aiding in the show's budget management and creative oversight during its two-season run.^[34] He later acted as co-producer on the CTV comedy series Children Ruin Everything (2022–present), supporting the development of its episodic structure that examines parenthood's challenges, with his involvement ensuring smooth financing through New Metric Media.^[35] Abrams' feature film production credits include executive producer on the 2018 indie comedy The Go-Getters, which he co-wrote with Gall; the film follows two down-on-their-luck individuals on a road trip and premiered at festivals like SXSW, bolstered by his efforts in securing distribution.^[36] He also executive produced the 2020 Netflix romantic comedy The Lovebirds, again co-writing the script with Gall, where his contributions extended to post-production refinements and casting support for leads Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae, helping the film reach a global audience despite pandemic-related delays.^[37] These projects reflect Abrams' hands-on approach in financing and nurturing indie works post-2010.

Filmography

Film

This filmography is compiled from reputable databases including Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, and The Movie Database.^[4][1][33]

Television

Aaron Abrams' television appearances span over two decades, starting with guest roles and progressing to recurring and regular positions in various series. The following provides a chronological overview of his credited roles, distinguishing between guest, recurring, and regular appearances where data is available.

• 2003: Tarzan – Played Ralph in 1 episode (guest star).^[38]
• 2006: Slings & Arrows – Portrayed Paul in 6 episodes (recurring role).^[38]
• 2004: Kevin Hill – Appeared as Sexy Water Delivery Guy in 1 episode (guest star).^[38]
• 2005: This is Wonderland – Guest appearance (episode count not specified).^[38]
• 2006: The State Within – Regular cast member (miniseries, 7 episodes).^[15]
• 2006: Runaway – Regular cast member (10 episodes).^[15]
• 2009–2011: Producing Parker – Recurring role (multiple episodes across 3 seasons).^[4]
• 2010–2011: Rookie Blue – Recurring as Det. Donovan Boyd (8 episodes).^[4]
• 2012–2013: The L.A. Complex – Ricky Lloyd (19 episodes, main).^[1]
• 2014: NCIS – Guest starred as Todd Price in 1 episode ("The Searchers").^[39]
• 2014: Longmire – Detective Vogel (1 episode, guest).^[1]
• 2016–2020: Blindspot – Matthew Weitz (25 episodes, recurring).^[40]
• 2016: Masters of Sex – Randy (2 episodes, guest).^[1]
• 2013–2015: Hannibal – Special Agent Brian Zeller in 26 episodes (recurring).^[4]
• 2018–2019: The Oath – David Shankman (5 episodes, recurring).^[1]
• 2021: NCIS: Hawai'i – Guest role as Chris Polis in 1 episode (Season 1).^[41]
• 2022–present: Children Ruin Everything – James (50+ episodes, main).^[1]
• 2023: Quantum Leap – Sgt. Ronny Abrams (1 episode, guest).^[42]
• 2023: The Watchful Eye – Otis Winthrope I (1 episode, guest).^[41]

This list focuses on verified acting credits and excludes writing or production work.^[1]