David Avery

David Avery (born 6 April 1986) is an English actor recognized for his supporting roles in the BBC/AMC espionage miniseries The Night Manager (2016), the British prison drama film Starred Up (2013), and Woody Harrelson's semi-autobiographical comedy Lost in London (2017).^[1] Born in Birmingham, England, Avery grew up in the Druids Heath area and attended Baverstock Academy, a secondary school in the city, until 2002.^[2][3] After leaving school, he pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising with Video Production from Thames Valley University and later a Master of Arts in Acting for Screen from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London.^[3] Avery began his professional acting career in the late 2000s, appearing in small roles in British television series such as The Inbetweeners (2008–2010) and the film The Inbetweeners Movie (2011).^[4] His breakthrough came with the critically acclaimed role of a young prisoner in David Mackenzie's Starred Up, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and earned praise for its raw depiction of the British prison system. He gained wider international recognition portraying Freddie Hamid, an Egyptian playboy and ally of Roper, in the six-part adaptation of John le Carré's novel The Night Manager, opposite Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie. Avery has since diversified his portfolio with roles in action series like Strike (2017–2020), Hanna (2019), Gangs of London (2020), and Domina (2021), as well as a guest appearance as Dale Buckingham in the BBC's Death in Paradise season 14 (2025), and Craig Gardner in the BBC comedy series How Are You? It's Alan Partridge (2025).^[5] In addition to screen work, he has performed in theatre, including the role of Al in the 2015 production of Nine at the Arcola Theatre in London.^[6] More recently, Avery has expanded into production, serving as an executive producer at Bluebird Pictures, an independent film and television company, where he contributes to projects including the expansion of director Adjani Salmon's Dreaming Whilst Black.^[7][8]

Early Life and Education

Early Life

David Avery was born on 6 April 1986 in Birmingham, England.^[1] He spent his formative years in Birmingham, attending Baverstock Academy in Druids Heath until 2002.^[3] In 2002, at the age of 16, Avery relocated to London with his family.^[9] During his upbringing in Birmingham, Avery showed early interests in creative pursuits, including video production, which later shaped his path toward the performing arts.^[3]

Education

After secondary school, Avery began a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising with Video Production at Thames Valley University but left midway to pursue acting.^[9] David Avery enrolled in the MA Acting for Screen program at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London in 2007.^[9] He graduated in 2008 with a Master of Arts degree in Acting for Screen.^[3] The one-year intensive program focused on professional preparation for film, television, and screen-related media, distinguishing screen acting from stage performance through techniques such as adapting to shot sizes, visual storytelling, and camera awareness.^[10] It incorporated psychophysical approaches, including methods from Michael Chekhov and Konstantin Stanislavski, alongside training in voice, body movement, and audition skills to equip actors for diverse genres like drama, comedy, and soap operas.^[10] Avery's training emphasized practical screen tests and industry-standard rehearsals led by experienced staff and visiting professionals.^[10]

Career

Early Career

David Avery entered the acting profession with his professional debut in 2009, portraying the character Flex in two episodes of the third series of the teen drama television series Sofia's Diary. This role introduced him to on-screen work shortly after completing his training.^[11] Building on his educational foundation at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, where he earned a Master of Arts in Acting for Screen, Avery secured minor roles that helped establish his presence in the industry. In 2011, he appeared as Nicos, a supporting character, in the coming-of-age comedy film The Inbetweeners Movie, which depicted British teenagers on a holiday abroad.^[9][12] In 2012, Avery gained early recognition through his participation in the Monologue Slam UK event, where he performed a piece from Billy Bishop Goes to War by John MacLachlan Gray during the showcase at RichMix in East London. That same year, he took on the role of Marcus Graham in the web series Brothers With No Game, a comedy-drama produced for London Live that followed four twenty-something friends navigating quarter-life crises, social dynamics, and romantic entanglements in the city; Avery's character was a confident, cocky intern at a men's fashion magazine who evolves into a content editor.^[13][14][15] As a newcomer during this period, Avery encountered typical challenges of the profession, including financial pressures from juggling jobs like retail work at Homebase to save for drama courses and auditions, as well as the turbulence of an unpredictable career path with no immediate guarantee of steady employment. Transitioning from stage performances to screen required adapting to the technical demands of film and television sets, a shift he navigated after his screen-focused studies.^[9]

Breakthrough Roles

David Avery's breakthrough began with his supporting role as Ashley, a fellow inmate navigating the harsh dynamics of adult prison, in the 2013 British prison drama Starred Up, directed by David Mackenzie. The film, which explores themes of violence, rehabilitation, and fractured family ties through the story of a volatile young offender transferred to an adult facility, earned widespread critical acclaim for its raw authenticity and strong ensemble performances. It holds a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 108 reviews, with an average score of 7.9/10, and a Metacritic score of 81/100 from 26 critics.^[16] Roger Ebert's review praised the movie as a "superbly acted drama" that avoids clichés in the prison genre, highlighting its unflinching intensity.^[17] Avery's contribution to this gritty ensemble helped establish him as a compelling presence in independent British cinema. Avery's profile rose further in 2016 with his portrayal of Freddie Hamid, a wealthy and volatile Egyptian playboy entangled in an arms-dealing conspiracy, in the BBC/AMC miniseries The Night Manager, adapted from John le Carré's novel and directed by Susanne Bier. Starring alongside high-profile actors including Tom Hiddleston as the titular night manager and Hugh Laurie as the enigmatic arms dealer Richard Roper, Avery's performance as Hamid—a ruthless ally whose personal life intersects with the intrigue—was noted for its intensity and nuance. The series received strong critical reception, achieving a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 78 reviews, with praise for its sophisticated spy thriller elements and stellar cast.^[18] This role marked a significant escalation in Avery's visibility, transitioning him from supporting parts in indie films to international television prominence.^[5] In 2017, Avery appeared as Nico Kolovas-Jones, a driver with connections to the elite, in the BBC series Strike (also known as C.B. Strike), based on J.K. Rowling's Cormoran Strike novels. He also took on the role of Al in the 2015 production of Nine at the Arcola Theatre in London, diversifying into theatre alongside his screen work. That same year, Avery appeared as Sayed, a club associate caught in the chaotic night of the protagonist, in Woody Harrelson's directorial debut Lost in London, a semi-autobiographical comedy-drama starring Harrelson and Owen Wilson. The project was groundbreaking as the first feature film shot in a single continuous take and broadcast live to over 500 cinemas in the United States, with filming commencing at 2 a.m. in London to align with U.S. prime time. This innovative format, inspired by Harrelson's real-life 2002 escapade involving a tabloid scandal and arrest, added a layer of immediacy and risk to the production. The film garnered positive reviews for its ambitious execution and humor, earning a 75% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from eight reviews.^{[19] [20][21][6]} These mid-2010s projects, complemented by earlier accolades such as the ensemble win for Brothers With No Game at the 2013 Screen Nation Digital-iS Media Awards, where Avery played Marcus Graham in the web series about underachieving friends, propelled Avery's career forward. The award recognized the cast including Nemide May, Zephryn Taitte, and Isaac Sosanya for their comedic portrayal of modern urban life.^[22] Collectively, Starred Up, The Night Manager, and Lost in London enhanced Avery's reputation for versatile, scene-stealing supporting roles, leading to increased opportunities in both film and television.^[5]

Recent Work

In the years following his breakthrough performances, David Avery expanded his presence in international television productions, showcasing versatility across genres from historical epics to action thrillers. In 2018, he portrayed Xanthius, a Trojan warrior, in the BBC/Netflix miniseries Troy: Fall of a City, a role that highlighted his ability to embody complex characters in large-scale ensemble narratives. Avery continued this trajectory with supporting roles in high-profile series, including Anthony, an undercover police officer infiltrating the criminal underworld, in the Sky Atlantic drama Gangs of London (2020). He then appeared as Stephen Mannion, a CIA operative, across multiple episodes of Amazon Prime Video's Hanna (2020–2021), contributing to the show's blend of espionage and family drama. These projects marked a shift toward more global collaborations, often involving co-productions with platforms like Amazon and Sky. By 2023, Avery took on the ambitious aristocrat Domitius in the second season of Sky Atlantic's historical series Domina, where his character navigates the treacherous politics of ancient Rome through marriage into a powerful family. That same year, he played Charlie Drummond in the Apple TV+ thriller Liaison, an international espionage story co-produced with France, further emphasizing his draw to cross-border ensemble work.^[4] In 2024, Avery joined Bluebird Pictures, the independent production company founded by Dreaming Whilst Black director Adjani Salmon, as an executive producer to support emerging film and TV projects, signaling a growing involvement in behind-the-scenes development alongside his acting career.^[8] His most recent on-screen appearance came in 2025 as Dale Buckingham, a suspect in a murder investigation, in an episode of BBC's long-running crime series Death in Paradise, and as Craig Gardner in an episode of the BBC comedy series How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge). This body of work underscores Avery's evolution toward diverse, high-stakes television roles that leverage his established range from earlier successes.^[23]

Filmography

Television

David Avery made his television debut in 2009 and has since appeared in a variety of series, ranging from guest spots to recurring roles in dramas, comedies, and miniseries.^[2] The following is a chronological overview of his television credits:

• 2009: Sofia's Diary UK as Flex (guest role, 2 episodes).^[24]
• 2013: Doctor Who as Fabian (guest role, 1 episode: "The Name of the Doctor").^[25]
• 2013–2016: The Dumping Ground as Kingsley Jackson (recurring role, multiple episodes across seasons 1–3).
• 2012–2018: Brothers with No Game as Marcus Graham (lead role, 17 episodes across 3 series).^[14]
• 2014: 24: Live Another Day as Donny (recurring role, 2 episodes).^[26]
• 2014: Spotless as Yilmaz (guest role, 1 episode).
• 2016: The Night Manager as Freddie Hamid (recurring role, 2 episodes in the miniseries).^[27]
• 2016: Doctors as Jake Ashby (guest role, 1 episode).^[28]
• 2016–2017: Borderline as Tariq Mansoor (series regular, multiple episodes across 2 series).^[28]
• 2017: Liar as Officer John Brown (guest role, 2 episodes).
• 2017: C.B. Strike as Nico Kolovas-Jones (recurring role, 3 episodes).^[29]
• 2018: Troy: Fall of a City as Xanthius (recurring role, 7 episodes in the miniseries).^[30]
• 2018: Urban Myths as Freddie Mercury (guest role, 1 episode: "Backstage at Live Aid").^[31]
• 2019: London Kills as Alex Barker (guest role, 1 episode).
• 2019: Urban Myths as Freddie Mercury (guest role, 1 episode: "Princess Diana, Freddie and Kenny: One Normal Night").
• 2019–2020: Man Like Mobeen as Cal (recurring role, multiple episodes in series 2–3).
• 2019: Hanna as Stephen Mannion (recurring role, 3 episodes in season 1).^[28]
• 2020: Gangs of London as Anthony (guest role, 1 episode in season 1).^[32]
• 2020–2021: Hanna as Stephen Mannion (recurring role, multiple episodes in seasons 2–3).^[28]
• 2021: We Are Lady Parts as Abdullah (recurring role, 6 episodes in season 1).^[33]
• 2021: Stath Lets Flats as Bambos (guest role, 2 episodes).
• 2023: Domina as Domitius (series regular, 8 episodes in season 2).^[34]
• 2023: Liaison as Charlie Drummond (recurring role, 3 episodes in the miniseries).^[35]
• 2024: And Did Those Feet... With Alan Partridge as Craig Garner (guest role, 1 episode).^[36]
• 2025: Death in Paradise as Dale Buckingham (guest role, 1 episode in season 14).^[28]

Film

David Avery's feature film career began with supporting roles in independent British productions and expanded into larger ensemble casts in international thrillers and comedies. These films highlight Avery's versatility in supporting capacities across genres, contributing to his transition from stage to screen.^[46]

Awards and Recognition

Acting Awards

David Avery's acting accolades primarily stem from his early work in web series, where he contributed to ensemble performances that garnered industry recognition. He has also received nominations for short film work. In 2013, Avery and his co-stars—Zephryn Taitte, Isaac Sosanya, and Jay Marsh—in the British comedy-drama web series Brothers With No Game won the Favourite Web Series Ensemble award at the inaugural Screen Nation Digital-iS Awards, held at Google headquarters in London.^[47] The series, which follows the social and romantic misadventures of four twenty-something friends in London, was praised for its relatable portrayal of quarter-life crises and received positive feedback for its authentic humor and character dynamics.^[47] Earlier that year, the Brothers With No Game ensemble, including Avery, also secured the Outstanding Ensemble award at the LA Web Festival, part of a sweep of six honors for the production, highlighting its international appeal and strong collaborative performances.^[48] This recognition underscored Avery's role as one of the lead friends navigating modern relationships and personal growth in the series.^[48] In 2018, Avery received a nomination for Best Actor at the Golden Bridge İstanbul Short Film Festival for his role in the short film Afraid of the Dark (2012).^[49]

Other Honors

In 2012, David Avery competed in and won first prize at Monologue Slam UK, a competitive showcase for actors to perform monologues before industry judges and professionals.^[13] Avery performed the monologue "Billy Bishop Goes to War" by John MacLachlan Gray during the event, contributing to his early professional exposure in the UK theater and film scene.^[13] As executive producer at Bluebird Pictures, Avery has been involved in industry events such as the World Cinema Film Festival, which his company founded in 2018 to support emerging filmmakers.^[50]