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Josef Altin
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Josef Altin (born as Yusuf Altın; 12 February 1983) is a British television and film actor who had the role of Pypar in the HBO fantasy TV series Game of Thrones. Other notable performances is his role as Ekrem in Eastern Promises and his roles in The Bill, Peep Show, and Casualty. He starred in D.C. Moore's hit play The Empire at the Royal Court Theatre in London. Altin also played the role of Darren in Him & Her, a BBC TV series.
Key Information
Life and career
[edit]Altin was born in London, to a Turkish family.
Altin's earliest television roles were as Garry in the drama series Psychos and a machine strimmer in Blackpool. Altin has appeared on The Bill in two different roles, as Jay Henderson from 2006 to 2007, and as Peter Balmaine in 2009.
Other television series in which he has appeared include Peep Show, Doctors, Robin Hood, Casualty, Little Miss Jocelyn, New Tricks, Being Human, Misfits and Law & Order: UK. In the HBO fantasy TV series Game of Thrones, Altin portrayed the character named Pypar, commonly called Pyp.[1][2]
In 2007, Altin appeared in two films, as Bully in Boy A, and as Ekrem in Eastern Promises.[3] In 2015, he had roles in the films Narcopolis and Child 44,[4] as well as the six-part British television drama series River on BBC One. The following year, he starred in the short film, I Dream of Zombies.[5]
In 2017 Altin appeared in the E4 sitcom Chewing Gum as Ryan,[6] and portrayed Prince Rasselas, a young molly boy who plies his trade on the streets of Covent Garden, in the Hulu Original Harlots.[7] In 2018, Altin played Willem Van Burgen, a disturbed paedophile suffering from syphilis, who comes from a wealthy family, suspected of being the serial killer of boys in the TNT period drama, The Alienist.[8]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Film or Series | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Psychos | Garry | Episode #1.5 |
| 2000 | Esther Kahn | Samuel as a child | |
| 2001 | My Other Wheelchair Is a Porsche | Ron | Short |
| 2002 | Dirty Pretty Things | Sweatshop Boy | |
| 2002 | Babyfather | Eric's Friend | Episode #2.7 |
| 2004 | Blackpool | Machine Strimmer | Episode #1.2 |
| 2004–2009 | The Bill | Multiple Character | Seven episodes |
| 2005 | Gypo | Michael | |
| 2005 | Murphy's Law | Phillip | Ep #3.2 |
| 2005 | Stoned | Bill Wyman | |
| 2005 | The Golden Hour | Robert | Episode #1.4 |
| 2005 | Peep Show | Mugger No. 1 | Episode #3.1 |
| 2006 | Doctors | Liam Aitkin | Episode #7.168 |
| 2006 | Soundproof | Stee | |
| 2006 | Robin Hood | Benedict Giddens | Episode #1.1 |
| 2006 | Pulling | Skinzo | Episode #1.6 |
| 2006–2009 | Casualty | Multiple Characters | Three episodes |
| 2007 | What Goes Around (short) | Cola | Short |
| 2007 | Ruby Blue | Frankie | |
| 2007 | Eastern Promises | Ekrem | |
| 2007 | Boy A | Bully | |
| 2007 | The Omid Djalili Show | Episode #1.2 | |
| 2008 | Little Miss Jocelyn | Bully | Episode #2.1 Episode #2.3 |
| 2008 | West 10 LDN | Ratty | |
| 2008 | 10 Days to War | Young Lad | Episode #1.5 |
| 2008 | Poppy Shakespeare | Zubin | |
| 2008 | New Tricks | Steve Pearson | Episode #5.7 |
| 2008 | God on Trial | Issac | |
| 2008 | No Heroics | Robber | Episode #1.1 |
| 2009 | M.I.High | Kranky | Episode #3.1 |
| 2009 | Tender | Ross | Short |
| 2009 | Being Human | Billy | Episode #1.5 Episode #1.6 |
| 2009 | The Young Victoria | Edward Oxford | |
| 2009 | Beautiful People | Ricky | Episode #2.4 |
| 2009–2011 | Misfits | Gary | Episode #1.1 Episode #3.4 |
| 2010 | The Pizza Miracle | Paesano | Short |
| 2010 | Baby | Emit | Short |
| 2010 | Law & Order: UK | Ray Cole | Episode #3.2 |
| 2010 | Reggie Perrin | Young Boss | Episode #2.1 |
| 2011 | Albatross | Dave | |
| 2011–2012 | Him & Her | Darren | Episode 2.4 Episode 3.3 |
| 2011 2013–2014 |
Game of Thrones | Pypar | Recurring character, 13 episodes |
| 2012 | Comes a Bright Day | Clegg | |
| 2012 | A Mother's Son | Sean Christie | Episode #1.1 Episode #1.2 |
| 2012 | Les Misérables | Convict 2 | |
| 2012 | Now Is Good | Jake | |
| 2013 | Holby City | Alex Jules | S15E33 Back From the Dead |
| 2013 | Dreck | Ambro Trader | |
| 2013 | By Any Means | Jason Turner | |
| 2013 | Vendetta | Rob | |
| 2013 | Hummingbird | Pizza Delivery Guy | |
| 2014 | A Long Way Down | Matty | |
| 2014 | The Hooligan Factory | Weasel | |
| 2015 | River | Christopher Riley | Episodes 1,2 |
| 2015 | Narcopolis | Ambro Dealer | |
| 2015 | Child 44 | Alexander | |
| 2016 | Peaky Blinders | Stefan | Episode #3.5 |
| 2017 | Chewing Gum | Ryan | |
| 2017 | Harlots | Prince Rasselas | |
| 2018 | The Alienist | Silver Smile / Willem Van Burgen | Three episodes |
| 2018 | Tomb Raider | Bruce | |
| 2018 | Les Misérables | Claquesous | 1 episode |
| 2019 | Chernobyl | Soldier | Episode #1.4 |
| 2019 | Top Boy | Drug Addict/Undercover Policeman | Recurring character |
| 2019 | Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker | Lieutenant Seftin Vanik | |
| 2020 | Officer Down | Amir | |
| 2025 | Last Breath | Mike |
Music videos
[edit]- Jamie T – If You Got The Money 2007
- Javeon – Give Up 2013
References
[edit]- ^ "Game of Thrones with Josef Altin". flicksandthecity.com. 22 February 2013. Archived from the original on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
- ^ "Josef Altin – Game of Thrones | Interview | April 2014 – Hit The Floor". hitthefloor.com. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
- ^ "Movie Review – Eastern Promises". fernbyfilms.com. 29 July 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ^ "Child 44, Breathe, & Narcopolis with Josef Altin". flicksandthecity.com. 30 August 2013. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
- ^ Naylor, Mary (17 April 2016). "Zomcom shot in Reading stars Game of Thrones' Pyp". getreading.co.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
- ^ Spence-Adofo, Verona (12 February 2017). "Chewing Gum Series 2 Finale – Excellent (With a few Issues...)". thebritishblacklist.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ^ "Meet the cast of Harlots".Radio Times, 18 May 2017.
- ^ "'The Alienist': Revealing the Murderer's Identity Early Is the Show's First Killer Move". IndieWire, 19 February 2018,
External links
[edit]- Josef Altin at IMDb
- Altin on Twitter
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
Josef Altin
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Family background
Josef Altin, born Yusuf Altın, entered the world on 12 February 1983 in London, England, UK.[2] His early professional credits, such as the role of Sweatshop Boy in the 2002 film Dirty Pretty Things, appeared under the name Yusuf Altin, reflecting his original given name.[3] Altin hails from a Turkish family within London's Turkish diaspora community, where his parents are of Turkish origin.[4] No public details are available regarding specific information about his parents or any siblings.Entry into acting
Josef Altin's professional acting career commenced at the age of 16 with his debut role as Garry in the 1999 British drama miniseries Psychos, a gritty portrayal of psychiatric hospital life that marked his first on-screen appearance.[5][6] In the early 2000s, Altin built his experience through guest roles in prominent British television series, including multiple appearances on The Bill starting in 2004, where he played various characters across seven episodes, and as Mugger #1 in the 2005 episode "Mugging" of the comedy Peep Show.[2][7] These early television parts provided foundational exposure in the UK industry, often featuring him in supporting roles that highlighted urban and working-class narratives. Altin's initial forays into film came shortly after his television start, with a minor role as Samuel as a child in the 2000 drama Esther Kahn, directed by Arnaud Desplechin, followed by the part of Sweatshop Boy in Stephen Frears' 2002 thriller Dirty Pretty Things.[8] He also appeared as Eric's Friend in the 2002 television drama Babyfather, alongside other small roles in productions like Gypo (2005), accumulating credits that sustained his presence in both mediums leading up to 2006.[9] Born in London to a Turkish family, Altin's multicultural background informed his early navigation of the British acting landscape, where opportunities for ethnic minority performers were limited during that era.[6][10]Acting career
Early roles
Altin's early career in the 2000s was marked by a series of supporting roles in British television, building on his television debut as Garry in the 1999 drama series Psychos.[5] By the mid-2000s, he appeared in various dramas, including a minor role as a machine strimmer in the 2004 BBC miniseries Blackpool.[11] He also played Eric's Friend in the 2002 episode of Babyfather.[12] A significant portion of his early television work came through recurring appearances in popular British series. In The Bill, Altin portrayed multiple characters, notably Jay Henderson across several episodes from 2006 to 2007 and Peter Balmaine in 2009.[13] He featured as a mugger in the 2006 episode "Mugging" of Peep Show series 3.[14] Most prominently, Altin had recurring roles in the BBC medical drama Casualty from 2006 to 2009, appearing in three episodes as different characters, including Steven Hooper in the 2006 episode "Worlds Apart" and Andy McKenzie in another installment during series 22.[15][16] These television credits facilitated Altin's transition to film in 2007, marking his feature debut as Frankie in the independent drama Ruby Blue, directed by Jan Dunn and starring Bob Hoskins.[17] That same year, he appeared as Cola in the short film What Goes Around, a gritty exploration of youth violence.[18] These roles, though supporting, helped establish his presence in both mediums during the decade.[13]Breakthrough and notable works
Altin's breakthrough role came in 2007 with his portrayal of Ekrem, the hot-headed nephew of a Turkish barber involved in the opening murder scene, in David Cronenberg's gangster thriller Eastern Promises.[19] The film, which explores the Russian mafia's operations in London, earned widespread critical acclaim for its unflinching depiction of violence and moral ambiguity, appearing on multiple critics' top 10 lists of the year and achieving cult status over time.[20] Altin's performance as the impulsive young man drawn into criminal retribution highlighted his ability to convey intensity in a supporting capacity within Cronenberg's ensemble.[21] That same year, Altin appeared as the unnamed Bully in the British drama Boy A, directed by John Crowley, where he embodied the aggressive antagonist tormenting the protagonist in flashback sequences depicting a tragic crime.[22] The film, adapted from Jonathan Trigell's novel, received praise for its exploration of redemption and societal reintegration, earning a 74/100 Metacritic score and multiple awards, including a British Independent Film Award for Andrew Garfield's lead performance.[23] In 2009, Altin took on the historical role of Edward Oxford, the 18-year-old who attempted to assassinate Queen Victoria in 1840 by firing blanks at her carriage, in Jean-Marc Vallée's period drama The Young Victoria.[24] Portrayed as a troubled youth with delusions of grandeur, Oxford's brief but pivotal appearance underscored themes of vulnerability and political instability during Victoria's early reign.[25] The film garnered positive reviews for its lavish production and Emily Blunt's titular performance, contributing to Altin's growing presence in prestige cinema. Altin's most prominent breakthrough arrived with his recurring role as Pypar (Pyp), a witty and musically talented steward in the Night's Watch, in HBO's Game of Thrones from 2011 to 2014.[2] Pypar, a former mummer's troupe member recruited after petty theft, forms a close bond with Jon Snow and fellow recruits Grenn and Samwell Tarly, providing comic relief through his impressions and songs while participating in key events like the great ranging beyond the Wall; his arc culminates in a heroic death during the Battle of Castle Black in season 4, shot by a wildling while defending the realm.[26] On set, Altin described the experience as transformative, involving intensive sword training and camaraderie with co-stars like Kit Harington, though he noted the emotional challenge of filming intense battle sequences in Northern Ireland's harsh weather.[27] The ensemble cast, including Altin, received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2012.[28] This role significantly elevated Altin's career, granting him international visibility beyond British television and opening doors to global projects through the series' massive audience and cultural impact.[29]Recent projects
In 2019, Altin portrayed Lieutenant Seftin Vanik, a Resistance pilot, in the sci-fi epic Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, marking his entry into major franchise cinema following his earlier television success. This role highlighted his versatility in high-stakes action sequences amid the film's galactic conflict.[30] Altin's television work during this period included recurring appearances as the troubled aristocrat Willem Van Bergen in the psychological thriller The Alienist, spanning 2018 to 2020, where he depicted a character entangled in New York's seedy underbelly and moral decay.[31] Similarly, he played Prince Rasselas, a young molly house operative navigating 18th-century London's sex trade, in the historical drama Harlots from 2017 to 2019, contributing to the series' exploration of gender and power dynamics.[32] In 2020, Altin starred as Amir in the short film Officer Down, a tense drama set amid civil unrest, where his character aids a police officer, emphasizing themes of unlikely alliance and prejudice.[33] In 2023, he appeared as Robert Wright in an episode of the BBC crime drama The Gold, which dramatized the 1983 Brink's-Mat robbery.[34] That same year, he featured in the short film I Don't Know Where to Start, a psychological narrative directed by Sharif Abd el Mawla and featuring musician Sevdaliza, delving into mental turmoil and blurred realities.[35] Altin's 2024 projects expanded into war drama with the role of Harvey in Steve McQueen's Blitz, portraying a figure in World War II-era London amid bombings and evacuation.[36] Continuing into 2024–2025, Altin guest-starred as Thomas Avery, a protégé to Thomas Cromwell, in the historical series Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, adding depth to the Tudor court's intrigue.[37] In 2025, he appeared as dynamic positioning officer (DPO) Mike in the survival thriller Last Breath, based on a true deep-sea rescue story, showcasing intense underwater peril and teamwork,[38] and as Kenny Davies in two episodes of the ITV mini-series Out There, a drama about rural communities facing county lines drug operations.[39] These roles reflect an evolution toward diverse genres, from sci-fi blockbusters to intimate historical and thriller narratives, building on his Game of Thrones prominence to access broader franchises.[40]Other work
Theatre
Altin's early stage work established him in London's new writing scene, beginning with the role of Ali in Timberlake Wertenbaker's Credible Witness at the Royal Court Theatre in 2001, a production that examined asylum and identity through fragmented narratives.[41] He followed this in 2004 with Brendan, a troubled youth in a pupil referral unit, in Richard Davidson's Badnuff at the Soho Theatre, where the play's raw depiction of urban alienation drew attention for its unflinching social commentary.[42][43] In 2005, Altin portrayed Ally, a fragile and emaciated young man grappling with loss and dependency, in Lin Coghlan's Kingfisher Blue at the Bush Theatre; reviewers highlighted his "squeaky voice" and physical vulnerability as key to the production's compassionate exploration of overlooked lives.[42][44] Four years later, in 2009, he played Flea, a teddy boy-inspired rat-catcher luring a child to ambiguous salvation, in Samuel Adamson's Mrs Affleck at the National Theatre's Cottesloe auditorium, an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's Little Eyolf that shifted focus to familial destruction and received mixed notices for its bold reinterpretation.[45][46] Altin's performance as the interpreter Hafizullah, nicknamed Paddy—a humane yet spaced-out figure amid wartime chaos—in D.C. Moore's The Empire at the Royal Court Theatre's Jerwood Upstairs in 2010 marked a significant ensemble contribution to a play set during the War in Afghanistan.[42] Directed by Mike Bradwell and featuring a cast including Joe Armstrong and Rufus Wright, the production premiered on 8 April 2010 and ran until 8 May before a co-production with Plymouth's Drum Theatre led to performances there from 13 to 29 May 2010.[47][48] Critics praised the play's ambitious structure and the cast's dynamics, with Altin's "gentle, or maybe just a drug-induced, laid-back nature" adding nuance to scenes of cultural misunderstanding, though some found the narrative fragmented; overall, it garnered acclaim, winning the 2010 TMA Award for Best Touring Production and an Olivier Award nomination for Best New Play.[49][50][51] In 2015, Altin returned to the stage as Savaş, a teenage Kurdish smuggler on a fateful border crossing, in Anders Lustgarten's Shrapnel: 34 Fragments of a Massacre at the Arcola Theatre, a world premiere directed by Mehmet Ergen that confronted the 2011 Roboski massacre through interlocking monologues.[42][52] Running from 11 March to 2 April, the production was lauded for its urgent political insight and ensemble intensity, with Altin's portrayal of youthful defiance and tragedy described as "compulsive viewing" amid the play's sharp critique of state violence.[53][54] These roles across intimate venues honed Altin's ability to convey layered emotional authenticity in live performance, foundational to his subsequent screen work.Music videos
Josef Altin has made notable appearances in music videos, leveraging his acting background to portray characters in narrative-driven visuals that complement his screen work. These projects highlight his versatility in concise, emotionally charged formats, often involving themes of urban struggle or personal turmoil. In 2007, Altin appeared in Jamie T's music video for "If You Got the Money," a gritty depiction of London's underground scene directed by Nima Nourizadeh. His role contributed to the video's raw, documentary-style energy, aligning with his early career in intense dramatic roles.[55] Altin's involvement in music videos continued during his tenure on Game of Thrones, where he played Pypar from 2011 to 2014. In 2013, he starred alongside Sarah Smart in Javeon's "Give Up," directed by Ben Strebel for Somesuch & Co. The video unfolds in a stark, unglamorous domestic setting, portraying a tense relationship fraught with emotional and physical conflict, earning praise for Altin's layered performance that underscores themes of entrapment and desperation.[56] More recently, in 2023, Altin took the lead role of Jordan in Sevdaliza's short film/music project I Don't Know Where to Start, co-written and directed by Sharif Abd el Mawla in collaboration with the artist. The piece, soundtracked by Sevdaliza's single "Who Are You Running From," explores psychological vulnerability and the blur between reality and fantasy through Jordan's therapy session with a psychologist (Sasha Behar), emphasizing isolation in a perfection-obsessed society. Altin's portrayal of the troubled protagonist ties into his ongoing interest in introspective, character-driven narratives.[57][58]Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | What Goes Around (short) | Cola | Nic Penrake |
| 2007 | Ruby Blue | Frankie | Jan Dunn |
| 2007 | Boy A | Bully | John Crowley |
| 2007 | Eastern Promises | Ekrem | David Cronenberg |
| 2009 | The Young Victoria | Edward Oxford | Jean-Marc Vallée |
| 2011 | Albatross | Dave | Niall MacCormick |
| 2012 | Les Misérables | Convict 2 | Tom Hooper |
| 2012 | Comes a Bright Day | Clegg | Simon Aboud |
| 2012 | Now Is Good | Jake | Ol Parker |
| 2013 | Redemption (aka Hummingbird) | Pizza Delivery Guy | Steven Knight |
| 2013 | Vendetta | Rob | Mathias Hoene |
| 2014 | A Long Way Down | Matty | Pascal Chaumeil |
| 2014 | The Hooligan Factory | Weasel | Nick Nevern |
| 2015 | Narcopolis | Ambro Dealer | Justin Trefgarne |
| 2015 | Child 44 | Aleksander | Daniel Espinosa |
| 2016 | I Dream of Zombies (short) | Jordan | Alex Forbes |
| 2018 | Tomb Raider | Bruce the Boss | Roar Uthaug |
| 2019 | Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker | Seftin Vanik | J.J. Abrams |
| 2023 | I Don't Know Where to Start (short) | Daniel | Sharif Abd el Mawla |
| 2024 | Blitz | Harvey | Steve McQueen |
| 2025 | Last Breath | DPO | Alex Parkinson |
Television
Josef Altin began his television career with guest appearances in British drama series in the late 1990s and early 2000s, gradually building to recurring roles in major productions. His early work often featured him in supporting or guest capacities in crime and medical dramas, before gaining prominence in fantasy and period pieces. Over the years, he has appeared in more than 20 television projects, showcasing versatility across genres from police procedurals to historical miniseries.[2]| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Psychos | Garry | 1 episode[5] |
| 2004–2009 | The Bill | Various (e.g., Jay Henderson, Peter Balmaine) | 7 episodes, including "Til Hell Freezes Over" (2007) and "Bail Me Out" (2009)[67][68] |
| 2005 | Peep Show | Mugger 1 | 1 episode ("Mugging") |
| 2006 | Casualty | Steven Hooper | 1 episode ("Worlds Apart")[69] |
| 2006–2009 | Casualty | Various (e.g., Andy McKenzie, Lee) | 3 episodes total[69] |
| 2007 | Robin Hood | Infidel | 1 episode ("Locksley") |
| 2009–2011 | Misfits | Gary | 2 episodes |
| 2011–2014 | Game of Thrones | Pypar (Pyp) | 13 episodes |
| 2015 | River | Christopher Riley | 3 episodes |
| 2016 | Peaky Blinders | Stefan | 1 episode ("Epiphany") |
| 2017 | Chewing Gum | Ryan | 2 episodes |
| 2017–2019 | Harlots | Prince Rasselas | 5 episodes[70] |
| 2019 | Chernobyl | Andriy Khmel | Miniseries, 2 episodes |
| 2019–2022 | Top Boy | Lee | 12 episodes |
| 2021 | You Don't Know Me | Pimp | 2 episodes |
| 2018 | The Alienist | Willem Van Bergen / Silver Smile | 4 episodes (season 1) |
| 2022 | Who Is Erin Carter? | Max | 3 episodes |
| 2023 | The Gold | DCI David Forgie | 6 episodes (season 1) |
| 2024 | Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light | Thomas Avery | Miniseries, recurring role (6 episodes) |
| 2025 | Out There | Kenny Davies | 2 episodes[72] |