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Matthew Needham
Matthew Needham
Matthew Needham
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Matthew Needham (born 13 April 1984) is a British actor. He has worked on stage and screen, appearing in television series such as Casualty, Endeavour, and Sanditon. As of 2022, Needham portrays Larys Strong on the HBO fantasy series House of the Dragon, his performance in the series has received critical acclaim.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 2007.

Career

[edit]

Needham made his professional debut in BBC medical drama Casualty in September 2007.[1] In 2010 he appeared in the BBC series Sherlock. In 2011, he appeared in the ITV medical drama, Monroe.[2]

Needham has performed on stage for the Royal Shakespeare Company,[3] Royal Court Theatre, Royal National Theatre, Almeida Theatre, and Shakespeare's Globe. In his performance for the play Britannicus, he was nominated for the 2011 Ian Charleson Award.[4]

In 2015, Needham starred in the short film Stutterer, written and directed by Benjamin Cleary and produced by Serena Armitage and Shan Christopher Ogilvie.[5][6][7] The film won Best Live Action Short Film at the 88th Academy Awards.

In January 2017, he appeared in episode 2 of series 4 of the ITV drama series Endeavour. In March 2017, he played Stanley Kowalski in the BBC Radio 3 production of A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.

In 2019, Needham played Mr. Crowe in the first series of the ITV period drama Sanditon. As of 2022, he plays Larys Strong on the HBO fantasy series House of the Dragon.[8] In 2023, he appeared as Lucien Bonaparte alongside Joaquin Phoenix in the film Napoleon.

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2015 Shakespeare's Globe: Titus Andronicus Saturninus Filmed version of the stage show at The Globe
2015 Shakespeare's Globe: The Comedy of Errors Antipholus of Ephesus Filmed version of the stage show at The Globe
2015 Stutterer Greenwood Carsen Won Best Live Action Short Film at the 88th Academy Awards
2017 The Ritual Junkie
2017 From A Strange Land Jonas Short
2023 Napoleon Lucien Bonaparte
2024 The Generators Oscar Post-Production

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2007–2009 Casualty Toby De Silva Main Role, 61 Episodes
2010 Sherlock Bezza 1 Episode
2011 Monroe David Foster 1 Episode
2016 The Hollow Crown Basset 2 Episodes
2017 Endeavour Dudley Jessop 1 Episode
2018 Doctors Kieran Barnes 1 Episode
2019 Chernobyl Dmitri 1 Episode
2019 Sanditon Mr Crowe 7 Episodes
2021 Doctor Who Old Swarm 2 Episodes
2022–present House of the Dragon Larys Strong Main role, 13 episodes
2023 Great Expectations Mr Drummle TV Mini Series, 4 Episodes
2026 Blade Runner 2099 TBA Post-production

Stage

[edit]
Year[2] Title Role Notes
2009 Shades Mark Royal Court Theatre
2009 The Grapes of Wrath Noah Chichester Festival Theatre
2011 Britannicus Nero Natural Perspective Theatre Company
2013 Titus Andronicus Lucius Royal Shakespeare Company
2013 Candide Candide Royal Shakespeare Company
2015 Titus Andronicus Saturninus The Globe
2015 The Jew of Malta Pilia Borza Royal Shakespeare Company
2017 The Twilight Zone Perry/Stockton/Harrington Almeida Theatre
2018 Summer and Smoke John Buchannan Almeida Theatre
2019 Fairview Jimbo Young Vic Theatre

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Matthew Needham

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Matthew Needham (born 13 April 1984) is an English actor recognized for his compelling performances in television, film, and theatre, particularly his role as the manipulative Larys Strong in the series (2022–present). Born in , , Needham developed an early interest in and trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), graduating with a BA in Acting in 2007. His career began with guest appearances in British television series, including Toby De Silva in Casualty (2008), Barry Berwick in Sherlock (2010), and roles in Endeavour (2017) and (2019). Needham's theatre work has been equally prominent, with performances for institutions such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, the , and ; he received a nomination for the 2011 for his portrayal of in Britannicus at . In film, he has appeared in David Slade's horror thriller The Ritual (2017) and Ridley Scott's historical epic (2023) as , as well as the Emmy Award-winning television miniseries Chernobyl (2019) and The Generators (2024) as Oscar.

Early life and education

Birth and upbringing

Matthew Needham was born on 13 April 1984 in , , . Public information on Needham's family background remains limited, with details primarily highlighting his and a childhood spent in the suburban environment of . He attended , a co-educational independent school in . He has described himself as shy and underconfident during his early years, finding solace in creative expression as a means to engage with the world while feeling protected. Needham's initial exposure to the performing arts came through family outings, particularly a tradition where his mother took him to see a play or musical every as a special treat. These experiences ignited his passion for theatre, marking a pivotal moment in his development toward a career in acting. This early interest eventually led him to pursue formal dramatic training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art ().

Dramatic training

Matthew Needham, raised in Surrey, found early inspiration in local amateur dramatics, laying the groundwork for his formal pursuit of acting. Needham enrolled at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) for its BA (Hons) in Professional Acting, a program he selected after taking LAMDA exams as a child and applying solely to the institution, where he was accepted. He graduated in 2007, having undergone a rigorous three-year curriculum designed to develop versatile performers through integrated practical training. The course emphasized core skills in acting, voice, movement, and classical text work, alongside singing and contemporary techniques, fostering a holistic approach that equipped students to handle diverse roles across stage and screen. This training honed Needham's abilities in vocal projection, physical expressiveness, and interpretation of Shakespearean and other classical works, contributing to his adaptable style evident in later performances. During his time at LAMDA, Needham participated in several student productions that showcased his emerging stage presence, including roles in Measure for Measure, The Seagull, The London Cuckolds, Othello, Anna Karenina, and Two Gentlemen of Verona. These showcases, performed in LAMDA's theaters, allowed him to apply classroom techniques in live settings, previewing his command of ensemble dynamics and character depth in both classical and modern repertoires.

Acting career

Early television and stage work

Needham began his professional acting career with a recurring role as Toby De Silva, a foundation year 2 doctor, in the BBC medical drama Casualty, appearing in 61 episodes from 2007 to 2009. This marked his television debut shortly after graduating from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), where his training prepared him for the demands of on-screen performance. He continued building his television presence with guest roles in prominent series. In 2010, Needham portrayed Bezza, a in a tense scenario, in the episode "The Great Game" of the BBC's Sherlock. The following year, he appeared as David Foster, a young ex-soldier dealing with a , in an episode of the ITV medical drama Monroe. These early television engagements showcased his versatility in dramatic and suspenseful narratives. Parallel to his screen work, Needham established himself on stage during this period. In 2009, he played Mark in Alia Bano's Shades at the Royal Court Theatre, earning praise for his understated performance in the ensemble-driven production directed by Nina Raine. His portrayal of in a 2011 revival of Jean Racine's at , directed by Max Stafford-Clark for Out of Joint, led to a nomination for the Award, recognizing emerging classical actors under 30. In 2013, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company as Lucius in Michael Fentiman's production of Shakespeare's at the Swan Theatre, contributing to the ensemble's exploration of vengeance and brutality. These stage roles highlighted his command of classical texts and physical intensity, solidifying his foundation in theatre.

Breakthrough in film and television

Needham's breakthrough arrived with his leading performance as Greenwood, a young man grappling with a severe stutter while pursuing an online romance, in the Stutterer (2015, released 2016), written and directed by Benjamin Cleary. The film, produced by Serena Armitage, explores themes of vulnerability and inner eloquence through voiceover narration contrasting Greenwood's fluid thoughts with his halting speech. It won the Academy Award for Best Live Action at the in 2016. Needham's portrayal was lauded for its authenticity and emotional intensity, with critics noting how he effectively conveyed the character's isolation and resilience. Building on this success, Needham took on a supporting role as the enigmatic Junkie in the supernatural horror film The Ritual (2017), directed by and based on Adam Nevill's novel. In the story of four friends hiking through a remote Swedish forest and confronting an ancient entity, Needham's brief but unsettling appearance heightened the film's atmospheric dread. That same year, he guest-starred as Dudley Jessop, a passionate rights activist and magazine editor, in the episode "" of the ITV period crime series Endeavour (series 4). His performance as the episode's moral anchor amid a 1960s mystery drew praise for its fervor and depth. By 2019, Needham further solidified his presence in television with the recurring role of Mr. Crowe, a scheming associate in the seaside town's social circles, across seven episodes of the ITV period drama , adapted from Jane Austen's unfinished novel. These mid-2010s roles, following his early appearances in Casualty as a foundational experience, highlighted Needham's skill in nuanced characterizations—blending vulnerability in genre works like The Ritual with layered intensity in period pieces such as Endeavour and .

Recent projects and collaborations

Since 2022, Matthew Needham has gained significant recognition for his portrayal of Lord Larys Strong, the cunning and manipulative spymaster known as "," in HBO's . Appearing across both seasons of the series, Needham's performance has been praised for its nuanced depiction of the character's psychological depth and moral ambiguity, earning critical acclaim for elevating the role into one of the show's most compelling antagonists. His work on the fantasy prequel to marked a pivotal expansion of his television presence, with Needham contributing to 13 episodes through 2024. In 2023, Needham took on a supporting role as , Napoleon's ambitious younger brother, in Ridley Scott's historical epic Napoleon. The film, starring as the titular emperor, showcased Needham's ability to portray complex familial dynamics amid grand-scale , with his scenes highlighting Lucien's political maneuvering during the . This collaboration with Scott, a veteran director known for visually immersive period pieces, represented Needham's entry into high-budget feature films following his earlier independent successes. Needham's recent endeavors also include the lead role in the 2024 short film The Generators, directed by Georgie Cowan-Turner, where he stars as a man grappling with energy scarcity to sustain his ailing husband in a dystopian future. The project, produced under the BFI Network, explores themes of love and survival, earning praise for Needham's emotionally raw performance in a compact 13-minute . Looking ahead, Needham has joined the cast of Amazon Prime Video's Blade Runner 2099, a limited series set 50 years after the events of , in a role yet to be disclosed as of 2025. Executive produced by and directed by Lukasz Palkowski among others, the production features Needham alongside and , continuing his trajectory toward major science-fiction franchises with filming having wrapped in 2025 and the series now in for a release.

Theatre credits

Royal Shakespeare Company productions

Matthew Needham joined the (RSC) in 2013, beginning a series of roles that highlighted his versatility in classical and early modern drama. His debut season included the title role in a innovative adaptation of Voltaire's , directed by Lyndsey Turner at the Swan Theatre. In this production, Needham portrayed the optimistic young protagonist navigating a world of philosophical disillusionment, earning praise for his effervescent energy and ability to convey naive amid escalating absurdities. That same year, Needham appeared as Lucius in Michael Fentiman's visceral production of Shakespeare's at the Swan Theatre, marking his entry into the company's Shakespearean repertoire. As the loyal son of the titular general, Needham delivered a performance noted for its emotional depth, evolving from filial devotion to vengeful resolve in the play's cycle of brutality. Critics highlighted his powerful portrayal, which contributed to the production's intense exploration of Roman tragedy and family vendettas. Needham's RSC tenure deepened in 2014 with the role of Hotspur in Gregory Doran's acclaimed Henry IV cycle, performed in repertory across Parts at the Royal Shakespeare , followed by transfers to the and international tours. Doubling as Hotspur and Mowbray's shadow, he brought a dynamic intensity to the fiery Welsh rebel, contrasting youthful bravado with underlying vulnerability, which enriched the ensemble's depiction of political turmoil and generational conflict. His work in this production underscored the RSC's ensemble ethos, where actors refined physical precision and vocal projection through rigorous company training, enhancing Needham's command of verse-speaking and . In 2015, Needham took on the Duke of Pavy (Caraffa) in Matthew Dunster's debut RSC production of John Ford's Love's Sacrifice at the , a rare revival of the 17th-century tragedy. His portrayal of the volatile ruler, torn between jealousy and , captured the character's hysterical shifts, blending comic excess with profound in a narrative echoing . This role further demonstrated Needham's growth within the RSC's collaborative environment, where shared rehearsals fostered nuanced ensemble dynamics. Concluding his 2015 season, Needham played the opportunistic pimp Pilia-Borza in Justin Audibert's inventive staging of Christopher Marlowe's at the Swan. As the scheming ally to the anti-hero Barabas, he infused the character with sly charisma and , contributing to the production's satirical bite on and religious . Across these works, Needham's RSC engagements exemplified the company's emphasis on classical expertise, sharpening his techniques in heightened language and physical theatre through its renowned ensemble practices.

National Theatre and other venues

Matthew Needham made his debut at the National Theatre in 2011 as part of the 2 program, playing multiple roles—Griff, Brandon, and Nurse Mostmen—in Tom Basden's satirical play There Is a War, directed by Lyndsey Turner. The production, which explored themes of pointless conflict through absurd warfare between indistinguishable armies, ran at the Cottesloe Theatre from July to October and highlighted Needham's versatility in ensemble comedy. Critics praised the play's sharp wit, with Needham contributing to its chaotic energy amid a cast of 29 performers. Beyond the National Theatre, Needham took on a lead role as the tyrannical Emperor in Jean Racine's Britannicus (2011) at , directed by Irina Brown, earning a nomination for the Award for his portrayal of the young despot's psychological unraveling. The production, a modern-dress adaptation emphasizing 's inner turmoil and ironic humor, transferred from the and was lauded for its intense exploration of power and manipulation in . Needham's performance captured the character's shift from petulant youth to ruthless leader, blending vulnerability with menace in a stark, music-hall setting that amplified the tragedy's intimacy. At , Needham appeared in several Shakespearean productions, notably as the arrogant Emperor Saturninus in Lucy Bailey's visceral revival of (2014, with filmed release in 2015), where he embodied the weak-willed ruler amid the play's graphic violence and revenge cycles. The production, known for its innovative use of stage blood and sensory immersion, contrasted classical tragedy with raw physicality, drawing audiences into the horror of imperial decay. Needham also played Rafe in Francis Beaumont's The Knight of the Burning Pestle (2014) at the Globe, directed by Adele Thomas, a meta-comedy that satirized theatrical conventions, and (2015). Needham's work at other venues often balanced classical revivals with modern adaptations, showcasing his range across intimate and experimental spaces. In Jackie Sibblies Drury's contemporary play Fairview (2019) at the , directed by Nadia Latif, he tackled themes of race, privilege, and voyeurism in a family gathering that spirals into societal , marking a shift toward issue-driven contemporary drama. At the , he starred as John Buchanan in ' Summer and Smoke (2018), directed by , a role that transferred to the and explored repressed desire in early 20th-century ; his nuanced depiction of the conflicted doctor earned acclaim for bridging psychological depth with poetic intensity. Additional appearances include Arnold in Harvey Fierstein's (2019) at the Turbine Theatre, directed by Drew McOnie, and multiple roles including Perry, Stockton, and Harrington in the 's adaptation of (2017), directed by Richard Jones, further demonstrating his engagement with narratives and . These roles reflect Needham's affinity for productions that juxtapose timeless human struggles—ambition, identity, and power—with innovative staging in non-traditional venues.

Filmography

Feature films

Needham made his screen debut in the short film Stutterer (2015), portraying Greenwood, a reclusive typographer grappling with a severe stutter while navigating an online romance. The film won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 2016. In The Ritual (2017), a directed by , Needham appeared as the Junkie, a fleeting but eerie character encountered by the protagonists in a remote Swedish forest. Needham portrayed , 's supportive yet politically ambitious younger brother, in Ridley Scott's historical epic Napoleon (2023). Needham starred as Oscar, a man facing energy scarcity while caring for his ailing husband in a dystopian future, in the The Generators (2024), directed by Georgie Cowan-Turner.

Television series

Needham first gained prominence on British television with his recurring role as junior doctor Toby De Silva in the long-running Casualty, appearing in 61 episodes from 2007 to 2009. In 2010, he guest-starred as Bezza (also known as Barry Berwick) in the series Sherlock, in the episode "The Great Game". Needham appeared in the ITV medical drama Monroe in 2011, playing in one episode. He portrayed Jessop in the 2017 episode "Canticle" of the ITV prequel series Endeavour. In 2019, Needham appeared as Dmitri in the episode "Please Remain Calm" of the miniseries Chernobyl. Also in 2019, Needham played the recurring role of Mr. Crowe in seven episodes of the period drama . In 2021, Needham voiced and portrayed Old Swarm in two episodes ("The Halloween Apocalypse" and "Once, Upon Time") of the BBC series Doctor Who. In 2023, he played Mr. Drummle in the FX/Hulu miniseries Great Expectations, appearing in four episodes. Since 2022, Needham has portrayed the scheming Lord Larys Strong in the HBO fantasy series House of the Dragon, appearing in 13 episodes across the first two seasons as of 2024. Needham is set to appear as Yahya in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video miniseries Blade Runner 2099, which is in and slated for release in 2026.

References

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  34. https://www.rsc.org.uk/henry-iv-part-i/past-productions/gregory-doran-2014-production/production-and-rehearsal-photos
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