Fans of talented and attractive British actors, get ready: BBC America is about to capture your attention with its new show London Spy . The five-part series stars notable British actors Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent, and Charlotte Rampling, but London Spy also features Edward Holcroft. The series already aired in the U.K., and, while the newcomer Holcroft may not be too familiar to American audiences right now, there is reason to expect that the young actor's career is about to to pick up some serious momentum — and it could all start with this BBC show.
According to the show's synopsis on the BBC America website, London Spy tells the story of Danny (Whishaw), a frequent party-goer, who falls fast in love with Alex (Holcroft), a brilliant introvert. The relationship takes a mysterious turn, though, when Alex goes missing under suspicious circumstances and Danny decides to pursue the case.
"It's a challenge that every actor dreams of, to play someone that is so not like you," Holcroft told Harper's Bazaar about playing Alex. "It has been hard, but it's a learning experience, a really enjoyable one, and I feel like I am pushing myself." But, just because Holcroft takes his role seriously doesn't mean he takes himself too seriously. He joked about the popularity of British actors in America recently in an interview with Rollacoster magazine. "I think Hollywood will wise up soon and realise we’re all pretty sh*t," he said.
Holcroft also told Rollacoster that he plans on keeping an "air of mystery" about himself, but that doesn't mean I wasn't able to find out a little bit more about this rising star. Ahead of London Spy's Jan. 21 premiere, here are a few things to know about the actor.
His Film & TV Résumé Is Surprisingly Sparse
If you hadn't heard of Edward Holcroft before, don't feel too bad since his film and TV career is still growing with only six projects listed on his IMDb page to date. His first films were in 2014 with Vampire Academy and Kingsman: The Secret Service, the latter in which he played the rival of the lead character Eggsy. In 2015, he was in the acclaimed miniseries Wolf Hall as George Boleyn and in the TV film Lady Chatterly's Lover. And, after this BBC America miniseries, Holcroft will next be seen in The Sense of an Ending, with London Spy co-stars Broadbent and Rampling.
He Has A Background In Theater
Just because Holcroft is pretty new to American audiences doesn't mean he isn't an experienced actor. He is currently in the stage adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses in London with Dominic West and Janet McTeer, which will be broadcast to some movie theaters (including those in the U.S.) starting on Jan. 28, thanks to National Theatre Live. Before landing that prominent gig, Holcroft earned a masters in acting at University of the Arts: London, and he starred as Romeo in a 2011 stage production of Romeo and Juliet.
He Used To Date Prince Harry's Ex
Holcroft was the subject of celebrity gossip in the summer of 2015 when he dated Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend — model, dancer, and actress Cressida Bonas. But, only a few months later, the pair broke up.
He Was A "U.K. Star Of Tomorrow"
Screen International releases its U.K. Stars of Tomorrow every year and, in 2014, Holcroft was among the young actors named. Along with Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams and his Kingsman co-star Taron Egerton, Holcroft is part of a group of talented young British thespians who are expected to make waves in Hollywood.
He Has Swanky Parents
The Daily Mail referred to Holcroft as the "son of Worcestershire's Lord Lieutenant Patrick Holcroft and his wife Annie, the publishing director of Vanity Fair." That might possibly be the most British and classiest explanation of parentage I've ever read.
Holcroft may be new to the American viewership, but London Spy's BBC America premiere on Thursday is sure to help his career in Hollywood really take off.
Images: Joss Barratt, Ed Miller/WTTV Limited; 20th Century Fox; Masterpiece
