Connor Swindells | |
|---|---|
Swindells in 2024 | |
| Born | Connor Ryan Swindells (1996-09-19)19 September 1996 (age 29) Lewes,East Sussex, England |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, model |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Spouse | |
Connor Ryan Swindells (born 19 September 1996) is an English actor and model. He gained prominence through his role as Adam Groff in theNetflix comedy-dramaSex Education (2019–2023). He has since starred in theBBC One war dramaSAS: Rogue Heroes (2022–present). His films includeThe Vanishing (2018),Emma (2020),Barbarians (2021), andBarbie (2023).
Connor Ryan Swindells[1] was born inLewes, East Sussex, the youngest of four sons to parents Ian and Phoebe. His mother, ofRomani descent,[2] died ofbowel cancer when Swindells was seven years old, which he has said he is still processing.[3] After her death, he and his father went to live with Swindells' paternal grandparents inWest Chiltington until moving out toBillingshurst, both in theHorsham District of West Sussex.[4]
Swindells attendedRydon Community College andSteyning Grammar School.[5] He dropped out of college at age 17.[6]
Swindells began acting when he saw an audition poster for a local play and his friend dared him to audition; he got the lead role. He then acted in two more local plays and signed with an agent at the end of the third play.[7]
In 2017 Swindells made his television debut with guest appearances as Mostyn in theHulu period dramaHarlots (2017),[8] and as Fletcher in theSky One historical dramaJamestown.[8]
In March 2017, Swindells was cast to replaceJoe Alwyn as Donald inThe Vanishing,[9] a Scottish psychological thriller film directed by Kristoffer Nyholm, co-starringGerard Butler andPeter Mullan.[9] The film screened at the 2018 Sitges Film Festival before having a theatrical release on 4 January 2019.[9] Swindells also starred as Adam in the 2018 drama filmVS.[10]
In 2019 Swindells began starring as Adam Groff, the headmaster's son, alongsideNcuti Gatwa,Emma Mackey,Asa Butterfield, andGillian Anderson in theNetflix comedy-drama seriesSex Education (2019–2023).[8]
Swindells appeared in the filmsEmma (2020),[8] andBarbarians (2021),[8] and played Simon Hadlow in the 2021BBC One crime dramaVigil,[8] led bySuranne Jones. The following year, he began starring in the lead role ofDavid Stirling in theWorld War II BBC One seriesSAS: Rogue Heroes.[8]
Swindells appeared inGreta Gerwig'sBarbie, reuniting with hisSex Education co-stars Ncuti Gatwa and Emma Mackey.[11]
In 2024, he played Jae Donnelly in the Netflix filmScoop (2024).[8] Later that year he portrayedGessler in the filmWilliam Tell (2024).[12]
In 2025, he played DS Ed McCusker in theLockerbie based miniseriesThe Bombing of Pan Am 103.[13]
Since 2020, Swindells has been in a relationship with actressAmber Anderson, who also appeared in the filmEmma.[14] They married in the Scottish Highlands in October 2024. Their wedding was officiated byAlistair Petrie, who plays Swindells' father inSex Education.[15]
| † | Denotes works that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | VS. | Adam | |
| 2019 | The Vanishing | Donald McArthur | |
| 2020 | Emma | Robert Martin | |
| 2021 | Barbarians | Dan | |
| 2023 | Barbie | Aaron Dinkins | |
| 2024 | Scoop | Jae Donnelly | |
| William Tell | Gessler | [12] | |
| 2025 | Jingle Bell Heist† | Nick | Post-production[16] |
| TBA | The Entertainment System Is Down† | Post-production |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Harlots | Mostyn | Episode #1.3 |
| Jamestown | Fletcher | Episode #1.5 | |
| 2019–2023 | Sex Education | Adam Groff | Main role; 30 episodes |
| 2021 | Vigil | Lieutenant Simon Hadlow | Miniseries |
| Dodo | Jamie Connoly | Recurring role; 5 episodes[17] | |
| 2022–present | SAS: Rogue Heroes | David Stirling | Main role |
| 2024 | The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin | Tommy Silversides | |
| 2025 | The Bombing of Pan Am 103 | DS Ed McCusker | Miniseries[13] |
| TBA | The Dream Lands† | Kole | Filming[18] |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Screen International | Stars of Tomorrow | Inducted | [19] | |
| 2019 | MTV Movie Awards | Best Kiss (withNcuti Gatwa) | Sex Education | Nominated | [20] |
| 2022 | Series Em Cena Awards | Best Comedy Star | Nominated | [21] | |
| 2023 | Broadcasting Press Guild Awards | Best Actor | SAS: Rogue Heroes | Nominated | [21] |