Matt Smith | |
|---|---|
 Smith in 2023 | |
| Born | Matthew Robert Smith (1982-10-28)28 October 1982 (age 43) Northampton, England |
| Alma mater | University of East Anglia |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Signature | |
 | |
Matthew Robert Smith (born 28 October 1982)[1] is an English actor. He is best known as theEleventh Doctor inDoctor Who (2010–2013),Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh inThe Crown (2016–2017) for which he received aPrimetime Emmy Award nomination andDaemon Targaryen inHouse of the Dragon (2022–present).
Smith initially aspired to be a professionalfootballer, butspondylolysis forced him out of the sport. After joining theNational Youth Theatre and studying drama and creative writing at theUniversity of East Anglia, he became an actor in 2003, performing in plays includingMurder in the Cathedral,Fresh Kills,The History Boys andOn the Shore of the Wide World in London theatres. Extending his repertoire intoWest End theatre, he has since performed in the stage adaptation ofSwimming with Sharks withChristian Slater, followed a year later by a critically acclaimed performance inThat Face.
Smith's first television role came in 2006 asJim Taylor in the BBC adaptations ofPhilip Pullman'sThe Ruby in the Smoke andThe Shadow in the North, while his first major TV role came as Danny in the 2007 BBC seriesParty Animals. In film, he has played thephysical forms ofSkynet in the sci-fi action filmTerminator Genisys (2015), a 1960s pimp in the psychological horror filmLast Night in Soho (2021),Milo Morbius in the superhero filmMorbius (2022), and a 1990s punk in theDarren Aronofsky crime thrillerCaught Stealing (2025).
Matthew Robert Smith was born inNorthampton, England on 28 October 1982,[1] the son of Lynne and David Smith.[2] He has an elder sister named Laura Jayne, who was one of the dancers featured in the music video forEric Prydz's 2004 song "Call on Me".[3] Smith attendedNorthampton School for Boys. His grandfather had played football forNotts County and Smith had also planned to play football, having played for the youth teams ofNorthampton Town,Nottingham Forest, andLeicester City,[4] becoming captain of the latter's youth team.[5] A serious back injury resulted inspondylolysis; he was unable to continue with a footballing career.[5][6]
Smith's drama teacher introduced him to acting by signing him up for theatrical productions without his consent. After Smith failed to participate on the first two occasions,[5] his teacher arranged for him to play the tenth juror in an adaptation ofTwelve Angry Men. Although he took part, he refused to attend a drama festival for which his teacher had also signed him up, as he saw himself as a footballer and believed acting would damage his social life.[7] His teacher persisted, eventually persuading him to join theNational Youth Theatre in London. After leaving school, Smith studied Drama and Creative Writing at theUniversity of East Anglia, graduating in 2005.[7][8] With the National Youth Theatre, he playedThomas Becket inMurder in the Cathedral (2003) and Bassoon inThe Master and Margarita (2004). His role in the latter earned him an agent and his first professional jobs,Fresh Kills andOn the Shore of the Wide World, which led him to seek an agreement with his university so that he could graduate without attending lectures in his final year.[9]
Smith's first television role was as Jim Taylor in theBBC adaptations of theSally Lockhart quartet booksThe Ruby in the Smoke andThe Shadow in the North.[10] His first major television role came in the television seriesParty Animals, a BBC drama series about fictionalparliamentary advisors and researchers. Smith portrayed Danny Foster, a parliamentary researcher who was described as an intelligent but timid "politics geek" who should have moved on from researching at his age.[11] In an interview in 2007, Smith summarised the character as having a romantic outlook of the political world while being cynical elsewhere. He talked about his character's emotional and intellectual maturity; emotionally, he lacks confidence around women, though Smith portrays him as a caring and sensitive but "wry, sarcastic, [and] witty" romantic. Intellectually, Danny is portrayed as attentive and possessing a strong work ethic.[12]
During Smith's tenure inOn the Shore of the Wide World, the play transferred to theRoyal National Theatre in London. After finishing the play, he took on the role of Lockwood, a pupil in theAlan Bennett playThe History Boys. AfterThe History Boys, he acted in the teen playBurn/Chatroom/Citizenship and withChristian Slater inSwimming with Sharks,[13] the latter being his West End début.[7][9] In 2007, Smith appeared as Henry in thePolly Stenham playThat Face at theRoyal Court Theatre Upstairs inChelsea. The play transferred to theDuke of York's Theatre in theWest End in 2008 and became Smith's second role there.That Face focuses primarily upon alcohol and drug addiction in an upper-middle-class family after the paternal figure in the family leaves. As Henry, Smith portrayed an aspiring artist who left school to take care of his mother. To prepare for the role, the cast interviewed alcoholics and their families. Smith discussed his character's relationship with his mother in a May 2008 interview with theEvening Standard, saying, "The thing I find tricky to get my head round is why doesn't he just leave? An awful lot of it is co-dependency. ... With Henry there's a real belief—or denial maybe—that he can change his mother. When she is finally pulled away from him to go to rehab, his identity collapses. His sacrifice has been for nothing."[7] The entire cast of the play was nominated for the 2008Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre,[14] and Smith garnered anEvening Standard Theatre Award nomination for Best Newcomer for his role.[15] Upon its transfer to the West End, Smith's performance as Henry was highlighted as one of the positive aspects of the play by critics for theEvening Standard,Daily Express,The Guardian andThe Times.[16]
Smith auditioned for the role ofWill McKenzie in the comedy seriesThe Inbetweeners, with the part eventually being given to comedian and actorSimon Bird. The show's writerIain Morris said, "We auditioned literally 1000 people [...] He was brilliant - down to the last two for Will, I think. I think he was a bit too dashing!"[17] Smith was cast inMartin McDonagh's black comedy crimeIn Bruges (2008), as the younger version ofRalph Fiennes' character, but his scenes did not appear in the final cut of the film.[18] He starred in the 2009 short filmTogether and the filmWomb (2010).[19]
The Doctor is a very special part, and it takes a very special actor to play him. You need to be old and young at the same time, a boffin and an action hero, a cheeky schoolboy and the wise old man of the universe. As soon as Matt walked through the door, and blew us away with a bold and brand new take on the Time Lord, we knew we had our man.
Smith was revealed as theEleventh Doctor in the British science-fiction television seriesDoctor Who in January 2009[21][22][23] to followDavid Tennant, who announced his departure in October 2008.[24] Smith was a relatively unknown actor compared to the actors then speculated about possibly taking on the role, who includedPaterson Joseph,David Morrissey,Sean Pertwee,James Nesbitt,Russell Tovey,Catherine Zeta-Jones,Chiwetel Ejiofor,Robert Carlyle, andBillie Piper.[25] Smith was first named as a possible successor less than a day before he was announced as the Eleventh Doctor, on the edition of 3 January 2009 ofBBC Breakfast, among the names speculated about.[26] His obscurity prompted the news headline "Doctor Who?", a riff on the show's title.[27][28]
Smith was one of the earliest actors to audition for the role, performing on the first day. The production team, consisting of incoming producerSteven Moffat and BBC Wales Head of Drama and executive producerPiers Wenger, immediately singled him out based on his performance.[21] Smith additionally auditioned for the role ofJohn Watson in the Moffat-createdSherlock, undergoing auditions at the same time; he was unsuccessful, as Moffat believed his eccentric acting style was closer toHolmes, a role that had already been given toBenedict Cumberbatch.[29] At 26 years old, Smith was three years younger thanPeter Davison was at the time of his casting as the Doctor in 1981, making him the youngest Doctor and the youngest actor to be suggested for the role.[21][30] After three weeks of auditions, Moffat and Wenger agreed that it had "always been Matt" and approached him to accept the role.[21][31][32][33]
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Smith made his debut asthe Doctor in the episode "The Eleventh Hour" in April 2010.[34] The BBC were cautious about casting Smith because they felt that a 26-year-old could not play the Doctor adequately; Wenger shared the same sentiment but thought Smith had proven his acting quality inParty Animals, which Wenger thought highlighted Smith's "mercurial qualities".[20][21] Some fans of the show believed that Smith was inexperienced and too young for the role, while others supported him by citing his demonstrated acting ability.[35] For his performance in his first series, he was nominated in the Outstanding Drama Performance Category of theNational Television Awards.[36] Smith is the first actor in the role to garner a nomination for aBritish Academy Television Award for Best Actor.[37]
Smith said of his character: "The Doctor is excited and fascinated by the tiniest of things. By everything. By every single thing. That's what's wonderful about him as a character. It's why children like him, I think. Because he doesn't dismiss anything. He's not cynical. He's open to every single facet of the universe."[38] In June 2010, Smith appeared on stage withOrbital, and performed with them a version of theDoctor Who theme, at theGlastonbury Festival.[39] Smith hosted theDoctor Who Prom at theRoyal Albert Hall on 24–25 July 2010.[40] On the morning of 26 May 2012, Smith carried theOlympic torch inCardiff, an activity which was noted byDoctor Who fans for its resemblance to a2006 episode of the show in which the Doctor carried the torch.[41] On 1 June 2013, the BBC announced that Smith would be leavingDoctor Who at the end of the2013 Christmas special.[42] He was succeeded byPeter Capaldi.[43] Reflecting upon his decision to leave in a 2016 interview, he expressed regret for not staying longer, stating that he wanted to work longer with co-starJenna Coleman.[44] In 2018, while appearing onDesert Island Discs, he revealed that he nearly turned down the role of the Doctor.[5] Smith's directorial debut, the short filmCargese, was aired onSky Arts in May 2013.[45][46]
Smith portrayedPatrick Bateman in themusical adaptation ofAmerican Psycho at London'sAlmeida Theatre from 2013 to 2014.[47] Smith was cast inRyan Gosling's directorial debutLost River, which was released in 2014.[48][49] Smith had a supporting role as the embodiment of Skynet inTerminator Genisys (2015).[50][51][52] He was set to have more screen time in the sixth and seventh films in theseries, but these proposed films were cancelled in the wake ofTerminator Genisys' commercial and critical failure.[53] On 20 November 2014, it was announced that Smith would star in the action-thriller filmPatient Zero.[54] It was released in 2018, and received negative reviews.[55] In June 2015, Smith was cast asPrince Philip in theNetflix royal dramaThe Crown.[56] He played the role for the series' first two seasons,[57] garnering a nomination for thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2018.[58] Smith reunited with hisThe Crown co-starClaire Foy in a production of theDuncan Macmillan playLungs atThe Old Vic beginning in October 2019.[59]
In 2020, Smith was cast asDaemon Targaryen in theHBO fantasy seriesHouse of the Dragon, a prequel to the fantasy drama seriesGame of Thrones.[60][61] The series premiered on 21 August 2022.[62] For his performance he received a nomination for theCritics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2023.[63] Smith joined the cast ofEdgar Wright's psychological horror-mysteryLast Night in Soho starring oppositeThomasin McKenzie andAnya Taylor-Joy.[64][65] The film was released in 2021.[66] In 2021, Smith appeared in the music videos for the songs "We're On Our Way Now" and "Flying on the Ground" byNoel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.[67]
Smith joined theSony's Spider-Man Universespin-off filmMorbius (2022) asLucien / Milo, a living vampire, although he was initially announced to be portraying thesupervillainLoxias Crown / Hunger.[68][69] It received negative reviews, although Smith's performance garnered some praise from critics.[70][71] In 2024 Smith returned to the West End to star in a modern retelling of theHenrik Ibsen playAn Enemy of the People.[72] He portrayed Dr. Thomas Stockmann acting oppositeJessica Brown Findlay portraying his daughter, Petra Stockmann.[73]Time Out wrote, "In a fine cast, it often feels like Smith is happy to keep it low-key, a largely charming stage presence who doesn't attempt to upstage [the cast]".[74] Nick Curtis ofThe Evening Standard gave the mixed review writing, "The casually charismatic Smith and a fine supporting cast can't stop it falling apart in the second half."[75]
Smith was in a relationship with Brazilian actress and singerMayana Moura from 2008 to 2009.[76] He also had an on-off relationship with modelDaisy Lowe from 2010 to 2014.[77][78] From 2014 to 2019, he was in a relationship with actressLily James.[79][80]
Smith is anatheist.[81] He is an avid supporter ofBlackburn Rovers.[82][83] He has cited his favourite bandRadiohead as an inspiration.[84] He has also referred toOasis as "the greatest rock-and-roll band in the world";[5] a friend ofNoel Gallagher, he attended his 50th birthday party in 2017.[85]
In 2015, Smith was named one ofGQ's 50 Best-Dressed British Men.[86][87]
| † | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | In Bruges | Young Harry Waters | Deleted scene | |
| 2010 | Womb | Thomas | ||
| 2014 | Lost River | Bully | ||
| 2015 | Terminator Genisys | Alex /Skynet /The T-5000 | Credited as Matthew Smith | [88] |
| 2016 | Pride and Prejudice and Zombies | Mr. Parson William Collins | ||
| 2018 | Mapplethorpe | Robert Mapplethorpe | ||
| Patient Zero | Morgan | |||
| Charlie Says | Charles Manson | |||
| 2019 | Official Secrets | Martin Bright | ||
| 2020 | His House | Mark Essworth | ||
| 2021 | Last Night in Soho | Jack | [89] | |
| The Forgiven | Richard Galloway | |||
| 2022 | Morbius | Lucien / Milo | [90] | |
| 2023 | Starve Acre | Richard | ||
| 2025 | Caught Stealing | Russ Binder | [91] | |
| 2027 | Star Wars: Starfighter† | TBA | Filming |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | The Ruby in the Smoke | Jim Taylor | Television film |
| 2007 | The Shadow in the North | Jim Taylor | Television film |
| Party Animals | Danny Foster | Main cast | |
| Secret Diary of a Call Girl | Tim | 1 episode | |
| The Street | Ian Hanley | 1 episode | |
| 2009 | Moses Jones | DS Dan Twentyman | Miniseries, 3 episodes |
| 2010–2014 | Doctor Who | Eleventh Doctor | Main cast (series 5–7, 2013 specials) Guest role (series 8, 1 episode) |
| 2010 | The Sarah Jane Adventures | Guest role, 2-part episode:Death of the Doctor | |
| 2011 | Christopher and His Kind | Christopher Isherwood | Television film |
| 2012 | Bert and Dickie | Bert Bushnell | Television film |
| 2013 | An Adventure in Space and Time | Himself | Television film[92] |
| The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot | Himself | Television film | |
| 2016–2017 | The Crown | Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh | Main role (seasons 1–2) |
| 2021 | This Time with Alan Partridge | Dan Milner | 1 episode |
| Superworm | Superworm | Voice | |
| 2022–present | House of the Dragon | Daemon Targaryen | Main cast |
| 2025 | The Death of Bunny Munro | Bunny Munro | Main cast, also executive producer |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Murder in the Cathedral | Thomas Becket | National Youth Theatre | |
| 2004 | The Master and Margarita | Basoon | Lyric Hammersmith | |
| Fresh Kills | Arnold | Royal Court Theatre Upstairs | ||
| 2005 | On the Shore of the Wide World | Paul Danzinger | Royal Exchange Royal National Theatre | |
| 2005–2006 | The History Boys | Lockwood | Royal National Theatre | |
| 2006 | Burn/Chatroom/Citizenship | Tom/William/Gary | ||
| 2007 | That Face | Henry | Royal Court Theatre Upstairs | |
| 2007–2008 | Swimming with Sharks | Guy | Vaudeville Theatre | |
| 2008 | That Face | Henry | Duke of York's Theatre | |
| 2010 | Doctor Who Live: The Monsters Are Coming! | Eleventh Doctor | Wembley Arena | |
| 2011–2012 | The Crash of the Elysium | Eleventh Doctor | MediaCityUK | |
| 2013–2014 | American Psycho | Patrick Bateman | Almeida Theatre | |
| 2016 | Unreachable | Maxim[93] | Royal Court Theatre | |
| 2019 | Lungs | M | The Old Vic | |
| 2024 | An Enemy of the People | Thomas Stockmann | Duke of York's Theatre |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Doctor Who: The Adventure Games | Eleventh Doctor | ||
| Doctor Who: Return to Earth | ||||
| Doctor Who: Evacuation Earth | ||||
| 2012 | Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock | |||
| 2015 | Lego Dimensions | Archive audio |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Together | Rob | ||
| 2013 | Cargese | — | Director | |
| 2021 | "We're On Our Way Now" byNoel Gallagher's High Flying Birds | Music video | ||
| "Flying on the Ground" by Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds | Music video |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Doctor Who: The Runaway Train | Narrator | BBC Audio | |
| 2011 | Doctor Who: The Jade Pyramid | |||
| Doctor Who: The Hounds of Artemis |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | The Doctors Say Thank You | Himself |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | TV Quick Awards | Best Actor | Doctor Who | Nominated | |
| 2011 | SFX Awards | Won | |||
| National Television Awards | Outstanding Drama Performance: Male | Nominated | |||
| BAFTA TV Awards | Best Actor | Nominated | |||
| TV Quick Awards | Best Actor | Nominated | |||
| 2012 | Nominated | ||||
| SFX Awards[94] | Won | ||||
| National Television Awards | Outstanding Drama Performance: Male | Won | |||
| 2013 | Nominated | ||||
| 2014 | Won | ||||
| 2016 | BloodGuts UK Horror Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Pride and Prejudice and Zombies | Nominated | |
| 2017 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | The Crown | Nominated | |
| Broadcasting Press Guild Awards[95][96] | Best Actor | Nominated | |||
| Online Film & Television Association Awards | Best Actor in a Drama Series | Nominated | |||
| 2018 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Nominated | ||
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | Nominated | |||
| 2023 | Critics' Choice Awards[97] | Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | House of the Dragon | Nominated |
"Doctor Who" alum Matt Smith will star in "Patient Zero", a Sony spokesperson told TheWrap.
| Preceded by | Doctor Who leading actor 2010–2013 | Succeeded by |
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