David Hewlett Bio
David Ian Hewlett (born 18 April 1968) is a British and Canadian actor, writer and director best known for his portrayal of Dr. Rodney McKay in the Stargate science-fiction franchise. Hewlett first gained attention for his television work on Traders and for his early film roles in Pin and Cube, and he has written and directed independent projects including A Dog’s Breakfast.
Early Life and Background
David Ian Hewlett was born in Redhill, Surrey, England, to Canadian parents and moved with his family to Canada at the age of four. He received his first computer in his mid-teens and described himself as a computer enthusiast during his youth.
While attending high school in Toronto Hewlett began acting in student films by director Vincenzo Natali and launched his professional career at sixteen in 1984. He left high school in his senior year to pursue acting and computing, and early in his adult life he ran a website design firm called Darkyl Media and helped found Fusefilm.com, an online community for filmmakers.
Path to Celebrity
Hewlett built his early résumé with appearances in low-budget horror and science-fiction films, including Pin and Scanners II: The New Order, which brought him attention within genre circles. His collaboration with director Vincenzo Natali and work in student and independent projects established him as a reliable character actor in Canadian film and television.
The mid-1990s marked a transition to more prominent television work when Hewlett was cast as Grant Jansky on the Canadian series Traders from 1996 to 2000. That role increased his visibility and led to feature work such as the psychological thriller Cube in 1997, in which he played the character David Worth.
David Hewlett Career
Early Career (1984–1996)
Hewlett began acting professionally in 1984 and spent the next decade building credits in genre cinema and television guest roles. He appeared in a string of low-budget horror and science-fiction films during this period, establishing a presence in cult and independent productions.
By the early 1990s Hewlett had secured roles in projects that garnered cult attention, including Scanners II: The New Order and Pin, and he continued to work steadily in television guest roles that prepared him for larger ensemble parts in the mid-1990s.
Traders Breakthrough (1996–2000)
In 1996 Hewlett landed one of his best-known early television roles as Grant Jansky on the series Traders. The multi-season run on Traders through 2000 raised his profile in Canadian television and demonstrated his ability to carry recurring dramatic work on a national series.
During and after his time on Traders Hewlett continued to appear in feature films, most notably the 1997 psychological thriller Cube, which became a defining early film credit and increased his recognition among international genre audiences.
Stargate Breakthrough (2004–2009)
Hewlett first appeared as Dr. Rodney McKay in a guest arc on Stargate SG-1, a role that expanded into a starring part on Stargate Atlantis beginning in 2004. His portrayal of the brilliant but socially blunt scientist Rodney McKay became his signature television role and introduced him to a large science-fiction fanbase.
Across his Stargate run Hewlett combined dramatic and comedic beats, showcasing both technical dialogue and character-driven moments that cemented McKay as a franchise favorite. The role also allowed Hewlett to expand into writing, directing and producing opportunities within his professional network and the broader genre community.
Independent Filmmaking and Later Work (2006–Present)
In 2006 Hewlett wrote and directed the independent comedy A Dog’s Breakfast, which featured several of his Stargate Atlantis co-stars and his sister, actress Kate Hewlett. The project demonstrated his interest in creating films outside traditional studio structures and in directing ensemble casts drawn from his television collaborators.
Hewlett continued to work both in front of and behind the camera in subsequent years. He directed the supernatural science-fiction horror film Debug in 2014 and created the short sci-fi comedy HEWLOGRAM in 2017 showcasing practical and digital filmmaking tools. He has also appeared in genre films such as Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) and taken recurring television roles, including a part on the Syfy series Dark Matter in 2015.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hewlett’s strengths lie in portraying technically minded, often dryly humorous characters in science-fiction and horror contexts. He combines a sharp comic timing with a grounded dramatic presence, and his on-screen persona frequently centers on intelligent, sometimes abrasive figures whose expertise drives plot solutions.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Hewlett’s career include his early breakout in Cube, his multi-season role on Traders, and his franchise-defining portrayal of Dr. Rodney McKay on Stargate Atlantis. His transition into writing and directing with A Dog’s Breakfast and later Debug marks a sustained effort to diversify his creative output beyond acting.
David Hewlett Career Highlights
Hewlett’s most widely recognized credits span television and film: Traders (1996–2000), Cube (1997), Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis (beginning 2004), A Dog’s Breakfast (2006), Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) and Debug (2014). He has remained active in genre cinema and television and has continued to pursue filmmaking projects that draw on his science-fiction background.
Other Wins & Perfromances
Beyond his principal credits Hewlett has maintained a steady presence in independent horror and science fiction, appearing in films and guest television roles that support his reputation as a dependable character actor within genre circles. He also created a YouTube channel, Fanatical, in 2006 to share his filmmaking interests and industry insights.
David Hewlett Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hewlett’s younger sister, Kate Hewlett, is an actress who has appeared on Stargate Atlantis as Jeannie Miller, the sister of Rodney McKay, in multiple episodes. Kate and David have collaborated on projects, including A Dog’s Breakfast.
Personal Life
Hewlett married actress Soo Garay in 2000; the couple divorced in 2004. He married Jane Loughman in 2008. When not filming, Hewlett has volunteered as a parent sponsor for a school PC and tech club focused on 3D printing, programming and repurposing technology.