David Ian Hewlett Bio
David Ian Hewlett (born 18 April 1968) is a British, Canadian and American actor, director and writer best known for his portrayal of Dr. Rodney McKay in the Stargate science-fiction franchise. Over a career that began in the mid-1980s, he has worked across low-budget horror and mainstream science fiction, and has written, directed and produced independent projects including the feature A Dog’s Breakfast.
Early Life and Background
David Ian Hewlett was born in Redhill, Surrey, England, and moved with his family to Canada at the age of four. While attending high school in Toronto he began acting in student films by Vincenzo Natali and developed an early interest in filmmaking, using an 8 mm camera to make science-fiction shorts with friends.
Hewlett described himself as a computer enthusiast in his teenage years and he ran a website design firm called Darkyl Media before his acting career expanded. He also founded Fusefilm.com, an internet community for filmmakers, during his early years in the industry and began working professionally around 1984.
Path to Celebrity
Hewlett’s early screen appearances included roles in low-budget and cult horror films such as Pin and Scanners II: The New Order, where he established himself in genre work. He appeared in television guest roles through the early 1990s and secured a regular role on the Canadian financial drama Traders beginning in 1996, which raised his profile in television.
In 1997 Hewlett collaborated again with director Vincenzo Natali on the psychological thriller Cube, playing the character David Worth and earning recognition for his performance in a film that has remained a reference point in cult science-fiction and independent cinema. His interest in science fiction and practical effects continued to shape the roles he accepted as his career progressed.
David Ian Hewlett Career
Early Career (1984–1996)
Hewlett began acting professionally in 1984 with small parts in student and independent films before moving into low-budget horror and television work. He built a steady body of genre credits across the late 1980s and early 1990s, appearing in titles that became minor cult favorites and gaining experience in both film sets and episodic television.
By the mid-1990s Hewlett secured more visible television work, most notably the role of Grant Jansky on the Canadian series Traders, which aired from 1996 and broadened his exposure to North American television audiences. The Traders role positioned him for higher-profile film opportunities that followed.
Breakthrough (1996–2006)
Hewlett’s performance in Cube (1997) was a turning point that brought international attention and critical acknowledgement within the independent film community. The film’s tense premise and ensemble cast allowed Hewlett to demonstrate range in psychological thriller material and increased offers for both film and television roles.
Hewlett first appeared as Dr. Rodney McKay in the Stargate universe with a four-episode guest arc on the Canadian-American science-fiction series Stargate SG-1, a performance that grew into a starring role on Stargate Atlantis. His portrayal of Rodney McKay became a defining element of his career, combining technical savvy, comedic timing and dramatic stakes across multiple seasons.
Stargate, Filmmaking and Later Genre Work (2004–2017)
On Stargate Atlantis Hewlett expanded his presence in international science-fiction television and became widely associated with the franchise character Dr. Rodney McKay. During and after his Stargate work he also wrote and directed the feature A Dog’s Breakfast, a 2006 project that starred members of his cast and family and showcased his interest in writing and directing independent genre and comedy material.
Hewlett continued to work in science-fiction television and film with later credits that include a recurring role on the Syfy series Dark Matter and the 2014 supernatural science-fiction horror film Debug, which he directed and which featured Jason Momoa in the cast. He remained active in short-form experimental projects, producing a sci-fi comedy short titled HEWLOGRAM and maintaining a YouTube presence through a channel he created in 2006 called Fanatical.
Notable Works and Milestones
Hewlett is best known for his long-running association with the Stargate franchise as Dr. Rodney McKay, a role that established him as a fixture of contemporary television science fiction. Aside from his acting credits, his written and directed film A Dog’s Breakfast and his direction of Debug represent key milestones that demonstrate his work behind the camera as well as on screen.
David Ian Hewlett Family
Hewlett’s younger sister is actress Kate Hewlett, who has appeared on Stargate Atlantis in the recurring role of Jeannie Miller, Rodney McKay’s sister. Kate Hewlett and David Ian Hewlett have collaborated professionally, including on his 2006 feature A Dog’s Breakfast.
Personal Life
David Ian Hewlett married actress Soo Garay in 2000; the marriage ended in 2004. He later married Jane Loughman in 2008. Known public information records Hewlett as holding citizenship in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.
When not working on film and television projects Hewlett has maintained an interest in technology and education, volunteering as a parent sponsor of a school PC and technology club that supports students learning programming, 3D printing and repurposing hardware. He continues to write, direct and act in genre projects while sustaining an active profile in independent filmmaking.