Finn Cole Bio
Finlay Lewis Cole is an English actor whose work spans television drama, feature film and stage. Cole first gained broad recognition for his portrayal of Michael Gray in the BBC series Peaky Blinders and expanded his profile internationally with the lead role of Joshua “J” Cody in TNT’s Animal Kingdom and a notable appearance as young Jakob Toretto in the film F9.
Early Life and Background
Finlay Lewis Cole was born on 9 November 1995 in London, England and was raised in a family of five brothers. He grew up in London and was the fourth of five sons, an upbringing that his family and early environment shaped toward practical ambitions before he moved into acting.
Cole attended Esher College as part of his formal education. His eldest brother, Joe Cole, later helped him gain access to professional auditions early in his career, including the audition that led to his first major television role.
Path to Celebrity
Cole began acting as a teenager and took early, formative steps through television auditions and small screen appearances. He benefited from family connections to the industry and from training that prepared him for both contemporary and period projects, positioning him for roles on British television and international series.
By his late teens Cole was auditioning for high-profile British productions; his early exposure to television drama set the stage for steady work across UK and U.S. projects and for later movement into feature films and the theatre.
Finn Cole Career
Early Career (2012–2014)
Cole’s professional career began in 2012, with early appearances that led to larger supporting and guest roles. His first notable television castings came in the years that followed as he worked to establish himself within British television drama.
In 2014 Cole won a main role in Peaky Blinders, a BBC crime drama, marking his transition from newcomer to a regular presence on a major period series. That casting effectively positioned him within a well-known ensemble and gave him sustained exposure to international audiences.
Breakthrough (2014–2016)
Cole’s breakthrough came with Peaky Blinders, where he played Michael Gray beginning in 2014. The role placed Finlay Lewis Cole in a central family storyline and provided a platform for subsequent work across television and film. Peaky Blinders ran across multiple seasons, and Cole remained identified with the character as the series progressed.
Following his Peaky Blinders debut, Cole expanded into other television projects, including a role in the BBC One adaptation of An Inspector Calls in 2015 and a guest appearance on the detective series Lewis. These appearances reinforced his versatility across contemporary and period drama.
Continued Television and Film Work (2016–2023)
From 2016 to 2022 Cole starred as Joshua “J” Cody in the American drama series Animal Kingdom on TNT, a main role that introduced him to U.S. audiences and showcased his ability to carry a serialized drama. The part offered sustained screen time and allowed him to develop a different character type from his work on Peaky Blinders.
Across the late 2010s and early 2020s Cole broadened his filmography with supporting and lead roles in feature films. His film credits from this period include the comedy horror Slaughterhouse Rulez (2018), the period thriller Dreamland (2019), and the drama Here Are the Young Men (2020). In 2021 he appeared as a young Jakob Toretto in F9, a high-profile studio film that added a major franchise credit to his resume. In 2023 he appeared as Jamie in the psychological thriller Locked In for Netflix.
Stage Debut and Recent Projects (2024–2025)
In 2024 Cole made his stage debut in Red Speedo by Lucas Hnath at the Orange Tree Theatre, marking his first verified theatrical appearance and demonstrating a move into live performance work. The stage role added a new dimension to his screen-focused career and offered an opportunity to apply his screen experience to theatre.
Looking to 2025, Cole is listed as starring in the film Last Breath, a recent feature credit that continues his progression into varied film projects. This sequence of film and stage work highlights a continued focus on diverse roles across formats.
Notable Works and Milestones
Finlay Lewis Cole’s signature work includes his portrayal of Michael Gray in Peaky Blinders and Joshua “J” Cody in Animal Kingdom, two long-running series that defined his early adult career. His appearance as young Jakob Toretto in F9 is a notable studio credit, and his stage debut in Red Speedo represents a notable expansion of his professional range.
Finn Cole Family
Cole is part of a family with multiple siblings; his brother Joe Cole is also an actor and is cited as having helped open early opportunities in Cole’s career. Public records list Joe Cole as a relative and acknowledge their familial connection within the industry.
Personal Life
Publicly available information records Finlay Lewis Cole’s education at Esher College and his upbringing in London. Details about partners or children are not recorded in the verified inputs for this profile and therefore are not included.
Cole continues to divide his work between British and international projects across television, film and theatre, maintaining a professional profile focused on a range of dramatic and genre roles.