Harris Dickinson Bio
Harris Dickinson is an English actor born on 24 June 1996 in London, England. He is recognized for his work across British and American film and television, having built a steady career that moved from small independent projects to major studio productions. Over the years, he has earned recognition from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and other industry organizations for both leading and supporting roles.
Dickinson first drew widespread attention with his leading performance in the drama film Beach Rats (2017) and has since appeared in a wide range of feature films, limited series, and prestige projects. In 2025, he expanded his career behind the camera with his feature-length directorial debut, marking a new chapter in his work in the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Background
Harris Dickinson was born on 24 June 1996 at Whipps Cross University Hospital in East London. He grew up in Highams Park, a neighborhood in the northeastern part of the city. As a young student, he was interested in film and theatre, and he began exploring those subjects while still in school.
At the age of 17, Dickinson decided to leave school, where he had been studying film and theatre, in order to focus on his creative ambitions. Before settling on acting as a career path, he briefly considered joining the Royal Marines. That plan changed after his coach at the RAW Academy in London encouraged him to return to theatre and continue developing his craft.
Path to Acting
Dickinson’s early path into acting was shaped by training at the RAW Academy in London, where he was supported by mentors who recognized his potential. With their encouragement, he shifted his focus away from military service and toward a professional career in performance. This period of training gave him the foundation he needed to begin auditioning for screen roles.
His early career in British television allowed him to gain on-set experience and adjust to the demands of the entertainment industry. He took on a series of small parts that helped him develop the discipline required for film work. These formative years eventually led to his casting in his first major film role, which helped establish him as a rising talent.
Harris Dickinson Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Harris Dickinson began his professional acting career in 2014, working in British television during his late teenage years. His earliest screen credits came from these early television appearances, where he learned the basics of working on professional sets and developed a sense of timing and presence on camera.
His first leading role came in 2016, when he was cast as Frankie, a young man struggling with his sexuality, in the American independent drama Beach Rats. The film premiered in 2017, and Dickinson’s performance was praised by critics, including Ed Potton of The Times, who noted that Dickinson had perfected a south Brooklyn accent for the part. For this role, he received nominations for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead and the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor.
Breakthrough (2018–2020)
In 2018, Dickinson expanded his profile by starring in the FX drama series Trust, where he played John Paul Getty III, the grandson of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty. The role introduced him to a wider American audience and demonstrated his ability to carry a major television production. He continued building his range with voice work in the Netflix fantasy series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance in 2019, voicing the character Gurjin.
Also in 2019, Dickinson appeared in the fantasy film Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, marking his entry into large-scale studio productions. He also starred in The Darkest Minds and appeared in the French-Canadian film Matthias & Maxime, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. These roles showed his willingness to take on a variety of genres, from fantasy to drama to character-driven art-house films.
He went on to take part in the period drama Blitz and the erotic drama Babygirl (2024), in which he starred alongside Nicole Kidman. Critics praised his screen presence, with David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter writing that Dickinson brings a kind of unforced intensity to his roles.
Notable Works and Milestones
Among his most recognized works are Beach Rats (2017), Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019), The King’s Man (2021), Triangle of Sadness (2022), Where the Crawdads Sing (2022), The Iron Claw (2023), and Babygirl (2024). His television work includes the FX series Trust (2018), the miniseries A Murder at the End of the World (2023), and the film Scrapper, which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. In 2025, his directorial debut Urchin premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and won the FIPRESCI Prize along with a best actor award, marking a major milestone in his creative career.
Harris Dickinson Award Nominations
Harris Dickinson has received two BAFTA Award nominations across his career, recognizing both his film and television work. In 2021, he was nominated for the EE Rising Star Award at the BAFTA Film Awards for his role in The King’s Man. In 2023, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the British Academy Television Awards for his performance in A Murder at the End of the World. Earlier in his career, he also received a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead for Beach Rats and a nomination for the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor.
Harris Dickinson Awards Won
Harris Dickinson has earned recognition for both his acting and his work as a filmmaker. In 2025, his feature-length directorial debut Urchin won the FIPRESCI Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, where the film also won a best actor award. These honors reflect his growing influence as both a performer and a creative voice in the international film industry.
Harris Dickinson Family
Public information about Harris Dickinson’s immediate family is limited. He was raised in Highams Park in East London, and his early interest in film and theatre was supported through his education and his time at the RAW Academy. Details about his parents and siblings have not been widely shared in verified sources.
Personal Life
Harris Dickinson has been in a long-term relationship with the musical artist Rose Gray, whom he first met while in secondary school. The couple married on 13 May 2026 in a civil ceremony at Islington Town Hall. Dickinson has directed music videos for Rose Gray, including the projects for her songs “Blue” and “Afraid of Nothing”. In April 2025, Dickinson signed an open letter in support of trans rights, and in September 2025, he became a signatory of the Film Workers for Palestine boycott pledge.
