Ellis Howard

Ellis Howard
Howard at the 2026 British Academy Television Awards
Born
Ellis Francis Howard

1997 (age 28–29)
Liverpool, England
Occupations
  • Actor
  • writer
Years active2019–present

Ellis Francis Howard (born c. 1997) is an English actor and writer. On television, he is known for his roles in the BBC Three series Red Rose (2022) and What It Feels Like for a Girl (2025). He received a British Academy Television Award nomination for the latter.

Early life and education

Howard was born in Liverpool and grew up in Norris Green. His father is a dockworker and his mother an NHS worker.

Howard took acting classes at local performing arts school Rare Studio and was a member of the UK Youth Parliament scheme before studying acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating in 2018. He was a member of the National Youth Theatre.

Acting career

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2025 The Digital Spy Reader Awards TV - British Rising Star What It Feels Like for a Girl 2nd place
2026 RTS Programme Awards Breakthrough Award Nominated
2026 BAFTA Television Awards Leading Actor Nominated

Other activities

Howard is writing and developing a television drama, based on his experiences at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, with Toheeb Jimoh and developing an autobiographical show for Netflix.

Along with other members of his family, Howard runs a non-profit initiative, Step Up For Scousers, which collects and donates unsold toys and household supplies to local families. The goods are distributed through the Fans Supporting Foodbanks network set up by Ian Byrne, MP for West Derby.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Damshenas, Sam (June 3, 2025). "What It Feels Like for a Girl: Ellis Howard on humanising the trans experience with working-class grit". GAY TIMES.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Levine, Nick (28 May 2025). "Ellis Howard on "shocking" trans story 'What It Feels Like For A Girl'". NME.
  3. ↑ King, Jack (June 6, 2025). "What It Feels Like for a Girl star Ellis Howard on frank sex scenes, that toilet brush moment, and the emotional finale". British GQ.
  4. 1 2 3 "Ellis Howard Interview: What It Feels Like for a Girl star on class, queerness and the power of community". ymliverpool.com. June 6, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Ellis Howard | Guildhall School of Music & Drama". www.gsmd.ac.uk.
  6. 1 2 Mensah, Katelyn (February 23, 2023). "Meet the cast of Red Rose, the teen horror series keeping everyone up at night". The Tab.
  7. ↑ "Meet the cast of Red Rose". BBC Three. August 19, 2022.
  8. 1 2 Jessop, Vicky (June 3, 2025). "Meet Ellis Howard, the breakout star of What It Feels Like For A Girl". The Standard.
  9. ↑ "To Kill at Mockingbird at Gielgud Theatre in the West End". www.gielgudtheatre.co.uk.
  10. ↑ "The Digital Spy Reader Awards 2025 full results". Digital Spy. 28 December 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
  11. ↑ "RTS Programme Awards 2026". Royal Television Society. 24 March 2026. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
  12. ↑ "BAFTA Television Awards 2026 Results". Bafta. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  13. ↑ Grundy, Chris (March 14, 2022). "Cost of living crisis sees Step Up For Scousers campaign return". Liverpool Echo.