Rafe Spall

Rafe Spall
Spall in 2013
Born
Rafe Joseph Spall

(1983-03-10) 10 March 1983 (age 43)
London, England
OccupationActor
Years active2001–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2010; div. 2021)​
PartnerEsther Smith (2022–present)
Children4
FatherTimothy Spall

Rafe Joseph Spall (/ˈreɪf ˈspɔːl/ RAYF SPAWL; born 10 March 1983) is an English actor.

Spall has appeared in films including The Calcium Kid (2004), Green Street (2005), Kidulthood (2006), The Scouting Book for Boys (2009), Anonymous (2011), Life of Pi (2012), I Give It a Year (2013), X+Y (2014), Swallows and Amazons (2016), The Ritual (2017), and Men in Black: International (2019). Spall played the title role of Pete Griffiths in Pete versus Life from 2010 to 2011, and has portrayed characters on the TV series The Shadow Line and Black Mirror. Spall also appeared in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy (2004–2013).

Since May 2020, Spall has starred in the Apple TV+ comedy series Trying.

Early life

Rafe Joseph Spall was born on 10 March 1983 at 12 Dunstan's Road in East Dulwich, London, the second of three children of Shane (née Baker) and actor Timothy Spall. Named after the protagonist in The Knight of the Burning Pestle, a role his father played in the Royal Shakespeare Company and one he would later play himself, he always had ambitions to act. His father was diagnosed with myeloid leukaemia when Rafe was 14, and spent the next 18 months in treatment.

Rafe was overweight as a teen, which he calls a "painful" experience. Having achieved poor grades at his school, Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College, he left to become an actor and joined the National Youth Theatre at 15. He failed to get into his chosen drama schools, such as RADA, at 17, but worked anyway. After being perennially cast in "fat" roles, he lost 77 lbs (35 kg) at age 19, which brought more acting opportunities.

Career

Spall has frequently collaborated with Edgar Wright, appearing in his films Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Spall was also in Wright's segment in the 2007 Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez film Grindhouse. In 2007, Spall performed for the first time with his father in the ITV adaptation of A Room with a View playing father and son.

In 2011, Spall starred in the romantic tragedy movie One Day opposite Anne Hathaway. In 2012, Spall portrayed Canadian author Yann Martel in the Academy Award-winning drama film Life of Pi, directed by Ang Lee. The film was a critical and financial success, winning four Academy Awards and making over $600 million at the box office. In 2013, he played the newlywed husband in I Give It a Year, a comedy about the trials and tribulations of a couple during their first year of marriage.

In 2014, Spall appeared in the coming-of-age drama X+Y, alongside Asa Butterfield and Sally Hawkins, the seasonal family comedy Get Santa, and "White Christmas", an episode of the anthology series Black Mirror. In 2015, he played John Hancock in the History Channel three-part series, Sons of Liberty, alongside Jim Broadbent, and appeared in the Academy Award-winning biographical comedy-drama The Big Short, alongside Christian Bale, Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell. Also that year, Spall played Harry Price in Harry Price: Ghost Hunter, ITV's adaptation of Neil Spring's debut novel, The Ghost Hunters. The film aired on ITV1 on 27 December.

In 2018, Spall portrayed Eli Mills in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and in 2019, had supporting roles in science-fiction action film Men in Black: International and biographical legal drama Just Mercy. Since 2020, Spall has a leading role in the Apple TV+ comedy series Trying, opposite Esther Smith and Imelda Staunton. Also in 2020, he played DS Nick Bailey in the biographical BBC miniseries The Salisbury Poisonings.

In 2021, Spall co-starred with Zahra Newman in the Australian romantic comedy Long Story Short. In 2022, he played David Melmont in the BBC Two/Amazon Prime Video revisionist Western miniseries The English, and portrayed Atticus Finch in the West End production of Aaron Sorkin's To Kill a Mockingbird. In 2024, he appeared in the films William Tell and Rich Flu, while the following year saw him take a supporting role in the Apple TV+ crime drama Smoke. In 2026, in addition to the upcoming fifth season of Trying, he starred in three new television series: Riz Ahmed's Prime Video dramedy Bait, Sky Atlantic crime drama Under Salt Marsh, and ITVX espionage thriller Secret Service.

Spall will lead the cast of Steven Moffat's Channel 4 political comedy-drama Number 10, playing the role of the British Prime Minister. In 2027, he will star as Sherlock Holmes in the Sky series The Death of Sherlock Holmes.

He was cast as Arthur Weasley.

Personal life

Spall says he has always struggled with his weight, going up to 18 stone [114 kg (251 lb)] but said that he was given so many character parts that he attempted to slim down, losing over 5st [32 kg (71 lb)]. Like his father, he is a keen supporter of Crystal Palace. He is a patron of the Actors' Centre.

In February 2008, Spall met actress Elize du Toit; they were married from 2010 to 2021, they lived in West Kensington, London. They have three children together.Spall is now in a relationship with Trying co-star Esther Smith, with whom he has a child born in 2024.

Acting credits

Film

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes
2001Beginner's LuckDanny
2004Shaun of the DeadNoel
The Calcium KidStan Parlour
2005Green Street HooligansSwill
The Last DropPvt. David Wellings
2006KidulthoodLenny
A Good YearKenny
2007Hot FuzzD.C. Andy Cartwright
GrindhouseFeatured GhostSegment: "Don't"
2008CloseEric
2009The Scouting Book for BoysSteve
Modern Life Is RubbishLiam
2010Behind the DoorBobby
SusD.C. Wilby
2011AnonymousWilliam Shakespeare
One DayIan Whitehead
2012PrometheusMillburn
Life of PiWriter
EarthboundJoe Norman
2013I Give It a YearJosh Moss
The World's EndYoung Man
The F WordBenAlso released as What If
2014X+YMartin HumphreysNominated — BIFA for Best Supporting Actor
Get SantaSteve
2015The Big ShortDanny MosesNominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
2016The BFGMr. Tibbs
Swallows and AmazonsJim Turner / Captain Flint
Mum's ListSinge
2017The RitualLuke
2018Jurassic World: Fallen KingdomEli Mills
2019Men in Black: InternationalAgent C
Just MercyTommy Chapman
DenmarkHerbAlso released as One Way to Denmark
2021Long Story ShortTeddy
2024William TellWerner Stauffacher
Rich FluToni
TBAFing †TBAFilming

Television

Key
ClockC Denotes television productions that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes
2002Out of ControlRayTelevision film
2003The Lion in WinterPrince John
2004The Legend of the Tamworth TwoCrustie
2005The Rotters' ClubSean Harding3 episodes
Twisted TalesDominicEpisode: "Death Metal Chronicles"
2006The RomanticsJohn ClareMiniseries
The Chatterley AffairKeithTelevision film
CrackerDS McAllisterEpisode: "Nine Eleven"
Wide Sargasso SeaEdward RochesterTelevision film
DraculaJonathan Harker
2007A Room with a ViewGeorge Emerson
2008He Kills CoppersFrank Taylor
Frankie Howerd: Rather You Than MeDennis Heymer
2009Agatha Christie's MarpleRoger BassingtonEpisode: "Why Didn't They Ask Evans?"
Desperate RomanticsWilliam Holman Hunt6 episodes
2010–2011Pete Versus LifePete Griffiths11 episodes
2011The Shadow LineJay Wratten6 episodes
2014Black MirrorJoe PotterEpisode: "White Christmas"
2015Harry Price: Ghost HunterHarry PriceTelevision film
Sons of LibertyJohn HancockMiniseries
2016RoadiesReg Whitehead10 episodes
2018Grandpa's Great EscapeAdult Jack (voice)Television special
2019The War of the WorldsGeorge3 episodes
2020The Salisbury PoisoningsDS BaileyTV series
2020–presentTryingJason RossMain role
2022The EnglishDavid Melmont
2025SmokeSteven Burk
2026BaitNigel6 episodes
Under Salt MarshDetective Eric Bull6 episodes
Secret ServiceStuart Henderson5 episodes
Number 10 †Prime Minister Harry DouglasMain role, post-production
2027The Death of Sherlock Holmes †The EnglishmanLead role, 6 episodes
Harry Potter †Arthur WeasleyRecurring role (Season 2)

Stage

Radio

References

  1. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007
  2. ↑ Yahoo! Movies profile Archived 22 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ Spall, Shane (Mother of Rafe) [@pastafa] (19 February 2020). "Ambiguity? We lived in Dunstans Grove, East Dulwich, London SE22. That's where our son was born, number 12 to be exact. #fact" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ↑ Radio interview "Comfort Eating with Grace Dent", Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Rafe Spall: From fat boy to slim son of Tim". Evening Standard. 28 July 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  6. ↑ Raphael, Amy (25 May 2012). "Rising son: Rafe Spall's time has come". Evening Standard. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  7. ↑ Raphael, Amy (27 October 2007). "Rafe and Timothy Spall joint interview". Guardian. London. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  8. ↑ "I give it a year next year". www.stephenmerchant.com. 22 November 2012. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  9. ↑ Blanket, Jo (27 August 2015). "Rafe Spall to star in new ITV drama Harry Price: Ghost Hunter". ITV. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  10. ↑ Kroll, Justin (7 November 2016). "Toby Jones and Rafe Spall in Talks to Join Sequel to 'Jurassic World' (Exclusive)". Variety.
  11. ↑ McIntosh, Steven (14 June 2020). "TV drama revisits Salisbury poison attack 'horror'". BBC News. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  12. ↑ "Rafe Spall, Jenna Coleman and Katherine Kelly to lead the cast of Steven Moffat comedy drama 'Number 10' for Channel 4". channel4.com/press. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  13. ↑ "Sky continues Sphere Abacus partnership with The Death of Sherlock Holmes, starring Rafe Spall and Deleila Piasko, coming in 2027". Sky Group. 7 May 2026. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  14. ↑ Babb, Fran (19 August 2011). "Rafe Spall One Day Interview". Guardian. London. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  15. ↑ "Rafe Spall, Patron". actorscentre.co.uk/. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  16. 1 2 Gilbert, Gerard (20 August 2011), "Rafe Spall Profile", Independent, London
  17. ↑ "Rafe Spall My London", Evening Standard, 2009, archived from the original on 25 November 2009
  18. ↑ Williams, Zoe (14 May 2024), "'It's great!' Rafe Spall on having a baby with his co-star in Trying, the infertility sitcom", Guardian
  19. ↑ "Close", Pollibee Pictures, 2008[permanent dead link]
  20. ↑ "Modern Life Is Rubbish", BBC, 2009, archived from the original on 8 March 2012
  21. ↑ "X Plus Y announces cast". 18 July 2013. Archived from the original on 1 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  22. ↑ Kit, Borys (29 June 2018). "'Men in Black' Movie Spin-Off Adds 'Jurassic' Actor to Cast (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  23. ↑ Chitwood, Adam (5 December 2018). "The 'Men in Black' Reboot Is Titled 'Men in Black International'". Collider. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  24. ↑ Dunschen, Tobias (27 September 2019). "Dinard 2019 : Denmark". Critique Film (in French). Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  25. ↑ Crow, Roget. "One Way to Denmark (2019) - film review". On Yorkshire. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  26. ↑ "'Mad Men' Star Jon Hamm Joins 'Black Mirror'", Variety, 2004
  27. ↑ "Rafe Spall, Jenna Coleman and Katherine Kelly to lead the cast of Steven Moffat comedy drama 'Number 10' for Channel 4". channel4.com/press. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  28. ↑ "Sky continues Sphere Abacus partnership with The Death of Sherlock Holmes, starring Rafe Spall and Deleila Piasko, coming in 2027". Sky Group. 7 May 2026. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  29. ↑ Kanter, Jake (15 September 2026). "HBO's 'Harry Potter' Series Casts Arthur Weasley, Moaning Myrtle & Colin Creevey". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  30. ↑ "A Prayer for Owen Meany - Productions". National Theatre. Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  31. ↑ "Just a Bloke at The Royal Court Theatre". royalcourttheatre.com. 17 November 2002. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  32. ↑ "The Knight of the Burning Pestle". British Theatre Guide. Archived from the original on 18 November 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  33. ↑ "John Gabriel Borkman". Donmar Warehouse. 14 April 2007. Archived from the original on 14 December 2006. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  34. ↑ "Alaska at The Royal Court Theatre". royalcourttheatre.com. 23 June 2007. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  35. ↑ "Hello and Goodbye - Athol Fugard - 2008 - Productions - English Touring Theatre". Ett.org.uk. 17 May 2008. Archived from the original on 28 October 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  36. ↑ "Bush Theatre". Bush Theatre. 21 November 2009. Archived from the original on 17 August 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  37. ↑ "Constellations at The Royal Court Theatre". royalcourttheatre.com. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  38. ↑ "Rafe Spall to star in West End premiere of To Kill a Mockingbird". The Guardian. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.