Gary Lewis

Winning Best Actor at the Gijón International Film Festival for his role in the 1998 film ‘Orphans,’ Gary Lewis established himself as a versatile and impactful actor. His foundational work in cinema began with the short film ‘Close’ in 1993, followed by an appearance in Danny Boyle’s critically acclaimed 1994 thriller ‘Shallow Grave.’ Lewis continued to build his filmography with notable roles in Ken Loach’s ‘My Name Is Joe’ in 1998 and the BAFTA-winning ‘East is East’ in 1999. His international breakthrough came with his portrayal of Jackie Elliot in the 2000 hit film ‘Billy Elliot,’ a performance that earned him a BAFTA Film Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in 2001. Prior to his extensive film career, Lewis honed his craft in theatre, joining Robert Carlyle’s Raindog Theatre and collaborating with the 7:84 Theatre Company and The Arches Theatre Company, building a strong foundation after graduating with a social science degree with honors in 1983.

Lewis gained significant recognition for his recurring role as Colum MacKenzie in the Starz historical drama series ‘Outlander,’ appearing from 2014 to 2016, and contributing to the ensemble’s Satellite Award win in 2017. He then starred in the 2018 psychological thriller ‘The Vanishing,’ delivering another compelling performance. From 2021 to 2023, he took on the role of DSU Colin Robertson in the BBC One thriller ‘Vigil,’ which became a critically acclaimed and commercially successful series, drawing large audiences. Most recently, Lewis joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2023, portraying Emperor Dro’ge in the highly anticipated feature film ‘The Marvels.’ This role marked a significant milestone, adding a major global franchise to his extensive and distinguished career, which continues to span acclaimed independent films and high-profile television productions.