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David Nykl

David Nykl

Actor · Born February 7, 1967 (59) · Prague, Czechoslovakia [now Czech Republic]

David Nykl (born 7 February 1967 in Prague, Czechoslovakia) is a Czech Canadian actor of film, television, commercials and theater. After the Soviet invasion in 1968, he and his family left then-Communist Czechoslovakia for Canada. Upon arriving at Victoria, British Columbia, his father found work as a structural engineer and his mother found work as a nurse. Nykl attended the University of British Columbia, where he majored in liberal arts. Nykl has appeared heavily in Vancouver and Prague in dozens of theater, film and television productions. Known for his versatility and depth as an actor, he has also produced theatre and film projects, and in 1994 he co-founded Prague's Misery Loves Company Theatre with Richard Toth and Ewan McLaren. He is known to science fiction fans as the recurring Stargate Atlantis character of Dr. Radek Zelenka, a Czech scientist on Earth's expedition to the "lost city" of Atlantis. His character often provides a foil to the main scientists, who forget the limits of their situation. He is fluent in Czech, English, French and Spanish. Though his character on Stargate Atlantis speaks English with a Czech accent, Nykl normally speaks with a Canadian accent. Whenever Zelenka spoke Czech in Stargate Atlantis, Nykl was given the lines in English, and he translated them. Description above from the Wikipedia article David Nykl, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 7, 1967 (59)
From
Prague, Czechoslovakia [now Czech Republic]
Works as
Actor
Titles
33 on MovieCove · 51 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 21% in 30 days

What are David Nykl's films like?

Across their 13 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Morality.

Genres

Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 58th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 1st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 9th percentile
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
36%
Morality
16%
Self
14%
Society
12%
Bonds
10%
Power
6%
Ideas
6%
Survival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 10 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 1 · Serious 4 · Dark 5

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 8 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 1 · Charged 3 · Intense 6

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 5 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 3 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 3 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 4

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 5 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 2

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
12
Dread
3
Melancholic
4
Hopeful
3
Thrilling
3
Other
5

How their films linger

Hopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet4
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch David Nykl's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 29 of their 33 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (16).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for David Nykl's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

51 credits, 33 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Death by Lightning(2025)

    Show 4 episodes · as Levi Morton

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • El-Turk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 4 episodes · as Prince Francesco di Paulo

  • Gone Mom(2021)

    as Clifford Reed

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Resident Alien(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Carl Hodges

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Pat & Mat: DIY Troubles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Pat (Voice)

  • The Sleepers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 6 episodes · as Gerald Lloyd

  • Carnival Row(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Constable Boggs

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • William (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Principal Bernstein

  • Pat & Mat: Winter Fun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Pat (Voice)

  • The Devout (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Dr. Fisher

  • Minority Report(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Eli Winford

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • Air(2015)

    as Sleeper

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Tomorrowland(2015)

    as Science Teacher

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Chupacabra vs. the Alamo(2013)

    as Medical Examiner

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Christmas Miracle(2012)

    as Drake

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Arrow(2012)

    Show 36 episodes · as Anatoly Knyazev

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Camera Shy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Cliff Gardner

  • Continuum(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Sergei

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Once Upon a Time(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Fisherman

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Mortal Kombat: Legacy(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Lance

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Encounter with Danger(2009)

    as Elliot Maine

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Human Target(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Vincent Morgan

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • The Beast of Bottomless Lake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Paoul Moran

  • Helen(2009)

    as John

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Seamstress(2009)

    as Donny Plachtt

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Stargate Atlantis: Fans' Choice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Dr. Radek Zelenka

  • Sanctuary(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Strickland

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Fringe(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Reverend Marcus

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Eureka(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Steven Whiticus

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Psych(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Events Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Merlin's Apprentice(2006)

    Show 2 episodes · as Brianna's Father

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all shows

  • Dreams in the Witch House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as CSI

  • Masters of Horror(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as CSI

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Supernatural(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Lester Morris

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Pterosaurus(2004)

    as Herbert

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Stargate: Atlantis(2004)

    Show 43 episodes · as Dr. Radek Zelenka · as Radek Zelenka

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Jake 2.0 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Vasily

  • The Dead Zone(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Waiter

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Escape Velocity(1999)

    as Russell

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Joan of Arc (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Duke of Luxembourg

  • Prague Stories (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Richard's Friend (segment "Riziko")

  • Policajti z předměstí (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Act of War(1998)

    as George Willmont

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Cold Squad(1998)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Hell Mountain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as First Corridor Guard

  • Prague Duet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Glen Hudson

  • Stargate SG-1(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Radek Zelenka

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Crackerjack 2(1997)

    as Cavanaugh

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Sacred Cargo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Brother Alexis

  • Hidden in Silence(1996)

    as Henek

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Danger Bay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Peter

Career shape

Star power in the 91st percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 51 titles from 1985 to 2025; peak year 2014.

Biggest box office

Helen (2009)

$35K worldwide

Highest rated

Stargate: Atlantis (2004)

Midcredits 93rd

Film career

19852025

Peak 2014 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 2004Screen debut· Stargate Atlantis
  • 2004First film· Pterodactyl
  • 2015Career best· Tomorrowland

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting51 of 51: 51 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score65th

By decade

1980s1 · acting1990s12 · acting2000s15 · acting2010s19 · acting2020s4 · acting

Billing

usually 10th · top billed in 0% of 8 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do David Nykl's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 12th percentile, the median of all 13; across their 10 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 15th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

15thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Approval · how many liked their films

17thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Reach · how many have seen their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Midcredits score across 33 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th1
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

14 of their 33 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Universally Panned5
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

Encounter with Danger (2009)

80th percentile spread · 35% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Stargate: Atlantis (2004)

Midcredits 93rd · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 54/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 40. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is David Nykl's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 60 · intenseMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does David Nykl work with?

People who share at least 2 of David Nykl's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Peter Allen shares the most, 3.

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers