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Rupert Friend

Rupert Friend

Actor, also producer · Born October 9, 1981 (45) · Oxfordshire, England, UK

Primetime Emmy nominee · Screen Actors Guild Award nominee

Rupert William Anthony Friend (born October 1981) is an English actor. He first gained recognition for his roles in The Libertine (2004) and Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont (2005), winning him awards for best newcomer. He portrayed George Wickham in Pride & Prejudice (2005), Lieutenant Kurt Kotler in The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008), Albert, Prince Consort in The Young Victoria (2009), psychologist Oliver Baumer in Starred Up (2013), CIA operative Peter Quinn in the political thriller series Homeland (2012–2017), Vasily Stalin in The Death of Stalin (2017), Theo van Gogh in At Eternity's Gate (2018), and Ernest Donovan in the series Strange Angel (2018–2019). In the early 2020s, Friend began collaborating with director Wes Anderson, starting with a cameo in The French Dispatch (2021), followed by roles in Asteroid City (2023) and the Netflix short films The Swan and The Rat Catcher. In 2022, he starred as disgraced British politician James Whitehouse in Anatomy of a Scandal and featured in the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi as the Grand Inquisitor. Friend is the director, screenwriter or producer of two award-winning short films: The Continuing and Lamentable Saga of the Suicide Brothers (2008) and Steve (2010). He wrote lyrics for the Kairos 4Tet 2013 album Everything We Hold. Description above from the Wikipedia article Rupert Friend, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 9, 1981 (45)
From
Oxfordshire, England, UK
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
41 on Motif · 57 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 157 days to Oct 28Down 17% in 30 days

What are Rupert Friend's films like?

Across their 37 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Action8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 25th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Biography3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 83rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 74th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Short2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Short movies

Their Motif 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
Self
27%
Bonds
23%
Morality
18%
Survival
15%
Ideas
7%
Power
6%
Society
4%
Family bonds10 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 31 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 8 · Serious 8 · Dark 15

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

Grounded 12 · Stylized 13 · Heightened 6

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 4 · Charged 11 · Intense 16

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

Steady 8 · Shifting 18 · Whiplash 5

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

Straight-faced 20 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 3

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

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 15 · Relentless 4

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

Casual 5 · Engaged 23 · Full focus 3

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 9 · Affecting 7 · Heavy 15

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

Resolved 19 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 6

Roles they play

21 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 8 of 21 analyzed roles.

Ally
8 of 21
Hero
4 of 21
Shadow
3 of 21
Shapeshifter
3 of 21
Herald
2 of 21
Trickster
1 of 21
Show the 21 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
25
Melancholic
21
Dread
10
Warm
7
Hopeful
10
Other
32

How their films linger

Hopeful14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet18
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous10

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 Rupert Friend's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 33 of their 41 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Rupert Friend's titles on Motif; 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

57 credits, 41 with a Motif page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • My Notes on Mars (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2026)

    as Sam

  • Youth(2026)

    Show Actor

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Dreams(2025)

    as Jake McCarthy

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Jurassic World: Rebirth(2025)

    as Martin Krebs

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The Phoenician Scheme(2025)

    as Excalibur

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • After This Death (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2025)

    as Ted

  • Companion(2025)

    as Sergey

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Canary Black(2024)

    as David Brooks

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The American Society of Magical Negroes(2024)

    as Mick

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2024)

    as Narrator / Claud (archive footage)

  • The Rat Catcher(2023)

    as Claud Cubbage

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • The Swan(2023)

    as Narrator / Adult Peter Watson

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Asteroid City(2023)

    as Montana

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • High Desert(2023)

    Show 8 episodes · as Guru Bob

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all shows

  • Obi-Wan Kenobi(2022)

    Show 4 episodes · as Grand Inquisitor

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Anatomy of a Scandal(2022)

    Show 6 episodes · as James Whitehouse

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Last Looks(2021)

    as Wilson Sikorsky

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The French Dispatch(2021)

    as Drill-Sergeant

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Infinite(2021)

    as Bathurst 1985

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Separation(2021)

    Producer · as Jeff

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Prince Consorts: In the Shadow of the Crown (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2021)

    as Prince Albert (archive footage)

  • At Eternity's Gate(2018)

    as Theo van Gogh

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • A Simple Favor(2018)

    as Dennis Nylon

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Strange Angel(2018)

    Show 17 episodes · as Ernest Donovan

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • The Death of Stalin(2017)

    as Vasily Stalin

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Dream Corp LLC (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 2 episodes · as Patient 62

  • Barton & Charlie & Checco & Bill (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2016)

    Director · Actor

  • Hitman: Agent 47(2015)

    as Agent 47

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Meet Me in Montenegro(2014)

    as Stephen

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Stryka (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2015)

    as Callen

  • To Write Love on Her Arms(2012)

    as David McKenna

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Starred Up(2013)

    as Oliver Baumer

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Zero Theorem(2013)

    as TV Presenter

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Stars in Shorts (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2012)

    Director · Producer · Writer

  • Homeland(2011)

    Show 57 episodes · as Peter Quinn

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • 5 Days of War(2011)

    as Thomas Anders

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Jolene(2008)

    as Coco Leger

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Lullaby for Pi(2010)

    as Sam

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Kid(2010)

    as Kevin Lewis

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Steve (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    Director · Writer

  • The Continuing and Lamentable Saga of the Suicide Brothers (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2009)

    as Bourbon

  • Chéri(2009)

    as Chéri

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The Young Victoria(2009)

    as Prince Albert

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Boy in the Striped Pajamas(2008)

    as Lieutenant Kotler

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Virgin Territory(2007)

    as Alessandro Felice

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Last Legion(2007)

    as Demetrius

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Outlaw(2007)

    as Sandy Mardell

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • The Moon and the Stars(2007)

    as Renzo Daverio / Spoletta

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont(2005)

    as Ludovic Meyer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Pride & Prejudice(2005)

    as Mr. Wickham

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • The Libertine(2004)

    as Downs

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Blake & Mortimer: The Yellow M (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    as Colonel Olrik

  • Cornerman (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    Director

  • Perdition (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Photo Booth (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    as Ben Bouchet

  • The Boy in the Iron Box (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    as Liev

  • The Edge of Normal (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 57 titles, 50 of them dated from 2004 to 2026; peak year 2024.

Biggest box office

Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025)

$869M worldwide

Highest rated

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)

Midcredits 95th

Most popular right now

Homeland (2011)

Film career

MilestoneNomination
20042026

Peak 2024 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 20 Motif titles. 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.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting54 of 57: 53 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score49thDirecting4 of 57: 1 only directing, 3 with another roleWriting2 of 57: 0 only writing, 2 with another roleProducing1 of 57: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

57 titles, 3 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 1 of them.

By decade

2000s11 · acting2010s19 · 17 acting · 3 crew2020s20 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 15% of 34 roles
0409141924

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 Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

5 major nominations and no wins, 2013–2016.

  1. 2016
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
  2. 2015
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
  3. 2014
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
  4. 2013
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Rupert Friend's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Midcredits score in the 51st percentile, the median of all 35; across their 31 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 49th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Approval · how many liked their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Reach · how many have seen their films

91stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Midcredits score across 41 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th14
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 41 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser16
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed14

Most divisive · actor

The American Society of Magical Negroes (2024)

87th percentile spread · 66% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Midcredits 98th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 69/100 in their films, across 31 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 46. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; 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 Motif 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 Rupert Friend's work okay for kids?

Across up to 25 Motif titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore22 titles27–82 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity25 titles9–68 · median 26 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity22 titles7–78 · median 54 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs21 titles13–49 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense20 titles27–76 · median 56 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Rupert Friend work with?

People who share at least 2 of Rupert Friend's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Harry Gregson-Williams shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles