Josh O'Connor, the British actor who rose to fame playing Prince Charles in The Crown, is having a moment. With three major films set for release between now and January, industry insiders are calling it 'the autumn of Josh O'Connor'. He leads Kelly Reichardt's art heist drama Mastermind, stars opposite Paul Mescal in The History of Sound, and takes the central role in Wake Up Dead Man, the third Knives Out instalment. Rumours also persist that he is being considered for the next James Bond.
O'Connor's success is the result of steady work since graduating from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 2011. He appeared in stage productions at the National Theatre and Donmar Warehouse, and took early screen roles in TV dramas including Law & Order: UK, Peaky Blinders and Ripper Street. His film career began with features such as The Riot Club and Hide and Seek.
His breakout role came in 2017 with God's Own Country, Francis Lee's tender romance set in the Yorkshire Dales. Playing a young farmer whose life changes after the arrival of a Romanian migrant worker, O'Connor's vulnerable performance won him the British Independent Film Award for best actor. Lee described him as 'a real shape-shifter' and 'a subtle, humble chameleon'.
In 2019, O'Connor joined The Crown as Prince Charles, earning an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his portrayal. Creator Peter Morgan compared his talents to those of footballer Andres Iniesta. Colleagues praise his dedication and humour; director Joanna Coates recalled a scene where he made his co-star laugh so much that the genuine laughter was kept in the final cut.
