Internet personality and comedian Henry Rowley, best known for his viral TikTok sketches, has secured his television debut in the new MGM+ series Robin Hood. The Leicester-born star will appear alongside acclaimed actor Sean Bean in what marks a significant career leap from social media to a major production.
From Leicester to London: The Making of a Star
Originally from Leicester and now based in London, Rowley is the youngest of three brothers. He studied English literature at the University of Bristol before embarking on a career in marketing. His foray into online comedy began in October 2021 when he uploaded his first TikTok video, unsure of the platform's potential beyond "kids dancing".
Encouraged by friends to post his impressions, his content quickly gained traction. One sketch in particular, an uncanny impersonation of Keira Knightley re-enacting scenes from Love Actually, became a massive hit, amassing over 180,000 likes on Instagram and millions of views across platforms.
Landing the Dream Role in Robin Hood
Rowley's big break came when he landed the part of Will Gamewell in the epic adventure drama. The casting process moved at lightning speed; after submitting an audition tape, he was offered the role and told he would be flying to Serbia for filming just three days later. He promptly cancelled a planned trip to Mexico to seize the opportunity.
On his Instagram, the excited star described the project as "amazing" and called the experience the "best of his life". He expressed his joy on set, saying, "On my first day on set, I was giddy. I couldn’t stop smiling and saying to everyone, this is the most fun I’ve ever had. It’s just play with more stakes."
A New Chapter in Comedy and Acting
This role represents the culmination of a major life change for Rowley, who quit his marketing job to pursue comedy and acting full-time. Since making that decision, he has performed at several Edinburgh Fringe shows, honing his craft live on stage.
Coming from a family with no showbusiness background—his mother is a counsellor, his father a doctor, and his brothers work in PR and accounting—Rowley admitted he never dreamed he would share the screen with A-list stars like Sean Bean. Robin Hood airs weekly on MGM+.
