Few English actors have built a CV as bold as Jack O’Connell’s. Jack O’Connell movies and TV shows run from gritty British indies to Hollywood work with Angelina Jolie, Michael Mann and Ryan Coogler. The Derbyshire-born actor made his feature debut in Shane Meadows’ This Is England in 2006. Now 36, he is deep in a villain era that includes Sinners and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. This guide walks through every major role, where to stream his work, and what comes next.
Biography Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jack O’Connell |
| Date of Birth | August 1, 1990 |
| Place of Birth | Derby, Derbyshire, England |
| Age | 36 (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | British |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Ethnicity | English, with Irish heritage on his father’s side |
| Profession/Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 2006–present |
| Education | St Benedict Catholic School, Derby; The Television Workshop, Nottingham |
| Genre/Field | Film, television, stage |
| Parents | Johnny O’Connell (railway worker) and Alison O’Connell |
| Siblings | Sister, Megan |
| Height | Around 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Notable Works | This Is England, Skins, Starred Up, ’71, Unbroken, Godless, SAS: Rogue Heroes, Sinners, 28 Years Later |
| Awards/Honors | BAFTA EE Rising Star Award (2015), Cannes Chopard Trophy (2014), National Board of Review Breakthrough Performance (2014) |
Jack O’Connell Movies and TV Shows at a Glance
Jack O’Connell has appeared in more than 30 film and TV projects. His career splits into clear phases: teen troublemakers, a 2014 breakout year, Hollywood leads, prestige TV, and a recent run of hellraisers and villains. About 11 of his titles are book- or comic-based.
Here is a quick filmography table of his key screen work.
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | This Is England | Pukey Nicholls | Film |
| 2008 | Eden Lake | Brett | Film |
| 2009–2013 | Skins | James Cook | TV series |
| 2009 | Harry Brown | Marky | Film |
| 2011 | United | Bobby Charlton | TV film |
| 2011 | Weekender | Lead | Film |
| 2011 | The Runaway | Lead | TV series |
| 2012 | Private Peaceful | Charlie Peaceful | Film |
| 2012 | Tower Block | Kurtis | Film |
| 2013 | The Liability | Adam | Film |
| 2013 | Starred Up | Eric Love | Film |
| 2014 | ’71 | Gary Hook | Film |
| 2014 | 300: Rise of an Empire | Calisto | Film |
| 2014 | God’s Pocket | Leon | Film |
| 2014 | Unbroken | Louis Zamperini | Film |
| 2016 | Money Monster | Kyle Budwell | Film |
| 2017 | Godless | Roy Goode | TV miniseries |
| 2017 | Tulip Fever | Willem Brok | Film |
| 2017 | The Man with the Iron Heart | Jan Kubiš | Film |
| 2018 | Trial by Fire | Cameron Todd Willingham | Film |
| 2019 | Seberg | Jack Solomon | Film |
| 2019 | Jungleland | Lion | Film |
| 2021 | Little Fish | Jude | Film |
| 2021 | The North Water | Patrick Sumner | TV series |
| 2022 | Lady Chatterley’s Lover | Oliver Mellors | Film |
| 2022– | SAS: Rogue Heroes | Paddy Mayne | TV series |
| 2023 | Ferrari | Peter Collins | Film |
| 2024 | Back to Black | Blake Fielder-Civil | Film |
| 2025 | Sinners | Remmick | Film |
| 2025 | 28 Years Later | Sir Jimmy Crystal | Film |
| 2026 | 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple | Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal | Film |
Looking at the table as a whole, one pattern stands out. He rarely plays nice men. Rule-breakers, prisoners, outlaws and cult leaders make up most of his work, and that is exactly why casting directors keep calling.
Early Life and the Road to Acting
Jack O’Connell grew up in a working-class household in Alvaston, Derby. His father, Johnny, was a railway worker of Irish descent. His mother, Alison, raised him alongside his younger sister, Megan. He attended St Benedict Catholic School and was a devoted Derby County football fan.
His teen years were rough. He picked up a youth record and considered army enlistment for a time. Football injuries ended any hope of a sporting career. He lost his father when he was around 16, a loss that shaped him deeply.
Acting became his outlet. He joined The Television Workshop in Nottingham, a drama workshop known for spotting raw local talent. That is where he was discovered at 14 and cast in his first film role. By 18, he was already a working actor with a growing list of credits.
Breakthrough Years: Gritty British Indies (2006–2013)
This Is England (2006) — Pukey Nicholls
This Is England was Jack O’Connell’s feature debut. Written and directed by Shane Meadows, it follows a young skinhead gang in 1980s England. Jack played Pukey Nicholls, a teen who drifts away from the gang when a National Front member takes over.
Meadows worked with no script in the usual sense. The cast went through intensive rehearsal and spontaneous improvisation, finding the scene in the moment before cameras rolled. For a young teen, this was a rare training ground. Thomas Turgoose, Stephen Graham, Vicky McClure and Joe Gilgun were all part of the cast.
The film premiered in Toronto and went on to become a BAFTA-winning drama. Meadows later expanded the story into TV mini-series such as This Is England ’88. Having rewatched it recently, I think the film has aged well. Jack’s small part already shows the natural, unforced style that would define his career.
Eden Lake (2008) — Brett
Eden Lake gave Jack his first truly dark role. In James Watkins’ horror film, he played Brett, a teenage psychopath who terrorises a couple on a lakeside getaway. Kelly Reilly and Michael Fassbender played the victims.
The film was made on a roughly $2M budget and grossed around $4M. It became a cult favourite in British horror and sparked debate about how the media portrays working-class youth.
Among his earliest roles, this is the one that proved he could frighten an audience. His Brett is not cartoonish. He is a bully who spirals, and that realism is what makes the film so hard to watch.
Skins (2009–2013) — Cook
For many fans, Jack O’Connell movies and TV shows begin with Skins. He played James Cook, the cocky, hedonistic wild child of the show’s second generation. He starred in series three and four and returned for Skins Rise in 2013.
Skins ran from 2007 to 2013 and was a true talent factory. Earlier and later cast members included Nicholas Hoult, Dev Patel, Daniel Kaluuya and Kaya Scodelario. The witty series about UK teens became a kind of university of TV making for young British actors.
Cook was charismatic, daring and self-destructive. The role became Jack’s calling card and gave him a large fan base. If you are searching for Jack O’Connell movies and TV shows Skins fans love most, Cook’s arc in series four is the high point. It is also his first key dramatic role on TV.
Harry Brown (2009) and Other Early Supporting Roles
In Harry Brown, Jack played Marky, a young thug in Daniel Barber’s vigilante drama. Michael Caine led the film, with Emily Mortimer and Sean Harris in support. It premiered in Toronto and grossed about $10.3M. Caine reportedly saw him as a star of the future.
Between 2011 and 2013, he stacked up varied roles. Here are the key ones:
- United (2011): A TV drama about the Munich air disaster, where he played Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton.
- Weekender (2011): A little-seen rave movie and his first starring role.
- The Runaway (2011): A dramatic series that gave him a lead on TV.
- Private Peaceful (2012): A WWI drama from Michael Morpurgo’s novel, directed by Pat O’Connor. He played one of two brothers in a love triangle, opposite George MacKay. It had weak box office.
- Tower Block (2012): An English thriller with Sheridan Smith and FrightFest’s closing-night film.
- The Liability (2013): A black comedy with Tim Roth and Peter Mullan.
These roles kept him busy, but none gave him a full showcase. That changed with his next film.
Starred Up (2013) — Eric Love
Starred Up is where Jack O’Connell stopped being a promising talent and became a leading man. He played Eric Love, a volatile young offender moved early into an adult prison. By coincidence, his father in the prison is also an inmate, played by Ben Mendelsohn.
David Mackenzie directed this real-life-inspired drama. It was shot in a disused Victorian jail on a low budget, with Rupert Friend as a prison therapist. The film premiered at Telluride and grossed around $3M.
Critics widely reviewed it as an exhilarating turn and a breakthrough performance. Jack has spoken about how hard it was letting go of characters like Eric afterwards. Of all his films, this is the one I recommend first to anyone who doubts his range. He said he was proud of it, and it shows.
The 2014 Breakout Year
’71 (2014) — Gary
’71 is a one-night action thriller set during the Northern Irish Troubles. Jack played Gary Hook, a young British soldier left behind in Belfast after a riot. He spends the whole night trying to survive.
Yann Demange directed it, and the film competed at Berlin. It is a visceral British indie with hair-raising chase scenes and very little dialogue.
Critics called his arresting lead a highly praised lead in a thriller that never lets up. Watching it, you notice how much he does with just his eyes and body. It is a masterclass in physical acting.
300: Rise of an Empire (2014) — Calisto
This film gave Jack his first big-budget Hollywood studio role. In Noam Murro’s sequel, based on Frank Miller’s comic, he played Calisto, a young Greek warrior fighting Xerxes’ forces.
The cast included Eva Green, Sullivan Stapleton and Lena Headey. The film earned about $337M worldwide, making it one of his US breakout films.
Critics reviewed the film as style over substance, but it introduced his face to US audiences. For Jack, it was a stepping stone rather than a showcase.
Unbroken (2014) — Louis Zamperini
Unbroken was Jack O’Connell’s first Hollywood starring role. Angelina Jolie directed the film, which is based on Laura Hillenbrand’s 2010 nonfiction book. Jack played Louis Zamperini, an Italian-American Olympian and WWII airman who survived 47 days at sea and brutal Japanese POW camps.
The Coen brothers shared screenplay credits. The cast included Domhnall Gleeson, Garrett Hedlund, Finn Wittrock, Jai Courtney and Miyavi. The film runs 2h 17m, is rated PG-13, and grossed about $163.4M worldwide.
On set, Jack followed a strict diet to show Zamperini’s starvation and worked through brutal heat. Casting a young English actor in such a big part was a big risk for Jolie. It paid off and earned him the National Board of Review’s breakthrough honour. The same year, he also appeared in God’s Pocket, based on Pete Dexter’s novel, with John Slattery directing.
Hollywood Thrillers and Period Dramas (2016–2021)
Money Monster (2016) — Kyle Budwell
In Money Monster, Jack played Kyle Budwell, a furious investor who lost his savings on a bad stock tip. He takes a TV finance guru, played by George Clooney, hostage on live air. Julia Roberts co-starred as the show’s producer.
Jodie Foster directed this crime thriller for Sony/TriStar. It premiered at Cannes, runs 1h 38m, is rated R, and grossed about $93.3M.
Jack’s scene-stealing turn as the hostage-taker gives the film its emotional core. He makes Kyle a victim as much as a villain. Working with Foster, an actor-turned-director, was something he later described as a lesson in listening.
Tulip Fever (2017) and The Man with the Iron Heart (2017)
Tulip Fever is a 17th-century drama set during Amsterdam’s black-market tulip trade. Jack played Willem Brok, a fishmonger whose life is thrown into chaos by love and bankruptcy. Justin Chadwick directed it from Deborah Moggach’s novel, with a screenplay by Tom Stoppard.
The cast included Alicia Vikander, Dane DeHaan, Christoph Waltz, Judi Dench and Cara Delevingne. It runs 1h 45m, is rated R, and was the Weinstein Company’s last release. The film lost money and was reviewed poorly.
The Man with the Iron Heart is a WWII Nazi thriller based on Laurent Binet’s novel HHhH. Jack played resistance fighter Jan Kubiš opposite Jason Clarke and Rosamund Pike. Made on a $32M budget, it earned only about $4.4M, making it a box-office bomb.
Trial by Fire (2018) — Cameron Todd Willingham
Trial by Fire tells the true story of Cameron Todd Willingham, an accused arsonist executed in Texas. Edward Zwick directed it, based on David Grann’s New Yorker article.
Laura Dern played the woman who fights to prove his innocence. The film premiered at Telluride.
It was reviewed as an uneven film carried by strong acting. Jack’s performance as a man on death row is one of his most quietly devastating roles.
Seberg, Jungleland and Little Fish (2019–2021)
In Seberg, a biopic directed by Benedict Andrews, Jack played Jack Solomon, an FBI agent spying on actress Jean Seberg. Kristen Stewart led, with Anthony Mackie, Vince Vaughn and Margaret Qualley. It premiered in Venice.
Jungleland is a boxing drama from Max Winkler. Jack played Lion, a fighter travelling with his brother, played by Charlie Hunnam. It premiered in Toronto.
Little Fish is a sci-fi romance by Chad Hartigan. Jack played Jude opposite Olivia Cooke, in a story about a memory-loss pandemic. It was little seen but well reviewed. Together, these three films show him leaning into dramatic roles over action.
Jack O’Connell TV Shows Beyond Skins
Godless (2017) — Roy Goode
Godless is a Western miniseries created by Scott Frank. Jack played Roy Goode, an outlaw on the run from his old gang, led by Jeff Daniels. He hides out on a ranch near La Belle, New Mexico, a town of mostly women.
Michelle Dockery co-starred as the widow who takes him in. The series is rated TV-MA and runs seven episodes.
This is one of the best Jack O’Connell TV shows for newcomers. His Roy is gentle with horses and deadly with a gun. It is a rare role where he is the hero, not the troublemaker.
The North Water (2021) — Patrick Sumner
The North Water is a five-part series based on Ian McGuire’s novel. Jack played Patrick Sumner, a disgraced ex-army surgeon who joins an Arctic whaling voyage.
Colin Farrell played Henry Drax, the brutal harpooner who becomes his enemy. The series was filmed in real Arctic conditions.
Critics reviewed it strongly for its bleak tone and powerful acting. Jack plays Sumner as a haunted man, which is a nice contrast to Farrell’s raw violence.
SAS: Rogue Heroes (2022–) — Paddy Mayne
SAS: Rogue Heroes is a six-part WWII drama from Steven Knight for the BBC. It is based on Ben Macintyre’s 2016 book about the SAS founding. Jack plays Paddy Mayne, the hard-drinking officer who resented hierarchy but led by example.
Alfie Allen and Connor Swindells co-star. The first series follows the unit through Saharan sandstorms. A third season has been confirmed, with the story heading deeper into Europe, including France and Germany.
Paddy Mayne may be his most colourful tough-guy role. Jack balances rage, humour and grief in one character. It is a standout moment in his TV career. On stage, he also played Brick in a West End production of Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, which was filmed live in 2018.
Jack O’Connell Movies and TV Shows on Netflix
People searching for Jack O’Connell movies and TV shows Netflix usually want quick picks. The two strongest Netflix titles are Godless and Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Both are Netflix originals, so they stay on the platform in most regions.
Other titles, such as Skins, Unbroken or Money Monster, rotate in and out of Netflix depending on your country. It is best to check your local library before planning a watch.
Lady Chatterley’s Lover (2022) — Oliver Mellors
This D.H. Lawrence adaptation is one of his most-watched Netflix roles. Jack played Oliver Mellors, a gamekeeper who begins an affair with Connie, played by Emma Corrin. Her husband has returned from WWI paralysed.
Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre directed the film, which runs 2h 5m and is rated R. It was reviewed well for its warmth and chemistry.
What I like about this role is how soft he makes Mellors. For an actor known for troublemakers, it is a refreshing change.
Recent Hits: Ferrari, Back to Black and Sinners
Ferrari (2023) — Peter Collins
In Michael Mann’s biopic Ferrari, Jack played Peter Collins, a British racing driver on Enzo Ferrari’s team. The film centres on the 1957 Mille Miglia race.
Adam Driver played Enzo, with Penélope Cruz as his wife. The film is based on Brock Yates’ Enzo Ferrari: The Man and the Machine. It premiered in Venice.
Made on about a $95M budget, it grossed around $42.3M at the box office. Jack’s part is small but stylish. Working with Mann was a career moment he had wanted for years.
Back to Black (2024) — Blake Fielder-Civil
In Sam Taylor-Johnson’s Amy Winehouse biopic, Jack played Blake Fielder-Civil, Amy’s bad-boy husband. Marisa Abela played Amy, with Lesley Manville and Eddie Marsan as her family. Focus Features distributed it, with music by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis.
Blake has long been vilified in the press. Jack chose not to mimic his tabloid image. Instead, he tried to interpret the man through voice and physicality.
Scenes in Camden’s Good Mixer pub, the Shangri-Las dance scene, and a tense bathroom moment stand out. Critics reviewed his work as the film’s most layered performance.
Sinners (2025) — Remmick
Sinners is Ryan Coogler’s hit horror set in 1930s Mississippi. Jack played Remmick, an ancient Irish vampire who shows up at a juke joint run by twin brothers, played by Michael B. Jordan. Delroy Lindo co-stars.
The film earned about $368M worldwide. Jack’s Irish-dancing vampire became one of the most talked-about moments of the year.
Coogler’s set mantra focused on fellowship and love among the cast. That atmosphere helped Jack build a villain who is scary but strangely lonely. It kicked off what fans now call his villain era.
Jack O’Connell in 28 Years Later and The Bone Temple
28 Years Later (2025) — Sir Jimmy Crystal
For fans searching Jack O’Connell movies and TV shows 28 Years Later, this is his headline franchise role. Danny Boyle directed the third film in the series, written by Alex Garland. Jack plays Sir Jimmy Crystal, a mysterious cult leader on the mainland.
The cast includes Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes and Alfie Williams as Spike. The film runs 1h 55m, is rated R, and was released by Columbia/Sony.
Jack appears late, but his entrance changes the whole tone. His gang of tracksuit-wearing followers sets up the next chapter.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) — Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal
In The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta, Jimmy Crystal takes centre stage. He is now a psychopathic gang leader calling himself Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal. Spike has been drawn into his cult.
The story reveals that Jimmy’s family was massacred when he was a child. He grew up corrupted by an old recording of a Jimmy Savile-style TV host, which explains his tiara, tracksuit and look. His path crosses with Ralph Fiennes’ Dr Kelson, who is chasing a world-changing discovery.
With a Garland script and a Scottish accent, Jack has called this his darkest character. Critics reviewed his work as terrifying and oddly tragic. Scenes near Fort William stand out for their tension.
Upcoming Jack O’Connell Projects
Jack’s slate for the next few years mixes blockbusters and prestige dramas.
| Title | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Godzilla x Kong: Supernova | 2027 | The next Monsterverse film, directed by Grant Sputore |
| Ink | TBA | Danny Boyle’s biopic about the early Rupert Murdoch years, with Guy Pearce and Claire Foy |
| Pretty Boy Delaney | TBA | A sports drama |
Godzilla x Kong: Supernova will be his biggest studio film since 300: Rise of an Empire. It is a sign Hollywood now sees him as a draw, not just a character actor.
Ink reunites him with Danny Boyle after 28 Years Later. It is based on the play about Murdoch’s takeover of The Sun. Pretty Boy Delaney will bring him back to sport, which suits his football-loving background.
Awards and Recognition
Jack O’Connell’s awards mostly came during his 2013–2015 breakthroughs.
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | BIFA Best Actor (Starred Up) | Nominated |
| 2014 | Cannes Chopard Trophy | Won |
| 2014 | National Board of Review Breakthrough Performer (Unbroken) | Won |
| 2014 | BIFA Best Actor (’71) | Nominated |
| 2015 | BAFTA EE Rising Star Award | Won |
The BAFTA EE Rising Star Award is voted by the public. It showed he had a real fan base, not just critics’ praise. The Chopard Trophy at Cannes placed him among other rising trailblazers of British and international screen.
How Jack O’Connell Approaches His Craft
Jack often says listening is an actor’s best tool. He prefers to react honestly in a scene rather than plan every beat. That habit goes straight back to Shane Meadows’ rehearsal style.
He has described film as a director’s medium and TV as more of a producer’s. That is why he picks directors carefully. Working with Jolie, Foster, Mann and Coogler has given him a clear sense of how American directors differ from UK casting and British sets.
His dream roles hint at his taste. He has named Sid from Sid and Nancy, Patrick Bateman from American Psycho, and Jud from Kes. He has also directed a music video and admires artists like Paul Weller. Class and background remain central to how he reads a character.
Fun Facts About Jack O’Connell
- He has a strong connection to Irish culture through his father’s heritage.
- His youth record caused US visa trouble early in his Hollywood career.
- In his early London audition days, he says he sometimes slept outside when hotels were out of reach.
- He once considered farmhand work before acting took off.
- He still sees himself as a Derbyshire man first, despite living in Surrey and working worldwide.
Jack O’Connell Net Worth
Jack O’Connell has not publicly shared his net worth. Most online estimates place it in the low millions of US dollars, though figures vary widely and should be treated as rough guesses.
His income comes from film and TV work, with big paydays from studio films like Unbroken, Sinners and the 28 Years Later series. Prestige TV like SAS: Rogue Heroes adds steady earnings.
With Godzilla x Kong: Supernova ahead, his earnings are likely to keep climbing. A Monsterverse role usually means a much bigger fee than British indies ever paid.
Where to Start: A Viewing Order for New Fans
If you are new to his work, jumping in at random can be confusing. His range is wide, and some films are very dark. Here is the order I usually suggest to friends.
- Starred Up — His raw talent in its purest form.
- ’71 — Tense, physical and short.
- Unbroken — His Hollywood lead.
- Godless — The easiest binge-watch.
- SAS: Rogue Heroes — His most fun TV role.
- Sinners — His modern villain era.
- 28 Years Later and The Bone Temple — Watch back to back.
This order moves from grounded drama to big genre films. It helps you see how his style has grown without losing its edge. Save Eden Lake for when you are ready for something truly disturbing.
FAQs
Is Jack O’Connell Irish?
No, Jack O’Connell is English. He was born in Derby, England. His father had Irish roots, which is why he feels a strong link to Irish culture and why his Irish vampire role in Sinners felt personal.
What Was Jack O’Connell’s First Movie?
His first film was This Is England in 2006, directed by Shane Meadows. He played Pukey Nicholls. He was still a teenager and had been discovered through a Nottingham drama workshop.
Which Jack O’Connell Movies and TV Shows Are on Netflix?
Godless and Lady Chatterley’s Lover are Netflix originals, so they are available in most regions. Other titles like Skins or Money Monster may appear depending on your country, so check your local Netflix library.
Is Jack O’Connell in 28 Years Later?
Yes. He plays Sir Jimmy Crystal in 28 Years Later (2025) and returns as Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026). The second film gives his character much more screen time and backstory.
Who Did Jack O’Connell Play in Skins?
He played James Cook in series three and four of Skins, from 2009 to 2010. He returned to the role in Skins Rise in 2013. Cook remains one of the show’s most popular characters.
What Is Jack O’Connell’s Next Movie?
His next big release is Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, due in 2027. He is also attached to Danny Boyle’s Ink and the sports drama Pretty Boy Delaney, both without confirmed dates.
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