Ben Whishaw

Last updated on the 1 June 2025 by Evandrus

Mini Biography

Born: 14 October 1980, Clifton, Bedfordshire, England.

Ben Whishaw grew up in a family with diverse heritage. His mother, Linda, worked in cosmetics, while his father, Jose, was involved in sports with young people. Ben has a fraternal twin brother, James. His paternal lineage includes French, German and Russian ancestry, with his grandfather serving as a British spy during World War II.

Whishaw’s passion for acting blossomed during his school years. He attended Samuel Whitbread Community College and became a member of the Bancroft Players Youth Theatre at Hitchin’s Queen Mother Theatre. His talent was evident early on, as he received critical acclaim for his performance in “If This Is a Man” at the Edinburgh Festival in 1995. He later developed his craft at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), graduating in 2003.

Ben Whishaw’s career spans both stage and screen. He gained recognition for his portrayal of Hamlet in Trevor Nunn’s 2004 production, earning comparisons to Laurence Olivier. On television, he starred in “Criminal Justice” (2008), “The Hour” (2011–2012), and “London Spy” (2015). His film roles include Jean-Baptiste Grenouille in “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer” (2006), Q in the James Bond series starting with “Skyfall” (2012), and the voice of Paddington Bear in the beloved “Paddington” films.

In his personal life, Whishaw is known for his privacy. He entered a civil partnership with Australian composer Mark Bradshaw in 2012, though they amicably separated in 2022. Ben has openly discussed his journey with self-acceptance and his views on representation in the entertainment industry. Despite his reserved nature, he continues to inspire audiences with his authenticity and talent.

WINNER | Television: Leading Actor for Richard II, The Hollow Crown (2013)  | Television: Supporting Actor for A Very English Scandal (2019) 

Suggested viewing 

Black Doves (2024)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.2

Helen, leading a double life, starts a passionate affair with a man who doesn’t know her true identity. When he gets caught up in London’s dangerous underworld, her employers bring in Sam to protect her.

Top cast: Keira Knightley, Ben Whishaw, Ella Lily Hyland, Sam Troughton, Sarah Lancashire, Omari Douglas, Andrew Buchan, Andrew Koji.

A Very English Scandal (2018)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.7

“A Very English Scandal” is a true story based on the book by John Preston. It follows the scandalous affair between British politician Jeremy Thorpe and his lover Norman Scott, leading to a murder plot and a high-profile trial that rocked the British political landscape in the 1970s.

Top cast: Hugh Grant, Ben Whishaw, Alex Jennings, Patricia Hodge, Monica Dolan, Jason Watkins, Eve Myles, Michele Dotrice.

Brideshead Revisited (2008)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.7

“Brideshead Revisited” is based on the classic novel by Evelyn Waugh that explores the themes of love, religion and nostalgia. The story follows Charles Ryder as he becomes infatuated with the wealthy and eccentric Marchmain family, particularly the enigmatic Sebastian Flyte, leading to a complex tale of forbidden desires and the decline of a privileged world.

Top cast: Matthew Goode, Ben Whishaw, Hayley Atwell, Emma Thompson, Michael Gambon, Greta Scacchi, Felicity Jones, Jonathan Cake.

Alternative version

Skyfall (2012)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.8

In “Skyfall,” the 23rd installment in the James Bond film franchise, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 faces a threat from a cyber-terrorist, Bond embarks on a mission to uncover the truth and protect those he holds dear, leading to a climactic battle with a formidable enemy.

Top cast: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Bérénice Marlohe, Albert Finney, Judi Dench, Ben Whishaw.

More Bond

Criminal Justice (2008)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.7

“Criminal Justice” is a British television drama series that follows the journey of Ben Coulter, a young man accused of murder. The show delves into the complexities of the criminal justice system, exploring themes of guilt, innocence and the effects of being caught up in a high-stakes legal battle.

S1.E1 The Man on the Platform

Top cast: Ben Whishaw, Maxine Peake, Pete Postlethwaite, Con O’Neill, Lindsay Duncan, Matthew Macfadyen, Sophie Okonedo, David Harewood

Queers (2017)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.9

“Queers” is a thought-provoking and powerful anthology series that artfully weaves together the rich tapestry of the LGBTQ+ experience, capturing the essence of diverse voices and perspectives. Through a collection of monologues set in various time periods, the show delves deep into the lives of queer individuals, uncovering their struggles against societal norms, their triumphant moments of self-discovery and acceptance and their unwavering resilience in the face of adversity.

Top cast: Alan Cumming, Ben Whishaw, Russell Tovey, Gemma Whelan, Rebecca Front, Kadiff Kirwan, Ian Gelder, Fionn Whitehead.

London Spy (2015)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.4

“London Spy”: A gripping British television series that follows the story of Danny, a young man who becomes entangled in a complex web of espionage, love and betrayal in London. After his lover disappears, Danny unravels a dangerous conspiracy, risking everything to uncover the truth about his mysterious partner’s double life.

Top cast: Ben Whishaw, Edward Holcroft, Jim Broadbent, Charlotte Rampling, Zrinka Cvitešić, Adrian Lester, Harriet Walter, Samantha Spiro.

The Hour (2011)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.0

In the midst of Cold War-era England, an enthralling tale of behind-the-scenes drama and espionage unfolds. Delving into the intricate world of journalism, this suspenseful thriller intertwines the lives of a tenacious journalist, a resourceful producer and a charismatic anchorman, all united in their pursuit of truth and justice through an investigative news program.

Top cast: Ben Whishaw, Romola Garai, Dominic West, Anna Chancellor, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Oona Chaplin, Anton Lesser, Joshua McGuire.

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.5

“Perfume: The Story of a Murderer” is based on the dark novel by Patrick Süskind. It follows the life of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a gifted but disturbed perfumer in 18th-century France. Obsessed with capturing the perfect scent, Grenouille resorts to murder, ultimately leading to a chilling and sinister climax.

Top cast: Ben Whishaw, Dustin Hoffman, Alan Rickman, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Karoline Herfurth, Simon Chandler, David Calder, and Corinna Harfouch.

This Is Going to Hurt (2022)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.4

“This Is Going to Hurt” is based on the memoir by Adam Kay that chronicles his experiences as a junior doctor in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). Through a blend of humour and poignancy, Kay explores the challenges, triumphs and sacrifices of working on the frontlines of healthcare, shedding light on the realities of the medical profession.

Top cast: Ben Whishaw, Ambika Mod, Alex Jennings, Michele Austin, Rory Fleck-Byrne, Tom Duran-Pritchard, Harriet Walter, Kadiff Kirwan, Ashley McGuire.

The Hollow Crown (2012)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.2

In “The Hollow Crown” episode “King Richard,” based on Shakespeare’s play “Richard II,” the story revolves around the downfall of King Richard II and his conflict with Henry Bolingbroke, who later becomes Henry IV. The play explores themes of power, leadership and the consequences of political turmoil in medieval England.

Top cast: Ben Whishaw, Rory Kinnear, David Suchet, Patrick Stewart, Lindsay Duncan, David Morrissey, Tom Hughes, James Purefoy.

Bright Star (2009)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.9

A young, passionate poet (John Keats) and a woman bound by marriage (Fanny Brawne) find themselves in a forbidden love affair. Set against the backdrop of strict social norms in Victorian England, their different stations in life threaten to tear them apart. Despite the challenges, their connection is undeniable and intensifies as their love deepens. They are forced to confront a difficult decision: fight for a future together or succumb to the pressures of society.

Top cast: Ben Whishaw, Abbie Cornish, Paul Schneider, Kerry Fox, Edie Martin, Claudie Blakley, Gerard Monaco, Antonia Campbell-Hughes, Jonathan Aris, Samuel Barnett.

More films about poets

Full filmography @ Wikipedia