Jonny Lee Miller

Last updated on the 9 May 2025 by Maeve

Mini Biography

Born: November 15, 1972, Kingston upon Thames, England.

Jonny Lee Miller hails from a family deeply rooted in the world of theatre. His parents, Ann Lee and Alan Miller, were both stage actors, while his grandfather, Bernard Lee, gained fame portraying “M” in eleven James Bond films. Surrounded by the world of performance, Jonny found his own stage early, appearing in school plays and the Tiffin Swing Band.

He honed his skills at the National Youth Music Theatre, where he crossed paths with Jude Law, who would later become his Hollywood colleague. Leaving school at 16, Jonny plunged headfirst into the professional world.

His career launched with a bang in 1995. Hacking into audiences’ hearts with “Hackers,” a teenage cybercrime romp, he then delivered a career-defining performance as Simon “Sick Boy” Williamson in Danny Boyle’s cult classic, “Trainspotting.” His charismatic portrayal of the Edinburgh heroin addict, oscillating between bravado and vulnerability, cemented his place as a rising star.

Jonny’s diverse talents shone in a range of subsequent roles. He captivated audiences as a young Winston Churchill in “Endgame,” tackled Shakespeare with nuance in “Much Ado About Nothing,” and brought heartbreaking poignancy to the real-life runner Bobby Moore in “The Flying Scotsman.” He embraced American television in the successful Sherlock Holmes reimagining, “Elementary,” showcasing his comedic and dramatic chops as the consulting detective.

Jonny Lee Miller’s personal life has been marked by both Hollywood spotlight and quiet solace. His 1996 marriage to co-star Angelina Jolie, a whirlwind romance sparked by their on-screen chemistry in “Hackers”, became a subject of intense fascination for the tabloids. Their three-year union, culminating in a spontaneous Las Vegas ceremony, ended amicably in 2000. Jonny later found lasting love with actress Michele Hicks, with whom he shares a son, Buster.

Suggested viewing

The Flying Scotsman (2006)

Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 7.0

Battling bipolar demons and lacking both sponsorships and a fancy bike, Graeme Obree, a Scottish bike shop owner, defies the odds. He builds “Old Faithful” – a revolutionary scrap metal contraption – and conquers the world one-hour cycling record, only to have it stripped due to technicalities. Undeterred, he aims to reclaim the title, proving true grit knows no limitations, even when facing your own internal headwinds.

Top cast: Jonny Lee Miller, Laura Fraser, Brian Cox, Billy Boyd, Ron Donachie, Morven Christie.

Trainspotting (1996)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.1

“Trainspotting,” a gritty film directed by Danny Boyle, examines the lives of a group of heroin addicts in Edinburgh, Scotland. Mark Renton, the protagonist, struggles with addiction, friendship and the pursuit of a better life. The film exposes the dark realities of drug abuse while exploring themes of identity, rebellion and the consequences of choices.

Top cast: Ewan Mcgregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle, Kelly Macdonald, Kevin McKidd, Peter Mullans, James Cosmo, Eileen Nicholas.

Emma (2009)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 8.1

In the 2009 adaptation of “Emma,” based on Jane Austen’s novel, we follow Emma Woodhouse,

a clever and privileged young woman in 19th-century England. With a penchant for matchmaking, Emma meddles in the romantic lives of those around her, leading to humorous misunderstandings and ultimately discovering the true nature of love and self-discovery.

Top cast: Romola Garai, Michael Gambon, Jonny Lee Miller, Tamsin Greig, Jodhi May, Robert Bathurst, Louise Dylan, Valerie Lilley, Blake Ritson.

The Crown (2016)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.6

“The Crown,” a critically acclaimed TV series, chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II from her early days as a newlywed to the challenges she faces as the longest-reigning monarch in British history. The show explores the personal and political struggles she encounters, offering an intimate portrayal of the British royal family and the changing times they navigate.

Top cast: Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce, Dominic West, Elizabeth Debicki, Claudia Harrison, Lesley Manville, Marcia Warren, Jonny Lee Miller (S5).

Full filmography (@Wikipedia)