Rufus Sewell

Last updated on the 15 September 2024 by Maeve

Mini Biography

Born: 29 October 1967, Hammersmith, London, England. 

Rufus Sewell is an English actor who has appeared in films, television, and theatre. He was born to an Australian animator father and a Welsh artist and pianist mother. His parents divorced when he was five and his father died when he was 10. He grew up in a difficult and rebellious adolescence.

Rufus Sewell attended Orleans Park School and West Thames College, where he was encouraged by a drama teacher to audition for drama school. He enrolled at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, where he was set up with an agent by Judi Dench, who had directed him in a play.

Rufus Sewell’s breakthrough year was in 1993, when he starred in the film Dirty Weekend and the BBC serial Middlemarch. He also originated the role of Septimus Hodge in Tom Stoppard’s play Arcadia at the Royal National Theatre, which earned him critical acclaim and a nomination for the Olivier Award for Best Actor.

Rufus Sewell has since appeared in a variety of roles, often playing villains or complex characters. Some of his notable films include Dangerous Beauty, Dark City, A Knight’s Tale, The Legend of Zorro, The Illusionist, The Holiday, The Tourist, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Judy, The Father, and Old.

He has also starred in several television series and miniseries, such as Charles II: The Power and the Passion, John Adams, Eleventh Hour, Zen, The Pillars of the Earth, Parade’s End, Victoria, The Man in the High Castle, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and The Pale Horse.

Rufus Sewell has also continued his theatre career, winning the Olivier Award for Best Actor in 2007 for his performance as Jan in Stoppard’s Rock ‘n’ Roll. He also received a Tony Award nomination for the same role on Broadway. He has also appeared in plays such as Macbeth, Old Times, Closer, Art, and The Father.

Rufus Sewell has been married and divorced twice. His first wife was fashion journalist Yasmin Abdallah, whom he married in 1999 and divorced in 2000. His second wife was scriptwriter and producer Amy Gardner, whom he married in 2004 and divorced in 2006. He has two children, a son named William and a daughter named Lola. He currently lives in London and Los Angeles. He enjoys photography and uses Leica cameras as a hobby.

Suggested viewing

Zen (2011)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.7

Set in Rome, this series centres on Aurelio Zen, an intelligent and principled police detective as he manoeuvres through the intricacies of bureaucracy and political meddling while investigating crimes. Drawing on novels by Michael Dibdin, the series delves into themes of justice, corruption and personal challenges within a contemporary Italian backdrop.

Top cast: Rufus Sewell, Caterina Murino, Stanley Townsend, Ben Miles, Ed Stoppard, Nathalie Rapti Gomez, Vincent Riotta, Catherine Spaak, Sargon Yelda.

Middlemarch (1994)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.5

“Middlemarch”, based on the novel by George Eliot, follows the lives of various characters in the fictional English town of Middlemarch. It explores themes of love, marriage, ambition and social change. Through intricate plotlines and rich character development, the story highlights the complexities of human nature and the pursuit of happiness in a changing society.

Top cast: Caroline Harker, Rufus Sewell, Juliet Aubrey, Peter Jeffrey, Trevyn McDowell, Douglas Hodge, Robert Hardy, Patrick Malahide, Michael Hordern.

External link – Middlemarch at Period Drama Stills

The Pillars of the Earth (2010)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.0

“The Pillars of the Earth” is an epic historical novel that unfolds in 12th-century England. It revolves around the construction of a magnificent cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. Amidst political intrigue, power struggles and forbidden love, the lives of various characters intertwine, shaping the destiny of the town and its people.

Top cast: Ian McShane, Matthew Macfadyen, Eddie Redmayne, Hayley Atwell, Rufus Sewell, Sarah Parish, Robert Bathurst, Sam Claflin, David Oakes, Donald Sutherland.

The Pale Horse (2020)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.1

In the quaint village of Much Deeping, a series of inexplicable deaths unveils a web of dark secrets. Mark Easterbrook, an amateur sleuth, uncovers a connection to a mysterious list and a sinister organisation. Racing against time, he must unravel the truth behind The Pale Horse and confront the forces of evil.

Top cast: Rufus Sewell, Kaya Scodelario, Georgina Campbell, Sean Pertwee, Bertie Carvel, Kathy Keira Clarke, Sheila Atim, Rita Tushingham, James Fleet.

Charles II: The Power and
the Passion (2003)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.5

Charles II, a king marked by turmoil and resilience. Restoring the monarchy after years of political instability, he embraced a life of indulgence and intrigue. His reign was a captivating blend of scandal, art and political maneuvering. Amidst the Great Fire and the Plague, Charles II left an indelible mark on English history.

Top cast: Rufus Sewell, Charlie Creed-Miles, Christian Coulsdon, Shirley Henderson, Rupert Graves, Helen McCrory, Shaun Dingwall, Robert Cavanah, Mélanie Thierry.

Scoop (2024)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.6

“Scoop” looks into the background of the Prince Andrew interview. A determined journalist goes to great lengths to arrange a televised discussion with the Prince, who is under public scrutiny for his links to a convicted sex offender. The film follows the challenges and discussions among the journalist, palace staff and an experienced interviewer, leading up to a crucial moment that could greatly influence how the British establishment is perceived by the public.

Top cast: Gillian Anderson, Billie Piper, Rufus Sewell, Keeley Hawes, Romola Garai, Richard Goulding, Amanda Redman, Lia Williams, Charity Wakefield.

Rufus Sewell full filmography @ Wikipedia