Alex Lawther Biography

Alex Lawther (born 4 May 1995) is an English actor. He is known for portraying the young Alan Turing in the film The Imitation Game (2014), which won him the London Film Critics' Circle Award for Young British Performer of the Year, and has received acclaim as James in The End of the F***ing World and as Kenny in the series three episode "Shut Up and Dance" in the science fiction anthology series Black Mirror.

Early life

Lawther was born in Petersfield, Hampshire. The youngest of three, he has said that his aspiration to be an actor came from having to make up his own games to entertain himself as a child. His parents both work in law, while his older brother, Cameron Lawther, is a film producer, and his older sister Ellie Lawther works in public policy. In 2010, the brothers worked together on The Fear.

In 2009, Lawther wrote and put together a play as part of his drama club involvement at Churcher's College. Lawther played Ratty in The Wind in the Willows at school. Lawther did not study drama at GCSE or A level. Until his first professional acting performance, he was set to study History at King's College London. He trained with the National Youth Theatre.

Career

Lawther's professional debut came at the age of 16, when he appeared as John Blakemore in David Hare's South Downs at Chichester Festival Theatre. He made his feature film debut in the Academy Award-winning film The Imitation Game (2014). The role won him the London Film Critics' Circle Award for "Young British Performer of the Year" in 2015. In 2015, he appeared in a supporting role in the critically acclaimed coming-of-age drama film [[X+Y]]. In 2016, he gained his first lead role playing Elliot, alongside Juliet Stevenson in the British film, Departure, the debut film of Andrew Steggall.

In 2016, Lawther played the main character Kenny in "Shut Up and Dance", an episode from series three of the British science fiction anthology series Black Mirror. While the episode overall received mixed reviews, Lawther received acclaim and significant recognition for his performance. In 2017, he also starred, alongside Jessica Barden, as James in the television series, The End of the F***ng World. The role also brought Lawther more acclaim from critics.

Recognition

Lawther has been praised by Dame Maggie Smith for his work, reportedly telling him that "most of us spend our lives trying to do what you've achieved". He has been compared to actor Ben Whishaw, whom he cites as an idol of his.

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2013	Benjamin Britten: Peace and Conflict	Benjamin Britten	Docudrama
2014	The Imitation Game	Young Alan Turing	London Film Critics' Circle Award for "Young British Performer of the Year" Nominated BFI London Film Festival Award for Best British Newcomer
2014	[[X+Y]]	Isaac Cooper
2016	Departure	Elliot
2017	Freak Show	Billy Bloom
2017	Goodbye Christopher Robin	Older Christopher Robin
2018	Ghost Stories	Simon Rifkind

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2014	Holby City	Fred Bamber	1 episode
2016	Black Mirror	Kenny	Episode: "Shut Up and Dance"
2017	Carnage	Volunteer: Joseph	Mockumentary
2017	The End of the F***ing World	James	Miniseries (Main role, 8 episodes)
2017	Howards End	Tibby	Miniseries

Stage

Year	Title	Role	Venue
2011	South Downs	John Blakemore	Chichester Festival Theatre
2012	South Downs	John Blakemore	Harold Pinter Theatre
2013	Fault Lines	Ryan	Hampstead Theatre
2014	The Glass Supper	Jamie	Hampstead Theatre
2015	Crushed Shells and Mud	Derek	Southwark Playhouse
2017 & 2018	The Jungle	Sam	Young Vic Theatre & Playhouse Theatre (2018)

Radio

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2013	South Downs	John Blakemore
2014	How to Say Goodbye Properly	Toby
2014	Rock Me Amadeus	Charlie	BBC Radio 4
2015	Decline and Fall	Peter