Thomas Brodie-Sangster

GdLU...6zz5

2 Mar 2024

Thomas Brodie-Sangster

Thomas Brodie-Sangster, born on 16 May 1990, is a distinguished English actor recognized for his versatile roles across various genres. Notable among his early performances is the character Sam in Love Actually (2003) and Simon in Nanny McPhee (2005). His voice brought life to Ferb in the animated series Phineas and Ferb (2007–2015), showcasing his multifaceted talents.

Brodie-Sangster ventured into the fantasy realm as Jojen Reed in Game of Thrones (2013–2014), captivating audiences with his portrayal. He further demonstrated his acting prowess as Newt in the Maze Runner film series (2014–2018), leaving an indelible mark on the dystopian narrative. In 2020, he took on the role of Benny Watts in the Netflix miniseries The Queen's Gambit, earning him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.

Beyond mainstream success, Brodie-Sangster has garnered acclaim for his contributions to cult films, including Death of a Superhero (2011), Bright Star (2009), and his portrayal of Paul McCartney in Nowhere Boy (2009). His television credits encompass the role of Jake Murray in the series Accused (2010–2012).

Diversifying his career, he made a brief but memorable appearance as an officer of the First Order in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). Additionally, Brodie-Sangster took on the character Whitey Winn in the Netflix miniseries Godless (2017) and lent his voice to John Tracy in Thunderbirds Are Go (2015–2020), showcasing his adaptability across different mediums and genres.

Born on 16 May 1990 in Southwark, London, to Mark Sangster and Tasha Bertram, Thomas Brodie-Sangster's roots connect him to Banchory, Scotland, through his father's family. Growing up, he shared his journey with a sister. In addition to his acting prowess, Brodie-Sangster showcases his musical talents by playing both bass and guitar. His commitment to authenticity in his roles is evident as he learned to play the left-handed guitar for his portrayal of the left-handed Paul McCartney in the feature film Nowhere Boy. Further highlighting his dedication to his craft, he also acquired drumming skills for his role in Love Actually (2003).

In 2001, Thomas Brodie-Sangster took his first steps into the world of acting with a role in the BBC television film, Station Jim. Following this debut, he continued to make his mark in television, securing lead roles in notable productions such as Bobbie's Girl, The Miracle of the Cards (based on Craig Shergold's story), and Stig of the Dump. His outstanding performance in the miniseries Entrusted earned him the prestigious "Golden Nymph" award at the 43rd Annual Monte Carlo Television Festival.

Brodie-Sangster's transition to the big screen occurred with Love Actually (2003), a major theatrical film where he portrayed Sam. This role not only marked a significant milestone but also earned him nominations for a Golden Satellite Award[6] and a Young Artist Award.
Continuing his diverse acting journey, Brodie-Sangster took on a television adaptation of the novel Feather Boy and played a younger version of James Franco's character Tristan in the film adaptation of Tristan & Isolde. Demonstrating his versatility, he engaged in a (child's) sword fight in the latter film. Following this, he secured a starring role in the commercially successful Nanny McPhee (2005), portraying the eldest of seven children.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster's career continued to flourish in 2007 when he took on the role of schoolboy Tim Latimer in a two-part story ("Human Nature" and "The Family of Blood") in Doctor Who. His association with the Doctor Who universe extended to the Big Finish Doctor Who audio dramas, The Mind's Eye and The Bride of Peladon. Simultaneously, he voiced the character Ferb Fletcher in the Disney Channel animated series Phineas and Ferb. Additionally, he starred in the film adaptation of Valerio Massimo Manfredi's historical novel The Last Legion.

The following year, in 2008, Brodie-Sangster joined director Jane Campion's film Bright Star, a poignant love story about John Keats and Fanny Brawne. He also portrayed Paul McCartney in Nowhere Boy, a film directed by Sam Taylor-Wood, exploring the teenage years of John Lennon.

Further showcasing his diverse acting skills, Brodie-Sangster played Casey in the film Some Dogs Bite, a compelling story about a boy determined to keep his family together. He also appeared in the Irish film Death of a Superhero, based on Anthony McCarten's novel. Notably, he played Liam in the 2011 film The Last Furlong and made a guest appearance as Adam Douglas in an episode of the British detective drama Lewis in April 2011.

In 2013, Brodie-Sangster took on the role of Jojen Reed in the HBO series Game of Thrones, captivating audiences with his performance from 2013 to 2014. His talents extended to providing the voice of John Tracy in ITV's remake of Gerry Anderson's puppet series Thunderbirds Are Go (2015–2020).

The Maze Runner trilogy marked another significant chapter in his career, where he played the character Newt in The Maze Runner (2014), Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015), and Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018). His diverse roles continued with the portrayal of Rafe Sadler in the BBC2's television adaptation of Wolf Hall (2015).

In 2017, Brodie-Sangster portrayed Whitey Winn in the Netflix western drama miniseries Godless, created by Scott Frank. He continued his collaboration with Frank in the Netflix miniseries The Queen's Gambit (2020), where he played the role of chess player Benny Watts. Both series received critical acclaim, with The Queen's Gambit becoming Netflix's most-watched scripted miniseries.

The Love Actually legacy lived on in 2017 with the release of the 15-minute sequel Red Nose Day Actually, where Brodie-Sangster reprised his role. In 2023, he portrayed Jack "Artful Dodger" Dawkins in the Disney+ miniseries The Artful Dodger, exploring the character's life after the events of Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist.

Brodie Films and Winnet music

In 2006, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, in collaboration with his mother Tasha Bertram, founded Brodie Films. The primary goal of the company was to generate opportunities within the film industry for emerging British talent, including innovative writers, actors, and directors. However, the venture came to an end when the company was dissolved in May 2013.
Beyond his contributions to the film industry, Brodie-Sangster is also a musician. He plays the bass guitar and, in January 2010, became a member of the band Winnet, where his mother contributes vocals.