Craig Parker (born 12 November 1970) is a Fijian-born New Zealand and American actor, known for his roles as Guy Warner in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street (1992–96, 2007–08, 2020, 2023, 2024), Haldir in the Lord of the Rings films The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) and The Two Towers (2002), Darken Rahl in the syndicated television series Legend of the Seeker (2008–10), Gaius Claudius Glaber in the starz series Spartacus (2010, 2012), and Stéphane Narcisse in the CW television series Reign (2014–17).
Career Parker starred in the TVNZ soap opera Shortland Street as Guy Warner, a character that has made several return appearances. He made his soap debut in 1992, and last appeared in 2024.
Parker appeared as Haldir of Lórien in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy (2001-2002), and as Sabas in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009). He starred in a number of New Zealand television series, most notable Mercy Peak (2001-2004), and Diplomatic Immunity (2009). He guest-starred on Xena: Warrior Princess, Young Hercules, Sleepy Hollow, and NCIS. He has also narrated many New Zealand documentaries and was the reigning champion of New Zealand's Celebrity Joker Poker in 2007.
Parker starred as Darken Rahl in Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert's syndicated television series Legend of the Seeker. He later starred as Gaius Claudius Glaber in the Starz original series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, and Spartacus: Vengeance which premiered on 22 January 2010 and is also produced by Raimi and Tapert.
From 2014 to 2017, Parker portrayed Lord Stéphane Narcisse, a powerful, manipulative, and wealthy French nobleman in The CW historical romantic drama series Reign. Initially introduced in a recurring role during season two, his character was promoted to the main cast for seasons three and four, appearing in a total of 56 episodes.
In 2018, he guest-starred as the Kree antagonist Taryan in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and appeared in a recurring role during the first season of the Charmed reboot, portraying the powerful demon and businessman Alastair Caine. From 2021 to 2024, Parker joined the recurring cast of the Freeform drama series Good Trouble, portraying Yuri Elwin, a prominent, self-centered artist.
In 2025, he guest-starred as Jesse, the former police partner and old flame of Lucy Lawless’s character Alexa Crowe, in the two-part fifth season finale of the mystery series My Life Is Murder. The following year, he co-starred as Ethan alongside Sean Astin in the political thriller film A Social Contract.
Personal life Parker was educated at Glenfield College on Auckland's North Shore and attended Northland Youth Theatre in Whangārei.
Parker has been based in Los Angeles, California, since 2012. On 6 April 2023, he announced that he had become a naturalized American citizen.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes1998Soldier #12001No One Can Hear YouHenleyHaldir20022003The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingGothmog / GuritzVoice2006Weekend LoversMatt2009Underworld: Rise of the LycansSabas2026A Social ContractEthan
Television Year Title Role Notes1989HotshotzNicholas PagetMiniseries1989–1990GlossJustin GriegRecurring role (season 3), unknown episodes1991Gold: The World's PlayStanley SmithTelevision film1992, 1993–1996, 2007–2008, 2020, 2023, 2024Shortland StreetGuy WarnerRecurring role (1992) Main role (1993–1996, 2007–2008) Guest role (2020, 2023, 2024)1993Student bartenderMiniseries1996City LifeSeth2 episodes19972 PeopleHostUnknown episodes1997Xena: Warrior PrincessPrince SarpedonEpisode: "For Him the Bell Tolls"1998Young HerculesLucius2 episodes1999Xena: Warrior PrincessCleadesEpisode: "The Key to the Kingdom"1999A Twist in the TaleLarry SharpeEpisode: "A Crack in Time"2001Xena: Warrior PrincessBellerophonEpisode: "To Helicon and Back"2001–2004Mercy PeakAlistair KingsleyMain role, 32 episodesNominated — New Zealand Film and TV Award for Best Supporting Actor2003Power Rangers Ninja StormBlue FaceVoice role; episode: "Prelude to a Storm"2003Power Rangers Ninja StormMad MagnetVoice role; episode: "There's No "I" in Team"2003Power Rangers Ninja StormMotodroneRecurring voice role, 8 episodes2005Power Rangers S.P.D.NarratorVoice role; episode: "Beginnings: Part 1"2008–2010Legend of the SeekerDarken Rahl / WalterMain role, 25 episodesNominated — New Zealand Film and TV Award for Best Performance by a Supporting Actor2009Diplomatic ImmunityLeighton MillsMain role, 13 episodes2010RadiradirahPrince John, various voices2 episodes2010Spartacus: Blood and SandGaius Claudius GlaberRecurring role, 3 episodes2011Waitangi: What Really HappenedJames Stuart FreemanTelevision film2011Auckland DazeCraig / SelfEpisode: "1.2"2012Spartacus: VengeanceGaius Claudius GlaberMain role, 10 episodes2012Shackleton's CaptainFrank WorsleyTelevision filmNominated — New Zealand Film and TV Award for Best Performance by an Actor2013NCIS: Los AngelesVasile ComescuEpisode: "Reznikov, N."2013Sleepy HollowColonel Banastre TarletonEpisode: "The Sin Eater"2014NCISJAG Major Richard HugginsEpisode: "Shooter"2014–2017ReignStéphane NarcisseRecurring role (season 2) Main role (seasons 3–4), 56 episodes2018Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.Taryan2 episodes2018–2019CharmedAlastair CaineRecurring role (season 1), 11 episodes2021–2024Good TroubleYuri ElwinRecurring role (seasons 3–5), 13 episodes2025My Life Is MurderJesse2 episodes
Theatre Year Title Role Notes1987–1997Theatre Sports1991MacbethMalcolm1992WeedHugh1994Constantin1997ArcadiaValentine Coverly1998–99Wind in the WillowsMole1999Amy's ViewDominic Tyghe2001Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are DeadRosencrantz2001Robert Ross2002–03Narrator2005Serial KillersMatt2006Glide TimeJohn2007Katurian
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