Christopher William Young (born 1994) is a British actor. He began his career in theatre, earning an Ian Charleson Award nomination. On television, he starred as Jesper Fahey in the Netflix fantasy series Shadow and Bone (2021–2023). He won a Scottish BAFTA for his performance in the horror film Out of Darkness (2022). His other films include The School for Good and Evil (2022).
Early life and education Young was born in Oxford to a Scottish father and a Ugandan mother and raised in Abingdon-on-Thames. He attended Abingdon School from 2008 to 2013; he was a member of the Abingdon Film Unit and played the lead role in the school's 2012 senior production of Candide.
Young was a member of the National Youth Theatre. He had a few minor and ensemble roles, such as in the television film Walter's War and the Oxford Playhouse productions of Cinderella and Dick Whittington. He went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting in 2017.
Career Post graduation from RADA, Young played the lead in The Extraordinary Cabaret of Dorian Gray at the 2017 Underbelly Theatre Festival in South Bank. He also joined the UK tour of The Real Thing as Billy. In 2018, he played Octavius in a production of Julius Caesar at the Bridge Theatre, the Journalist in a production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie at Donmar Warehouse, and Malcolm in Macbeth at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at the Globe Theatre.
Young made his television debut in 2019 with a guest role in Endeavour. He also appeared in the Dylan Holmes Williams directed short The Devil's Harmony. That spring and summer, he played Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream at Bridge Theatre alongside Gwendoline Christie, which earned him an Ian Charleson Award nomination.
In October 2019, it was announced Young would star as Jesper Fahey the 2021 Netflix series Shadow and Bone, an adaptation of fantasy book series The Grisha Trilogy and the Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo. His performance was singled out by several publications. The series was cancelled by Netflix after two seasons. In 2022, he starred in the horror film The Origin (later Out of Darkness) and appeared in the Netflix film adaptation of The School for Good and Evil.
In 2025 Young starred in the 2025 FX and FX on Hulu series Alien: Earth, and appeared as George Knightley opposite Amelia Kenworthy in Ava Pickett's stage adaptation of Emma at the Rose Theatre, Kingston. His Jack Absolute in The Rivals at the Orange Tree was commended by one reviewer as "a particular joy to watch for his physicality and speed".Arifa Akbar - The Rivals review – heady, flapper-ish revival is stylishly silly Christmas fun. The Guardian, 4 January 2026., accessed 8 April 2026.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2018 Alex Alessandro de Medici Short film 2019 The Devil's Harmony Tyrone Short film A Midsummer Night's Dream LysanderCast list for A Midsummer Night's Dream, 17 October 2019 at the National Theatre at Home website, accessed 8 April 2026. National Theatre Live 2022 Out of Darkness Geirr The School for Good and Evil Rafal / Rhian Netflix film 2024 The Beautiful Game Cal Netflix film
Television Year Title Role Notes 2008 Walter's War Young Edward Television film 2019 Endeavour Chris Episode: "Pylon" 2021–2023 Shadow and Bone Jesper Fahey Main role 2025 Alien: Earth Tootles/Isaac 6 episodes
Music videos Song Year Artist Notes "Confessions in the Pool" 2018 Ash
Stage Year Title Role Notes 2013 The Abingdon Passion Play Jesus Abbey Gardens, Abingdon-on-Thames2017 The Extraordinary Cabaret Of Dorian Gray Dorian Gray Underbelly Festival, London The Real Thing Billy UK Tour2018 Julius Caesar Octavius Bridge Theatre, London Winter Blossom Karaoke and Other Snippets Camden People's Theatre, London The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Journalist Donmar Warehouse, London Macbeth Malcolm Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, London 2019 A Midsummer Night's Dream Lysander Bridge Theatre, London2023 InfluenceThe MagicianCollective Theatre, London2024 All's Well That Ends WellBertramSam Wanamaker Playhouse, London 2025 Emma George Knightley Rose Theatre, Kingston The Rivals Jack Absolute Orange Tree Theatre2026Present LaughterJohannesUK Tour
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2020 Ian Charleson Awards A Midsummer Night's Dream 2023The OffiesPlays: Solo PerformanceInfluence 2024 British Academy Scotland Awards Best Actor in Film Out of Darkness
See also List of Old Abingdonians
References
External links