Dustin Demri-Burns is a British actor, comedian and writer. He is best known for his work in Cardinal Burns (2012–2014), Slow Horses (2022), and Criminal Record (2026)
He appeared in films as Danny Sinclair in Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (2013), Viktor in the action comedy film The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018), and Crazy Cedric in the comedy film Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans (2019).
In television, he appeared in shows as Julian in Stath Lets Flats, Will_5000 in Sick Note, Simon in GameFace, Daniel in Turn Up Charlie, and Voltaire in The Great.
Early life and education Dustin Demri-Burns attended Elliott School, Putney, Putney Heath, southwest London from 1989 to 1996. He graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art with a degree in acting.
Career Demri-Burns started his acting career when he played a minor character in the short film Nightswimming (2003).
His film credits include The Spy Who Dumped Me, Bridget Jones' Baby, Grimsby, and Kill Your Friends.
He played the role of Danny Sinclair in the 2013 film Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, featuring Steve Coogan, and has also played the role of Cedric in the 2019 film Horrible Histories: The Movie - Rotten Romans. The same year, he also started in Abigail Blackmore's film Tales from the Lodge, alongside Kelly Wenham, Mackenzie Crook, Laura Fraser, Sophie Thompson and Johnny Vegas.
Along with his friend Sebastian Cardinal, he created and produced the sketch comedy programme Cardinal Burns.
Demri-Burns has provided voices of characters in animation, such as the voice of Grumpy in Digby Dragon and as the UK/U.S. voice of Tread in Bob the Builder.
In 2020, he played the role of Voltaire in season 1 of the Hulu television series The Great, featuring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult. He reprised his role as a recurring character in seasons 2 (2021) and 3 (2023) of the show.
In the second series of Criminal Record, released in 2026, he is featured as the key antagonist, far-right influencer and conspirator Cosmo Thompson, the Guardian crediting him with "another ferociously watchable turn," as "an athleisure-suited charmer from the oi-oi-saveloy school of fascism."
Filmography Film
Year Title RoleNotes 2003 Nightswimming Young Man Short film2004 Shade – Short film. Director Out of the Shadows Boy in Graveyard Short film 2007 Prada & Prejudice Clown Short film. Also writer 2009 HIV: The Musical Jolian Short film2013 I Give It a Year Dove Violinist Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa Danny Sinclair 2014 Chandide Pangloss Short film 2015 Kill Your Friends David Schneider2016 Grimsby Analyst #2 Also known as: The Brothers Grimsby (U.S. & Canada). Uncredited role Bridget Jones's Baby Interviewer Uncredited role 2017 Bob the Builder: Mega Machines Tread / Thud (voices) UK/U.S. versions2018 The Short of It Man Short film The Spy Who Dumped Me Viktor The Orgy Gary Short film Diane's New Boyfriend Jerry Short film2019 Tales from the Lodge Paul Horrible Histories: The Movie - Rotten Romans Crazy Cedric 2021 All My Friends Hate Me Harry 2026 The Magic Faraway Tree Saucepan Man Post-production Post-production
Television Year Title RoleNotes 2006 Coming Up Writer 1 1 episode2007 Hyperdrive Queppu Warrior 1 episode Saxondale Brian May 1 episode 2008 Love Soup Kenny 1 episode 2010 The Persuasionists Focus Group member 1 episode 2011 Life's Too Short Best Man 1 episode 2012 Spy Didier 1 episode 2012–2014 Cardinal Burns Various roles Main role, 12 episodes. Also writer 2013 The Mimic Computer Geek / PC Universe Worker 2 2 episodes2014 Bad Education Philip 1 episode Psychobitches Various roles Miniseries, 4 episodes. Also writer on 3 episodes 2015 Asylum Ludo Backslash Miniseries, 3 episodes 2015–2017 Drunk History: UK Various roles Recurring role, 9 episodes 2015–2018 Bob the Builder Sylvain / Phil Lucas / Tread / Thud / Crunch / Norm (voices) Recurring role, 15 episodes. UK/U.S. versions2016 Peaky Blinders Monsieur Silk 1 episode Digby Dragon Grumpy Goblin (voice) Main role, 11 episodes2017–2018 Urban Myths Josef Francis Rossi 2 episodes Sick Note Will_5000 Recurring role, 5 episodes 2017–2019 GameFace Simon Main role, 8 episodes 2018 A Discovery of Witches Sean 1 episode, uncredits 2018–2019 Stath Lets Flats Julian Recurring role, 8 episodes2019 Turn Up Charlie Daniel Smith 3 episodes The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Daudran (voice) 2 episodes The Capture Francis 2 episodes2020 King Gary Fred 1 episode Truth Seekers Kettering / Doctor Kettering 1 episode 2020–2023 The Great Voltaire Recurring role, 7 episodes2021 Bloods Crackhead John 1 episode Britannia Blain Recurring role, 7 episodes2022 Ellie & Natasia Various characters 1 episode The Flatshare Phil Recurring role, 5 episodes Slow Horses Min Harper Recurring role, 10 episodes The Heroic Quest of the Valiant Prince Ivandoe Additional voices 1 episode 2022–present Am I Being Unreasonable? Dan Main role; 12 episodes2024 3 Body Problem Ted Episode: "The Stars Our Destination" The Decameron Arriguccio 3 episodes Sweetpea Jeff Main role, 5 episodes 2025 Dope Girls Damaso Salucci Recurring role, 6 episodes 2026 Criminal Record Cosmo Thompson Season 2
Video game Year Title Role Notes 2012 Harry Potter for Kinect Professor Flitwick (voice)
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