Thomas John Ellis (born 17 November 1978) is a Welsh actor. He became known for playing Gary Preston in the BBC One sitcom Miranda (2009–2015), then achieved wider recognition for his role as Lucifer Morningstar in the Fox/Netflix urban fantasy series Lucifer (2016–2021), also the Arrowverse franchise crossover "Crisis on Infinite Earths" (2019), and Colin Glass in the CBS drama series CIA (2026–present).
Early life Thomas John Ellis was born at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on 17 November 1978,How to Fail with Elizabeth Day, 3 September 2025: Tom Ellis on Fatherhood, Surrogacy and Years of Therapy the son of Marilyn Jean (née Hooper) and Christopher John Ellis. He has three sisters, one of whom is his twin; when they were born, they broke the Welsh record for heaviest twins.Tom Ellis on Twitter: Just to clarify for all you doubters I am welsh. Me and my sis were the heaviest twins on record born in south Wales...check the echo 1978 x. His father, uncle, and one of his sisters are all Baptist ministers. Shortly after his birth, the family left Wales for England and settled in Sheffield, where he attended High Storrs School and played the French horn in the city's youth orchestra. He later earned a BA in Dramatic Studies from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.
Career Ellis first became known for his role as Gary Preston on the BBC One sitcom Miranda (2009–2015). His other roles around this time included Justyn in the Channel 4 series No Angels (2005–2006), Thomas Milligan in the Doctor Who episode "Last of the Time Lords" (2007), and King Cenred in the BBC series Merlin (2008). He has also appeared in the soap opera EastEnders, the sketch comedy show The Catherine Tate Show, and the medical drama Holby City, and the comedy-drama Monday Monday. He was cast as Detective Inspector Bland in Agatha Christie's Poirot.
Ellis had his breakout role as Lucifer Morningstar in the Fox/Netflix series Lucifer (2016–2021), based on DC Comics' character of the same name. On 23 June 2020, it was announced that Netflix had renewed the show for a sixth and final season. He reprised the role for The Flash crossover Arrowverse episode "Crisis on Infinite Earths". He won the 2021 Tell-Tale TV Award for Favorite Actor in a Cable or Streaming Sci-fi/Fantasy/Horror Series.
Ellis starred as Nick in the Netflix romantic comedy film Players (2024) and voiced GodCat in the animated series Exploding Kittens (2024). In April 2025, he was cast as the leading role of the upcoming CBS series CIA.
Personal life In 2006, Ellis married English actress Tamzin Outhwaite, to whom he was introduced by Scottish actor James McAvoy. They had a son and a daughter together before she filed for divorce in September 2013, citing adultery after Ellis admitted to having an affair with an unnamed co-star while filming Gothica. The divorce was finalised in April 2014. Ellis also has a daughter from an earlier relationship.
Ellis married American screenwriter Meaghan Oppenheimer on 2 June 2019. They reside in Los Angeles. Their daughter was born via surrogate in November 2023.
When asked by Zoe Williams in a January 2025 interview if he believed he was destined for an acting career, Ellis replied, "I grew up in the church so talking about stuff like that is quite interesting because people would believe that if you had faith it would be like God's work, doing it for you, and he's had a plan for you and all those things. I don't personally share that belief these days, but who knows?"
Filmography Film Year Title Role2001 High Heels and Low Lifes Uniformed Officer Buffalo Soldiers Squash 2003 I'll Be There Ivor 2004 Vera Drake Police Constable 2005 The Best Man Groom 2006 Calon Gaeth Edward 2008 Miss Conception Zak 2019 Isn't It Romantic Dr. Todd 2024 Players Nick Russel 2025 The Thursday Murder Club Jason Ritchie
Television Year Title Role Notes 2000 Kiss Me Kate Ben Episode: "Kate's Niece"2001 The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby John Browdie Television film Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story Bigger boy 1 Miniseries 2001–2002 Nice Guy Eddie Frank Bennett Main role2002 Wild West Bungee jump instructor Episode: "Fear of Bungee" Linda Green Marko Episode: "Viva Espana"2003 Pollyanna Timothy Television film Holby City David Jones Episode: "Endgame" 2004 Messiah III: The Promise Dr. Phillip Ryder 2 episodes2005 Twisted Tales Alex Episode: "The Irredeemable Brain of Dr Heinrich Hunsecker" Doctors Ricky Adams Episode: "Slim Chance" Midsomer Murders Lee Smeeton Episode: "Midsomer Rhapsody" Waking the Dead Harry Taylor Episode: "Straw Dog" Love Soup Mike Episode: "Take Five" ShakespeaRe-Told Claudio Episode: "Much Ado About Nothing" 2005–2006 No Angels Justyn 4 episodes2006 EastEnders Dr. Oliver Cousins Recurring role Pulling Sam 2 episodes2006–2007 Suburban Shootout PC Haines Main role The Catherine Tate Show Detective Sergeant Sam Speed 2 episodes2007 Casualty Joe Kelsall Episode: "Combat Indicators: Part 1" Doctor Who Tom Milligan Episode: "Last of the Time Lords"2008 Trial & Retribution Nick Fisher 2 episodes The Passion Apostle Philip 4 episodes Harley Street Dr Ross Jarvis Recurring role 2009 Monday Monday Steven McCollMain role 2009–2015 Miranda Gary Preston2010 Dappers Marco Episode: "Proper Job" Merlin Cenred 4 episodes Accused Neil McGray Episode: "Liam's Story"2011 Sugartown Max BurrMain role The Fades Mark Etches2012 Silent Witness Father Jacobs Episode: "Fear" Playhouse Presents Bill Episode: "The Other Woman" Gates Mark Pearson 5 episodes The Secret of Crickley Hall Gabe Caleigh Miniseries2013 Once Upon a Time Robin Hood Episode: "Lacey" Agatha Christie's Poirot Detective Inspector Bland Episode: "Dead Man's Folly" Gothica Victor FrankensteinTelevision film2014 Under Milk Wood Mr. Ogmore Rush Dr. William Rush Main role 2015 The Strain Rob Bradley Episode: "Identity" 2016–2021 Lucifer Lucifer Morningstar / Michael Demiurgos Main role2018 Family Guy Oscar Wilde (voice) Episode: "V Is for Mystery" Queen America Andy 2 episodes 2019 The Flash Lucifer Morningstar Episode: "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Three"2022 Robot Chicken Michelin Man (voice) Episode: "May Cause Indecision...Or Not" The Great North Rick Chateau (voice) Episode: "Dick, Rick, Groom Adventure"2024 Exploding Kittens Godcat (voice) Main role Tell Me Lies OliverMain role 2025 Washington Black Christopher 'Titch' Wilde 2026–present CIA CIA case officer Colin Glass Main role Second Wife Jacob Pre-production +Key Denotes works that have not yet been released
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