Wales is brimming with acting talent, and always has been.
From the likes of Richard Burton and Ray Milland to new blood like Callum Scott Howells of It's a Sin and Gabrielle Creevy of In My Skin, acting is in our DNA in Wales.
And it's good to make a fuss about Welsh talent doing well as we have so much, some of whom go under the radar.
Read more: The Welsh locations that have featured in Hollywood films and how you can track them down
Here you'll find a mix of well known (to many) Welsh actors and some who you may not have even realised starred in some of the most-watched TV and movies of recent years.
Our acting net has been cast far and wide to include blockbuster movie series like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Harry Potter, DC Comics films and watercooler TV aired globally on Netflix, HBO Max or Amazon Prime.
See how many you recognise, or even knew were from Wales.
Anthony Hopkins
The absolute ruling Godfather of Welsh acting, Sir Anthony Hopkins reached a new audience as Odin, Thor's father in the Marvel trilogy about the Norse God/superhero Avenger. The Margam-born 84-year-old became the oldest Oscar winner in 2021 for his role in The Father but, he was too busy having fun back here in Wales to go to the ceremony.
Of course, he's also famous for roles like Hannibal Lecter, CS Lewis, a multitude of Shakespeare credits, that goes without saying, but younger audiences can sense both his acting gravitas as Marvel's Odin, God of War, and rarely seen cheekiness (on the big screen) in the scenes where he's Loki disguised as Odin, in Thor: Ragnorak.
Luke Evans
Big double hitter for Aberbargoed's Luke Evans as he's known for his turns as Gaston in the live action Beauty and the Beast for Disney, and Bard the Bowman in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy.
Luke, who's also an accomplished singer and West End star, has been seen recently in Amazon's Nine Perfect Strangers and ITV hit, The Pembrokeshire Murders.
The 42-year-old likes to keep acting in the family, too and dad, Dave, often has an extras role in Luke's projects.
Mark Lewis Jones
Rhosllannerchrugog native Mark has to print his CV out double-sided such is the sheer amount of roles he's had since he started acting back in the late '80s.
Highlighted at the top, though, would be the stunning set of projects he's accumulated in the past decade. Roles in The Crown, Chernobyl, Gangs of London, Jack Thorne's searing Channel 4 dramas, National Treasure and The Accident, are just the tip of the iceberg.
Mark is currently in the hit series, Outlander and Star Wars fans will know him as First Order Captain Canady from Star Wars: The Last Jedi. We did an interview with Mark about his career a few years back, read it here.
Julian Lewis Jones
Julian scored a role in Clint Eastwood's rugby drama, Invictus, back in 2009 as Etienne Feyder the head of Nelson Mandela's security team. The film also starred Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon.
Born in Anglesey and now living in Carmarthenshire, Julian is also recognisable from roles like Karl in Stella and Tom Beresford in Where the Heart is.
In 2017, though, Julian entered the DC Universe, taking on the role of the King of Atlantean in Zack Snyder's Justice League (and its four-hour extended cut version).
Steffan Rhodri
Swansea actor is more than the (beloved/riddled whichever you prefer) Dave Coaches in Gavin & Stacey, although it is arguably his most recognisable role.
Like Julian above, Steffan has also played a part in the DC Universe on the big screen, in 2017's Wonder Woman starring Gal Gadot. In it he played Colonel Darnell, another impressive moustachioed character.
Another big film series he appeared in was Harry Potter, in 2010 he starred as Reg Cattermole in The Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
Not averse to playing coppers, either, he's starred in Wild Bill, Manhunt, A Very English Scandal and Apple Tree Yard in the past five years, too.
Richard Brake
He spends a lot of his roles either under swathes of latex or make-up, or covered in blood. Richard was born in Ystrad Mynach but moved to the US as a youngster.
From early on in his career he's ruled at cult, creepy characters and enjoyed those types of roles in projects by horror director, Rob Zombie including 31, 3 From Hell and he'll be Zombie's upcoming The Munsters reboot as mad scientist, Dr Wolfgang.
On TV he's been in The Mandalorian, Brave New World - filmed in Wales - Ray Donavan, but perhaps his most iconic telly role would be the original Night King in Game of Thrones in series four and five (including the iconic episode Hardhome).
Alexandra Roach
Ammanford's Alex had a steady start with roles in The IT Crowd, Being Human and Candy Cabs, but she really came to prominence when she played the young Margaret Thatcher (to Meryl Streep's older version) in The Iron Lady. Since then she's played a dwarf in The Huntsman: Winter's War, and had roles in period pieces like Anna Karenina and Testament of Youth.
But she's probably best known for her turn as sweary Becky in the all-round sweary TV adaptation of Dennis Kelly's graphic novel, Utopia. Alexandra has also been in Killing Eve, Sanditon and Viewpoint.
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Yeh, ok, we know Cath from Mumbles is essentially part of Hollywood royalty and Welsher than a Welsh cake, nor has she been in a Marvel film or featured on the bridge of the Millennium Falcon, but to omit her from this list would be a crime.
Maybe not everyone knows she's from Wales, right? Anyway, after smashing onto UK TV screens 30-odd years ago in The Darling Buds of May, Catherine's Hollywood career took off, with roles in The Mask of Zorro (with Anthony Hopkins), Entrapment opposite Sean Connery and some memorable lasers, The Terminal, Ocean's 12, Rock of Ages and her Oscar-winning turn as Velma Kelly in Chicago.
She and her family, husband Michael Douglas and kids Carys and Dylan, are regular visitors to her hometown, with Catherine given the freedom of Swansea back in 2019.
And her next role is Morticia Adams in Netflix's new take on The Addams Family. Wednesday will follow the Addams' daughter as she tackles school life and supernatural goings on. It's expected on the streaming service this year.
Owen Teale
Another of Wales' prolific actors, this time one synonymous for playing 'orrible characters who we love to shout at the screen at.
From Cornelly, near Porthcawl, Owen is best recognised for being Jon Snow-hating Ser Alliser Thorne in Game of Thrones and the undeniably shifty Chief Constable Phillip Osbourne in Line of Duty. He can also be seen as equally as shifty Peter Knox in Sky's A Discovery of Witches.
But of course he's not all scowling and scheming on screen and Owen has had the opportunity to play some nicer characters. In the past year we've seen him as Cefn Fforest's Brian Vokes in the true-life race horse story, Dream Horse and he's also in Save the Cinema, which tells another true-life tale of when the community in Carmarthen fought to keep The Lyric Theatre open.
We'll next see Owen in Amazon's The Rig. You can read more about Owen in our interview with him, here.
Erin Richards
Currently appearing in the Sky film, Save The Cinema, Penarth's Erin Richards became a favourite with superhero fans as Barbara Kean in the Batman origin TV show, Gotham, which ran for five years.
Erin has also had roles in the FOX comedy, Breaking In and films Return of the Yuletide Kid and The Quiet Ones.
Spencer Wilding
Spencer's name might not be familiar but the character he played in 2016 is one of the most recognisable in cinema history.
In Rogue One: A Star Wars Story the St Asaph actor is Darth Vader, who makes a memorable appearance in the closing scenes of the movie.
An ex-pro kickboxer, he has also starred in Harry Potter, Guardians of the Galaxy and hit telly series Game of Thrones. But back in September 2020 Spencer was thinking about returning to his previous work of window cleaning after acting work dried up.
It seems things picked up, though, as he's currently filming a remake of the 1984 splatter flick, The Toxic Avenger co-starring Peter Dinklage, Kevin Bacon and Elijah Wood.
Jonathan Pryce
Another Welsh acting legend we can't omit, Jonathan, from Holywell, has been in Game of Thrones, as the High Sparrow, is about to be seen as the third on screen incarnation of the Duke of Edinburgh in Netflix's The Crown and has a list of film appearances as long as both his arms, including Tomorrow Never Dies, Glengarry Glen Ross, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Two Popes, Evita and he's also in the new Sky movie, Save the Cinema.
The 74-year-old is Oscar, Emmy and Bafta nominated for his work over a 50 year career.
Steve Speirs
The softly-spoken Welsh bloke from Ricky Gervais' Afterlife and he was in Extras also, has a great presence on screen, both big and small.
Steve is from Troedyrhiw near Merthyr Tydfil and his latest big project has been sitcom The Tuckers in which he stars and he also created. The second series of the show is due to air in early 2022.
The actor, who is also loved for his role as Alan in Ruth Jones' Stella, has been in the Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Eragon and The Musketeer.
The dad-of-four is a huge rugby fan and he spoke to WalesOnline about that passion, here.
Morfydd Clark
Penarth's Morfydd is one of the stars of the hotly anticipated Amazon Studios Lord of the Rings TV series.
Back in April 2021, Morfydd told WalesOnline that she'd been in New Zealand filming the show since late 2019, read more with her, here. And the show, titled, The Rings of Power, will be released on September 2 this year.
She's already gained accolades for her unnerving portrayal of Maud in the equally as unnerving Rose Glass film, Saint Maud, a cold minion, Sister Clara, of the Magisterium in BBC and HBO’s His Dark Materials and as a young version of Sally Hawkins’ character, Jane, in Welsh film, Eternal Beauty.
Matthew Rhys
Another Welsh actor who needs no introduction, but Cardiff actor Matthew is a huge star of the screen, racking up memorable appearances opposite Tom Hanks in The Post and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and dramatic, dark turns in the TV series The Americans and Perry Mason.
It was on The Americans he met partner Keri Russell and the couple have a son, Sam.
He first solidified his place in US TV history, though, as Kevin Walker in the TV series Brothers & Sisters alongside Rob Lowe, Calista Flockhart, Sally Field and Rachel Griffiths.
The latter he'd already worked with on the memorable 2001 Welsh film, Very Annie Mary as Nob, the on-screen partner of Ioan Griffiths' Hob.
Ioan Gruffudd
Speaking of Ioan, he made his name in the early and mid-2000s with roles in the live-action 102 Dalmatians for Disney and Reed Richards aka Mr Fantastic in Marvel's The Fantastic Four.
In the 2010s Ioan's focus moved to back to TV, starring in ITV's smash, Liar, American show Forever, and Harrow which is made in Australia. The 48-year-old started on telly and starred in Pobol y Cwm and Horatio Hornblower before his breakthrough big screen role in Titanic.
He has two children with fellow actor Alice Evans.
Rhys Ifans
Another Welsh star with a Marvel role, Rhys played Dr Curt Connors aka Lizard in 2012's The Amazing Spiderman and was briefly seen in the latest Tom Holland instalment of the webbed wonder, No Way Home.
Born in Haverfordwest, Rhys grew up in Ruthin and attended secondary school in Mold. He dipped his toe into presenting with S4C and music, as a member of Super Furry Animals and Y Peth, but his acting roles have solidified his popularity.
After starring in iconic flick Twin Town he went on to star as Hugh Grant's Y-fronted housemate, Spike, in Notting Hill and Eyeball Paul in Kevin and Perry Go Large.
As well as the Marvel Universe Rhys has also appeared in Harry Potter's, playing Xenophillius Lovegood in The Deathly Hallows Part 1.
At the end of 2021 he starred in The King's Man as Rasputin - a prequel to the Matthew Vaughn spy capers, The Kingsman. And in 2022 he'll be seen in the Game of Thrones spin-off, House of the Dragon.
Taron Egerton
While we're on the subject of Kingsman, it was those films which saw the rise of Birkenhead born, Anglesey and Aberystwyth raised, Taron Egerton.
In those spy movies he played Eggsy, an espionage recruit. He went on to star as Eddie the Eagle in a biopic of the ski jumper and he was the latest actor to play Robin Hood in 2018.
But it was his portrayal as Elton John in another biopic, Rocketman which saw his profile soar globally, earning him Oscar and Bafta nominations for Best Actor.
Christian Bale
Yeh, so, he's not as proud of his Welsh roots (apparently) but tough, being born in Pembrokeshire qualifies the Batman mumbler to be on this list.
He was a great Batman for three movies in the 2000s and early 2010s, but he was already a pretty respected actor for roles in The Machinist, American Psycho and his breakout role, Empire of the Sun.
And since he exited the Batmobile his roles have been just as juicy, altering his appearance for roles in Vice, American Hustle, The Fighter, earning him nominations and the latter, an Oscar win for Best Supporting Actor.
Timothy Dalton
The fourth James Bond and unmistakably great voice-over choice, Colwyn Bay-born Dalton is definitely underrated for his 007 outings in Licence to Kill and The Living Daylights.
He moved out of Wales before the age of four which probably explains that posh voice but to us it still makes him a Welsh James Bond.
Timothy is also known for his role as Prince Barin in Flash Gordon, Simon Skinner in Hot Fuzz and more recently he's been seen in DC Comic's Doom Patrol for HBO Max and in Penny Dreadful.
John Rhys Davies
Another Ammanford talent and a big screen presence in his roles as Sallah on Indiana Jones and Gimli in Lord of the Rings.
His parents were Welsh speakers and although the family moved around - his father was a mechanical engineer and Colonial Officer - he spent summers back in Ammanford with his grandmother.
He said in 2013: "I’ve had the feeling of being Welsh all of my life. When I was at my little boarding school down in Cornwall, we used to have mock elections and I stood as a Welsh Nationalist. I got three votes – all three I cast myself, of course."
Matt Ryan
This Swansea actor will be familiar to viewers of the DC comic book universe's TV shows like The Flash, Batwoman, Arrow and DC's Legends of Tomorrow as he has played the supernatural character of John Constantine across the shows since 2014.
Back in 2014, Constantine was a stand-alone series but was cancelled after 13 episodes. However, Ryan's portrayal of the character has lived on and he continues to be a series regular in Legends of Tomorrow.
Before joining the DC Universe, Ryan was already a familiar face with fans of Criminal Minds as he was a regular on the Suspect Behaviour spin-off.
He's not just a TV talent, after studying performing arts at Gorseinon College he attended the Bristol Old Vic before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Tom Ellis
The Cardiff-born actor may be a familiar face from Miranda, as the hunky Gary, Miranda Hart's love interest, but after moving over to the US, Tom has become another DC Comic legend - appearing in six seasons of Lucifer.
Original broadcaster, FOX, cancelled Lucifer after three seasons, but it was soon picked up by Netflix, which ran it for three more series, with it coming to an end in 2021.
Formally married to Tamzin Outwaite - with whom he has two daughters - they split after he had an affair. The 43-year-old is now married to screenwriter Meaghan Oppenheimer.
Michael Sheen
A master of mimicry, Michael Sheen is one of Wales' best chameleonic acting talents having portrayed Kenneth Williams, Tony Blair, Brian Clough and David Frost impeccably.
Born in Newport and raised in Port Talbot, Michael is currently filming the second series of Amazon's Good Omens with his pal David Tennant.
He's made an impact on the Hollywood scene, too, with roles in the Twilight series of films, Tron: Legacy, Alice in Wonderland, Underworld, Doolittle and Passengers.
Nowadays he lives back in Wales with his partner, Anna Lundberg and their daughter, Lyra and is active in many charities, community projects and enterprises, back in December 2021 he announced he'd be giving his future earning to charity.
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