Tom Ellis (actor)

Early life

Thomas John Ellis was born at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on 17 November 1978, 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. 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 two daughters together before she filed for divorce in September 2013, citing adultery after he 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

Television

References

References

1. ''How to Fail with [[Elizabeth Day]]'', 3 September 2025: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FLVQCZ797M Tom Ellis on Fatherhood, Surrogacy and Years of Therapy]
2. (10 September 2020). "10 Things You Never Knew About Tom Ellis, Star of 'Lucifer' and 'Miranda'". BBC America.
3. Tom Ellis on Twitter: [https://x.com/tomellis17/status/124915768159772672 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.]
4. Cox, Emma. (25 October 2016). "Miranda's Tom Ellis on mixing his religious upbringing with playing the Devil in Lucifer". Radio Times.
5. "Well known alumni". High Storrs School.
6. Brown, Emma. (23 September 2015). "The Devil in Tom Ellis". Interview.
7. Hibberd, James. (22 February 2013). "TV's Pilot Season Goes (Very) High-Concept".
8. Thompson, Zac. (2 March 2015). "DC Comics' "Lucifer" Pilot Finds Its Star At FOX".
9. Barton, Steve. (27 February 2015). "Lucifer – Tom Ellis Gets His Horns".
10. (29 July 2018). "Netflix Chief On Cancelling 'Everything Sucks' & 'Lady Dynamite', Rescuing 'Lucifer' & 'Shadowhunters' Future – TCA". Deadline.
11. (10 December 2019). "Surprise! Crisis on Infinite Earths crossed over with Netflix's Lucifer with a perfect cameo".
12. (28 May 2021). "The 2021 Tell-Tale TV Awards: Results! 'Julie and the Phantoms,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Lucifer,' and 'WandaVision' Among Winners".
13. Andreeva, Nellie. (22 April 2025). "'FBI' Offshoot 'CIA' Starring Tom Ellis Ordered Straight-To-Series By CBS For 2025-26 Season".
14. (5 June 2019). "Tamzin Outhwaite breaks silence after ex-husband Tom Ellis remarries". Hello!.
15. Billson, Chantelle. (25 July 2025). "‘I had two daughters, now I have a son': EastEnders star reveals child is trans".
16. (10 September 2013). "Tamzin To Divorce Hubby After 'One-Night Stand'".
17. McNally, Kelby. (10 September 2013). "Tamzin Outhwaite 'files for divorce from Tom Ellis, citing adultery'".
18. McNally, Kelby. (19 September 2013). "'We're all moving forward' Tom Ellis speaks out about Tamzin Outhwaite".
19. Crosbie, Eve. (27 May 2021). "Lucifer star Tom Ellis looks almost unrecognisable in first-ever television role". Hello!.
20. Heller, Corrine. (3 June 2019). "Lucifer Star Tom Ellis Marries Meaghan Oppenheimer in Star-Studded Ceremony".
21. Murphy, Nichola. (2 June 2021). "Lucifer's Tom Ellis shares never-before-seen wedding photo with wife Meaghan".
22. (10 November 2023). "Actor Tom Ellis and wife welcome baby daughter via surrogate".
23. (5 January 2025). "Tom Ellis - The Lucifer Actor Opens Up About Mental Health and Life Balance with Dr. Zoe Williams".
24. (11 March 2018). "Family Guy [Deleted]".
25. Rice, Lynette. (24 January 2024). "'Tell Me Lies': Tom Ellis Joins Season 2 Of Hulu Series".