Age: 76
male
William Francis Nighy (born 12 December 1949) is an English actor. Known for his work on screen and stage, he has received numerous awards, including two BAFTA Awards, a Golden Globe Award and nominations for an Academy Award and a Tony Award. Nighy started his career with the Everyman Theatre, Liverpool and made his London debut with the Royal National Theatre starting with The Illuminatus! in 1977. There he gained acclaim for his roles in David Hare's Pravda in 1985, Harold Pinter's Betrayal in 1991, Tom Stoppard's Arcadia in 1993, and Anton Chekov's The Seagull in 1994. He received a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor nomination for his performance in Blue/Orange in 2001. He made his Broadway debut in Hare's The Vertical Hour in 2006, and returned in the 2015 revival of Hare's Skylight earning a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play nomination. Early film roles include in the comedies Still Crazy (1998), and Blow Dry (1999) before his breakout role in Love Actually (2003) which earned him a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor. He soon gained recognition portraying Davy Jones in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series (2006-2007), and Viktor in the Underworld film series (2003-2009). Other films include Shaun of the Dead (2004), The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005), The Constant Gardener (2005), Notes on a Scandal (2006), Hot Fuzz (2007), Valkyrie (2008), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012), About Time (2013), Emma (2020), and Living (2022), the last of these earning him his first career Academy Award nomination. Nighy has gained acclaim for his roles in television earning a British Academy Television Award for Best Actor for his performance in BBC One series State of Play (2003), and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for the BBC film Gideon's Daughter (2007). He's also known for his roles in HBO's The Girl in the Café (2006) and PBS's Page Eight (2012).
The upcoming Max series is a multi-season, faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling's seven "Harry Potter" books, promising a deeper dive into the wizarding world than the films. Targeting a 2026 or 2027 HBO/Max premiere, the decade-long series plans roughly one season per book. It follows orphan Harry Potter, who discovers he's a wizard on his 11th birthday and attends Hogwarts. The story centers on Harry's Hogwarts years and his fight against Lord Voldemort, who seeks immortality and control. Viewers will see Harry, Ron, and Hermione's adventures in detail as they face school, friendship, and Voldemort's rising threat. Producers stress a "faithful adaptation," meaning more screen time for book elements previously cut or condensed, possibly including Peeves and S.P.E.W. Featuring an all-new cast, J.K. Rowling executive produces to ensure alignment with her vision. Francesca Gardiner is showrunner, with Mark Mylod directing. The series aims to offer a fresh, authentic, and immersive experience for both long-time fans and new audiences.
