Edward Patrick Holcroft (born 23 June 1987) is an English film, television, and stage actor. He is best known for his roles in the Kingsman film franchise and in the television series Wolf Hall (2015), London Spy (2015), Alias Grace (2017), and The English Game (2020).

Early life and education

Holcroft is the second of three sons born to Lt. Col. Patrick Holcroft, a soldier, and Kathleen "Annie" Holcroft (née Roberts), a former publisher at Condé Nast. His elder brother, Oliver, is a former soldier who served with the Grenadier Guards in Afghanistan.

Holcroft was sent to boarding school at age 8, first attending prep school at Summer Fields School in Oxford, and then a Catholic school, Ampleforth College, in North Yorkshire.

He initially wanted to become a professional drummer, having attended music school, but switched to acting after appearing in a play at Oxford Brookes University. He then undertook post-graduate studies in acting at the Drama Centre London of Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, graduating in 2012.

Career

Holcroft is best known for his roles as Charlie Hesketh in the 2015 film Kingsman: The Secret Service and its 2017 sequel Kingsman: The Golden Circle; as George Boleyn in the 2015 British drama series Wolf Hall; and as Alex Turner in the 2015 BBC drama series London Spy.

In 2015, Holcroft acted with Dominic West and Janet McTeer in Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the Donmar Warehouse.

In 2017, he appeared in the historical miniseries Gunpowder on the BBC and Alias Grace on Netflix and the CBC.

In 2020, he was one of the lead actors in The English Game, playing Arthur Kinnaird.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2014Vampire AcademyAaron Drozdov
2015Kingsman: The Secret ServiceCharles "Charlie" Hesketh
Lady Chatterley's LoverDuncan Forbes
2017The Sense of an EndingJack Ford
Kingsman: The Golden CircleCharles "Charlie" Hesketh
2020KindredBen
2022Hill of VisionEdward RambergItalian/English

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2015Wolf HallGeorge BoleynMiniseries; 5 episodes
London SpyAlistair "Alex" TurnerMiniseries; 5 episodes
2017Alias GraceDr. Simon JordanMiniseries; 6 episodes
GunpowderThomas WintourMiniseries; 3 episodes
2020The English GameArthur KinnairdMiniseries; main role
2022The Undeclared WarJames Cox6 episodes
2024The AgencyDr. Charlie Remy5 episodes
2025A Wolf's PreySteve Wilkins6 episodes; Lithuanian
2026IndustrySebastian StefanowiczSeries 4; Ep. 1, 7, 8

Theatre

YearTitleRoleDirectorCompany/VenueNotes
2015–2016Les Liaisons DangereusesLe Chevalier DancenyJosie RourkeDonmar Warehouse

External links