Guy Burnet

Guy Burnet is a British actor who has worked across film, television, and theatre, including a notable supporting role in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer.

Early life

Burnet attended Holland Park School where his interest in drama first developed, taking an A level in the subject.

Before becoming an actor, Burnet aspired to become a professional footballer. He attended Queens Park Rangers Football School. He subsequently undertook trials and played in various locations throughout Europe. He also trained as a Boxer and in MMA, later directing a documentary on WBU featherweight title holder Derry Mathews.

He still plays football, taking part in a football match on 1 June 2007 at the new Wembley Stadium prior to England's first match at the stadium. In September 2007, he played for England in an England v Russia charity match in support of the Give Life Foundation.

Acting career

Film

Burnet appeared in Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed Oppenheimer (2023), portraying George C. Eltenton, a British physicist who became a pivotal figure during J. Robert Oppenheimer's security clearance hearing. The film, led by Cillian Murphy in the title role, grossed over $975 million worldwide and earned seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Burnet co-starred in the western thriller Dead for a Dollar (2022), directed by Walter Hill and featuring Christoph Waltz and Willem Dafoe.

Upcoming projects include Reykjavik, a dramatic thriller starring Jeff Daniels and Jared Harris, and The Beast, a high-profile action film featuring Samuel L. Jackson.

Earlier film work includes lead roles in Two Jacks opposite Sienna Miller and the war drama Age of Heroes with Sean Bean.

Burnet played a supporting role in David Koepp's crime caper Mortdecai opposite Johnny Depp and Ewan McGregor, and co-starred in the musical comedy Pitch Perfect 3 alongside Anna Kendrick.

Additional credits include the psychological thriller Jacob’s Ladder and the Michael Caton-Jones–directed action film Asher.

Television

Burnet joined the cast of Hollyoaks in 2002 as Craig Dean, a main character. During his time on the show, he was central to a popular and culturally significant storyline involving his character’s relationship with John Paul McQueen, which remains one of the most talked-about and ground breaking arcs in the show's history. On 3 August 2007, producer Bryan Kirkwood confirmed Burnet's departure, calling him "an amazing actor" and noting that "he has really come into his own."

In 2009, Burnet played "Pinklady" in Moving On for the BBC. After several years on the New York stage, Burnet transitioned into U.S. television and film. He appeared in the Showtime drama Ray Donovan, and later joined the third season of The Affair in the recurring role of Mike Cornwell.

In 2017, Burnet joined the second season of Amazon's Hand of God starring Ron Perlman. He also appeared in Counterpart opposite J.K. Simmons.

He was also featured in the Bryan Cranston–produced Amazon series Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams alongside Terrence Howard and Anna Paquin.

Burnet later led the cast of the Amazon-BBC sci-fi drama The Feed, based on the novel by Nick Clark Windo. He played Tom Hatfield, a psychologist navigating a world shaped by implanted technology, with David Thewlis playing his father. The series drew praise for its eerie relevance and Burnet’s grounded performance in the lead role.

More recently, Burnet stars as Chips in the Netflix action-comedy series FUBAR alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. His portrayal of Chips — a character brought to life through a blend of vulnerability, bravado, humor, and intensity — was noted for its distinctive charisma and earned praise as a standout performance.

In 2025–2026, Burnet appeared as Charlie Newsom in the Paramount+ drama series Landman, created by Taylor Sheridan, alongside Billy Bob Thornton. The series became one of most-watched original programmes, drawing record viewership for the platform during its run.

Theatre

During 2012, Burnet was the lead in a production of Murder in the First, which played Broadway. He had rave reviews for his performance as a young American attorney.

Filmography

Film

Television

External links

• at IMDb