# Josh O'Connor
**Josh O'Connor** (Joshua Mathias O'Connor, born 1990) is a British actor known for the [Yorkshire](https://www.edgepedia.org/yorkshire) farmhand Johnny in *God's Own Country* (2017), the young Prince Charles in two seasons of Netflix's *The Crown*, and Patrick Zweig in [Luca Guadagnino](https://www.edgepedia.org/luca-guadagnino)'s tennis drama *Challengers* (2024). He has won two British Independent Film Awards for Best Actor, a Golden Globe, and a Primetime Emmy Award.[1](https://the-talks.com/interview/josh-oconnor/) • [2](https://www.independenttalent.com/actors/josh-oconnor/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name / born | Joshua Mathias O'Connor, born 1990, British actor[1](https://the-talks.com/interview/josh-oconnor/) • [3](https://www.feyno.com/en/people/josh-o-connor-1990) |
| Training | Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduated 2011[4](https://www.whatsonstage.com/stage-names/josh-oconnor/) |
| Breakthrough | *God's Own Country* (2017), dir. Francis Lee; BIFA Best Actor 2017, Empire Award Best Male Newcomer, BAFTA Breakthrough Brit[2](https://www.independenttalent.com/actors/josh-oconnor/) |
| *The Crown* | Prince Charles, series 3 and 4 (2019–2020); Golden Globe, Critics' Choice Award, and 2021 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series[2](https://www.independenttalent.com/actors/josh-oconnor/) • [5](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/article/2024/may/05/challengers-josh-oconnor-la-chimera-the-crown-interview) |
| Notable films | *La Chimera* (2023), *Challengers* (2024), *Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery* (2025), *The Mastermind* (2025), *Rebuilding* (2025), *The History of Sound* (2025)[6](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/m-le-mag/article/2026/06/12/josh-o-connor-star-of-spielberg-s-disclosure-day-wants-to-cultivate-his-garden_6754413_117.html) |
| Blockbuster lead | *Disclosure Day*, Steven Spielberg's sci-fi film with Emily Blunt, released June 2026[6](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/m-le-mag/article/2026/06/12/josh-o-connor-star-of-spielberg-s-disclosure-day-wants-to-cultivate-his-garden_6754413_117.html) • [7](https://apnews.com/article/7dec93364eead638707ff0a9dd9775c3) |
| Return to theater | Clifford Odets's *Golden Boy* at the Almeida Theatre, London, directed by Sam Yates, autumn 2026[8](https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/josh-oconnor-golden-boy-interview) |
## Early life and training
O'Connor grew up around creative work. His grandfather, John Bunting, was a sculptor who taught [Antony Gormley](https://www.edgepedia.org/antony-gormley); his grandmother, Romola Jane Farquharson, was a ceramicist; and his aunt, Madeleine Bunting, wrote books and columns for *The Guardian*.[5](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/article/2024/may/05/challengers-josh-oconnor-la-chimera-the-crown-interview) He has dyslexia and was educated at St Edward's in [Cheltenham](https://www.edgepedia.org/cheltenham), a private co-ed school where his father taught. He excelled at art before drifting into acting, and earned a place at [Bristol Old Vic](https://www.edgepedia.org/bristol-old-vic) theater school, where he graduated in 2011.[5](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/article/2024/may/05/challengers-josh-oconnor-la-chimera-the-crown-interview) • [4](https://www.whatsonstage.com/stage-names/josh-oconnor/)
His early screen work was small: bit-parts in *Doctor Who* and *Peaky Blinders*, a larger role as Larry in ITV's *The Durrells*, and small film roles in *The Riot Club*, *Cinderella*, and *Florence Foster Jenkins*.[5](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/article/2024/may/05/challengers-josh-oconnor-la-chimera-the-crown-interview) • [9](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/learn-more-about-josh-oconnors-career-ahead-of-golden-boy)
## Breakthrough: God's Own Country
Francis Lee's debut film *God's Own Country* (2017) made O'Connor's reputation. He played Johnny Saxby, a young, depressed Yorkshire sheep farmer who falls in love with a Romanian migrant worker, Gheorghe (Alec Secareanu). Critics compared the film to *Brokeback Mountain*, and it won the World Cinema Directing award at Sundance 2017.[10](https://www.gq.com/story/josh-oconnor-profile) • [11](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/aug/27/josh-o-connor-gods-own-country-the-durrells-interview) To prepare, O'Connor spent weeks working on a sheep farm in Yorkshire, building stone walls and delivering lambs, and he dropped a considerable amount of weight to embody an under-resourced hill farmer.[5](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/article/2024/may/05/challengers-josh-oconnor-la-chimera-the-crown-interview) • [12](https://www.samuelgoldwynfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/GODS-OWN-COUNTRY-Press-Notes-7.12.pdf)
The role brought him a British Independent Film Award for Best Actor in 2017, the Empire Award for Best Male Newcomer, a place among BAFTA's 2017 Breakthrough Brits, and an EE BAFTA Rising Star nomination in 2018.[2](https://www.independenttalent.com/actors/josh-oconnor/) He won a second BIFA for Best Actor for Harry Wootliff's *Only You* (2018), opposite [Laia Costa](https://www.edgepedia.org/laia-costa).[5](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/article/2024/may/05/challengers-josh-oconnor-la-chimera-the-crown-interview) • [2](https://www.independenttalent.com/actors/josh-oconnor/)
## The Crown and awards
O'Connor played Prince Charles in series three and four of *The Crown* (2019–2020), covering the prince's marriage to Diana. His closed-off portrayal won a BAFTA nomination for Supporting Actor in 2020, a Golden Globe for best actor in a television drama series, the Critics' Choice Award, and the 2021 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.[2](https://www.independenttalent.com/actors/josh-oconnor/) • [5](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/article/2024/may/05/challengers-josh-oconnor-la-chimera-the-crown-interview) He has said he had to advocate for the character on set, arguing that Charles was always written as being told to shut up.[13](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/nov/28/josh-oconnor-the-crown-beyond-prince-charles-being-very-rich-and-posh-wheres-the-juice-to-him-wheres-the-stuff)
## Film career, 2023 to 2026
**Independent leads.** In Alice Rohrwacher's *La Chimera* (2023) he played Arthur, a grieving English grave robber returning to the Italian hills after a jail sentence.[14](https://time.com/6961659/la-chimera-review/) In *Challengers* (2024), Guadagnino's love-triangle tennis drama with Zendaya and [Mike Faist](https://www.edgepedia.org/mike-faist), he played Patrick, a dashing, temperamental player; he prepared by reading [Andre Agassi](https://www.edgepedia.org/andre-agassi)'s autobiography *Open* and becoming obsessed with [Nick Kyrgios](https://www.edgepedia.org/nick-kyrgios).[15](https://www.vogue.com/article/josh-oconnor-interview-september-2023) Other credits in this period include *Mothering Sunday*, *Emma* (as Mr Elton), *Aisha*, *Hope Gap*, *Bonus Track*, and a small part in *Lee* as Antony Penrose, son of Kate Winslet's Lee Miller.[2](https://www.independenttalent.com/actors/josh-oconnor/) • [15](https://www.vogue.com/article/josh-oconnor-interview-september-2023)
**A crowded 2025.** O'Connor appeared in four films in the autumn 2025 season: [Oliver Hermanus](https://www.edgepedia.org/oliver-hermanus)'s *The History of Sound*, opposite [Paul Mescal](https://www.edgepedia.org/paul-mescal), playing an ethnomusicologist in early twentieth-century America; [Max Walker-Silverman](https://www.edgepedia.org/max-walker-silverman)'s *Rebuilding*, as a Colorado rancher whose home is destroyed by wildfire; Rian Johnson's whodunit *Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery*, as a former boxer turned priest; and Kelly Reichardt's *The Mastermind*, a 1970-set heist film.[16](https://apnews.com/article/2ccafb97670163ace03d5cd2dae02c43) • [17](https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/josh-oconnor-is-the-busiest-movie-star-at-the-cannes-film-fest/)
**Blockbusters.** In 2026 he took the lead opposite [Emily Blunt](https://www.edgepedia.org/emily-blunt) in [Steven Spielberg](https://www.edgepedia.org/steven-spielberg)'s *Disclosure Day*, released by Universal in June 2026, a sci-fi story involving stolen personal data and UFOs, and he stars in [Joel Coen](https://www.edgepedia.org/joel-coen)'s *Jack of Spades* and Rohrwacher's *Three Incestuous Sisters*, the latter with Dakota Johnson, Jessie Buckley, and Saoirse Ronan.[6](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/m-le-mag/article/2026/06/12/josh-o-connor-star-of-spielberg-s-disclosure-day-wants-to-cultivate-his-garden_6754413_117.html) • [7](https://apnews.com/article/7dec93364eead638707ff0a9dd9775c3) • [8](https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/josh-oconnor-golden-boy-interview)
## Theatre
O'Connor began his career on stage, with RSC credits including *The Shoemaker's Holiday* and *Oppenheimer*, and a Donmar Warehouse *Versailles*.[2](https://www.independenttalent.com/actors/josh-oconnor/) After an absence of about 11 years from the stage, he returned in September 2026 as Joe Bonaparte in Clifford Odets's 1937 play *Golden Boy* at the Almeida Theatre, directed by Sam Yates, a role requiring him to box and play violin on stage; the production was also filmed for National Theatre Live release from 5 November.[8](https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/josh-oconnor-golden-boy-interview)
## Off screen
O'Connor is married to Sarah and lives in Gloucester, where gardening and ceramics are his main pursuits outside acting; he quotes Voltaire's "We must cultivate our garden" and collects ceramics by Ian Godfrey and Edmund de Waal.[8](https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/josh-oconnor-golden-boy-interview) • [6](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/m-le-mag/article/2026/06/12/josh-o-connor-star-of-spielberg-s-disclosure-day-wants-to-cultivate-his-garden_6754413_117.html) He has been dressed by Dior designer Jonathan Anderson, first at Loewe and later at Dior, and holds a Dior ambassadorship.[18](https://www.nylon.com/fashion/josh-oconnor-disclosure-day-press-tour-fashion-jason-bolden) • [8](https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/josh-oconnor-golden-boy-interview) He hosted *Saturday Night Live* in December 2025, during season 51.[19](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/josh-o-connor)
## References
1. [Josh O'Connor interview, The Talks](https://the-talks.com/interview/josh-oconnor/)
2. [Josh O'Connor credits and awards, Independent Talent](https://www.independenttalent.com/actors/josh-oconnor/)
3. [Josh O'Connor (1990), Feyno](https://www.feyno.com/en/people/josh-o-connor-1990)
4. [Who is Josh O'Connor?, WhatsOnStage](https://www.whatsonstage.com/stage-names/josh-oconnor/)
5. [Josh O'Connor on gardening, reluctant stardom and Challengers, The Guardian (2024)](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/article/2024/may/05/challengers-josh-oconnor-la-chimera-the-crown-interview)
6. [Josh O'Connor, star of Spielberg's Disclosure Day, Le Monde (2026)](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/m-le-mag/article/2026/06/12/josh-o-connor-star-of-spielberg-s-disclosure-day-wants-to-cultivate-his-garden_6754413_117.html)
7. [Steven Spielberg's next movie, with Josh O'Connor and Emily Blunt, set for June 2026, AP](https://apnews.com/article/7dec93364eead638707ff0a9dd9775c3)
8. [Josh O'Connor Returns To The Stage 11 Years On, British Vogue (2026)](https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/josh-oconnor-golden-boy-interview)
9. [Learn more about Josh O'Connor's career ahead of Golden Boy, London Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/learn-more-about-josh-oconnors-career-ahead-of-golden-boy)
10. [Josh O'Connor Is Seizing His Own Crown, GQ (2019)](https://www.gq.com/story/josh-oconnor-profile)
11. [Josh O'Connor: from The Durrells to the Yorkshire Brokeback Mountain, The Guardian (2017)](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/aug/27/josh-o-connor-gods-own-country-the-durrells-interview)
12. [God's Own Country press notes, Samuel Goldwyn Films](https://www.samuelgoldwynfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/GODS-OWN-COUNTRY-Press-Notes-7.12.pdf)
13. [Josh O'Connor: I had to advocate for Prince Charles on set, The Guardian (2020)](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/nov/28/josh-oconnor-the-crown-beyond-prince-charles-being-very-rich-and-posh-wheres-the-juice-to-him-wheres-the-stuff)
14. [La Chimera Is the Perfect Kind of Film to Get Lost In, TIME](https://time.com/6961659/la-chimera-review/)
15. [Josh O'Connor's Big Swing, Vogue (2023)](https://www.vogue.com/article/josh-oconnor-interview-september-2023)
16. [In The Mastermind and more, Josh O'Connor is stealing the show, AP (2025)](https://apnews.com/article/2ccafb97670163ace03d5cd2dae02c43)
17. [Josh O'Connor Is the Busiest Movie Star at the Cannes Film Fest, The Daily Beast (2025)](https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/josh-oconnor-is-the-busiest-movie-star-at-the-cannes-film-fest/)
18. [Josh O'Connor Is Ready For His Blockbuster Style Moment, Nylon](https://www.nylon.com/fashion/josh-oconnor-disclosure-day-press-tour-fashion-jason-bolden)
19. [Josh O'Connor coverage, The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/josh-o-connor)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › English actors: 2000s onward › Surnames N to P*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license