In Netflix’s newest political thriller Zero Day, actor Dan Stevens departs from his Downton Abbey role.
The British actor, who is well-known for his role in the beloved period drama, is currently casting “calculating and divisive host of a wildly popular political TV show” as Evan Green.
Former US President George Mullen is brought out of retirement to find the culprits behind a global cyberattack in the new star-studded series, which is led by film legend Robert De Niro. Stevens ‘ character is the fictional president’s “loudest critic” and presents one of the show’s antagonists.
What is important to know about his life off-screen is that Matthew Crawley, a 42-year-old actor, will remember from the period drama?
Born in Croydon in October, 1982, Stevens was adopted by two teachers, just seven days after birth. His younger brother’s parents would later adopt him from a different family.
The TV star has been candid about his early years and dubbed himself “lucky” to have found his family. “I had a wonderful adoption experience and met really wonderful parents. It’s an extraordinary thing, adoption”, he told The Guardian.
As for his birth parents, the actor admitted in the same interview that he has not “actively” searched for them, before adding: “I’ve done as much research as I need to do to satisfy my own curiosity”.
Stevens has admitted to being a bit of a disturbance in his school classroom despite enjoying his life at home.
He recalled his student days in a 2014 interview with The Irish Times, saying, “I know many of my school reports as a child advised me to stop distracting others, which then led to people urging me to perform plays and other things: just do that on the stage and not in the classroom. I had this urge or instinct to perform. And it’s wonderful when those urges are nurtured and channeled rather than suffocated.
“I never looked back once I entered the stage.” And that produced a wide range of wonderful things. “One of these” wonderful things “was a fan-favourite part in the historical series Downton Abbey, which he left in 2012.
Stevens played Matthew Crawley, who was an heir to the titular Downton estate. Fans were captivated for three seasons by his relationship with Lady Mary Crawley.
However, shortly after the birth of their son, viewers were left devastated when the character died in a car accident. The show’s original plot did not include Crawley’s demise, but it did simply result from Stevens’ exit.
Following the departure, the Croydon-born performer expressed that he wanted to explore different roles, telling The Telegraph that his exit was fuelled by” a desire for freedom really. “
Before adding, “It is a desire for freedom really, “I don’t see money or a particular status as an actor as a goal, but I want to do the best work possible in as interesting a range of roles as possible. And I believe that every opportunity presented by a situation like this is more significant than ever.
The newly discovered Netflix star then developed a strong resume. His film credits include 2014 thriller A Walk Among the Tombstones, 2017’s Beauty and The Beast, and last year’s hit horror film Cuckoo. Across these releases, he brushed shoulders with Hollywood stars the likes of Liam Neeson, Emma Watson, and Euphoria’s Hunter Schafer.
The Londoner fondly recalls his time on the show despite the show’s enormous success since Downton Abbey. He reflected on the drama in a conversation with Business Insider Africa in 2024, revealing that new viewers still contact him about the part.
“I think what’s lovely is how the fans’ devotion to that show has persisted and continues to be piqued today.” There’s just such an enduring love for that show and I have very, very fond memories of it, “Stevens shared,” but I still get messages every other week where someone hits the end of season three and can’t believe what just happened.
Beyond the cameras, Stevens is married to South African jazz singer Susie Hariet. The pair first met in 2006 while maintaining a nearby Sheffield theater. In 2009, they wed.
Stevens has previously gushed about his marriage, praising his partner’s ability to understand the entertainment industry.
Speaking to the Telegraph, he said:” I’m lucky to be married to someone who entirely gets what I do. She is totally sympathetic to the actor’s life. Her own mother was an actress, so she sort of grew up with it. “
The couple share three children, daughters Willow and Eden and a son named Aubrey.
Netflix is currently streaming Zero Day.
Source: Mirror
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