Alex Hassell

**Alex Hassell** (born *Alexander Stephen Hassell* on 7 September 1980) is an English actor celebrated for his versatility in both classical theatre and contemporary screen productions. The youngest of four children born to a vicar in Southend‑on‑Sea, England, he grew up surrounded by the rhythms of parish life, an environment that nurtured his early appreciation for storytelling. After completing his secondary education at Moulsham High School in Chelmsford, he pursued formal training at the prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama, where he spent two and a half intensive years honing his craft alongside future collaborators such as his wife, actress Emma King. Hassell’s stage career quickly ascended when he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, delivering acclaimed performances as Hal in *Henry IV* Parts I and II and as Henry in *Henry V*, showcasing a rare ability to balance youthful impetuosity with regal authority. In addition to his acting work, he co‑founded The Factory Theatre Company, a bold collective that has attracted patrons like Ewan McGregor, Bill Nighy, Mark Rylance, and Emma Thompson, and which aims to push the boundaries of contemporary theatre through innovative collaborations and site‑specific productions.

Hassell made his television debut in 2001 with an appearance on *Queen of Swords*, and his film career took a significant leap when he was cast in George Clooney’s *Suburbicon* (2017) alongside Matt Damon and Julianne Moore. That same year he earned critical recognition for his role in the BBC adaptation of *The Miniaturist*, sharing the screen with Anya Taylor‑Joy. He later captured wider audiences as the enigmatic Translucent in Amazon Prime’s *The Boys* (2019) and as the formidable Vicious in Netflix’s adaptation of *Cowboy Bebop* (2021). Most recently, he portrayed the celestial Metatron in the final season of the BBC/HBO fantasy epic *His Dark Materials* and led the 2024 Disney+ series *Rivals* as the charismatic Rupert Campbell Black, acting opposite David Tennant, Danny Dyer, and Aidan Turner. Married to Emma King since January 2011, the couple met during their training at Central, and while the couple’s private life remains discreet, Hassell is known to value a balanced life away from the spotlight.