Luke Baines

Luke Baines (born 8 June 1990) is an English‑born Australian actor and writer whose career spans stage, screen and literature. Raised in the coastal suburb of Cronulla, Sydney after his family relocated from Hyde, Greater Manchester, he began formal acting lessons at the age of five and later honed his craft at The McDonald College of Performing Arts, where he studied drama, music and dance. His early professional work began in 2004 with a concert performance at his alma mater, followed by a role as Ren McCormack in a 2004 production of Footloose and a memorable turn as the Mad Hatter in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in 2007. Baines broke into film with a series of supporting parts, but his first major cinematic spotlight arrived in Wes Craven’s final production, The Girl in the Photographs (2015), where his portrayal of a chilling serial killer earned praise from The Wrap, The Line Up and Press Pass LA, establishing him as a breakout star. He continued to build a diverse résumé with roles in The Possession of Michael King, Disney’s Saving Mr. Banks, and the indie thriller As Night Comes (2013), where he played the charismatic yet troubled leader Ricky Gladstone. Television audiences recognized him best as Jonathan Morgenstern in Season 3b of Shadowhunters, and he later appeared in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Mandalorian and the ensemble film Under the Silver Lake. In addition to acting, Baines co‑wrote and starred in the pandemic‑produced horror comedy Untitled Horror Movie. Under the pen name L. J. Baines he published his debut novel In Scientia in 2024, expanding his creative footprint. Open about his identity, he came out as part of the LGBT+ community in 2022 and has spoken publicly about his relationships, while continuing to model for brands such as American Eagle and Roark Collective.