David Oakes
Great Britain- Childhood and Early Life
- Education and Theatre Debut
- Television and Film Career
- Versatility and Critical Acclaim
- Theatre Productions
- Personal Life
- Future Projects
Childhood and Early Life
David Oakes was born on October 14, 1983, in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, to Reverend Jeremy Charles Oakes and professional musician Fiona Brockhurst. He spent his childhood in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, where his parents fostered his creativity.
Education and Theatre Debut
After completing his primary education, Oakes pursued a BA in English and Drama at the University of Manchester. He then trained for two years at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Oakes's acting career commenced on stage at Shakespeare's Globe, where he performed in "Love's Labour's Lost" alongside Gemma Arterton and "We, the People" by Eric Schlosser. He also worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Old Vic, where he participated in 24-hour plays under Kevin Spacey's mentorship.
Television and Film Career
Oakes made his television debut in the BBC series "The Dig" and subsequently appeared in "The War that Changed Us" (also known as "Walter's War"). He gained recognition for his portrayal of the villainous William Hamleigh in the historical miniseries "The Pillars of the Earth" (2010). Following the success of "The Pillars of the Earth," Oakes starred in "Borgia" (2011-2013) as Juan Borgia.
Versatility and Critical Acclaim
Seeking to transcend his villainous persona, Oakes returned to theatre in 2013 as Mr. Darcy in an adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice." He followed this with another stage performance as the poet Christopher Marlowe in "Shakespeare in Love." In recent years, Oakes has appeared in television series such as "Endeavour" (2016), "The Living and the Dead" (2016), and "Victoria" (2016-present), where he plays Prince Ernest. He also portrayed a lead role in the horror film "Atlantis" (2017).
Theatre Productions
Oakes's theatrical repertoire includes "Venus in Fur" by David Ives, in which he took on the role of Thomas Novachek, directed by Patrick Marber and featuring Natalie Dormer as Vanda Jordan. In 2019, he played Hamlet at Shakespeare's Rose Theatre, garnering praise for his nuanced performance and connection with the audience.
Personal Life
David Oakes maintains a private personal life. His social media accounts showcase his photography, often featuring stunning nature scenes. He is known to be an advocate for environmental conservation. In 2019, Oakes began dating Natalie Dormer, his co-star in "Venus in Fur." They welcomed a daughter in 2021.
Future Projects
Oakes's upcoming projects include the Netflix series "Vikings: Valhalla," in which he plays Earl Godwin. He also has a role in the film "Infidel" (previously titled "The Giaour"), based on the poem by George Byron.
