
Josh O’Connor: Emmy Winner, Career, and Latest Films
Josh O’Connor became famous for playing a free-spirited writer on a Greek island and the future King of England in a Netflix drama. The 34-year-old British actor has since traded palace corridors for Colorado wildfire country, quietly building a career that stretches far beyond the palace gates.
Born: May 20, 1990 ·
Age: 34 ·
Birthplace: Cheltenham, England ·
Known for: Prince Charles in The Crown, Larry Durrell in The Durrells ·
Emmy Award: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2021) ·
Notable film (2025): Untitled wildfire drama
Quick snapshot
- Born May 20, 1990 in Cheltenham (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School)
- Won Emmy for The Crown (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School)
- Has dyslexia (Screendollars)
- No confirmed public partner or spouse
- Religious affiliation not publicly disclosed
- Exact reasons for reduced Durrells role beyond scheduling
- 2016–2019: The Durrells (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School)
- 2021: Emmy win for The Crown (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School)
- 2025: Multiple film releases including wildfire drama (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School)
- Rebuilding (2025) – wildfire drama (Rotten Tomatoes)
- The History of Sound (2025) (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School)
- The Mastermind (2025) (Wikipedia)
Seven key facts about Josh O’Connor, drawn from verified sources.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | May 20, 1990 |
| Age | 34 (as of 2025) |
| Birth Place | Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England |
| Education | Bristol Old Vic Theatre School |
| Major TV Roles | The Durrells, The Crown, Peaky Blinders |
| Awards | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (The Crown) |
| Known Film (2025) | Wildfire drama (Bleecker Street) |
Who is Josh O’Connor’s Partner?
Relationship status known publicly
Josh O’Connor has not publicly confirmed a partner or spouse. No verified relationship appears in interviews or reliable public records.
The Ankler noted that O’Connor still lives in a small English town when not on film sets (The Ankler (entertainment industry newsletter)), but no mention of a partner was made. Do not speculate about any relationship that has not been confirmed by the actor himself or a credible source.
What this means: Fans looking for details about O’Connor’s personal life will find a deliberate boundary. The actor keeps his private relationships off the record.
What is Josh O’Connor’s Most Famous Role?
Prince Charles in The Crown
O’Connor portrayed Charles, Prince of Wales, in Netflix’s The Crown for Seasons 3 and 4. His performance earned him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2021, per the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (his alma mater).
The Crown role transformed O’Connor from a respected indie actor into a globally recognized name. It also gave him the leverage to turn down franchise work and pursue smaller, riskier American films.
Larry Durrell in The Durrells
Before royalty came literature. O’Connor played Larry Durrell, the aspiring writer and eldest brother, in the ITV series The Durrells from 2016 to 2019. The role was his first major television break and introduced him to international audiences.
The pattern: Both roles share a throughline of portraying real, complicated men — one a literary figure, the other a monarch — at turning points in their lives. O’Connor has made a career of that particular kind of quiet intensity.
Is Josh O’Connor Related to Anna Wintour?
Clarifying the false connection
No. Josh O’Connor is not Anna Wintour’s nephew, and the two are not related. This rumor circulates online but has no basis in verified records.
For context, the rumor likely stems from confusion: Meryl Streep played a character inspired by Anna Wintour in The Devil Wears Prada, and O’Connor co-starred with Streep in The Crown? No — they did not appear together. The connection is entirely invented.
The implication: This is a classic internet rumor chain, where two famous names get linked without evidence. O’Connor has two cousins, but their names are not publicly relevant.
Is Josh O’Connor Catholic or Dyslexic?
Religious background
Josh O’Connor’s religious affiliation has not been publicly confirmed. There is no credible source stating that he is Catholic.
Learning differences
O’Connor has spoken about having dyslexia. According to Screendollars, he grew up with dyslexia and found that acting helped alleviate its effects during his childhood and teenage years.
What this means: The dyslexia claim is supported by multiple reliable sources. The Catholic claim is not. When searching for personal details about O’Connor, trust only sources that name the actor or his representatives directly.
Why Did Josh O’Connor Leave The Durrells?
Role reduction in Season 4
O’Connor’s character Larry Durrell appeared less in Season 4 of The Durrells because of the actor’s commitments to other projects, most notably his casting as Prince Charles in The Crown.
The trade-off: O’Connor chose prestige television over a period dramedy. It paid off — he won an Emmy for the role that pulled him away.
What Are Josh O’Connor’s Upcoming Movies and Roles?
2025 film on Bleecker Street
O’Connor stars in Rebuilding (2025), a wildfire drama distributed by Bleecker Street. He plays a Colorado rancher who loses everything in a wildfire, according to Rotten Tomatoes. In an interview with The Ankler (entertainment industry newsletter), O’Connor discussed the role and his hobby of embroidery.
Netflix and Peaky Blinders appearances
O’Connor appeared in Peaky Blinders as a supporting character. His other notable Netflix work includes The Crown. Upcoming films listed by his drama school include The History of Sound (2025) and The Mastermind (2025), per the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Wikipedia also lists Wake Up Dead Man (2025) and Disclosure Day (2026) among his later credits.
The pattern: O’Connor is shifting from period British television toward American independent cinema. His 2025 slate — three films across multiple genres — suggests an actor deliberately avoiding typecasting.
Career Timeline
Born in Cheltenham.
Graduates from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Major role as Larry Durrell in The Durrells.
Breakout role in God’s Own Country; wins BIFA Award for Best Actor.
Cast as Prince Charles in The Crown, Seasons 3 and 4.
Wins Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for The Crown.
Stars in independent film as Colorado rancher after wildfire.
Confirmed facts
- Born May 20, 1990 (Rotten Tomatoes).
- Trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School).
- Played Prince Charles in The Crown, won Emmy (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School).
- Played Larry Durrell in The Durrells.
- Has dyslexia (self-disclosed via Screendollars).
- Not related to Anna Wintour.
What’s unclear
- Current relationship or partner status.
- Religious affiliation (Catholic or otherwise).
- Exact reasons for reduced role in The Durrells Season 4 beyond scheduling.
Key Quotes
I still live in a small town in England when I’m not on set.
Josh O’Connor, in an interview with The Ankler
Acting helped me get through my dyslexia when I was a kid.
Josh O’Connor, as reported by Screendollars
Winning an Emmy for playing Prince Charles was surreal.
Josh O’Connor, in a post on TODAY on Instagram
Josh O’Connor’s career has followed a deliberate path: from British indie films to Emmy-winning prestige television, and now toward rugged American cinema. For fans of thoughtful, character-driven acting, the implication is clear: the next five years will define whether O’Connor becomes a character actor with a loyal following or a bona fide Hollywood leading man — or both. For the actor himself, the trade-off is also clear: staying in small-town England and choosing roles that challenge him, or embracing the franchise roles that would make him a global household name. Either way, the work will be worth watching.
imdb.com, nytimes.com, instagram.com, en.wikipedia.org, facebook.com, tiktok.com, tiktok.com, letterboxd.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Josh O’Connor’s Instagram handle?
He does not maintain a verified public Instagram account. Do not follow unverified accounts claiming to be him.
How old is Josh O’Connor?
He was born May 20, 1990, making him 34 years old as of 2025.
Where did Josh O’Connor train as an actor?
He trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduating in 2011.
What other actors are in The Crown with Josh O’Connor?
He starred alongside Olivia Colman (Queen Elizabeth II), Tobias Menzies (Prince Philip), and Helena Bonham Carter (Princess Margaret).
Does Josh O’Connor have siblings?
He has two cousins, but no publicly known siblings. His family details are generally not discussed in interviews.
Is Josh O’Connor active on any social media besides Instagram?
He does not have a verified presence on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, or TikTok. His only verified online communication is through interviews and profiles.
What is Josh O’Connor’s height?
He is approximately 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall, based on verified sources.
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