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Who is David Oakes?
British actor, producer and director Rowan David Oakes was born under the zodiac sign Libra on 14 October 1983, in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. He has 24 acting credits, and is perhaps known best for portraying Earl Godwin in 14 episodes of the action adventure series “Vikings: Valhalla”, which stars Sam Corlett and Leo Suter, and was created by Jeb Stuart. Set 100 years after the events in the series “Viking”, the sequel follows the new adventures of Norman King William the Conqueror, Harald Hardrada, and Freydis; it’s been airing since 2022 and has won three of its 18 award nominations.
Education and early life
David was raised in Fordingbridge, Hampshire alongside his sister, two half-siblings and two step siblings, by his father Jeremy Oakes who was a Church of England canon, and mother Fiona Brockhurst who was a horn player and housewife.
David studied at Bishop Wordsworth’s School and was head boy there; he fell in love with acting as a teenager, and appeared in several school plays, as well as in a couple performed at Salisbury Playhouse. David was interested in several other activities while growing up, as he enjoyed playing soccer, dancing and singing.
Upon matriculating in 2001, he enrolled at the University of Manchester, from which he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English literature in 2005; David continued his education at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduating with a Master’s degree in 2007.
Roles in TV series
David’s debut TV series role was playing Alfred Lord Tennyson in the 2008 episode “Follow the Gleam” of the historical adventure mini-series “Bonekickers”, and the following year saw him play George Cavendish in the episode “Lover (1526-1536)” of the biographical historical documentary mini-series “Henry VIII: Mind of a Tyrant”.
In 2009, David played Ross Bonham in three episodes of the crime comedy “Trinity”, which starred Claire Skinner and Charles Dance, and was created by Kieron Quirke and Robin French; it follows Charlotte who’s just enrolled at Trinity College, wanting to learn more about her father’s death.
In 2011 and 2012, David portrayed Juan Borgia in the historical crime drama “The Borgias”, which starred Francois Arnaud and Jeremy Irons, and was created by Neil Jordan. It follows Pope Alexander VI as he’s trying to control all power in Italy in the 15th century, and the series won 16 of its 71 award nominations. David could then have been seen appearing in the romantic thriller mini-series “World Without End”, the crime mystery “Ripper Street” and the historical romantic drama “The White Queen”.
In 2016, he portrayed William Payne in three episodes of the horror thriller “The Living and the Dead”, which starred Charlotte Spencer and Colin Morgan, and was created by Ashley Pharoah. It follows a young couple who’ve inherited a farm, and the series was nominated for four awards.
David’s most recent TV series role has been playing Prince Ernest in 15 episodes (2016-2019) of the biographical historical drama “Victoria”, which follows the early life of Queen Victoria and her marriage to Prince Albert.
Roles in movies
David’s debut film role was playing Private Oswald Hennessey in the 2008 biographical war drama “Walter’s War”, which starred Paul Westwood and O-T Fagbenle, and was directed by Alrick Riley. It follows the true story of black man Walter Tull who fought in World War I.
Some of David’s following roles were in the mystery horror “Truth or Die” and the short comedy “Who Shall I Play with Now?” both in 2012, and the 2014 romantic drama “Love by Design”. In 2015, he portrayed Father in the short crime drama “A Moment of Horror”, which starred Honey-Rose Quinn and Eline Powell, and was directed by Michelle Fox and Andrew Brand; it follows a group of young adults as they’re being hunted down by a serial killer.
@miguel_sese : "David Oakes, hand laid beard process for the film Cold Skin @David_Oakes " (His Instagram) pic.twitter.com/HYjYPxslH7
— David Oakes Turkey (@DavidOakesTR) November 18, 2017
In 2017, David portrayed the lead character Friend in the action fantasy horror “Cold Skin”, which also starred Ray Stevenson and Aura Garrido, and was directed by Xavier Gens. It follows a young man who’s come on a remote island to work as a weather observer, while he’s now defending the watchtower from deadly creatures; the film was nominated for only a single award.
Some of David’s most recent film roles have been in the 2019 romantic drama “The Garden of Evening Mists”, the 2020 drama “You” and another 2020 drama – “Shuttlecock”.
Other credits
David produced and directed the 2012 short comedy movie “Who Shall I Play with Now?”
He narrated the 2016 documentary movie “Murder Games: The Life and Death of Breck Bednar”.
David was featured in a 2023 episode of the talk-show “What’s Popping!”
Love life and relationships
David can rarely be heard speaking about his love life in public, but it’s widely known that the popular actor’s taken. He and famous British actress Natalie Dormer began dating in 2018; she has 41 acting credits and is perhaps known best for playing Margaery Tyrell in 26 episodes (2012-2016) of the critically acclaimed action adventure series “Game of Thrones”, as well as for portraying Cressida in the 2015 action adventure science fiction film “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2”.
Natalie gave birth to their daughter in 2021 but she and David are keeping her away from media; in February 2023, David and Natalie entered a civil partnership.
We don’t know about other women whom David’s perhaps been with; he’s in a civil partnership with Natalie Dormer as of September 2023, and they have a daughter together.
Interesting facts and hobbies
David’s passionate about music, and plays the bass guitar, clarinet and bass clarinet; he loves folk music the most, and is a fan of Sheelanagig.
He’s represented by Conway Van Gelder Grant Inc.
David was once on the Conservatoire of Dance and Drama’s board of governors.
He’s the producer and host of the Natural History podcast “Trees A Crowd”.
David’s followed by more than 38,000 people on Instagram, and has posted over 1,800 pictures onto the network, with most having been taken by him as he’s passionate about photography.
He’s a huge lover of animals, with squirrels and beavers being his favorites.
One of David’s favorite actors is Simon Pegg, and some of his favorite movies include “Hot Fuzz”, “The World’s End”, and “Shaun of the Dead”.
Appearance and net worth
David’s age is 39. He has brown hair and eyes, weighs around 180lbs (82kgs) and is 6ft (1.84m) tall.
David’s net worth’s been estimated at over $600,000, as of September 2023.
