You know that feeling when you're watching a big-budget sci-fi epic or a gritty historical drama and a face pops up that feels incredibly familiar? That's the Dimitri Leonidas experience. He’s one of those actors who has been everywhere—from the hallways of a British secondary school to the high-stakes chariot races of Ancient Rome—yet he somehow remains a bit of a "best-kept secret" in the industry. Honestly, it's wild how many massive projects he’s been in without becoming a household name in the way his co-stars often do.
We’re talking about a guy who shared the screen with George Clooney and Matt Damon while he was still in his twenties.
Leonidas has this uncanny ability to blend into an ensemble while still managing to steal a scene or two. If you've been keeping up with Apple TV+ or Peacock lately, you've definitely seen him. But let's look back at where this all started and how he ended up becoming one of the most reliable "character" leading men working today.
From Grange Hill to the Mediterranean Sun
Most British viewers of a certain age first met him as Josh Irvine in Grange Hill. Back then, he was credited as Shane Leonidas. He spent a solid four seasons there, basically growing up on camera between 2001 and 2004. It’s the classic UK actor pipeline: you start in a soap or a school drama, pay your dues in an episode of The Bill or Holby City, and hope for a break.
For Dimitri, the break came in chunks.
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In 2012, he landed a lead role in Sinbad, playing Anwar. It was a big, ambitious fantasy show for Sky, but it didn't quite get the multi-season run many expected. Still, it proved he could handle the "action-adventure" vibe. It wasn't long after that Hollywood finally came knocking.
The George Clooney Effect and The Monuments Men
If we’re looking at Dimitri Leonidas movies and tv shows that actually changed the trajectory of his career, 2014 was the "Year Zero." George Clooney personally cast him in The Monuments Men. Leonidas played Sam Epstein, a young German-born Jew who joins the Allied effort to save art from the Nazis.
Imagine being 26 years old and sitting at a table read with Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, and John Goodman.
He’s talked in interviews about how surreal that was. He even had to take accent lessons to play a German-American soldier, which is funny considering he’s a Londoner through and through. That same year, he appeared in Rosewater, directed by Jon Stewart. These weren't just "bit parts"—these were significant roles in films with massive cultural footprints.
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The High-End TV Era: Riviera and The One
By the time the streaming wars really heated up, Leonidas was perfectly positioned. He has a look that works for "wealthy European" just as well as it works for "scrappy underdog."
In Riviera, he played Christos Clios. If you haven't seen it, the show is basically "rich people behaving badly" in the South of France. He played the son of a billionaire, dealing with drug addiction and the fallout of his father's mysterious death. It ran for three seasons, and Leonidas stayed for the whole ride.
Then came Netflix’s The One. This was a weird, dark sci-fi thriller about a DNA-matching service that finds your perfect soulmate. He played James Whiting, the co-founder of the company. It’s a great example of his range—moving from the emotional vulnerability of Riviera to a more calculating, tech-bro persona.
Conquering the Galaxy and the Coliseum
If you’re a sci-fi fan, you probably recognize him from Foundation on Apple TV+. In the second season, he joined as Hober Mallow. Mallow is a fan-favorite character from the Isaac Asimov books—a "Master Trader" who is basically the Han Solo of that universe. Leonidas brought a much-needed swagger and humor to a show that can sometimes get a bit bogged down in its own philosophy.
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And then there’s Those About to Die.
Released in 2024, this Roland Emmerich series is basically Gladiator meets Game of Thrones. Leonidas plays Scorpus, the most famous chariot racer in Rome. What’s hilarious about this role is that Leonidas has openly admitted he was terrified of horses before filming. He had to go through an intensive "chariot boot camp" to look like a pro while steering four horses at full speed.
Notable Dimitri Leonidas Filmography Highlights
- Those About to Die (2024) – Scorpus (Chariot racing legend)
- Foundation (2023) – Hober Mallow (Sarcastic space trader)
- The One (2021) – James Whiting (Tech co-founder)
- Riviera (2017–2020) – Christos Clios (Billionaire heir)
- The Monuments Men (2014) – Sam Epstein (Art-saving soldier)
- Rosewater (2014) – Davood (Iranian activist)
- Sinbad (2012) – Anwar (Doctor/Scholar)
- Doctor Who (2011) – Howie Spragg (The episode "The God Complex")
- Grange Hill (2001–2004) – Josh Irvine (The early years)
Why He’s More Than Just a Supporting Actor
There is a specific nuance to the way Dimitri Leonidas works. He doesn't chew the scenery. In Masters of the Air (2024), he appeared as Sgt. George Petrohelos, and even in a brief appearance, he felt grounded. He brings a certain "lived-in" quality to his characters. Whether he’s wearing a toga or a space suit, you believe he’s actually been in that world for years.
His sisters, Stephanie and Georgina, are also actors (you might remember Georgina as Katie Bell in the Harry Potter films), so talent clearly runs in the family. But Dimitri has carved out a very specific niche in high-concept genre television.
If you're looking to catch up on his best work, start with Foundation. His portrayal of Hober Mallow is arguably the most "fun" he's ever been on screen. After that, hit The Monuments Men to see him hold his own against Hollywood royalty. He’s the kind of actor who makes you realize that the "supporting" cast is usually the one doing the heavy lifting.
To keep track of his upcoming projects, it’s worth following the trades for updates on Foundation Season 3 or any potential sequels to the Roman epics he's been inhabiting lately. Given his track record, he’ll likely pop up in the next big prestige drama you decide to binge-watch.