You probably know the face. That slightly mischievous, rugged, yet somehow posh look that screams "I might be a brilliant detective or a deeply flawed royal." Most people immediately point at the screen and shout "McNulty!" when they see him. Honestly, that’s fair. HBO’s The Wire changed television forever, and his portrayal of the hard-drinking, rule-breaking Jimmy McNulty is legendary. But if you think that’s the only thing on the list of Dominic West movies and TV shows worth your time, you are missing out on one of the most unpredictable careers in Hollywood.
He doesn't just play the hero. Sometimes he's the villain, the lover, or even a serial killer. He’s got this weirdly effective ability to jump from a gritty Baltimore accent to the clipped tones of the British monarchy without breaking a sweat.
The Breakout: How The Wire Changed Everything
Before 2002, Dominic West was doing the usual rounds. He had a tiny part in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (blink and you’ll miss him as a Naboo guard) and played the guy who gets murdered in the opening of Chicago. He was working. He was fine.
Then came Baltimore.
Playing Jimmy McNulty wasn't just another job. It was a transformation. You’ve gotta remember, at the time, everyone thought he was actually American. His accent was that good. The Wire didn't make him a superstar overnight—the show was a slow burn—but it established him as the king of the "charismatic disaster." McNulty was a mess. He was a great cop and a terrible human being, and West played that line perfectly for five seasons.
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From The Affair to The Crown: The Era of Complexity
After the badge came the baggage. In The Affair, West took on Noah Solloway. If McNulty was a disaster you wanted to have a beer with, Noah was a disaster that made you want to scream at your TV. The show used a unique "dual perspective" storytelling device. You’d see a scene from his point of view, then from the perspective of his lover (played by Ruth Wilson).
It was polarizing. Some people hated Noah. Others were fascinated by the slow-motion train wreck of his life. Either way, West earned a Golden Globe nomination for it. He proved he could carry a heavy, emotional drama for years without the safety net of a "police procedural" plot.
Stepping Into Royal Shoes
Then came the big one. Taking over the role of Prince Charles in The Crown (Seasons 5 and 6) was a massive risk. Josh O'Connor had just won an Emmy for playing the younger version, and the public’s feelings about the real Charles were... complicated, to say the least.
West didn't try to do a caricature. He leaned into the frustration and the "waiting room" energy of a man who was 70 years old and still hadn't started the job he was born for. Even if you didn't think he looked exactly like the King, he captured the posture and the voice so well that you kind of forgot about it after ten minutes. It was a masterclass in subtlety.
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The Big Screen: Blockbusters and Indie Gems
His movie career is a bit of a wild ride. You wouldn't expect the guy from The Wire to show up as a corrupt Spartan politician in 300, but there he was, getting stabbed by Lena Headey. He’s done the big-budget thing plenty of times.
- Tomb Raider (2018): He played Richard Croft, Lara’s dad. Basically, he spent the movie being a mysterious explorer in the jungle.
- Chicago (2002): A quick but memorable role as the guy who learns the hard way not to cheat on Roxie Hart.
- Pride (2014): This is arguably his best film work. He plays Jonathan Blake, one of the first people diagnosed with HIV in the UK. It’s a heartwarming, hilarious, and devastating movie about gay activists supporting striking miners in the 80s. His disco dance scene? Pure gold.
Most recently, he’s found a home in the Downton Abbey universe. Playing Guy Dexter in Downton Abbey: A New Era and the 2025 follow-up The Grand Finale, he brought a bit of old Hollywood glamour to the Crawley estate. It’s a far cry from the docks of Baltimore.
What’s Next in 2026?
Dominic isn't slowing down. If you’ve been keeping up with the trades, you know he’s jumping back into the world of high-stakes thrillers. He is currently starring in the HBO/Sky original series WAR alongside Sienna Miller. It’s a nasty, sleek legal drama about a "divorce of the century" in London. He plays Morgan Henderson, a tech titan who is essentially the "final boss" of difficult husbands.
There’s also the Scorpions biopic, Wind of Change, where he’s playing the band’s legendary manager, Doc McGhee. It’s exactly the kind of role he excels at: a guy behind the scenes pulling the strings with a lot of attitude.
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The "Must-Watch" List
If you want to understand the range of Dominic West movies and TV shows, don't just stick to the hits. Here is the definitive roadmap:
- The Wire (TV): Obviously. It’s the foundation.
- Pride (Movie): To see his heart (and his dance moves).
- Appropriate Adult (Mini-series): This is his "dark" masterpiece. He plays real-life serial killer Fred West. It’s chilling and uncomfortable, and he won a BAFTA for it.
- The Hour (TV): A 1950s newsroom drama. He plays a suave, slightly fading news anchor. It’s like Mad Men but British and faster-paced.
- Brassic (TV): If you want to see him just having a blast, watch this. He plays a bizarre, eccentric doctor in a small-town comedy. It's ridiculous.
Dominic West has built a career by refusing to be just one thing. He could have played "grumpy detective" for twenty years and retired rich. Instead, he’s played kings, killers, activists, and icons. Whether he's in a tuxedo at Downton or a stained t-shirt in a Baltimore interrogation room, he’s always the most interesting person on the screen.
If you’re looking for your next binge-watch, start with Appropriate Adult if you want to be scared, or The Hour if you want something sharp and stylish. Both show a side of him that McNulty fans usually miss.