If you only know Jonah Hauer-King as the guy who played Prince Eric in the live-action The Little Mermaid, honestly, you’re missing the best parts. Most people saw him on that rock with Halle Bailey and figured, "Oh, another Disney heartthrob."
He’s way more interesting than that.
The London-born actor has a weirdly specific talent for playing "men in the middle of a mess." Whether it’s a global war, a futuristic plague, or a slasher sequel, he usually ends up playing the emotional anchor. People keep hiring him because he has this "old soul" energy that makes him look like he actually belongs in the 1940s, which explains why half his resume involves wool coats and vintage radios.
From Cambridge to the Caribbean: The Early Grind
Jonah didn’t just stumble into a Disney audition. He actually studied Theology and Religious Studies at Cambridge. Imagine writing essays on Thomas Aquinas while trying to figure out if you can make a living as an actor.
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His big break wasn't a movie, but a BBC miniseries called Little Women (2017). He played Laurie—a role that’s basically a rite of passage for every sensitive British actor. It’s funny looking back because he’s actually great friends with Maya Hawke from that shoot.
He spent years doing the "indie circuit." You’ve probably never heard of The Last Photograph or Postcards from London, but that’s where he figured out how to act for a camera instead of a theater balcony.
The Roles That Defined Him (So Far)
When people search for Jonah Hauer-King movies and tv shows, they usually land on the big three. If you want to actually see what he can do, these are the ones that matter.
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1. The Tattooist of Auschwitz (2024)
This is his most brutal work. He plays the young Lali Sokolov, a prisoner who has to tattoo numbers onto the arms of fellow inmates. It’s a heavy, harrowing Peacock series. To prepare, he actually went back to Auschwitz and spoke with the author of the book, Heather Morris. He even shaved his head for the role, which he described as a genuinely "dehumanizing" experience that changed how he saw the character. It’s a massive jump from singing on a boat to portraying a Holocaust survivor.
2. World on Fire
This show is basically a massive WWII soap opera but with way better production values. He plays Harry Chase, an interpreter caught in a messy love triangle while the world is literally burning down around him. It’s been a staple of his career since 2019, and it’s where he really proved he could carry a big-budget TV show.
3. The Little Mermaid (2023)
Look, we have to talk about Prince Eric. Harry Styles famously turned this role down, and honestly? Thank god. Jonah brought a weirdly sincere, dorky energy to Eric that made the character feel like a real person instead of just a cardboard cutout. He actually sang "Wild Uncharted Waters" himself, which surprised a lot of people who didn't know he used to gig in North London pubs.
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What’s Happening in 2025 and 2026?
Jonah is currently in that "post-Disney" phase where he’s trying everything. If you look at his 2025 slate, it’s a total 180 from his previous work.
- Doctor Who (2025): This was a huge deal for the Whoniverse. He joined as Conrad Clark, a podcaster and boyfriend to Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson). Fans were obsessed with the "Lucky Day" episode because he played a "superfan" who was obsessed with the Doctor. It’s a very different, modern vibe for him.
- I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025): Yes, the slasher franchise is back. He played Milo Griffin. Most critics found the movie a bit "meh," but seeing a Disney prince in a bloody horror movie was definitely a choice.
- A House of Dynamite (2025): This one is for the prestige fans. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, he plays Lieutenant Commander Robert Reeves in a thriller about a nuclear crisis at the White House. Working with Bigelow is a major career level-up.
- Rich Flu (2024/2025): He’s also in this weird sci-fi movie about a plague that only kills wealthy people. It’s dark, satirical, and very much not a fairy tale.
The "Privilege" Conversation
One thing that’s refreshing about Jonah is that he doesn’t pretend he didn't have a leg up. He went to Eton College (the same school as Prince William and Eddie Redmayne) and his dad is a famous restaurateur. In interviews, he’s actually been pretty open about how being privately educated is a massive advantage in the arts. He’s not one of those actors who tries to invent a "struggling artist" backstory, which makes him a lot more likable, honestly.
Why You Should Keep Watching
Jonah Hauer-King is successfully avoiding the "one-hit wonder" trap. Most actors who lead a billion-dollar Disney movie get stuck in the "pretty boy" lane forever. He’s doing the opposite. By picking roles like a Holocaust survivor or a gritty naval officer, he’s building a career that’s more about longevity than just being a face on a lunchbox.
If you want to catch up on his best work, do this:
- Watch The Tattooist of Auschwitz first. It’s his best acting performance by a mile.
- Check out World on Fire if you like historical drama that actually has some grit.
- Find the Doctor Who episode "Lucky Day" to see him play someone who isn't brooding in a historical costume.
- Keep an eye out for A House of Dynamite on Netflix—Kathryn Bigelow movies are always a major event.
The guy is busy. And given how he’s jumping between genres right now, he’s probably going to be around for a long time.