If you were around in the mid-90s, you probably remember the peroxide-blonde hair and that weirdly convincing Sean Connery obsession. Jonny Lee Miller didn't just walk onto the screen in Trainspotting; he sort of sneered his way into the collective consciousness. But here’s the thing—most people know him as either Sick Boy or the guy who played Sherlock Holmes on CBS for seven years.
They’re missing the best parts.
Miller is one of those rare actors who can vanish. He’s been a Texas Ranger, a marathon-running cyclist, a Victorian-era highwayman, and even a British Prime Minister. His career isn't a straight line; it’s a zig-zag of "wait, that was him?" moments. Looking at the full spectrum of Jonny Lee Miller movies and tv shows, you start to see a pattern of someone who is bored by being the "leading man" and far more interested in being the weirdest person in the room.
The Early Days: Hackers, Heroin, and Hollywood
Before he was a household name, Miller was part of that gritty, mid-90s British wave. He actually made his American debut in Hackers (1995). It’s a total cult classic now, though at the time, people didn't know what to make of it. He played Dade Murphy (aka Zero Cool), a teen hacker in some seriously questionable cyberpunk gear. Fun fact: this is where he met his first wife, Angelina Jolie. They were the "it" couple of the underground scene for a minute there.
Then came 1996. Trainspotting.
Honestly, it’s hard to overstate how massive this movie was. Miller played Simon "Sick Boy" Williamson. He was the only lead actor in the group who wasn't actually Scottish, but his accent was so spot-on that most people in the UK didn't even realize he was a Londoner. He brought this vile, amoral, yet weirdly charming energy to a character that should have been unwatchable.
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He didn't just rest on those laurels, though.
Instead of taking the "pretty boy" roles Hollywood probably threw at him, he went back to the UK for Behind the Lines (1997) and then played a cold, yuppie husband in Afterglow (1997) opposite Julie Christie. It was a weird move for a rising star, but that’s Jonny. He doesn't do "predictable."
Why Elementary Changed the Game
If you ask a random person about Miller today, they’ll talk about Elementary. For 154 episodes across seven seasons, he was Sherlock Holmes.
Now, look. Benedict Cumberbatch was doing the "high-functioning sociopath" thing over on the BBC at the same time. People love to compare them. But Miller’s Sherlock was different. He was a recovering addict. He was twitchy, vulnerable, and deeply human. He didn't just solve crimes because he was smart; he solved them because he was trying to stay sober and keep his brain from eating itself.
The Dynamics of a Modern Sherlock
- The Partnership: His chemistry with Lucy Liu (Joan Watson) was platonic and respectful, which was a refreshing change for network TV.
- The Depth: Miller actually holds the record for playing Sherlock Holmes in the most episodes of any actor, ever. That’s a lot of screen time to keep a character interesting.
- The Setting: Moving the detective to modern-day New York City could have been a disaster, but Miller’s frenetic energy made it work.
He basically redefined the character for a whole generation of viewers who wanted more than just a "superhero with a magnifying glass."
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From Eli Stone to The Crown: The TV Evolution
Between the movies and the long-running procedurals, Miller has popped up in some places you might have forgotten. Remember Eli Stone? He played a high-powered lawyer who started having hallucinations (including George Michael singing in a vision). It only lasted two seasons, but it showed he could do "quirky leading man" just as well as "grumpy detective."
He also had a terrifying turn in Dexter Season 5 as Jordan Chase. If you want to see him play a truly manipulative, dark villain, that’s the one to watch.
Most recently, he stunned everyone by showing up in The Crown Season 5. He played Prime Minister John Major. It was a total transformation. He had the grey hair, the glasses, and that specific, polite-but-firm British cadence. Critics called it a standout performance in a season that was already packed with heavy hitters like Imelda Staunton.
The Stage and The "Frankenstein" Legend
You can’t talk about his career without mentioning his work at the National Theatre. In 2011, Danny Boyle (who directed him in Trainspotting) cast him and Benedict Cumberbatch in Frankenstein.
Here was the catch: they swapped roles every night.
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One night Jonny was Victor Frankenstein and Benedict was the Creature. The next night, they flipped. They both ended up winning the Olivier Award for Best Actor, which they shared. If you ever get a chance to see the filmed version of this—do it. Miller’s portrayal of the Creature is visceral and heartbreaking. It’s probably the best thing he’s ever done.
Key Highlights of Jonny Lee Miller’s Career
| Project | Role | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Trainspotting | Sick Boy | The iconic breakout that proved his range. |
| Hackers | Dade Murphy | Cult classic status and his intro to Hollywood. |
| The Flying Scotsman | Graeme Obree | A physical tour de force playing a real-life cycling legend. |
| Endgame | Bolt | Earned him serious critical respect in a political drama. |
| The Covenant | Colonel Vokes | A recent reminder that he can still hold his own in gritty action. |
What to Watch Next
If you’re just getting into his work, don't just stick to the hits.
Sure, watch Trainspotting and binge Elementary. But if you really want to see what he’s capable of, track down The Flying Scotsman. It’s a biopic about Graeme Obree, a cyclist who suffered from severe bipolar disorder and built his own bike out of washing machine parts. Miller is incredible in it. It's raw, it's painful, and it's totally different from the "cool" characters he usually plays.
Also, check out Mansfield Park (1999). He plays Edmund Bertram. Seeing "Sick Boy" as a polite, 19th-century gentleman is a trip, but he pulls it off perfectly.
Basically, the guy is a chameleon. Whether he’s a vampire in Byzantium or a Texas Ranger in Dead Man's Walk, he brings this specific, nervous intensity that keeps you watching. He’s not just "that guy from that show"—he’s one of the most consistent actors working today.
Your Next Steps:
- Watch "Frankenstein" (National Theatre Live): Most streaming services for theatre (like NT at Home) have both versions. Compare his Creature to his Victor Frankenstein.
- Binge "Dexter" Season 5: If you only know him as the "good guy" Sherlock, this will change your perspective on his acting range.
- Check out "The Covenant" (2023): It’s one of his more recent film roles and shows he’s still picking high-quality, intense projects.