You’ve probably seen his face a dozen times without even realizing it. Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is one of those actors who just fits everywhere. Whether he’s wearing a cape in a DC blockbuster, a top hat in a Disney musical, or a vicar’s collar in a gritty BBC drama, he has this weirdly effortless way of making you believe he belongs in that specific world.
Honestly, it’s kinda rare to find an actor who can jump from the high-stakes intensity of Justice League to the whimsical chaos of Paddington 2 and still have the range to win an Olivier Award for playing Ike Turner on stage. Most people specialize. Kobna just... doesn't.
If you’re trying to track down the best Kobna Holdbrook-Smith movies and tv shows, you’ll realize his filmography is a bit of a scavenger hunt across every major franchise of the last decade.
The Big Screen: From Wonka to the DCEU
A lot of people first really took notice of him in Mary Poppins Returns. He played Templeton Frye, a lawyer who wasn't exactly a villain but was definitely part of the "system" the Banks family was fighting against. What’s cool is that he didn’t just play the human version; he actually voiced the weasel version of the character in that trippy animated Royal Doulton Bowl sequence. It’s that kind of versatility that keeps him busy.
Then there’s the whole "Superhero Multiverse" thing.
Kobna is part of a very small club of actors who have appeared in both the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). In Doctor Strange, he had a brief but memorable turn as a physical therapist. But his DC role was meatier—he played Detective Crispus Allen in both the theatrical Justice League and the massive four-hour Zack Snyder’s Justice League. For the comic book nerds out there, Crispus Allen eventually becomes The Spectre in the comics, so fans have been low-key hoping he’d get a chance to suit up for real.
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He’s also popped up in:
- Wonka (2023): He plays Officer Affable. The name basically tells you everything you need to know about the vibe.
- Paddington 2: He was Warden Walker. Because if you’re a British actor of a certain caliber, appearing in a Paddington movie is basically a legal requirement.
- The Commuter: A high-tension Liam Neeson thriller where he played Oliver.
- Ghost Stories: A genuinely terrifying anthology film where he played Father Richard Emery.
Why The Split and His Dark Materials Changed Things
While the movies pay the bills and get him on red carpets, his TV work is where things get really interesting. If you’re a fan of The Split, you know him as Glen Peters. Originally, he was just the vicar who performed Rose and James’s wedding. But the character grew, and by the time The Split: Barcelona rolled around in late 2024 and 2025, Glen became a much more central part of the emotional landscape.
His role in His Dark Materials was a total pivot.
Playing Balthamos—one half of a pair of rebel angels—required a lot of nuance. It’s not easy to play a celestial being who is grieving and terrified but still dedicated to a cosmic war. He and Simon Harrison (who played Baruch) brought a really human, grounded heart to a show that was otherwise filled with talking bears and giant airships.
Recent and Upcoming TV Credits
Recently, he’s been in The Veil and Mr. Loverman, continuing a streak of picking projects that feel sophisticated rather than just "commercial." He was also in Ragdoll, a dark crime thriller that is definitely not for the faint of heart.
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The Ike Turner Factor: The Olivier Win
We can't talk about his screen work without mentioning the thing that truly cemented his "expert" status in the industry. In 2019, Kobna won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Ike Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.
It was his West End debut. Think about that. Most actors spend years in the chorus or doing small roles before they get a lead, let alone a lead that wins them the highest honor in British theatre on their first try.
Playing Ike Turner is a tightrope walk. You have to show the charisma that attracted Tina in the first place, but you can’t shy away from the horrific abuse. Critics at the time praised him for not playing a "cartoon villain" but a deeply flawed, dangerous human being. That same intensity is what he brings to his smaller TV roles, which is why he usually steals every scene he's in.
A Career Built on Range
Kobna was born in Ghana and grew up in England, and he’s been pretty vocal about the challenges of being a Black actor in the UK. He co-founded the Act for Change Project, which basically pushes for better representation across the industry. In 2020, he was awarded an MBE for services to drama.
It’s not just about the acting, though. If you’re a fan of audiobooks, you’ve almost certainly heard his voice. He narrates the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch. Fans of those books are fiercely protective of his narration; for them, he is Peter Grant.
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What to Watch Next
If you want to see the full scope of what he can do, here is a quick roadmap:
- For the "Blockbuster" Vibe: Watch Zack Snyder’s Justice League. It’s long, but his scenes with J.K. Simmons (Commissioner Gordon) are solid.
- For Emotional Stakes: Check out The Split. His chemistry with the rest of the cast is incredibly natural.
- For Something Weird and Visual: His Dark Materials Season 3. His performance as Balthamos is heartbreaking.
- For Pure Fun: Wonka or Paddington 2.
Basically, the guy is a chameleon. Whether he’s playing a cop, an angel, a lawyer, or a legendary musician, he brings a level of gravitas that makes the whole project better. He's currently involved in projects like Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie and The Gorge, so the list of Kobna Holdbrook-Smith movies and tv shows is only going to get longer and more impressive.
If you haven't seen his work yet, start with The Split for something grounded, or dive into his narration of the Rivers of London series to see how he can build an entire world just with his voice.
Actionable Insight: If you're looking to follow Kobna's most recent work, prioritize the 2024-2025 releases of The Split: Barcelona and the film Wonka. These showcase his ability to balance high-budget spectacle with intimate, character-driven drama. For those interested in his theatrical roots, seeking out recordings of his National Theatre performances, such as The Effect or Coriolanus, provides a deeper look at the technical skill that earned him his MBE and Olivier Award.