If you’ve watched a prestige drama or a massive fantasy epic in the last couple of years, you’ve probably seen Kurt Egyiawan. You might not have known his name at first, but his face—often framed by the scholarly robes of a Grand Maester or the clerical collar of a priest—is becoming impossible to miss. Honestly, it’s about time.
Kurt Egyiawan movies and tv shows have moved from "blink and you'll miss him" cameos to the absolute bedrock of modern television. While most people recognize him now as the reasonable voice in the chaotic Small Council of House of the Dragon, his journey from the London stage to the Star Wars universe and beyond is a masterclass in "quiet" acting. He doesn't chew the scenery. He just makes every scene he’s in feel more real.
From the Globe to the Small Council
Most actors dream of a debut like his. Just a year out of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he bagged the prestigious Spotlight Prize, Egyiawan landed a role as Q’s Assistant in the Bond flick Skyfall. Not a huge part, sure, but being on a Sam Mendes set right out of the gate is a statement.
However, his real roots are on the stage. If you ever saw him at Shakespeare’s Globe, you know he’s a powerhouse. He played the title role in Othello in 2017 and Angelo in Measure for Measure. That classical training is exactly why he feels so at home in the high-stakes, dialogue-heavy world of Westeros.
The Breakthrough: House of the Dragon
In House of the Dragon, Egyiawan plays Grand Maester Orwyle. It’s a tricky role. Unlike the schemers and dragonsriders, Orwyle is a man of science and tradition stuck in a room full of people who want to set the world on fire.
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The fans love him because he’s basically the only person in King’s Landing who seems to have a medical degree and a conscience. In Season 2, his role expanded significantly, moving him from a recurring background character to a main cast member. He brings a certain dignity to a show that is often defined by brutality.
The Roles You Forgot He Was In
Before he was tending to King Viserys, Egyiawan was doing some heavy lifting in the horror and war genres.
- The Exorcist (TV Series): This is where many TV junkies first clocked him. He played Father Bennett, a Vatican investigator. It was his first major series regular gig, and he held his own against heavyweights like Geena Davis.
- Beasts of No Nation: This 2015 Netflix film was a gut-punch. Egyiawan played 2nd I-C, the right-hand man to Idris Elba’s Commandant. It’s a terrifying, grounded performance that shows just how much range he has.
- Kaos: This 2024 Netflix series was a weird, wonderful trip through Greek mythology. He played Adrian, a resident of the Underworld who helps the protagonists navigate the afterlife. Even though the show was cancelled too soon, his performance was a standout.
Why 2024 and 2025 Changed Everything
If 2022 was the year of House of the Dragon, then 2024 was the year Kurt Egyiawan became a "prestige" darling. He appeared in Jesse Eisenberg’s film A Real Pain as Eloge, a Rwandan genocide survivor who converted to Judaism. Critics raved about it. The Hollywood Reporter specifically pointed out how he managed to deliver the film's most grounded emotional beats without ever overacting.
Then came The Agency. Premiering late in 2024, this spy thriller cast him as Osman. It’s a far cry from the robes of a Maester. Here, he’s dealing with modern espionage and high-tension political maneuvering.
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And for the sci-fi fans? He’s officially entered the Star Wars canon. In 2025, he joined the cast of Andor Season 2 as Grymish. It’s a perfect fit—Andor is the "serious" Star Wars, and Egyiawan is a "serious" actor. He fits that gritty, bureaucratic-rebellion vibe like a glove.
Kurt Egyiawan Movies and TV Shows: A Quick Look
To keep track of where you've seen him, here is the breakdown of his most notable work across film and television.
Major Film Credits
In film, he usually picks projects with a bit of weight to them. Aside from the massive Skyfall (2012) and the colorful but messy Pan (2015), he’s been in:
- Kill Your Friends (2015) - Playing Tim.
- I Used to Be Famous (2022) - As Dia.
- A Real Pain (2024) - As Eloge.
Television Dominance
This is where he’s really making his mark. From 2016 onwards, his TV resume has been spotless.
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- The Exorcist (2016–2017) - Father Bennett.
- Slow Horses (2022) - Roger Barrowby.
- Bodies (2023) - Philip Dust.
- Kaos (2024) - Adrian.
- The Agency (2024–2025) - Osman.
- Andor (2025) - Grymish.
What’s Next for Him?
As of early 2026, he’s not slowing down. He’s set to appear in Silent Witness Series 28 as Oliver Brown. It’s a classic British TV staple, and seeing him transition between American HBO blockbusters and BBC procedurals is a testament to his versatility.
There's also the matter of House of the Dragon Season 3. With the civil war in Westeros reaching its peak, Grand Maester Orwyle is going to be in more danger than ever. Fans are already theorizing how he’ll survive the coming storm—or if he’ll even want to.
How to Follow His Work
If you want to dive deeper into Kurt Egyiawan's career, start with Beasts of No Nation for his dramatic intensity, then move to House of the Dragon to see his nuance. If you can find the recordings of his Shakespeare's Globe performances (like Measure for Measure), watch them. They explain exactly why he carries himself with such authority on screen.
Keep an eye on his upcoming role in Andor. Based on how that show handles its secondary characters, he’s likely to be one of the most talked-about parts of the new season.
Actionable Next Steps
- Watch A Real Pain: It is arguably his best film performance to date and shows a completely different side of him than his TV work.
- Catch up on The Agency: If you like Slow Horses or Homeland, this is the series where he gets to flex his modern dramatic muscles.
- Revisit The Exorcist Season 1: It’s an underrated gem of horror TV, and his chemistry with the rest of the cast is fantastic.