If you only know Sebastian Croft as the guy who made everyone’s blood boil in Heartstopper, you’re basically missing out on one of the most interesting career trajectories in British acting right now. It’s easy to peg him as Ben Hope—the toxic, closeted "villain" of the Truham Grammar School hallways—but the reality of Sebastian Croft movies and tv shows is a lot weirder and more impressive than a single Netflix credit.
Most people don't realize he's been working since he was barely out of primary school. He didn't just fall into a hit teen drama; he's a theater kid who paid his dues in the West End long before he ever touched a film set. Honestly, looking at his filmography feels like watching a masterclass in "how to be a working actor" without getting stuck in one lane.
From Young Ned Stark to the British Drug Underground
The first time many of us actually saw him (without knowing it) was back in 2016. Remember that flashback in Game of Thrones season 6? The one where we finally see a young Eddard Stark training at Winterfell? That was him. It’s a tiny role in the grand scheme of Westeros, but it’s a hell of a way to start a TV career.
He didn't just stop at HBO. Croft has this knack for showing up in high-pedigree British productions that sort of fly under the radar until they don't.
The Breakout Years
Between 2016 and 2021, the kid was everywhere. He did Penny Dreadful, Houdini & Doyle, and even voiced a character in that wild "Ice" episode of Love, Death & Robots. If you haven't seen that specific episode, go watch it. It’s visually stunning, and his voice work is surprisingly gritty.
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Then came 2022, and everything changed with Heartstopper.
Playing Ben Hope was a risky move. In a show that is essentially a warm hug, Ben is the only sharp edge. Croft played him with this fragile, defensive cruelty that made him genuinely terrifying to anyone who has ever survived a toxic high school relationship. But here's the thing: he’s not returning for future seasons. He’s made it pretty clear that Ben’s story is done, and he’s moving on to much darker, more adult territory.
The Recent Pivot: Dope Girls and Get Away
If you’re looking for the most recent additions to the list of Sebastian Croft movies and tv shows, you have to talk about Dope Girls. This isn't a fluffy teen romance. It’s a BBC/Hulu historical crime drama set in the 1920s Soho drug scene. He plays Silvio Salucci, and it is a massive departure from his earlier work. It’s smoky, dangerous, and shows he can handle a period piece without it feeling like a stuffy school play.
Then there’s the film side.
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- How to Date Billy Walsh (2024): This was a big Prime Video release where he finally got to play the lead, Archie. It’s a classic "best friend in love with his best friend" rom-com, but Croft brings a sort of chaotic, nervous energy to it that makes it better than the script probably deserved.
- Get Away (2024): Formerly known as Svalta, this is a horror-comedy written by Nick Frost. Seeing Croft transition into genre filmmaking like this is a smart move. It proves he isn't afraid to get a little blood on his hands—literally.
- Wonderwell (2023): This one is a bit of a cult curiosity because it was the final film featuring Carrie Fisher. It took forever to come out, but Croft’s performance as Daniele is a nice reminder of his ability to play "whimsical" before he went full-on gritty.
The Hogwarts Legacy Connection
Okay, we have to talk about the video game thing. If you played Hogwarts Legacy, you’ve probably heard his voice for about 60 hours straight. He provided "Voice 1" for the player character.
It’s a weirdly massive part of his career that often gets left out of "best movies" lists, but it’s actually where he’s reached the largest audience. He got some flak for it at the time due to the controversy surrounding the franchise, but from a purely technical standpoint, his performance as a 19th-century wizard is incredibly solid. He manages to sound heroic without being annoying, which is a tough bar for an RPG protagonist.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Career
There’s this misconception that he’s just another "Netflix actor." It’s a bit of an insult, really.
Croft is a classically trained theater performer. He was in Oliver! in the West End when he was ten. He played Gavroche in Les Misérables. He even did a run of Matilda. You can see that stage discipline in how he moves on screen. He’s very deliberate. Even in a movie like Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans (which actually earned him a BAFTA Children's Award nomination), he treats the role of Atti with way more sincerity than you’d expect from a kid's comedy.
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Why He’s Not Your Average Teen Star
Honestly, he seems more interested in being a "character actor" than a "leading man."
Think about it. He could have easily coasted on his Heartstopper fame and done ten more YA romances. Instead, he’s doing 1920s drug dramas and indie horror. He’s also become a bit of a fashion icon, often seen in high-concept, gender-fluid outfits on red carpets, which tells you a lot about his artistic sensibilities. He’s not playing it safe.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you want to actually "complete" the Sebastian Croft filmography, don't just stick to Netflix. Here is how to actually find his best work:
- Check the BBC iPlayer/Hulu for Dope Girls: This is his most "adult" performance to date. If you want to see if he has staying power, start here.
- Dig up School's Out Forever: It’s a weird, dark, post-apocalyptic British film from 2021. He plays Pugh. It’s brutal and definitely not for kids, but it’s one of his best early film roles.
- Watch the Love, Death & Robots episode "Ice": It’s only about 10 minutes long. It shows his range as a voice actor and is just a cool piece of art.
- Look for his stage archives: While you can't always watch them, his lead role in the play 4000 Miles (opposite Dame Eileen Atkins) was highly reviewed. It’s worth reading the reviews just to understand the level of talent he’s working with.
The bottom line? Sebastian Croft is currently in that sweet spot where he’s famous enough to get great roles but still "indie" enough to take weird risks. Whether he’s playing a Roman teenager, a toxic boyfriend, or a 1920s criminal, he’s usually the most interesting person on the screen. Keep an eye on his move into more horror and prestige drama—that seems to be where he’s heading next.