Honestly, most of us still see him as that little kid sprint-running through Heathrow Airport to confess his love. It’s the "Love Actually" curse, or maybe a blessing, depending on how you look at it. Thomas Brodie-Sangster has one of those faces that just refuses to age, which makes it easy to forget he's been working steadily for over two decades.
He's not just the kid with the drums anymore.
From the grimy streets of 1850s Australia to the high-stakes chess tournaments of the Cold War, the range of Thomas Brodie-Sangster movies and TV shows is actually kind of wild when you sit down and look at it. He’s played a Beatle, a holographic navigator, a dying visionary in Westeros, and a post-apocalyptic lieutenant.
If you’re trying to keep track of where he’s been and where he’s heading in 2026, here is the real breakdown.
The Big Ones: Maze Runner, Thrones, and That Chess Show
Most people know him from the "big three" franchises. If you were on Tumblr in 2014, you know Newt. In the Maze Runner trilogy, Thomas basically became the emotional glue of the series. His chemistry with Dylan O’Brien was so genuine it actually won them a Teen Choice Award. It wasn't just a "YA" role; he brought a certain weight to Newt that made that final scene in The Death Cure (2018) genuinely devastating for fans.
Then there’s Game of Thrones.
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He showed up as Jojen Reed, the kid who knew he was going to die and went anyway. It was a weird, quiet role. He didn't have many lines, but he had to carry the mysticism of the Three-Eyed Raven plotline. He did it with this eerie, old-soul calm that made you forget he was significantly older than the character he was playing.
But the real "adult" pivot? That was Benny Watts in The Queen’s Gambit (2020).
The leather coat. The knife. The mustache that launched a thousand memes.
Playing opposite Anya Taylor-Joy, he shed the "young boy" image for good. It earned him an Emmy nomination and proved he could play someone arrogant, brilliant, and deeply cool.
The Voice of a Generation (Literally)
Here is the one that always trips people up. Thomas Brodie-Sangster is Ferb. Yes, that Ferb. From 2007 to 2015, he voiced the quiet, green-haired half of Phineas and Ferb.
He didn't have many lines—usually just one profound observation per episode—but he stayed with the show for four seasons and multiple movies, including Across the 2nd Dimension. He eventually handed the reigns to David Errigo Jr. for the later revivals, but for the original run, that was all him.
He also spent years as the voice of John Tracy in the Thunderbirds Are Go reboot (2015–2020). If you have kids or just really like British claymation-style sci-fi, you've heard his voice more than you realize.
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Recent Hits: The Artful Dodger and Wolf Hall
If you haven't seen The Artful Dodger (2023–present) on Disney+ or Hulu yet, you’re missing out. It’s basically a "what if" sequel to Oliver Twist. Thomas plays Jack Dawkins, now a surgeon in an Australian penal colony who just can't stop gambling or getting dragged into heists by David Thewlis’s Fagin.
It’s fast. It’s bloody. It’s funny.
And good news for fans: it was renewed for a second season. As of early 2026, the new episodes are finally hitting screens, picking up right after that cliffhanger where Jack ended up behind bars.
He also recently returned to the world of Thomas Cromwell. In Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light (2024), he reprised his role as Rafe Sadler. It’s a much more somber, political performance compared to the chaotic energy of The Artful Dodger, showing he can still do the prestigious BBC period drama thing better than almost anyone.
Movies and TV Shows You Probably Missed
There are a few deep cuts in his filmography that deserve a rewatch if you're a completionist:
- Nowhere Boy (2009): He played a young Paul McCartney. To get the part, he actually had to learn how to play the guitar left-handed, which is a level of commitment most 18-year-olds don't have.
- Death of a Superhero (2011): This one is heavy. He plays a dying teen who processes his illness through comic book drawings. It’s one of his best, most raw performances.
- Pistol (2022): This Danny Boyle miniseries about the Sex Pistols is where he played Malcolm McLaren. More importantly, it’s where he met his now-wife, Talulah Riley.
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015): It’s a "blink and you’ll miss it" cameo. He’s Petty Officer Thanisson. He has about two lines before his station gets blown up.
What's Happening in 2026?
Thomas is currently leaning into a mix of high-concept TV and voice work. One of the big projects on the horizon for 2026 is Grand Prix of Europe, an animated feature where he provides the voice for a character named Ed.
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On a personal note, his life has been pretty quiet since his 2024 wedding to Talulah Riley (yes, Elon Musk’s ex-wife—the internet had a field day with that one). They tied the knot in a small village in Hertfordshire. Apparently, there was a horse acting as a bridesmaid.
He’s also been spotted working on more independent projects through his own production company, Brodie Films, which he started with his mother. He's always been vocal about wanting to see "how the camera guys work" rather than just sitting in a trailer.
The Essential Watchlist
If you want to understand his career, don't just watch Love Actually. Follow this order:
- Nanny McPhee (2005) – For the peak "precocious child" era.
- Nowhere Boy (2009) – To see his musical range.
- The Maze Runner (2014) – The fan-favorite Newt performance.
- The Queen’s Gambit (2020) – The definitive adult breakout.
- The Artful Dodger (2023-2026) – His current best work.
To keep up with Thomas, your best bet is to track the release schedule for The Artful Dodger Season 2 on Hulu/Disney+. The production values are top-tier, and it’s clearly where he’s having the most fun right now. Keep an eye on the UK film festival circuit too; he’s been gravitating toward smaller, character-driven indies that usually pop up at BFI or Cannes before hitting streaming.