Honestly, if you saw Toby Kebbell walking down the street, you might not even realize you’re looking at one of the most versatile actors of our generation. That’s kinda the point with him. He’s a chameleon. One minute he’s a crack-addicted rockstar in London, the next he’s a 900-pound Orc or a vengeful ape leading a revolution. People often search for Toby Kebbell movies and TV shows trying to place that face, only to realize he’s been in almost everything they love.
He doesn’t do "celebrity" the way others do. He just does the work.
The Performance You Definitely Saw (But Maybe Didn't Recognize)
Most people first really "met" Kebbell in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. He played Koba. Now, Andy Serkis usually gets all the motion-capture glory, but Kebbell’s Koba was something else entirely. He wasn't just a villain; he was a Shakespearean tragedy in fur. He managed to make a CGI bonobo feel more human—and more terrifying—than most live-action antagonists.
He actually trained with motion coach Terry Notary for weeks, crouching for ten hours a day until he literally gave himself an ulna fracture because his tendons were stronger than his bones. That’s the level of commitment we're talking about here.
Then there’s Warcraft. Regardless of how you feel about the movie itself, his portrayal of Durotan was the soul of that film. He played the Orc leader with a quiet, heavy dignity that made the rest of the CGI world feel grounded. It's weird to say about a guy in a gray spandex suit covered in ping-pong balls, but he’s basically the "Grand Master" of digital acting alongside Serkis.
👉 See also: Kate Moss Family Guy: What Most People Get Wrong About That Cutaway
That One Black Mirror Episode
If you haven't seen "The Entire History of You," stop reading and go watch it. It’s arguably the best episode of Black Mirror ever made. Kebbell plays Liam, a man who becomes obsessively paranoid in a world where everyone has a "grain" implanted in their neck that records every single thing they see and hear.
The way he portrays that slow, agonizing spiral into jealousy—rewinding his memories over and over until he finds the "truth"—is gut-wrenching. It’s a masterclass in subtlety. You see the sweat, the twitch in his eye, the raw desperation. Robert Downey Jr. actually liked the script so much he bought the film rights to it. That should tell you everything.
From Dead Man’s Shoes to RocknRolla
Kebbell didn't start with big budgets. He started in Nottingham.
His breakout role was Anthony in Shane Meadows’ Dead Man’s Shoes (2004). He played the "simple-minded" brother of Paddy Considine’s character. It was his first real gig, and he was only 22. He was so good that Woody Allen reportedly cast him in Match Point without even making him audition. Think about that. Woody Allen, one of the most particular directors in history, saw him and just said, "Yeah, him."
✨ Don't miss: Blink-182 Mark Hoppus: What Most People Get Wrong About His 2026 Comeback
Then came Johnny Quid.
In Guy Ritchie’s RocknRolla, Kebbell played a drug-addled, philosophical rock star who was supposed to be dead. He learned to play the piano for the role and lost a significant amount of weight to look the part of a crack addict. He stole every scene. He was standing next to Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, and Gerard Butler, and yet, he was the one everyone talked about.
- Dead Man's Shoes (2004): The raw indie start.
- Control (2007): He played Rob Gretton, the manager of Joy Division, and won a BIFA for it.
- RocknRolla (2008): The cult classic that made him a "name."
- Prince of Persia (2010): A rare foray into the "brother of the hero" trope.
The Servant and the Apple TV+ Era
Lately, if you're looking for Toby Kebbell movies and TV shows, you've probably found him on your iPhone or iPad. He spent four seasons playing Sean Turner in M. Night Shyamalan’s Servant.
Playing a celebrity chef dealing with the loss of a child (and a creepy life-like doll) is a tall order. He spent hours learning professional knife skills because he refused to have a "hand double" for the cooking scenes. He wanted the audience to believe he really knew his way around a kitchen. That’s classic Kebbell—total immersion.
🔗 Read more: Why Grand Funk’s Bad Time is Secretly the Best Pop Song of the 1970s
More recently, he joined the cast of For All Mankind in Season 4 as Miles Dale. It’s a different vibe for him—more blue-collar, more grounded—but he brings that same "everyman" grit that makes you root for him even when his character is making questionable choices.
What’s Coming in 2026 and Beyond?
Kebbell isn't slowing down. He’s currently attached to a few major projects that look like they might finally give him the "leading man" status he’s dodged for so long.
- Salvable (2025): He’s starring alongside Shia LaBeouf in a boxing drama. He plays Sal, a retired boxer trying to find his way back. Expect high intensity and probably some real-life bruises.
- I Play Rocky (2026): This is a big one. It’s a biographical drama about the making of the original Rocky. He’s playing Robert Chartoff, one of the producers who took a gamble on Stallone. It’s being directed by Peter Farrelly and is set for a November 2026 release.
- 28 Years Later: There are strong rumors and reports about his involvement in the expansion of the 28 Days Later universe. If that pans out, he’s going back to his gritty UK horror roots.
A Quick Note on the "Misses"
Look, nobody's career is perfect. Fantastic Four (2015) was a mess. Kebbell played Doctor Doom, and while he tried to bring something dark to it, the production was famously troubled. He’s been pretty open about how that wasn't the movie they set out to make. But even in a "flop," he’s usually the best thing on screen.
Why You Should Keep Watching
Toby Kebbell is an actor's actor. He doesn't chase the limelight; he chases the character. Whether he's hidden under six inches of digital fur or standing in a kitchen in Philadelphia, he brings a level of honesty that is rare in Hollywood.
If you want to see what he’s truly capable of, start with Dead Man’s Shoes, move to Black Mirror, and then finish with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. You won't believe it's the same guy.
Next Steps for the Fan:
- Check out Servant on Apple TV+ if you want a long-form psychological thriller.
- Keep an eye out for the Salvable trailer dropping later this year to see his transformation into a boxer.
- Go back and watch RocknRolla just for the "cigarette and a pencil" monologue. It's legendary.