Tom Burke is an acclaimed English stage, television, and film actor best known for roles in major productions like War and Peace, The Souvenir, Mank, and Strike. With leading parts in some of the most anticipated projects of 2024 like Furiosa and The Gallows Pole, what else is the talented Burke working on currently and what does the future look like? In this article, we will learn about What is Tom Burke Doing Now.
Tom Burke’s Booming Acting Career
While Burke has been acting since the early 2000s in films like Donkey Punch, his career truly took off when he landed the starring role of Athos in the BBC’s 2014 adaptation of The Musketeers. This kicked off a prolific run with other standout parts like Dolokhov in 2016’s War and Peace miniseries.
The Souvenir (2019)
One of Burke’s most acclaimed performances came in Joanna Hogg’s 2019 drama The Souvenir, which won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize. Burke brought to life the mysterious Anthony – a pivotal character in the film.Role | Anthony |
Director | Joanna Hogg |
Co-stars | Honor Swinton Byrne, Tilda Swinton |
Runtime | 120 minutes |
Critics praised his magnetic performance, with Variety stating: “A great deal of the film’s power derives from Burke’s superb portrayal of Anthony as a witty, evasive, semi-reformed sinister narcissist.”
Mank (2020)
Burke’s growing status as an actor led to a supporting part in David Fincher’s acclaimed Netflix movie Mank as actor John Houseman. Though not the largest role, working with a director like Fincher demonstrated Burke’s expanding range.Role | John Houseman |
Director | David Fincher |
Co-stars | Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins |
Where to Watch | Netflix |
IndieWire applauded his take on the iconic producer and agent, noting: “Burke’s performance turns Houseman into a hilariously intimidating force.”
After standout turns in indie films like The Souvenir and mainstream projects like Mank, Burke has continued balancing both spheres while taking on exciting new challenges.
Tom Burke’s Upcoming Lead Roles
Never one to rest on his laurels, Tom Burke already has two highly anticipated lead roles in major 2024 film releases lined up that are sure to expand his fame even further.
Furiosa (2024)
Burke joins the post-apocalyptic Mad Max universe as The Dementus in the Furiosa origin story starring Anya Taylor-Joy in the title role. George Miller directs this action-packed 2024 theatrical blockbuster.Role | The Dementus |
Director | George Miller |
Co-stars | Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Angus Sampson |
Release Date | May 24, 2024 |
Early glimpses of Burke on set showed him looking gritty and intimidating as The Dementus. This marks his first major Hollywood effects-driven action flick.
The Gallows Pole (2024)
Burke also stars as the lead role of David Hartley in Shane Meadows’ period crime drama The Gallows Pole for the BBC and Amazon Prime. Centered on the 18th-century Cragg Vale Coiners, this miniseries features Burke as the notorious leader of the counterfeiting group.Role | David Hartley |
Director | Shane Meadows |
Co-stars | George MacKay, Cara Theobold, Thomas Turgoose |
Release Date | Late 2024 on BBC/Amazon |
Alongside his film projects, leading a prestige BBC miniseries demonstrates Burke’s reputational clout and credentials as a crossover TV star as well.
Burke’s Award Worthy Work
Burke’s phenomenal acting has already earned him a shelf full of awards and nominations, even with more career heights still to scale. His extensive stage background led to a 2008 Ian Charleson Award commendation for his title role in Don Juan at the Sheffield Crucible.
More recently, he won Best Supporting Actor at the 2021 BAFTA Scotland Awards for his emotionally complex turn as James McAvoy’s long-lost brother Stevie in My Son. Burke was also nominated for Best Actor at the 2022 Olivier Awards for his fierce performance as Captain Hook in Peter Pan at London’s National Theatre.
Look for his transformational take on the notorious 18th-century counterfeiter David Hartley in The Gallows Pole to generate more awards season buzz when it debuts later this year as well.
What Else Is Tom Burke Working On?
When not filming major movies or BBC dramas, the prolific Burke still makes time for other creative pursuits like returning to his theater roots. In 2023 he is producing and starring in a revival of Tennessee Williams’ Summer and Smoke in London’s West End with his partner, director Yaël Farber.
He remains selective when it comes to film projects – often opting for complex character studies like The Souvenir over major studio pictures. But Burke makes exceptions for the right high-profile role like The Dementus in Furiosa or the chance to work with a legendary director like David Fincher on Mank.
While rising as an in-demand film actor, Burke stays grounded by advocating for causes close to his heart. He actively supports organizations like the MS Society due to his mother’s multiple sclerosis battle. Expect him to continue using his platform to champion important issues.
When not immersed in acting or advocacy, Burke guards his private personal life. But he has reportedly been in a long-term relationship with Farber for several years now.
As Burke reaches higher career peaks in 2024 and beyond, look for him to continue treading the line between gritty character-driven indies and big-budget blockbuster fare when the role is right. With upcoming lead parts in Furiosa and The Gallows Pole demonstrating his range, Tom Burke remains one to watch in 2024 and the future.
Conclusion
At only 42 years old, Tom Burke finds himself busier than ever in 2024 with lead roles in the year’s most anticipated films like Furiosa and prestige BBC dramas such as The Gallows Pole. His magnetism on screen has led to collaborations with top directors like George Miller and Shane Meadows. With his career reaching new heights, Burke remains selective about projects – opting for complex character studies when possible.
Look for his star to keep rising this year and into the future with more awards nominations likely on the way as well. Yet even while gaining more fame, expect Burke to stay grounded by advocating for causes close to his heart when not captivating audiences with his immense acting talent on screens big and small.
Frequently Asked Questions About What is Tom Burke Doing Now
Where is Tom Burke from?
He was born in Kent, England on June 30, 1981, making him 42 years old as of early 2024. His family later relocated to Germany for his father’s job when Burke was young before returning to the UK several years later.
What was Tom Burke’s big break as an actor?
While he had been acting in British TV and indie films for over a decade, his career reaching new levels can be traced to landing the lead role of the swashbuckling Athos in BBC One’s 2014 adaptation of The Musketeers. This introduced him to wider international audiences.
Is Tom Burke on social media?
No – Burke does not currently have any public social media accounts. He is quite private and prefers to let his acting speak for itself rather than promote himself aggressively on social platforms.
How tall is Tom Burke?
He is 6’2″ tall (around 188 centimeters). His height contributes to his ability to play imposing characters convincingly on screen.
What awards has Tom Burke won?
His honors include Best Supporting Actor at the 2021 BAFTA Scotland Awards for the film My Son and the 2008 Ian Charleson Award for his acclaimed stage performance in Don Juan at the Sheffield Crucible theatre.
Who does Tom Burke play in Furiosa?
Burke was cast by director George Miller as The Dementus in the 2024 Furiosa movie starring Anya Taylor-Joy in the title role. Early glimpses showed Burke looking fierce with intense makeup and costumes befitting his intimidating character.
What is Tom Burke’s role in The Gallows Pole?
The Gallows Pole is an upcoming 2024 BBC period crime drama centering on the 18th-century Cragg Vale Coiners. Burke has the lead role of notorious gang leader David Hartley who led the group of counterfeiters.
Is Tom Burke married?
While Burke keeps relationship details private, he has reportedly been dating South African theater director Yaël Farber for several years now. They worked together on his upcoming 2023 West End production of Summer and Smoke.
What TV shows has Tom Burke appeared in?
Some of his most prominent TV roles were starring as Athos in The Musketeers, Dolokhov in 2016’s War and Peace alongside Paul Dano and Lily James, and English private detective Cormoran Strike in the BBC / HBO series Strike based on J.K. Rowling’s crime novels.
How did Tom Burke get the role of Cormoran Strike?
The Strike role was initially very demanding, requiring Burke to gain significant weight to match the character’s physical description. But he impressed series creator J.K. Rowling with his authentic take on the complex veteran turned private eye. Their natural chemistry led to Burke landing the career-making lead part.
What was the name of Tom Burke’s character in The Souvenir?
Burke portrayed the mysterious Anthony in Joanna Hogg’s acclaimed 2019 indie drama The Souvenir opposite Honor Swinton Byrne. His magnetic performance earned much praise and helped raise his profile as a lead actor in films. Trade publications like Variety singled out his “superb portrayal.”
Who has Tom Burke acted with throughout his career?
Some major names he has shared scenes with include Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried in Mank, Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth in the upcoming Furiosa, Paul Dano and Lily James in War and Peace, and Honor Swinton Byrne in The Souvenir. He often pursues roles opposite actors he admires.
What theater work has Tom Burke done?
Much of Burke’s background is in stage acting and he continues to return to the theater periodically. Some of his most acclaimed roles were the lead in Don Juan at Sheffield Crucible in 2008 and playing Captain Hook in the National Theatre’s 2021 production of Peter Pan opposite Noah Jupe as Peter.
What film projects does Tom Burke have upcoming beyond Furiosa and The Gallows Pole?
He filmed a supporting part in The Wonder adapting Emma Donoghue’s novel with Florence Pugh and Ciarán Hinds. Burke also has a role in writer/director Sam Mendes’ upcoming drama Empire of Light with Olivia Colman. Release dates are still TBA for both projects.