Billy Harris (actor)

Billy Harris
Harris in 2023
Born (1994-04-12) 12 April 1994 (age 30)
Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England
NationalityEnglish
Alma materBristol Old Vic Theatre School
OccupationActor
Years active2013–present
Notable workTed Lasso

Billy Harris (born 12 April 1994) is an English actor. He appears as Colin Hughes in all seasons of the Apple TV+ television show Ted Lasso.

Career

Harris was a student of theatre at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School from 2014 and 2017. After graduation, he appeared in a wide number of stage roles.[1][2]

Influences

Harris has cited Marlon Brando as an acting inspiration. He emulated Brando in a performance of his speech from the Joseph L. Mankiewicz film Julius Caesar in an unsuccessful audition and it helped him find his own voice as an actor.[3] He has also expressed admiration for actor Anthony Hopkins and his philosophy on preparing for a role.[4]

Early roles

Harris started out in commercials, notably one for Nike starring Kevin Durant.[5] He then had a few small parts in short films and web series. Harris' first lead role was as Callum McGregor in a stage adaptation of the Noughts & Crosses novel series by author Malorie Blackman, OBE.[6]

Ted Lasso and other work

Harris appears in the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso as Welsh winger Colin Hughes.[7] He was part of the recurring cast in the first and second seasons, and was upped to series regular for season 3.[8] He received praise for his portrayal of Hughes when it was revealed that the character was gay,[9] especially from LGBTQ+ fans.[10][11][12] Co-creator of Ted Lasso, Brendan Hunt, said "Billy's been really amazing in this part" as the series discusses issues such as male vulnerability and homosexuality which are still taboo in the world of association football.[13][14]

Harris had a small role in the BBC One series The Outlaws in 2022.[15][16] His upcoming projects include voice acting in an animated show by writer and previous collaborator, Elliot Blake.[17]

Personal life

Harris is from Southend, Essex[3] and he has a sister. He is a fan of Manchester United F.C.[18]

Selected filmography

Key
† Denotes works that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes
2020–2023 Ted Lasso Colin Hughes Recurring role (seasons 1–2), main role (season 3)
2022 The Outlaws Posh Boy 1 episode

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Project Result Ref.
2023
 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Ted Lasso Pending [19]

References

  1. ^ "Billy Harris". Oldvic.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  2. ^ Anne, Quimberly (1 April 2023). "Things You Probably Didn't Know About 'Ted Lasso' Actor Billy Harris". Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  3. ^ a b Riley, Jenelle (19 April 2023). "'Ted Lasso' Star Billy Harris Talks Colin's Big Episode: 'I've Read Pretty Much Every Tweet'". Variety. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Billy Harris - 1883 Magazine". 19 April 2023. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  5. ^ Kevin Durant Investigates - Footlocker / Nike Advert: Extended Version, archived from the original on 20 April 2023, retrieved 20 April 2023
  6. ^ Bowman, Jamie (15 February 2019). "Meet the young actor bringing teenage classic Noughts & Crosses to the stage". The Leader. pp. 2–3. Archived from the original on 12 September 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  7. ^ Greenall, Jonathon (15 March 2023). "Who does Billy Harris play in 'Ted Lasso?'". We Got This Covered. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  8. ^ Ted Lasso (TV Series 2020– ) - IMDb, archived from the original on 6 November 2022, retrieved 12 April 2023
  9. ^ Porter, Rick (19 April 2023). "'Ted Lasso': Billy Harris on Colin's "Armor" and Desire to Live a Complete Life After Pivotal Episode". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  10. ^ "'Ted Lasso's Billy Harris Is Quietly Breaking Barriers". Out Magazine. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Ted Lasso season 3's Billy Harris on Colin's groundbreaking gay storyline". British GQ. 19 April 2023. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  12. ^ Ettenhofer, Valerie (19 April 2023). "Ted Lasso Season 3 Offers A Perfect Monologue About Coming Out". /Film. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  13. ^ Rutkowski, Laura (28 March 2023). "Ted Lasso's Brendan Hunt explains power of gay footballer storyline". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  14. ^ Kalbrosky, Bryan (29 March 2023). "Why everyone is talking about Ted Lasso's first LGBTQ+ character". ftw.usatoday. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  15. ^ "The Outlaws". Comedy.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  16. ^ Hibbs, James (3 April 2023). "Ted Lasso season 3 cast: Meet the stars of Apple TV+ comedy". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  17. ^ Blake, Elliot (19 April 2023). "I can't wait for you to hear him in the new animated show I'm producing". Twitter. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  18. ^ "When the stars of Ted Lasso came to Old Trafford". www.manutd.com. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  19. ^ "Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®" (Press release). Screen Actors Guild. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
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