De Caestecker was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He is of Belgian descent through his paternal grandfather.[4] He has a twin sister and two older brothers. His parents are both medical doctors.[5] His mother, Dr Linda De Caestecker, is Director of Public Health (DPH) for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the largest health board in Scotland. She is an honorary professor at the University of Glasgow.[6]
Iain De Caestecker went to Hillhead Primary School.[7] He completed an HND in Acting and Performance at Langside College.[8] He is in a relationship with Irish actress Ann Skelly.
Acting was always just something I knew I wanted to do, which I feel very fortunate for. And yes, my mum was always very supportive. But she— I think basically when I got to 16, I think she basically said, look, "Spend a year," because I was acting at that point and she said, "Spend a year. Please concentrate hard in school and try and get the grades to do medicine. And if you do and you still want to do it, I'll support you all the way." And so I did. And I got the grades to do medicine. And still after that I said, look, I'd really like to pursue acting.
— Iain De Caestecker, Masterpiece Studio Podcast [9]
De Caestecker made his professional acting debut in the BBC short film Billy and Zorba at the age of nine.[10] This was followed by a minor role as a bully in the comedy horror film The Little Vampire. The following year he first appeared as Adam Barlow in Coronation Street, the UK's longest-running and most-watched TV soap opera. He would appear in 54 episodes between 2001 and 2003 before the role was recast with an older actor. In 2010, De Caestecker appeared in serial drama Lip Service.
On his first visit to Los Angeles, De Caestecker landed a series regular role on the Marvel television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013-2020).[13] He played scientist Leo Fitz and was a part of the main cast from Seasons 1 through 6. In the seventh and final season, he appeared as a special guest star[14] due to having "been in a warm country for five years and it didn't feel like home to me."[15] His Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. character was animated for an episode of Disney XD's Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man Vs. The Sinister 6, to which the actor lent his voice.[16]
In 2018, De Caestecker co-starred in the J. J. Abrams-produced war horror film Overlord. The movie received two nominations at the 2019 Saturn Awards.[19]
In 2020, De Caestecker starred as young Douglas Petersen in BBC One's four-part miniseries Us, based on David Nicholls' novel of the same name.[20] In the same year he also starred opposite Hugh Laurie in the PBS Masterpiece/BBC One political-thriller series Roadkill.[21] Fresh from wrapping up work on Roadkill, De Caestecker filmed horror short Upstairs.[22] The film was played on the festival circuit around the world.
In 2022, De Caestecker led the cast of BBC One's three-part drama The Control Room.[23] And he will make guest appearances on prestige podcast shows from French-American podcast network Paradiso Media Conference Call, along with Jeff Ward, Elizabeth Henstridge, and Clark Gregg.[24]
Filmography
Film
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1999
Billy and Zorba
Billy
Short film for BBC | Winner Best International Short - Brooklyn Film Festival, 2000[25]
