Ellis Howard – Biography, Age, and BAFTA Nomination

Ellis Howard is an English actor and writer who has rapidly risen to prominence in British television. Born around 1997 in Norris Green, Liverpool, he is best known for his BAFTA-nominated portrayal of Byron in the 2025 BBC Three drama What It Feels Like for a Girl and for playing Antony Longwell in the horror series Red Rose (2022). His father works as a dockworker and his mother as an NHS employee, grounding Howard in a working-class background that he often draws upon in his work.

Howard’s career trajectory has been described as “stratospheric” following the success of his breakout role. He is not only an actor but also a developing writer, with projects in the pipeline for Netflix and Bad Wolf. His commitment to authentic representation, especially for working-class and marginalised communities, has become a defining feature of his public statements.

As of 2025, Howard is approximately 28 years old and stands at 5’11”. He holds a degree from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and is represented by the talent agency Casarotto Ramsay & Associates.

Who Is Ellis Howard?

Key Insights

• Ellis Howard is a rising British actor and writer, born around 1997, who gained prominence through the BBC Three series Red Rose.
• In 2025, Howard received a BAFTA nomination for What It Feels Like for a Girl, marking a major career milestone.
• Howard is openly part of the BAFTA Breakthrough cohort for 2025, signalling strong industry support.
• Training at Guildhall School (class of 2018) and representation by Casarotto Ramsay & Associates point to a professionally grounded career trajectory.
• Personal life details, including relationship status, are not widely published, making this a common area of user curiosity.

Ellis Howard at a Glance

What Is Ellis Howard Known For?

Howard’s breakthrough came with the BBC Three drama What It Feels Like for a Girl, based on Paris Lees’ memoir. He played the lead role of Byron, a young queer/trans teenager, a performance that earned him a BAFTA Television Award nomination for Leading Actor in 2026. The series premiered on BBC iPlayer and later on Netflix, drawing widespread attention to Howard’s range and emotional depth.

Early Television and Stage Work

Before his breakout, Howard appeared in several notable productions. He portrayed Ivan VI of Russia in HBO’s Catherine the Great (2019) and played Dill Harris in the West End production of To Kill a Mockingbird (2023). He also appeared in the film The Rachel Incident.

Horror Series: Red Rose

In 2022, Howard gained recognition for his role as Antony Longwell in the BBC Three horror series Red Rose. The show, which follows a group of teenagers haunted by a mysterious app, allowed Howard to showcase his ability in a genre setting.

Is Ellis Howard in a Relationship?

As of 2025, no confirmed public information is available regarding Ellis Howard’s relationship status, partner, or marriage. Neither his Wikipedia page nor his official agency profile mention a spouse or significant other. Social media accounts, including his Instagram, do not contain posts that indicate a current relationship.

This absence of information has led to user curiosity, but Howard has chosen to keep his personal life private. In keeping with standard journalistic practice, any claims about a partner should be treated as unconfirmed unless backed by a reliable source.

What Are Ellis Howard’s Pronouns?

According to his Wikipedia entry, Ellis Howard uses he/him pronouns. This is also reflected in his Instagram bio, where no alternative pronouns are listed. In his breakout role, he portrays a trans character, but he is not publicly identified as trans himself.

The topic of pronouns has generated online discussion, particularly because the character he plays is trans. However, the actor’s own pronoun preference is clearly stated as he/him in the biographical sources available.

Who Represents Ellis Howard?

Ellis Howard is represented by Casarotto Ramsay & Associates, a prominent UK talent agency that handles both acting and writing clients. The agency’s profile lists his credits and ongoing projects, including co-writing an original series with actor Toheeb Jimoh for Bad Wolf.

For acting work specifically, Howard is also listed with Curtis Brown, though his primary representation appears to be through Casarotto. He has a dedicated Wikipedia page that details his biography and career, and his IMDb profile provides a full filmography.

Ellis Howard Career Timeline

1. c. 1997 — Born as Ellis Francis Howard in England.
2. 2017–2018 — Final-year acting student at Guildhall School of Music & Drama; performed as Nachum in Fiddler on the Roof; founded Seasons Playhouse.
3. 2022 — Gained recognition for role in BBC Three series Red Rose.
4. 2023–2024 — Cast in The Rachel Incident; developed projects with Sid Gentle under mentorship of James Graham.
5. 2025 — Starred in What It Feels Like for a Girl (BBC iPlayer/Netflix); nominated for BAFTA Breakthrough Award.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?

What Is the Context Behind His Rise?

Ellis Howard’s career follows a classic UK acting pathway: rigorous drama school training at Guildhall, early screen roles in BBC drama, followed by a breakthrough television project that garnered BAFTA attention. His mentorship by playwright James Graham under Sid Gentle Films suggests a strong writer-performer development pipeline.

Howard’s dual identity as actor and writer aligns with industry trends favouring multi-hyphenate talents. He has previously created political theatre with BRASS RAZOO, which influenced national policy on child poverty. The BAFTA Breakthrough nomination signals UK industry confidence and likely increased visibility in 2025–2026.

Where Can I Find Reliable Sources and Quotes?

“I want to tell complex stories that reflect real life, particularly for working-class and marginalised communities.”

— Ellis Howard, in a BAFTA Breakthrough interview (via YouTube)

“His career trajectory is stratospheric following the success of What It Feels Like for a Girl.”

— 5Eleven Magazine

Primary sources include Wikipedia, IMDb, Casarotto Ramsay & Associates, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and Instagram. These provide the most authoritative biographical and professional information currently available.

Summary: What Do We Know About Ellis Howard?

Ellis Howard is a 28-year-old English actor and writer from Liverpool, best known for his BAFTA-nominated role in What It Feels Like for a Girl and his part in Red Rose. He trained at Guildhall, uses he/him pronouns, and is represented by Casarotto Ramsay & Associates. His personal life remains private, and no confirmed relationship information exists. Howard’s future projects include an autobiographical show for Netflix and a co-written series with Toheeb Jimoh, positioning him as a significant emerging talent in British storytelling.

Frequently Asked Questions