Joseph Quinn’s Best Roles

Joseph Quinn has quickly become a familiar face to audiences around the world, capturing attention with his dynamic performances and undeniable charisma. After graduating from drama school, he steadily built a career with impressive roles in British television, appearing in period dramas and contemporary series that showcased his versatility. He demonstrated a remarkable ability to inhabit a wide range of characters, from troubled young men to idealistic revolutionaries, proving his talent long before he became an international sensation.

His career reached a whole new level of fame with a breakout role in a hugely popular science fiction show. This part not only made him a household name but also opened the door to major Hollywood projects. Now, with leading roles in some of the most anticipated blockbusters on the horizon, Joseph Quinn is solidifying his position as one of the most exciting actors of his generation. Let’s take a look at some of the best roles that have defined his journey so far.

‘Dickensian’ (2015–2016)

In this ambitious series that wove together characters from Charles Dickens’ novels, Quinn played Arthur Havisham. Arthur is the conniving and resentful younger half-brother of Amelia Havisham, a character from ‘Great Expectations’. His performance was a key part of one of the show’s central storylines.

The plot sees Arthur conspiring with the villainous Compeyson to steal his sister’s fortune, which ultimately leads to her becoming the bitter recluse readers know. This early television role allowed Quinn to display his skill at playing a complex and unsympathetic character, making a strong impression in a large ensemble cast.

‘Howards End’ (2017)

Quinn starred as Leonard Bast in the television adaptation of E. M. Forster’s celebrated novel. Leonard is a hardworking insurance clerk from a lower-class background who has a deep passion for culture and intellectual pursuits, things he feels are just beyond his reach. He represents the struggles of a man trying to better himself in a rigid society.

Leonard’s life becomes tragically entangled with the wealthy Schlegel and Wilcox families after a chance encounter. His journey highlights the stark class divisions of Edwardian England and the devastating consequences that can result from a brief intersection of different social worlds.

‘Game of Thrones’ (2017)

Though his appearance was brief, Quinn made his mark in the world of Westeros during the show’s seventh season. He played Koner, a Stark soldier tasked with guarding the gates of Winterfell. His scene is a memorable one for fans of the series.

Koner and another guard are confronted by Arya Stark when she finally returns home after years of being away. They initially refuse her entry, not believing that the hardened girl in front of them is the high-born lady they were told was dead.

‘Les Misérables’ (2018–2019)

In the BBC’s non-musical adaptation of the epic Victor Hugo novel, Quinn took on the role of Enjolras. As the charismatic leader of the Friends of the ABC, Enjolras is a fiery and committed student revolutionary fighting for a new French republic. He is the heart and soul of the rebellion.

His character is completely devoted to the cause, inspiring his fellow students to build the barricades and make their last stand during the Paris Uprising of 1832. Quinn powerfully portrayed the character’s unwavering idealism and leadership in the face of impossible odds.

‘Catherine the Great’ (2019)

Quinn acted opposite Helen Mirren in this historical drama about the famous Russian empress. He was cast as her son and heir, Tsarevich Paul. His character’s relationship with his mother is central to the political and personal drama of the series.

Paul is portrayed as an insecure and volatile man, desperate to step out of his mother’s shadow and claim the power he believes is rightfully his. The role required Quinn to navigate the complex dynamics of a royal court filled with intrigue and betrayal.

‘Overlord’ (2018)

In this thrilling action-horror film produced by J.J. Abrams, Quinn played a supporting role as an American soldier named Grunauer. The movie is set on the eve of D-Day and follows a group of paratroopers who uncover a horrifying secret in a Nazi-occupied village.

After their plane is shot down, the surviving soldiers discover that their mission is far more sinister than they imagined, as they must battle not only enemy forces but also the grotesque products of secret experiments. Quinn’s character is part of the squad fighting for survival against these supernatural threats.

‘Small Axe’ (2020)

Quinn appeared in ‘Mangrove’, the first film in Steve McQueen’s acclaimed anthology series ‘Small Axe’. The series tells five different stories about the lives of West Indian immigrants in London during the 1960s and 1980s. ‘Mangrove’ focuses on the true story of a group of Black activists.

He played the small role of PC Dixon, a police officer. The film dramatizes the events leading up to the 1970 protest and the subsequent trial of the Mangrove Nine, which exposed racial prejudice within the London police force.

‘Strike’ (2020)

He had a pivotal guest role in the fourth story of this detective series, titled ‘Lethal White’. He portrayed Billy Knight, a deeply disturbed young man who visits private investigator Cormoran Strike’s office with a fragmented memory of a crime he witnessed as a child.

Billy’s story, though confusing and disjointed due to his severe mental health struggles, sets the central mystery in motion. His haunting performance was crucial to the plot, as Strike attempts to uncover the truth buried in the young man’s troubled past.

‘Make Up’ (2019)

In this atmospheric British psychological film, Quinn played Tom. The story follows his girlfriend Ruth, who arrives at the coastal holiday park where he works, only to become increasingly suspicious that he is unfaithful. Her paranoia sets off a strange journey of self-discovery.

The film uses the bleak, off-season setting to create a surreal and tense mood. Tom’s actions, whether real or imagined by Ruth, serve as the catalyst that forces her to confront her own identity and desires in unexpected ways.

‘Timewasters’ (2017–2019)

Showcasing his comedic side, Quinn was part of the cast of the sitcom ‘Timewasters’. The show is about a struggling jazz quartet from South London who accidentally travel back in time to the 1920s through a faulty elevator in a block of flats.

He played Ralph, an eccentric and wealthy young man from the 1920s who befriends the time-traveling band. Ralph is often caught up in the group’s attempts to navigate the social rules and prejudices of the era while trying to find a way back home.

‘Hoard’ (2023)

Quinn took on a leading role in the independent film ‘Hoard’, a powerful and surreal drama. He plays Michael, a man who enters the life of a young woman named Maria, forcing her to confront a past defined by her mother’s compulsive hoarding.

His character’s presence acts as a trigger for Maria’s buried memories and unresolved trauma. The film is an intense exploration of how childhood experiences shape adulthood, with Quinn delivering a compelling performance in a complex and emotionally charged story.

‘Stranger Things’ (2022)

Quinn shot to global stardom as Eddie Munson in the fourth season of the hit science fiction series. Eddie is the charismatic leader of the Hellfire Club, Hawkins High School’s Dungeons & Dragons society, and an avid fan of heavy metal music. He is a caring outcast who is misunderstood by many of his peers.

His character becomes the prime suspect in a series of gruesome murders and is forced to go into hiding. He soon joins forces with the main cast to fight the new evil threatening their town, culminating in a heroic and unforgettable sacrifice in the Upside Down that cemented his status as a fan favorite.

‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ (2024)

He starred in this prequel film which expands the universe of the popular horror franchise. The movie chronicles the very first day of the alien invasion, showing the initial chaos and terror as sound-hunting creatures descend upon New York City. Quinn plays a character named Eric.

Acting alongside Lupita Nyong’o, he must navigate the pandemonium of a crumbling metropolis while trying to stay silent to survive. The role placed him at the center of a major summer blockbuster, continuing his rise in Hollywood.

‘Gladiator II’ (2024)

Quinn appeared in one of the most anticipated sequels of all time, Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator 2’. He was cast in the major role of Emperor Geta, positioning him as one of the film’s primary antagonists. This role was a significant milestone in his career.

He joined an incredible cast that included Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal. Playing a corrupt Roman emperor in a historical epic of this scale was a testament to his growing stature as a leading man in mainstream cinema.

‘The Fantastic 4: First Steps’ (2025)

In a highly anticipated move, Quinn joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Johnny Storm, also known as the Human Torch. He starred in ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’, which served as the official introduction of Marvel’s first family into the sprawling cinematic franchise.

His portrayal of the charismatic and fiery superhero was a key element of the movie, which is set in a distinct retro-futuristic world. Taking on this iconic comic book role in a film intended to be a major pillar of the MCU’s future has solidified his status as a globally recognized star.

Let us know your favorite Joseph Quinn role in the comments below.