# George Blagden

George Paul Blagden (born 28 December 1989) is an English stage and film actor. He is best known for his role as Louis XIV in the French-produced television series drama Versailles. He also played Grantaire in the 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables and Athelstan in the television series Vikings (2013–2016). He has also narrated the Penguin Classics audiobook version of Homer’s The Odyssey and an immersive audiovisual tour for the Circus Maximus in Rome written by Margaret George for the BARDEUM mobile app.

## Early life and education

Blagden who was raised near to Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, began singing at age 13, performing in various choirs and his own rock band. After studying at Old Buckenham Hall School, Suffolk, he was accepted into Oundle School with a drama scholarship, and appeared in the school's Stahl Theatre in such roles as The Baker in Into the Woods and Marc in 'Art'. Also while at Oundle, Blagden became a member of the National Youth Theatre and was selected as one of four students to participate in a masterclass with Sir Ian McKellen. Following his graduation, he studied acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, from which he graduated in 2011. He has a younger sister, Katie, who is a writer and filmmaker.

## Career

In 2011, Blagden received his first acting role as Andy in the feature film After the Dark, which was released in 2014. He has since appeared in Wrath of the Titans, Les Misérables, Vikings, and as the lead character of Louis XIV in the drama series Versailles.
Blagden played the role of PJ in the 2018 revival of Stephen Sondheim's musical comedy, Company, at the Gielgud Theatre in the West End of London.
Blagden co-stars in the upcoming musical film, The Land of Dreams, directed by Nicola Abbatangelo, with shooting underway in October 2019.

## Personal life

Blagden married actress Laura Pitt-Pulford on 29 September 2019. The couple have a son, Arlo Peter Blagden born in October 2020.
Blagden is a supporter of Diabetes UK; from 4–6 September 2015, he cycled from London to Paris in under 72 hours and raised nearly £5,000 for the charity.

## Filmography

Film :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2012 | Wrath of the Titans | Soldier No. 1 | |
| 2012 | Les Misérables | Grantaire | National Board of Review Award for Best Cast Satellite Award for Best Cast – Motion Picture Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble Nominated—Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Acting Ensemble Nominated—Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Cast Nominated—San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Performance by an Ensemble Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture |
| 2013 | After the Dark | Andy | |
| 2014 | Blood Moon | Jake Norman | |
| 2014 | Holding on for a Good Time | Fellini | Short |
| 2014 | The Tap Tap Lady | Hugh | Short |
| 2015 | Blight | Fr Carey | Short Winner Best Actor - FilmQuest International Film Festival 2016 |
| 2017 | No Postage Necessary | Sam | |
| 2019 | How You Look at Me | Charlie | |
| 2020 | The Land of Dreams | Armie | Post-production |
| 2022 | The Gallery | Morgan/Dorian | Interactive movie |
| 2022 | Rubikon | Gavin Abbott |
Television :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2013–2016 | Vikings | Athelstan | Main cast (seasons 1–3) Recurring (season 4); 30 episodes |
| 2015–2018 | Versailles | Louis XIV | Leading role |
| 2017 | Black Mirror | Lenny | Episode: "Hang the DJ" |
Video game roles :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2022 | The Gallery | Morgan/Dorian | Interactive player |
| 2023 | Amnesia: The Bunker | Henri Clement | |
| 2024 | Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree | Fire Knight Queelign | |

## Theatre

Theatre :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Location | Category |
| 2016-2017 | Platinum | Simon | Leading role | Hampstead Theatre | Regional |
| 2017 | The Pitchfork Disney | Presley Stray | Leading role | Shoreditch Town Hall | Regional |
| 2018 | Tartuffe | Damis | Main Cast | Theatre Royal Haymarket | West End |
| 2018-2019 | Company | PJ | Main Cast | Gielgud Theatre | West End |
| 2023 | White Christmas | Bob | Leading Role | Crucible Theatre | Regional |
| 2024 | The Cabinet Minister | Valentine White | Leading Role | Menier Chocolate Factory | Off West End |

## Awards

| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result |
| 2012 | National Board of Review of Motion Pictures | Best Acting by an Ensemble | Les Misérables | Won |
| 2012 | National Board of Review of Motion Pictures | Best Ensemble | Les Misérables | Won |
| 2012 | San Diego Film Critics Society | Best Ensemble Performance | Les Misérables | Nominated |
| 2012 | Satellite Awards | Best Ensemble, Motion Picture | Les Misérables | Won |
| 2012 | Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | Best Acting Ensemble | Les Misérables | Won |
| 2013 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | Les Misérables | Nominated |