# Connor Swindells

Connor Ryan Swindells is an English actor and model. He gained prominence through his role as Adam Groff in the Netflix comedy-drama Sex Education (2019–2023). He has since starred in the BBC One war drama SAS: Rogue Heroes (2022–present). His films include The Vanishing (2018), Emma (2020), Barbarians (2021), and Barbie (2023).

## Early life and education

Connor Ryan Swindells was born in Lewes, East Sussex, the youngest of four sons to parents Ian and Phoebe. His mother was of Romani heritage. She died of bowel cancer when Swindells was seven years old, which he has said he is still processing. After her death, he and his father went to live with Swindells' paternal grandparents in West Chiltington until moving out to Billingshurst, both in the Horsham District of West Sussex.
Swindells attended Rydon Community College and Steyning Grammar School. He dropped out of college at age 17.

## Career

Swindells began acting when he saw an audition poster for a local play and his friend dared him to audition; he got the lead role. He then acted in two more local plays and signed with an agent at the end of the third play.
In 2017 Swindells made his television debut with guest appearances in episodes of the Hulu period drama Harlots as Mostyn and the Sky One historical drama Jamestown as Fletcher.
In March 2017, Swindells was cast to replace Joe Alwyn as Donald in The Vanishing, a Scottish psychological thriller film directed by Kristoffer Nyholm, starring Gerard Butler and Peter Mullan. The film screened at the 2018 Sitges Film Festival before having a theatrical release on 4 January 2019. Swindells also starred as Adam in the 2018 drama film VS.
In 2019 Swindells began starring alongside Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Asa Butterfield, and Gillian Anderson in the Netflix comedy-drama series Sex Education as Adam Groff, the headmaster's son, initially a bully who has a tense relationship with his father.
Swindells appeared in the films Emma (2020) and Barbarians (2021), and played Simon Hadlow in the 2021 BBC One crime drama Vigil led by Suranne Jones. The following year, he began starring in the lead role of David Stirling in the World War II series SAS: Rogue Heroes, also on BBC One.
Swindells appeared in Greta Gerwig's Barbie, reuniting with his Sex Education co-stars Ncuti Gatwa and Emma Mackey. He also has a role in the Netflix film Scoop.

## Personal life

Since 2020, Swindells has been in a relationship with actress Amber Anderson, who also appeared in the film Emma. They married in the Scottish Highlands in October 2024. Their wedding was officiated by Alistair Petrie, who plays Swindells' father in Sex Education.

## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes works that have not yet been released |

### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2018 | VS. | Adam | |
| 2019 | The Vanishing | Donald McArthur | |
| 2020 | Emma | Robert Martin | |
| 2021 | Barbarians | Dan | |
| 2023 | Barbie | Aaron Dinkins | |
| 2024 | Scoop | Jae Donnelly | |
| 2024 | William Tell | Gessler | |
| TBA | Jingle Bell Heist † | Nick | In production |
| TBA | The Entertainment System Is Down † | | Filming |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2017 | Harlots | Mostyn | Episode #1.3 |
| 2017 | Jamestown | Fletcher | Episode #1.5 |
| 2019–2023 | Sex Education | Adam Groff | Main role; 24 episodes |
| 2021 | Vigil | Lieutenant Simon Hadlow | Miniseries |
| 2021 | Dodo | Jamie Connoly | Recurring role; 5 episodes |
| 2022–present | SAS: Rogue Heroes | David Stirling | Main role |
| 2024 | The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin | Tommy Silversides | |
| TBA | Lockerbie | TBA | Filming |
| TBA | The Dream Lands | Kole | Filming |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
| 2017 | Screen International | Stars of Tomorrow | Stars of Tomorrow | Inducted |
| 2019 | MTV Movie Awards | Best Kiss (with Ncuti Gatwa) | Sex Education | Nominated |
| 2023 | Broadcasting Press Guild Awards | Best Actor | SAS: Rogue Heroes | Nominated |