Daniel Weyman delivers an intense performance as the Stranger inThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The series follows the Second Age of Middle Earth’s history and takes place thousands of years before the events ofThe Lord of the RingsandThe Hobbitseries. Weyman’s the Stranger lives up to his namesake as a mysterious figure whose origins and intentions keep viewers guessing — of course, until theRings of Powerseason 2 ending,where it’s revealed that the Stranger is in fact the iconic Gandalf.
While his role inThe Rings of Powerhas put him in the spotlight, Weyman is no stranger to the screen. For over 20 years, the versatile actor has appeared in popular British TV series, gripping thrillers, and everything in between. Along the way, Weyman has built a reputation for bringing complexity and subtlety to his characters, creating a memorable presence on screen, leaving many viewers excited to see more of the Stranger inThe Rings of Powerseason 3.
Tom Jackson (Just Inès)
An Ex-Convict Who Falls In Love After His Release
Just Inèsmarks Weyman’s first leading role in a full-length film. Released in 2010,Just Inèsfollows Weyman’s character, Tom Jackson, who is trying to redeem himself after going to prisonon domestic violence charges. Jackson’s life only finds real purpose after he falls in love with the titular French woman.Just Inèswas an independent British film that received critical acclaim but didn’t become a global hit. However, Weyman masterfully portrays the guilt Jackson lives with following his prison sentence.
It’s clear through his performance that Weyman didn’t want to make Jackson a typical bitter ex-con, but rather, put a unique spin on his character. In turn,the actor creates a character who is capable of both despicable actions and great tenderness, which is rare to see on screen and serves as a testament to his acting ability.The chemistry between Tom and Inès is beautiful and nuanced, creating a compelling on-screen couple.
Anthon van Rappard (Van Gogh: Painted with Words)
The Friend And Mentor To The Prolific Painter
Van Gogh: Painted with Wordswas a British television movie thatfeatured Benedict Cumberbatchas the troubled painter. The film first originally aired on BBC1 in the United Kingdom, and is notable for using actual dialogue sourced from Vincent van Gogh’s life. Weyman plays Anthon van Rappard, who was a Dutch painter and one of van Gogh’s mentors.
Weyman offers an accurateportrayal of van Rappard in the film, as he highlights the painter’s social charisma and conversational skills, which are among the reasons that he became a close friend of van Gogh.He also uses a convincing Dutch accent, to boot. Even if Cumberbatch’s is not the best regardeddepiction of van Gogh, Weyman delivers a detailed performance that shows he did his research.
Arthur Havisham (Great Expectations)
Miss Havisham’s Sinister Half Brother
Weyman played Arthur Havisham in the 2012 cinematic retelling of Charles Dickens' famous novel,Great Expectations. The story follows an orphaned young man named Pip who climbs up the social ladder in Victorian society through the help of an illusive benefactor. Meanwhile, Arthur and his friend Compeyson are interested in swindlingHelena Bonham Carter’s character, Miss Havisham, out of her money.
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Although Arthur is only seen briefly in the film, Weyman does an excellent job of expressing the character’s rebellious and malicious nature. His sly expressions and sinister tone of voice make the character’s bad intentions clear, even for viewers who are not familiar with Dickens' classic story. After all, there are no small parts, just small actors, and Weyman proves the validity of this statement through his performance.
Adam Wainwright (Foyle’s War)
The Husband Of A Main Character In A British Drama Series
Weyman first recurring role on TV was as a detective in the British drama series,Foyle’s War. This is perhaps his most well-known role aside fromThe Rings of Power. The actor starred in the BBC show in seasons 7 and 8 as Adam Wainwright, the husband of Honeysuckle Weeks' character, Samantha Stewart.
Daniel Weyman took over the role of Adam Wainwright from actor Max Brown, who played him in season 6.
Adam starts out as as a naive MP and rose quickly through the political ranks in England during and after World War II. But, in the last season, Adam’s status as a moral maverick becomes evident as he loses his position as parliamentary Private Secretary after exposing his minister’s corruption.This is one of the few instances where Weyman is given a distinct character arc in a story that he can see through to completion.
Silent Witness as Max Thorndyke
A Detective Faced With Intricate Cases
Daniel Weyman portrays Max Thorndyke in eight episodes of the long-running British crime drama seriesSilent Witness.Thorndyke is a pathologist and expert witness, who becomes deeply involved in intricate cases, and Weyman brings a calm and calculated demeanor to the character who has to deal with the psychological weight of his work.
However, Weyman is careful to portray the detail-oriented nature of Max’s character while still offering emotional moments, particularly with his wife, Clarissa. The actor humanizes a character who deals with the often morbid nature of detective work while bringing vulnerability to the role, proving his impeccable range as an actor.
Daniel Weyman’s Other Roles
InGentleman Jack,a period drama centered around the life of Anne Lister, Daniel Weyman makes a memorable appearance in a supporting role as Dr. Kenny in two episodes. His character adds to the twisted web of relationships in the series, contributing to the drama’s rich tapestry of personalities.
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Similarly, inA Very British Scandal,a series that follows the infamous 1960s divorce between the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, Weyman plays a BBC reporter. His performance in this historical drama is understated but crucial, because it aligns with the show’s exploration of power, scandal, and media attention. Weyman’s ability to convey emotion through restrained expressions and dialogue helps add believability to the period piece.
Weyman also appeared inDunkirkthe series,not the Christopher Nolan film, as Capt. James Lynn-Allen in three episodes, which further established his versatility as an actor. While his role wasn’t central, his presence still stood out in the ensemble cast as he offered a sense of realism to the series.Whether playing minor, supporting, or even leading roles, Daniel Weyman’s ability to blend seamlessly into different genres and narratives is a testament to his talent.
