Spotlight on: Toby Jones
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**Toby Jones** is one of Britain’s most respected (and brilliant) actors, a performer whose face might be instantly familiar even if his name takes a moment to place. Known for his intelligence, versatility, and understated style, Jones has built a career that spans stage, film, and television, moving easily between drama and comedy, playing both leading roles and scene-stealing supporting characters.
### **Who is Toby Jones?**
Toby Jones was born in Hammersmith, London, in 1966, into a family of actors - his father, **Freddie Jones**, was also a well-known performer. He trained at the University of Manchester and later at L’École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris, developing a skillset that has informed his physical, and thoughtful, approach to acting. Over his career, Jones has earned multiple awards, including a BAFTA for *Marvellous* (2014) and a Royal Television Society Award for *Detectorists*. He has also received nominations from the Olivier Awards, the Emmys, and the Golden Globes, reflecting the breadth of his work across different mediums.
### **Where have you seen him before?**
Jones’s credits are wide-ranging and impressive. On television, he’s appeared in acclaimed series such as *The Detectorists*, *Sherlock*, *Marvellous*, and *Capital*. His film work includes *Infamous* (in which he portrayed Truman Capote), *Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy*, *The Hunger Games*, *Captain America: The First Avenger*, and *Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom*. On stage, he has been a regular presence in major productions, from the [National Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/national-theatre-london) to the West End, appearing in plays such as *The Painter* and *The Birthday Party*.
### **Wasn’t he in *Mr Bates vs The Post Office*****?**
Yes! Toby Jones starred as Alan Bates in *Mr Bates vs The Post Office*, ITV’s powerful drama about the Horizon IT scandal. The series became one of the most talked-about television events of 2024. Jones’s performance as the determined sub-postmaster who helped expose the injustice was central to its impact, earning widespread critical acclaim and sparking renewed public attention to the real-life case.
### **What else have I seen him in?**
Even if you don’t realise it, you’ve almost certainly seen Jones before. He voiced Dobby the house-elf in the *Harry Potter* films, appeared in *Doctor Who*, and featured in *Empire of Light*, *The Wonder*, and *First Cow*. His ability to blend into any role means he’s as at home in a period drama as in a blockbuster or gentle comedy. Whether playing heroes, eccentrics, or bureaucrats, Jones brings a subtlety that makes every character feel grounded and believable.
### **What’s next for Toby Jones?**
Toby Jones is currently appearing on stage in *[Othello](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/othello-tickets)* at the [Theatre Royal Haymarket](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/theatre-royal-haymarket-london), alongside **David Harewood** and **Caitlin Fitzgerald**. This high-profile production runs until 17 January 2026 and continues his long relationship with theatre. He may be a familiar face on screen, but Toby Jones remains deeply rooted in live performance, and we’re very glad he is too!