Daniel Ezra’s career is an interesting example of how talent, preparation, and the willingness to take risks can open doors across international entertainment. Before audiences recognised him as Spencer James in All American, the British actor had already developed a foundation in theatre and appeared in several acclaimed television productions. His transition from Birmingham to American television brought a new level of visibility, but his career has never been limited to one character or genre.
From British crime dramas and supernatural television to Hollywood films and theatre, Ezra has steadily expanded his range. His role in The Running Man and his return to the stage in Shifters have added new dimensions to his professional journey. Here is a closer look at Daniel Ezra’s movies and TV shows, his early career, and the projects that continue to shape his work.
Who Is Daniel Ezra?
Daniel Ezra is a British actor born on December 15, 1991, in Birmingham, England. He trained at East 15 Acting School, where he developed his interest in classical theatre and performance. Unlike actors whose careers begin with a major film franchise, Ezra built his experience through stage productions and British television before receiving his first major American opportunity.
His background in Shakespeare and classical theatre became an important part of his acting approach. In a Flaunt interview about his career, Ezra discussed his theatre training, his move from Birmingham to London, and the challenge of taking on an American football drama. The interview also offers insight into the preparation that went into his first major US role.
Ezra’s early career is particularly interesting because he did not begin with extensive experience in American sports or the culture surrounding high school football. Instead, he had to learn the world of his character while adapting to a different entertainment industry.
Daniel Ezra’s Early Movies and TV Shows
Before All American introduced him to a wider international audience, Ezra appeared in several British productions. These early performances helped him establish a screen presence and demonstrate his ability to move between crime, drama, and character-driven storytelling.
1. Blood Cells (2014)
One of Ezra’s early film appearances was in Blood Cells, a British drama directed by Joseph Bull and Luke Seomore. He played Thom in the film, which follows a young man returning to his family and confronting the emotional consequences of his past.
The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2014 before receiving further festival attention. It formed part of Ezra’s early experience in independent cinema and gave him an opportunity to work in a more intimate, character-led production.
2. Murdered by My Boyfriend (2014)
Ezra also appeared in the BBC television film Murdered by My Boyfriend, playing Joseph. The production explores the realities of an abusive relationship and the warning signs that can precede domestic violence.
The subject matter gave the project a serious social dimension, placing it within the tradition of British television dramas that use personal stories to address wider issues. The BBC’s wider work on socially relevant television drama can be explored through its official media and programme resources.
3. The Village (2014)
In the British period drama The Village, Ezra appeared as Ghana Jones. The series explored the changing lives of a rural English community across the twentieth century. Although his appearance was limited, it added another period production to his early television credits.
4. Vera (2015)
Ezra appeared in the ITV crime drama Vera as Cameron Thorne. The series follows Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope as she investigates complex crimes across Northumberland.
Taking a role in an established detective series gave Ezra an opportunity to work within the procedural crime genre, a format that depends heavily on character details and carefully developed performances. Viewers can explore ITV’s crime-drama catalogue through the official ITVX platform.
5. No Offence (2015)
In No Offence, Ezra played Ajamu. The Channel 4 police drama, created by Paul Abbott, combines crime investigation with dark humour and an unconventional group of detectives.
His appearance continued a run of British television projects that allowed him to explore different characters rather than becoming associated with one particular type of role. More information about Channel 4’s original programming is available through its official press and programme resources.
Daniel Ezra’s Breakthrough Television Roles
6. Prey (2015)
Ezra played Alan Gill in the second series of ITV’s crime thriller Prey. The drama follows police officers caught in intense investigations and dangerous circumstances. His role was part of a developing television career that increasingly placed him in dramatic, suspense-driven productions.
7. Undercover (2016)
In the BBC and AMC political thriller Undercover, Ezra portrayed Dan Johnson. The series starred Sophie Okonedo and Adrian Lester and explored the consequences of a hidden past, political deception, and personal relationships.
Working alongside established performers gave Ezra another opportunity to develop his screen experience. The production also demonstrated his ability to contribute to stories with complex emotional and political themes. The BBC’s media centre provides background on the broadcaster’s television productions.
8. The Missing (2016)
One of his notable early television credits was The Missing, the acclaimed anthology crime drama. Ezra played Daniel Reed in the second series, which follows a family dealing with the disappearance of their young daughter.
The series was known for its layered storytelling and emotionally demanding performances. It helped bring Ezra further recognition in British television before his transition to American productions. The BBC’s original cast and production materials for The Missing provide additional background on the drama.
9. Prime Suspect: Tennison (2017)
Ezra appeared as DC Ashton in Prime Suspect: Tennison, a prequel to the long-running British crime series Prime Suspect. Set in the 1970s, the drama follows a younger Jane Tennison as she begins her career in the Metropolitan Police.
The production added a period crime drama to his growing list of television credits. ITV’s Prime Suspect programme archive offers further background on the crime-drama franchise.
10. A Discovery of Witches (2018–2022)
In the fantasy drama A Discovery of Witches, Ezra played Nathaniel Wilson. Based on Deborah Harkness’s novels, the series follows historian and witch Diana Bishop as she becomes involved in a supernatural world of witches, vampires, and daemons.
His recurring role placed him in a very different genre from the crime dramas that had shaped much of his early screen career. The series also introduced him to an international fantasy audience. Netflix’s overview of A Discovery of Witches identifies Ezra among the actors in the series and provides more information about its supernatural storyline.
All American: The Role That Changed Daniel Ezra’s Career
For many viewers, Daniel Ezra will always be associated with Spencer James in All American. The CW sports drama premiered in 2018 and was inspired by the life of former professional football player Spencer Paysinger.
Ezra’s character is a talented young football player from Crenshaw, Los Angeles, who receives an opportunity to attend Beverly Hills High School. The move places him between two communities with very different social and economic experiences. As Spencer navigates football, family responsibilities, friendships, and ambition, the series develops into a wider story about identity and belonging. Viewers can find more information about the drama through The CW’s official All American page.
The role was a major professional challenge. Ezra had to adopt an American accent and learn the fundamentals of American football. In his Flaunt interview, he explained that he carried a football with him while preparing for the pilot and practised the sport’s basic movements. He also discussed how music, particularly the work of Los Angeles rapper Nipsey Hussle, helped him understand the cultural atmosphere of Spencer’s world.
The preparation went beyond learning lines. Ezra spent time understanding the communities represented in the series and the contrast between Crenshaw and Beverly Hills. That work helped him build a character whose story connected with audiences over multiple seasons.
His performance earned him a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the 2022 NAACP Image Awards, further recognising his contribution to the show.
Why Did Daniel Ezra Step Back from All American?
After six seasons as the central character, Ezra decided not to return as a series regular for the seventh season. The announcement came in June 2024, when the show’s creative team confirmed that Spencer’s story was approaching its conclusion.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ezra reflected on the decision and the importance of completing Spencer’s journey in a meaningful way. He described feeling that the character’s story had reached a satisfying point after six seasons.
He also continued his relationship with the production behind the camera, directing episodes and returning as a guest performer. TVLine’s report on his departure from the series covered the change and confirmed his continuing involvement.
Daniel Ezra’s Movies and Other Screen Projects
The Smeds and the Smoos (2022)
Ezra lent his voice to Bill in the animated television film The Smeds and the Smoos. Based on the children’s book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the story follows two young characters from rival alien families who form a friendship.
The project offered a change of pace from his live-action dramatic roles and added voice acting to his screen credits. The Julia Donaldson official website provides background on the author and the books behind the animated adaptation.
The Running Man (2025)
Ezra joined the cast of Edgar Wright’s science-fiction action film The Running Man, starring Glen Powell. Based on Stephen King’s novel, the film takes place in a future where contestants participate in a deadly televised competition while being hunted by professional assassins.
Ezra plays Bradley, appearing alongside a cast that includes Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, Michael Cera, Lee Pace, Emilia Jones, and William H. Macy. The film marked an important step into a major Hollywood feature for the actor.
The official Paramount Pictures film page confirms Ezra’s casting as Bradley and lists the principal cast and creative team. The production represents a notable change of genre from the television drama that first introduced him to American audiences.
Daniel Ezra Returns to Theatre with Shifters
Although television and film have brought Ezra widespread recognition, theatre remains an important part of his professional identity. In 2026, he returned to the stage in the Off-Broadway production of Shifters at New York’s Cherry Lane Theatre.
Written by Benedict Lombe and directed by Lynette Linton, the romantic drama follows Dre and Des, two people whose lives reconnect years after their earlier relationship. Ezra played Dre, appearing opposite Charity Bedu-Addo during the production’s run.
The play’s New York engagement ran from July to September 2026, following successful London productions. Its return to the stage was a meaningful connection to the theatrical training that shaped Ezra’s early career. The Cherry Lane Theatre’s official Shifters page lists Ezra among the cast and provides details about the production. Playbill’s coverage of the Off-Broadway production also reports on its extended run.
What Is Daniel Ezra Working on Next?
One of Ezra’s notable upcoming screen projects is Netflix’s adaptation of S. A. Cosby’s novel All the Sinners Bleed. The nine-episode crime thriller is led by Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù as Titus Crown, a sheriff investigating a serial killer in a small Southern community.
Ezra is part of the ensemble cast, playing Marquis Crown. The project also features actors including Nicole Beharie, John Douglas Thompson, and Amy Madigan.
The story’s darker atmosphere and crime-driven narrative offer a different direction from the sports and relationship drama that made Ezra widely recognised. Netflix’s official Tudum coverage of All the Sinners Bleed confirms Ezra’s casting as Marquis Crown and introduces the wider ensemble.
Daniel Ezra’s Movies and TV Shows: Career Highlights
Daniel Ezra began his screen career with independent films and British television productions. In 2014, he appeared as Thom in Blood Cells, Joseph in Murdered by My Boyfriend, and Ghana Jones in The Village. These early projects introduced him to different storytelling styles and helped him gain experience in television and cinema.
In 2015, Ezra appeared in several British crime dramas, including Vera, where he played Cameron Thorne, No Offence as Ajamu, and Prey as Alan Gill. The following year, he portrayed Dan Johnson in Undercover and Daniel Reed in The Missing, further developing his reputation as a versatile television actor.
His 2017 credits included Prime Suspect: Tennison, in which he played DC Ashton, alongside appearances in Enterprice, Tex Brown, and National Theatre Live: Twelfth Night. In 2018, he began playing Nathaniel Wilson in the fantasy series A Discovery of Witches, a recurring role that introduced him to viewers beyond British crime television.
The biggest turning point came in 2018 when Ezra was cast as Spencer James in All American. He continued playing the character across multiple seasons and also appeared in the spin-off All American: Homecoming in 2022. That same year, he voiced Bill in the animated film The Smeds and the Smoos.
In 2025, Ezra appeared as Bradley in Edgar Wright’s science-fiction film The Running Man. He returned to theatre in 2026, playing Dre in the Off-Broadway production Shifters. His next major television project is Netflix’s All the Sinners Bleed, in which he plays Marquis Crown.
Final Thoughts
Daniel Ezra’s career has developed through a combination of theatre training, British television experience, and the international success of All American. Spencer James introduced him to a much larger audience, but his work in The Missing, A Discovery of Witches, The Running Man, and Shifters shows an actor interested in exploring different genres and performance styles.
His transition away from being a series regular on All American also created room for new opportunities in film and theatre. With All the Sinners Bleed adding another significant project to his résumé, Ezra’s career continues to move beyond the role that first made him a familiar name to television audiences.
For readers interested in exploring more stories from the entertainment world, CelebsAmerica also takes a closer look at the careers of rising actors such as Belmont Cameli, whose growing filmography includes notable television and film appearances. Beyond Hollywood careers, the site also features inspiring personal stories, including Brenda Warner’s journey, which explores her life with NFL legend Kurt Warner, her family, and the challenges that shaped her story.
