Great Expectations

As an Academy Award® nominated actor and producer, Tom Hardy CBE has quickly become one of today’s most versatile and sought-after talents, earning widespread acclaim and recognition over the years from critics and audiences alike for his transformative performances and extensive range across a variety of mediums, including film, television and theatre.&nbsp;Hardy earned his first Oscar® nomination in 2016 for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as 19th Century frontiersman John Fitzgerald in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s epic drama The Revenant, for which he also garnered a Critics Choice Award nomination. That same year, Hardy also received a Critics Choice Award for his performance as the iconic "Mad Max Rockatansky” in George Miller’s critically acclaimed hit Mad Max: Fury Road, as well as a British Independent Film Award for Best Actor in Brian Helgeland’s crime drama Legend, which saw Hardy tackle dual roles as notorious identical twin British gangsters Ronald and Reginald Kray. As a result of his collective work in 2015, the London Critics’ Circle went on to honor Hardy with their prestigious British Actor of the Year award on behalf of all his performances that year.In 2018, Hardy received the most significant box office success of his career when he landed the title role in Sony Pictures’ highly anticipated Marvel Comics-based franchise Venom. Performing in the dual roles of “Eddie Brock” and “Venom,” Hardy helped lead both Venom (2018) and its sequel Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) to become worldwide hits with fans and box office numbers alike. Earning over $855 million worldwide, Venom evolved into an international sensation that currently sits as the eleventh highest-grossing superhero film internationally and nineteenth highest-grossing superhero film globally of all time. The sequel’s release was equally impressive, with Venom: Let There Be Carnage breaking records for films released during the international pandemic as it became the second highest October domestic opening of all time and the third highest-grossing domestic film of 2021.Hardy most recently wrapped production on Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders, starring alongside Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Michael Shannon and Boyd Holbrook in the 1960s period drama inspired by Danny Lyon's book of the same name, following the rise of a fictional Midwestern motorcycle club. Hardy will next appear in Netflix’s action thriller Havoc, directed by Gareth Evans and co-starring Forrest Whitaker and Timothy Olyphant. Hardy is also attached to star in the third installment of the Venom franchise series, which is currently in development.Hailing from Great Britain, Hardy was studying at the prestigious Drama Centre London when he was offered his breakout role in HBO’s award-winning World War II miniseries Band of Brothers, executive produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. His feature film debut came shortly after when he was cast in Ridley Scott’s war drama Black Hawk Down (2001), followed by Stuart Baird’s sci-fi adventure Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). In 2008, Hardy garnered global attention for his captivating on-screen transformation as a real-life, notoriously violent convict in the title role of Nicolas Winding Refn’s drama Bronson, winning the British Independent Film Award for Best Actor on behalf of his performance. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts further recognized Hardy’s achievements by honoring him with their Rising Star Award in 2011. The actor’s subsequent film credits went on to include lauded roles in Christopher Nolan’s Inception (2010), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), and Dunkirk (2017), Gavin O’Connor’s Warrior (2011), Tomas Alfredson’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), John Hillcoat’s Lawless (2013), Steven Knight’s Locke (2014), Michaël R. Roskam’s The Drop (2014) and Josh Trank’s Capone (2020).On television, Hardy most recently starred as “James Keziah Delaney” in the 2017 FX and BBC One series Taboo which he also co-created and produced, as well as in a recurring role on Steven Knight’s award-winning BBC series Peaky Blinders as the character “Alfie Solomons.” In 2008, Hardy earned a Best Actor BAFTA nomination for his performance in the HBO movie Stuart: A Life Backwards. He also portrayed “Heathcliff” in the 2009 ITV production of Wuthering Heights. His small screen credits also include the telefilms Oliver Twist, A for Andromeda, Sweeney Todd, Gideon’s Daughter and Colditz, as well as the BBC miniseries The Virgin Queen.On stage, Hardy has starred in numerous plays on the London West End including Blood and In Arabia We’d All Be Kings, winning the ‘Outstanding Newcomer Award’ at the 2003 Evening Standard Theatre Awards for his work in both productions and a 2004 Olivier Award nomination for the latter. In 2005, Hardy starred in the London premiere of Brett C. Leonard’s Roger and Vanessa. His stage work also includes Rufus Norris’ adaptation of Festen (Almeida), The Modernists (Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre), The Man of Mode (National Theatre) and the 2010 world premiere of Leonard’s The Long Red Road, directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman (Chicago’s Goodman Theatre).In addition to performing, Hardy is also the Founder and CEO of UK production company Hardy Son &amp; Baker (HSB), which he formed in 2012 with partner Dean Baker. HSB most recently teamed with Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions and writer Steven Knight on a six-part adaptation of the coming-of-age classic Great Expectations. The limited series is the second installment in a planned series of adaptations of Dickens’ novels commissioned by the BBC and FX. The first installment – A Christmas Carol – was released in December 2019 and also co-produced by HSB and Scott Free Productions. &nbsp;The Dickens projects mark the second collaboration for HSB, Scott Free and Knight, following their work together in 2017 on the acclaimed Emmy®-nominated and BAFTA®-winning drama series Taboo, also for BBC One and FX. The company’s feature projects in development include the dramatic thriller Wildlands, written and directed by Kim Mordant and starring Matthias Schoenaerts as an unruly bomb disposal specialist in one of the world’s most heavily mined countries, Once Upon a Pilgrim,&nbsp;a gripping thriller based on the celebrated novel written by&nbsp;ex-SAS soldier&nbsp;James Deegan and in collaboration with Working Title, Unreasonable Behavior,&nbsp;directed by Angelina Jolie and based on the life of legendary British war photographer Don McCullin and Shackleton, written by BAFTA-winning writer Peter Straughan and centered on the exploits of Ernest Shackleton, the renowned British explorer who lead multiple expeditions to the Antarctic. Television projects in development include the second season of the award-winning drama series Taboo, written by Steven Knight and produced for BBC One and FX. Several additional developments are currently in the works across both film and television with an array of singular filmmakers, writers, and artists.In 2018, Hardy was awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in recognition for his services to drama. Hardy currently serves as an Ambassador for The Prince's Trust, the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund (RMCTF), Battersea Dogs &amp; Cats Home and Help For Heroes. He is also a Trustee for REORG Charity, a UK-based non-profit organization with a mission to help veterans, servicemen and servicewomen through the life-changing art and community of jiu-jitsu. In addition, he is the President of Hari Budha Magar’s Gurkha Everest Expedition, as well as a Patron for Expedition 8848, which aims to educate today’s youth on the effects of climate change and protecting the planet’s future.

Get the latest news and exclusives from FX including show premieres and more.

As an Academy Award® nominated actor and producer, Tom Hardy has become one of today’s most versatile and sought-after talent.

Tom Hardy black and white headshot in black suit and tie, looking down with soft light shining down on top part of face

Tom Hardy | Great Expectations on FX

Tom Hardy | Executive Producer | Great Expectations on FX

About

Cast and Crew

Video Extras

Galleries

"Pip," portrayed by Fionn Whitehead, is an orphan raised by his brutal, cold sister. Smart, innocent and impressionable, he is destined to take over the family blacksmith business until fate delivers him an opportunity to become a gentleman under the tutelage of the wealthy, enigmatic Miss Havisham. A passionate romantic, easily seduced by the beauty of the upper class, as his fortunes change, Pip struggles to fit into his new world or remember the world he came from.

Fionn Whitehead headshot in black suede coat with black suit and brown neck tie scarf, with dark blue woods behind him

"Miss Havisham," portrayed by Olivia Colman, is a wealthy, eccentric, manic woman bent on revenge. Her family fortune was made in the opium trade, and after being brutally jilted at the altar, she adopted young Estella and raised her as a tool to inflict pain on the opposite sex. The newest pawn in her game of manipulation arrives in the form of an eager orphan named Pip.

Olivia Colman headshot with string of small pearl necklaces connected by diamond pendant, with hair messily up in bun

"Estella," portrayed by Shalom Brune-Franklin, is the beautiful, cold and often cruel, adopted daughter of Miss Havisham. Taught that emotion makes you vulnerable, trained to inflict retribution on the opposite gender for the torment inflicted upon her guardian, Estella believes love is an impossible future. She is resigned to the fact that happiness belongs only to others.

Shalom Brune Franklin headshot in embroidered black dress with black satin neck tie and black top hat with dark flowers

"Jaggers," portrayed by Ashley Thomas, is a powerful lawyer and shrewd businessman who guides Pip through the twisted upper-class world of London society. A corrupt enforcer of the law, he consorts with criminals while despising them and controls his image as tightly as he controls every room he enters.

Ashley Thomas headshot in black coat with white silk neck tie scarf with black top hat, looking up toward warm light

"Magwitch," portrayed by Johnny Harris, is an escaped convict who Pip first encounters in the cemetery where his family are buried. A rough, dangerous, brute of a man with a deep vendetta against Compeyson, his mortal enemy, Magwitch carries the burden of a social injustice that can never be undone. When Pip shows him compassion, the simple act lights a spark that will change both of their futures forever.&nbsp;

Johnny Harris headshot in brown suede vest with light brown neck tie scarf, looking up in dark room toward bright light

"Sara Gargery," portrayed by Hayley Squires, is Pip’s stern and overbearing elder sister, well known for bringing up her younger brother by hand. Forced to raise Pip and to marry a ‘lowly blacksmith’ following the untimely death of her parents, Sara’s short temper stems from an obvious distain for her own lot in life. Unable to change her fortune, Sara seeks out other means of making herself feel powerful and in control.

Haley Squires headshot in blue suede high neck cardigan with hair up, with dark black and blue gradient background

Owen McDonnell portrays "Joe Gargery," the village blacksmith, is Pip’s sweet-tempered brother-in-law and the most constant and loving presence in Pip’s life. Although Joe is often looked down upon as an ignorant and common man, including by Pip, he is content with his lot in life and has a capacity for compassion and forgiveness that far outshines any gentleman in high society.

Owen McDonnel headshot in brown jacket with half face illuminated by green light and other brightly illuminated by warm light

"Biddy," portrayed by Laurie Ogden, is a kind, wise, intelligent and caring young woman who Pip turns to in his first attempts to educate and improve himself. Of similar age and background to Pip, Biddy comes from humble beginnings; but unlike Pip, she is content with her born station in life, and disapproves as Pip allows his association with Miss Havisham and his great expectations to change him.

Laurie Ogden headshot in floral design top with blue and green flowers with sun brightly shining on hair up in bun

Matt Berry portrays "Mr. Pumblechook," Joe’s arrogant uncle, is a merchant obsessed with money and class, and who loves nothing more than the sound of his own voice. A man so desperate to be important that he embellishes or completely fabricates connections with the upper class, Mr. Pumblechook tells any acquaintance who will listen that he is a man of high standing.

Matt Berry headshot of side profile in winter coat with ornate bowtie neck scarf with olive green top hat

"Compeyson," portrayed by Trystan Gravelle, is a clever, conniving swindler and former partner of Magwitch.

Trystan Gravelle headshot in brown coat with golden embellished vest, looking up toward bright light in dark room with window

"Wemmick," portrayed by Rudi Dharmalingam, is Jaggers’ assistant and an unexpected companion of Pip’s upon his move to London. A no nonsense man who has learned what it takes to survive in this cruel world, Wemmick takes Pip under his wing, and shows him kindness and guidance, but only when no one is looking.

Rudi Dharmalingam headshot in dark brown coat with bowtie neck scarf, wearing metal spectacles and looking at bright light

Steven Knight headshot in light blue button down with glasses hanging on shirt's button, with plain light brown background

Ridley Scott headshot in plain black t shirt with bright light illuminating face against plain dark grey background

Dean Baker headshot in plain black t shirt with bright window and white wall in background

David W. Zucker headshot in dark brown glasses with white button down and black plaid blazer, against plain white background

Kate Crowe headshot in natural lighting with framed black and white picture in background hanging on white wall