Jason Isaacs began his acting career at Bristol University where he studied law, but found himself much more interested in the performing arts. Upon graduating he enrolled at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama where he trained for three years. In 2000, Isaacs landed a groundbreaking role, playing Colonel William Tavington in Roland Emmerich‘s feature film “The Patriot.” The performance garnered him a nomination from the London Film Critics’ Circle.
Two years later, Isaacs began his role as Lucius Malfoy in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” He went on to reprise the role in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” and again in the last two films “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, Parts I and II.”
Isaacs had his first experience on television in the drama “The West Wing” in 2004, and the comedy/drama “Entourage” in 2008.
His other film credits include “Black Hawk Down,” Universal Pictures’ “Green Zone,” “Friends with Money,” Revolution/Universal/SonyPictures “Peter Pan,” “The Tuxedo,” “Sweet November,” “Windtalkers,” “End of the Affair,” “Armageddon,” “Event Horizon” and “Abduction.”
Isaacs has also garnered multiple awards and nominations for his television roles including the Best Actor BAFTA Award for his performance in “The Curse of Steptoe“; and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for his role in BBC’s six-part conspiracy thriller “The State Within.” He gained critical acclaim for “Scars,” and the three seasons of the Peabody Award-winning series “Brotherhood,” for which he was nominated for a Satellite Award as best leading actor. Isaacs also starred in the lead role in “Case Histories” for the BBC, which also aired on BBC America and recently won the BAFTA Scotland Award.
He has also appeared on stage, creating the role of Louis in the critically acclaimed Royal National Theatre production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Angels in America” – parts 1 and 2. He performed for packed houses at the Royal Court Theatre in Robert Delamere’s “Force of Change,” “1953” directed by Patrick Marber at the Almeida Theatre, and “Black and White Minstrels” at the King’s Head.
Isaacs was born in Liverpool, England before moving with his family to Northwest London. He now lives in Los Angeles, California.
Filmography courtesy of NBC. Awake airs on NBC, Thursdays at 10pm
