Few actors can move from playing a young Marius in Les Misérables to an Oscar-winning Stephen Hawking and then become the face of a Harry Potter spin-off. Eddie Redmayne has built one of the most varied filmographies in modern cinema — and his latest role in the Netflix thriller The Day of the Jackal proves he’s still reinventing himself. This guide traces his career from early TV appearances to his highest-profile projects, backed by verified sources.

Academy Award wins: 1 ·
BAFTA Award wins: 1 ·
Notable films: 25+ ·
Most iconic role: Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything (2014) ·
Latest TV series: The Day of the Jackal (2024)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • His 2024 Netflix series The Day of the Jackal may lead to additional seasons or new high-profile TV projects Apple TV (streaming platform profile)
  • Fans anticipate announcements of upcoming film roles in 2025+ (no confirmed projects yet) Rotten Tomatoes (celebrity fact page)
The upshot

Redmayne’s career is not just about one Oscar-winning performance. His ability to pivot between stage, blockbuster, and prestige television makes him one of the most versatile actors of his generation. The trade-off: franchise obligations can overshadow quieter dramatic work.

Six facts that define the actor behind the headlines, drawn from verified records.

Key biographical facts about Eddie Redmayne
Field Value
Full name Edward John David Redmayne
Born , London, England Britannica (quick facts)
Occupation Actor
Spouse Hannah Bagshawe (m. 2014) Wikipedia (biography reference)
Children 2
Notable awards Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, Tony Britannica (authoritative encyclopedia)

What is Eddie Redmayne most famous for?

Redmayne’s fame rests on two pillars: a transformative Oscar-winning performance and a franchise that brought him global recognition. The pattern is clear — he gravitates toward roles that demand deep physical and emotional transformation.

Why is his role in The Theory of Everything iconic?

  • Portrayed physicist Stephen Hawking from his 20s to his 60s, capturing both physical decline and sharp intellect Britannica (authoritative encyclopedia)
  • Won the Academy Award for Best Actor, the BAFTA for Best Actor, and the Golden Globe for Best Actor – Drama in 2015 Britannica (authoritative encyclopedia)

What other breakthrough roles define his career?

  • Marius Pontmercy in Les Misérables (2012) – Redmayne’s singing debut earned critical praise Apple TV (streaming platform profile)
  • Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) – launched a five-film franchise Apple TV (streaming platform profile)
Bottom line: Redmayne’s career is defined by two landmark roles: Stephen Hawking, which won him every major acting award, and Newt Scamander, which made him a household name. For awards-track fans: the Hawking performance is essential viewing. For franchise lovers: the Fantastic Beasts series is where his global stardom crystallized.

Which TV series did Eddie Redmayne appear in?

Though film dominates his résumé, Redmayne has a steady television history that includes period dramas and a 2024 return to the small screen. Four entries, one pattern: he chooses prestige projects with strong literary or historical foundations.

What was his first television role?

  • Guest appearance on Animal Ark (1998) – his screen debut at age 16 Apple TV (streaming platform profile)

Which miniseries featured Eddie Redmayne?

  • Tess of the d’Urbervilles (2008) – played Angel Clare Britannica (quick facts)
  • The Pillars of the Earth (2010) – portrayed Jack Builder Britannica (quick facts)
  • Birdsong (2012) – BBC miniseries adaptation of Sebastian Faulks’s novel Britannica (quick facts)

What is his latest TV project?

  • The Day of the Jackal (2024) – Netflix spy thriller based on Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel; Redmayne plays the titular assassin Apple TV (streaming platform profile)

The implication: Redmayne’s TV work, though sparse, has consistently been in high-end literary adaptations. The Day of the Jackal marks a shift into contemporary espionage, opening a new lane for his small-screen career.

Who is Eddie Redmayne’s wife?

Redmayne married Hannah Bagshawe, a public relations executive, in December 2014. The couple have two children: daughter Iris (born 2016) and son Luke (born 2018) Wikipedia (biography reference). Bagshawe is often described as his high-school friend and steadying presence.

How many languages does Eddie Redmayne speak?

  • Fluent English; conversational French Apple TV (streaming platform profile)
  • Reports of a third language (possibly German or Italian) are unconfirmed Rotten Tomatoes (celebrity fact page)

Does Eddie Redmayne have a disability?

  • Has congenital nystagmus, an involuntary oscillation of the eyes that affects vision Wikipedia (biography reference)
  • Redmayne has stated it does not significantly impact his daily life or acting Rotten Tomatoes (celebrity fact page)

Is Eddie Redmayne a nice guy?

  • Co-stars and colleagues frequently describe him as humble, kind, and professional Rotten Tomatoes (celebrity fact page)
The catch

While Redmayne’s public persona is overwhelmingly positive, the intensity of his method preparation — losing significant weight for The Danish Girl and spending months learning Hawking’s physicality — has occasionally raised concerns about the actor’s well-being. His team has not commented on those pressures directly.

What is the new series with Eddie Redmayne on Netflix?

The Day of the Jackal is a 10-episode spy thriller that premiered on Netflix in November 2024. Redmayne plays the elusive assassin known only as the Jackal, a role originally made famous by Edward Fox in the 1973 film adaptation.

What is The Day of the Jackal about?

  • Follows a professional assassin (the Jackal) who is hired to kill a high-profile political target, while an intelligence officer (played by Lashana Lynch) leads a cross-border manhunt Apple TV (streaming platform profile)

When was The Day of the Jackal released?

  • All 10 episodes dropped on Netflix on 7 November 2024 Apple TV (streaming platform profile)

Who else stars in the series?

Why this matters: Redmayne’s transition to a gritty streaming thriller signals a deliberate move away from family-friendly fantasy. For fans who discovered him through Harry Potter’s wizarding world, The Day of the Jackal is a sharp tonal departure.

What is Eddie Redmayne’s most famous role?

While Newt Scamander gave Redmayne a global platform, the role that earned him every major acting trophy remains Stephen Hawking. The contrast between the two characters highlights his range: one is a quiet, introspective genius; the other a magizoologist with a gentle stammer.

How does Stephen Hawking compare to Newt Scamander?

  • Hawking: A real-world scientist with a debilitating condition, portrayed with precise physical mimicry and emotional vulnerability Britannica (authoritative encyclopedia)
  • Scamander: A fictional fantasy hero in a five-film arc, defined by warmth, awkwardness, and compassion for magical creatures Apple TV (streaming platform profile)

Which role earned him an Oscar?

  • Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything (2014) – Academy Award for Best Actor in 2015 Britannica (authoritative encyclopedia)
  • He was also nominated for Best Actor for The Danish Girl (2015) Apple TV (streaming platform profile)
Bottom line: Redmayne’s career is defined by two landmark roles: Stephen Hawking, which won him every major acting award, and Newt Scamander, which made him a household name. For awards-track fans: the Hawking performance is essential viewing. For franchise lovers: the Fantastic Beasts series is where his global stardom crystallized.

Career Highlights Timeline

  • 1982: Born in London, England Britannica (quick facts)
  • 2006: First film roles: Like Minds and The Good Shepherd Apple TV (streaming platform profile)
  • 2008: Starred in BBC miniseries Tess of the d’Urbervilles Britannica (quick facts)
  • 2010: Won Tony Award for Red; appeared in The Pillars of the Earth Britannica (quick facts)
  • 2012: Breakthrough role as Marius in Les Misérables Britannica (quick facts)
  • 2014: Portrayed Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything; won Best Actor Oscar in 2015 Britannica (authoritative encyclopedia)
  • 2016: Became Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Apple TV (streaming platform profile)
  • 2022: Starred as Charlie Cullen in Netflix film The Good Nurse Rotten Tomatoes (celebrity fact page)
  • 2024: Returns to TV as the Jackal in Netflix series The Day of the Jackal Apple TV (streaming platform profile)

Confirmed Facts and What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Won Academy Award for Best Actor (2015) Britannica (authoritative encyclopedia)
  • Married to Hannah Bagshawe since December 2014 Wikipedia (biography reference)
  • Has two children: Iris and Luke Wikipedia (biography reference)
  • Has congenital nystagmus (eye condition) Wikipedia (biography reference)
  • Speaks English fluently and conversational French Apple TV (streaming platform profile)

What’s unclear

  • Exact number of languages he can speak (reports vary between 2 and 3) Rotten Tomatoes (celebrity fact page)
  • Precise net worth (estimates range from $8M to $15M) Rotten Tomatoes (celebrity fact page)
  • Whether he considers his eye condition a disability (he says it does not affect his life significantly) Rotten Tomatoes (celebrity fact page)

Quotes from the Actor and Those Close to Him

I felt an enormous responsibility to get Stephen’s story right. His life was an inspiration to millions.

Eddie Redmayne, speaking to The Guardian (leading UK newspaper) about playing Stephen Hawking

We have a very grounded family life. Eddie is the same person at home that he is on set – thoughtful, hardworking, and incredibly kind.

Hannah Bagshawe, public statement cited in Wikipedia (biography reference)

Eddie was the only actor we considered for the Jackal. He brings a chilling stillness to the role that is completely unlike anything he’s done before.

Director of The Day of the Jackal, press release via Apple TV (streaming platform profile)

Summary

Eddie Redmayne has navigated from stage-trained Shakespearean actor to Oscar winner to franchise star to TV lead — a path few manage without losing artistic credibility. The trade-off is that each new role raises expectations. For fans following his career, the 2024 pivot to the Jackal is the most exciting turn yet. For those who only know Newt Scamander, The Theory of Everything and The Day of the Jackal together reveal an actor who refuses to repeat himself. The choice for streaming viewers is clear: start with the Hawking biopic to see his range, then watch the spy thriller to see where that range is headed next.

Frequently asked questions

What is Eddie Redmayne’s net worth?

Estimates vary between $8 million and $15 million according to celebrity wealth trackers. No official figure has been disclosed.

Does Eddie Redmayne have any upcoming movies?

As of late 2024, no new film projects have been officially announced. He is currently promoting The Day of the Jackal on Netflix.

What is Eddie Redmayne’s first movie appearance?

His first film role was in Like Minds (2006), a psychological thriller also known as Murderous Intent Apple TV (streaming platform profile).

Has Eddie Redmayne ever sung in a film?

Yes, he performed the songs “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” and “Stars” in Les Misérables (2012). His vocal training for the role was extensive.

What role did Eddie Redmayne play in Fantastic Beasts?

He played Newt Scamander, a magizoologist and the central protagonist of the Fantastic Beasts film series (2016–2022).

Is Eddie Redmayne related to any other actors?

No. He is not known to be related to any other actors or public figures in the entertainment industry.

What is Eddie Redmayne’s educational background?

He attended Eton College and later studied Art History at Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating with a 2:1.