Colin Morgan
A Northern Irish actor whose thoughtful intensity and chameleonic skill have defined roles from a mythic wizard to complex modern men.
Born 1986 (age 40)·Northern Irish actor·Birthday: January 1·Millennials
Biography
Colin Morgan arrived fully formed on television screens in 2008 as the young, vulnerable, and powerful Merlin in the BBC's long-running fantasy series. That role, which he played for five seasons, showcased a rare ability to blend earnest heroism with witty charm. Rather than be typecast, Morgan deliberately sought out challenging, often darker parts. He delivered a haunting performance as a synthetic being in the sci-fi drama 'Humans', and later transformed into the volatile gunslinger Billy Clanton in Kenneth Branagh's 'Belfast'. His work consistently returns to themes of identity, otherness, and quiet resilience, whether on stage in plays like 'The Pillowman' or on screen. Based in London but deeply connected to his Northern Irish roots, Morgan has built a career defined by meticulous character work rather than celebrity.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Colin was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Colin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Colin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played the title role in the BBC's globally successful fantasy series 'Merlin' for all five of its seasons.
- Portrayed the synthetic 'Leo' in the acclaimed sci-fi drama series 'Humans'.
- Received critical praise for his performance as Billy Clanton in Kenneth Branagh's Oscar-nominated film 'Belfast'.
- Won the Broadcasting Press Guild Award for Best Actor for his role in the television drama 'The Living and the Dead'.
Did You Know?
He is a trained ballet dancer and attended integrated dance classes as a child in Northern Ireland.
He performed all of his own stunts on 'Merlin', including wire work and fight sequences.
He is an avid photographer and often shares his black-and-white photography on social media.
He voiced the character of 'Hero' in the animated film 'The Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole'.
“I'm always drawn to characters who are on the outside looking in, who are trying to find their place.”
