Actor Dan Stevens looks worlds away from his Downton Abbey role in Netflix's new political thriller Zero Day. Famed for his part in the beloved period drama, the British actor now portrays Evan Green, described as the "calculating and divisive host of a wildly popular political TV show.".
The new star-studded series, fronted by movie legend Robert De Niro, follows former US President George Mullen, who is brought out of retirement to hunt down the perpetrators behind a global cyberattack. Stevens' character is the fictional president's "loudest critic" and presents one of the show's antagonists.
ITV viewers will remember the 42-year-old star as Matthew Crawley from the period drama, but what is worth knowing about his life off-screen?. Born in Croydon in October, 1982, Stevens was adopted by two teachers, just seven days after birth. His parents would later adopt his younger brother from another family.
The TV star has been open about his childhood and dubbed himself "lucky" to have found his family. "I've been a very lucky product of the process of adoption and ended up with really wonderful parents. It's an extraordinary thing, adoption," he told The Guardian.
As for his birth parents, the actor admitted in the same interview that he has not "actively" searched for them, before adding: "I've done as much research as I need to do to satisfy my own curiosity.". While his home life was pleasant, Stevens has confessed that he was somewhat of a disturbance in his school classroom.
In a 2014 interview with The Irish Times, he recalled his student days, saying: "I know a lot of my school reports as a child said I should stop distracting others, which then led to people nudging me toward school plays and things: just do that on the stage and not in the classroom. I had this urge or instinct to perform. And it’s wonderful when those urges are channelled and nurtured rather than crushed.
"Once I got on stage I never looked back. And that led to all kinds of wonderful things." One of these "wonderful things" was a fan-favourite part in the historical series Downton Abbey, which he left in 2012. Stevens played Matthew Crawley, who was an heir to the titular Downton estate. His relationship with Lady Mary Crawley captivated fans for three seasons.
However, viewers were left devastated when the character died in a car crash, shortly after the birth of their son. Crawley's demise was not part of the show's original plot and only came about because of Stevens' exit. Following the departure, the Croydon-born performer expressed that he wanted to explore different roles, telling The Telegraph that his exit was fuelled by "a desire for freedom really.".
He divulged: "It is a desire for freedom really," before adding: "I don't see money or a particular status as an actor as a goal but I want to do the best work I can in as interesting a range of roles as I can. And I think a moment like this is quite unique and presents those opportunities more than ever before.".
The newfound Netflix star went on to build an impressive résumé. His film credits include 2014 thriller A Walk Among the Tombstones, 2017's Beauty and The Beast, and last year's hit horror film Cuckoo. Across these releases, he brushed shoulders with Hollywood stars the likes of Liam Neeson, Emma Watson, and Euphoria's Hunter Schafer.
Despite his overwhelming success since Downton Abbey, the Londoner reflects fondly on his time on the show. In a 2024 chat with Business Insider Africa, he looked back on the drama, revealing that new viewers still reach out to him about his role. "I think what's lovely is how the fan love for that show has endured and people are still discovering it. I still get messages every other week where somebody hits the end of season three and can't believe what's just happened, but there's just such an enduring love for that show and I have very, very fond memories of it," Stevens shared.
Beyond the cameras, Stevens is married to South African jazz singer Susie Hariet. The pair met in 2006 while they were working in neighbouring theatres in Sheffield. They tied the knot in 2009. Stevens has previously gushed about his marriage, praising his partner's ability to understand the entertainment industry.
Speaking to the Telegraph, he said: "I'm lucky to be married to someone who entirely gets what I do. She is totally sympathetic to the actor's life. Her own mother was an actress, so she sort of grew up with it.". The couple share three children; daughters Willow and Eden and a son named Aubrey.
