18 Famous Actors Who Have A Completely Different Reputation In The UK And Ireland

Bet you won't recognise Lucifer Morningstar without his abs!

It's funny to think that there are a ton of famous British and Irish actors in Hollywood who American audiences will probably only know for their work in blockbuster movies and TV.

ITV / Via rebloggy.com

I mean, if you're not obsessed with TV from the UK and Ireland, you might not even know that these 18 famous actors had pretty big careers in our neck of the woods before they hit the big-time across the pond! Allow me to show you...

1. Tom Ellis

BBC, Fox/Netflix / Via Buzzfeed

I just feel like I need to tell as many people as possible that before he was the Netflix bombshell we see in Lucifer, Tom was "Gary", the adorkable male lead with a dad-bod in hilarious Britcom, Miranda.

2. Olivia Colman

Channel 4, Netflix / Via Buzzfeed

Brits will recall Olivia as the erratic Sophie in cult comedy Peep Show, whereas audiences across the Atlantic are more familiar with Olivia's stints on Fleabag and The Crown, or her oscar-winning performance as Queen Anne in The Favourite.

3. Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Paramount Pictures/Sony Pictures Releasing / Via Buzzfeed

Did you know that before he was delighting us all with his rugged good-looks and powerful on-screen presence in films such as Nocturnal Animals, Bullet Train, and Tenet, Aaron was the heartthrob lead in British teen drama Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging?

4. Gemma Chan

ITV2, Warner Bros. Pictures / Via Buzzfeed

Gemma blew us all away with her beauty and poise in Crazy Rich Asians, but before that she was best known for starring popular British fare such as Humans, Fresh Meat, and Secret Diary of a Call Girl.

5. James Corden

Baby Cow/BBC, CBS / Via Buzzfeed

American audiences know James as a powerhouse of late night entertainment, as well as an actor in big-budget features such as Ocean's 8, Cats, and The Prom. But over here we also know him as the rambunctious Smithy from Gavin & Stacey.

6. Robert Sheehan

E4, Netflix / Via Buzzfeed

Who knew Robert would become the huge star he is today after he first became known to Brits as Nathan in Misfits, and to Irish viewers as Darren in Love/Hate? Since then, he's appeared in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones and become a fan-favourite for his performance as Klaus in Netflix's The Umbrella Academy.

7. Dev Patel

E4, The Weinstein Company/Transmission Films/Entertainment Film Distributors / Via Buzzfeed

Before his career-defining performance in Slumdog Millionaire, which lead to roles in Lion, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and The Personal History of David Copperfield, Dev was best known for Skins – and he wasn't even a main character really!

8. Jodie Comer

E4, BBC America / Via Buzzfeed

Jodie's incredible performance as Villanelle in spy thriller Killing Eve earned her the respect of the entire western world! But she's also remembered here in the UK for her roles in shows like My Mad Fat Diary, Doctor Foster, and Thirteen.

9. James McAvoy

Channel 4, Universal Pictures / Via Buzzfeed

Bankable Scottish heartthrob James appeared in a raft of noughties British shows such as State of Play, Early Doors, and Shameless, before hitting the big-time in films such as Atonement, The Last King of Scotland, Split, and the X-Men franchise.

10. Daniel Kaluuya

E4, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Via Buzzfeed

Another Skins alumnus, Daniel made a name for himself when he appeared as the lead in groundbreaking horror film, Get Out. Since then he's starred in Black Panther and Queen & Slim, but I'll aways remember him as Posh Kenneth!

11. Charlie Hunnam

Channel 4, FX/REX / Via Buzzfeed

Before he began playing Jax Teller – the lead in FX drama series Sons of Anarchy – and appearing in blockbusters such as Pacific Rim and King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Charlie was known to British audiences as Nathan, Stuart's on-off twink lover in Queer as Folk.

12. Chris O'Dowd

Channel 4, Universal Pictures / Via Buzzfeed

Before he was known as the charming Officer Rhodes, Annie's love interest in Bridesmaids, Chris starred in a string of brilliant British and Irish TV shows including The Clinic, Roman's Empire, and of course, The IT Crowd.

13. Nathalie Emmanuel

Channel 4, HBO / Via Buzzfeed

People around the world are likely to know Nathalie as Missandei from Game of Thrones, or for her appearances in the Fast & Furious films. But fans of British soap Hollyoaks will also recognise her as wayward teen Sasha Valentine!

14. Craig Roberts

CBBC, Netflix / Via Buzzfeed

Brits will know Craig as Rio Wellard in The Story of Tracy Beaker and Robin Branagh in Young Dracula. But since his breakout performance in indie flick Submarine, Craig has also gone on to appear in 22 Jump Street, Bad Neighbours, and The Fundamentals of Caring opposite Paul Rudd and Selena Gomez!

15. Martin Freeman

BBC, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Via Buzzfeed

Although he's great, it's bonkers to think about the fact that Tim from The Office has also fronted The Hobbit films, and starred in such blockbuster projects as Sherlock, Love Actually, Captain America: Civil War, and Black Panther.

16. Himesh Patel

BBC, Warner Bros. Pictures / Via Buzzfeed

Himesh is really on a roll, racking up leading parts in blockbusters such as Yesterday and Tenet, and Enola Holmes 2, but my family and I will always remember him fondly as Tamwar Masood, the nerdy Oxbridge wannabe in EastEnders.

17. Will Poulter

E4, Netflix / Via Buzzfeed

Once upon a time, Will was the star of E4's School of Comedy, a kids sketch show which he also co-wrote. He has since progressed into films like The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, We're the Millers and Midsommar, and also starred in the Black Mirror special, Bandersnatch, and the Hulu miniseries Dopesick – for which he received an Emmy nomination!

18. Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Channel 4, BBC / Via Buzzfeed

Before she was known all over the world as the creative mastermind behind Fleabag and Killing Eve, Phoebe was making moves in the British comedy arena, appearing in shows such as The Café, How Not to Live Your Life, and Crashing. Nowadays she's busy revolutionising one of the most iconic film sagas in the world – the Bond films!

Brits, have I missed anyone out? Shout them out in the comments below!