David Oakes is an English actor whose career has combined period drama, television, film, theatre, and environmental advocacy. Born Rowan David Oakes, he has become particularly recognizable for playing complex characters in historical productions, including William Hamleigh in The Pillars of the Earth, Juan Borgia in The Borgias, George, Duke of Clarence in The White Queen, Prince Ernest in Victoria, and Earl Godwin in Vikings: Valhalla.
What makes Oakes’ background especially interesting is that acting is only one part of his professional identity. Before and alongside his screen career, he developed a strong academic interest in literature and evolutionary and behavioural ecology. He has also become involved in conservation and natural-history projects, including the podcast Trees A Crowd.
This biography explores David Oakes’ early life, education, rise as an actor, most notable roles, theatre work, environmental interests, and personal life.
Key Takeaways
- David Oakes was born on October 14, 1983, in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
- He studied English Literature at the University of Manchester and later completed an MSc in Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology at the University of Exeter.
- He trained professionally at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and graduated in 2007.
- His major television roles include The Pillars of the Earth, The Borgias, The White Queen, Victoria, and Vikings: Valhalla.
- Beyond acting, Oakes has developed a strong interest in ecology, conservation, and natural history.
- He has hosted the natural-history podcast Trees A Crowd and has been involved with environmental organizations.
Biography Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rowan David Oakes |
| Date of Birth | October 14, 1983 |
| Age | 42 years old as of 2026 |
| Birthplace | Salisbury, Wiltshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Actor, environmentalist, conservation advocate |
| Education | University of Manchester; University of Exeter; Bristol Old Vic Theatre School |
| Years Active | 2008–present in screen work |
| Known For | The Pillars of the Earth, The Borgias, The White Queen, Victoria, Vikings: Valhalla |
| Major Achievements | Extensive television, film and theatre work; environmental and natural-history projects |
| Estimated Net Worth | Not included because reliable public figures are not established |
Early Life and Family Background
David Oakes was born Rowan David Oakes on October 14, 1983, in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. He grew up in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, and attended Bishop Wordsworth’s School in Salisbury, where he eventually became head boy. The school’s own profile describes his early involvement with Salisbury Playhouse and its youth theatre, Stage 65.
His early connection with theatre was important in shaping his eventual career. Rather than entering acting through a conventional celebrity route, Oakes developed his interest through performance and theatre activities before pursuing formal academic and professional training.
His educational background is also unusual for an actor. He studied English Literature at the University of Manchester, graduating with a first-class degree, before continuing his studies in evolutionary and behavioural ecology at the University of Exeter.
That combination of humanities and science has remained relevant to his wider interests. His later environmental work demonstrates that his academic interest in the natural world was more than a passing subject.
David Oakes’ Acting Training
After university, Oakes trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduating in 2007. IMDb and Bishop Wordsworth’s School both identify the Bristol institution as an important part of his professional acting training.
His theatrical development also included work at Shakespeare’s Globe, as well as appearances connected with major British theatre institutions. His early stage work included Love’s Labour’s Lost and We the People, helping him build experience before becoming widely recognized on television.
This theatre background helps explain the style associated with many of his television performances. Oakes has frequently played characters in historical dramas where dialogue, period setting, political relationships, and character psychology are central to the story.
David Oakes’ Television Career
Oakes began building his screen career with appearances in productions such as Bonekickers, Walter’s War, and Trinity. His breakthrough came with larger roles in historical television dramas.
The Pillars of the Earth
One of Oakes’ early major roles was William Hamleigh in the 2010 miniseries The Pillars of the Earth. The historical drama, based on Ken Follett’s novel, gave him a prominent role and helped establish him as an actor capable of portraying morally complicated characters.
The role was particularly significant because it placed Oakes in a large-scale international historical production alongside an ensemble cast.
The Borgias
Oakes next gained further recognition as Juan Borgia in The Borgias. The series focused on the powerful Borgia family during the Renaissance and gave him another opportunity to play a figure surrounded by political intrigue and family conflict.
His performance helped reinforce a pattern that became common throughout his career: portraying historical or fictional characters operating within complicated political and personal relationships.
The White Queen
In 2013, Oakes appeared as George, Duke of Clarence, in the BBC historical miniseries The White Queen. The character is connected to the Wars of the Roses, making the production another major period drama in his filmography.
The role also demonstrated his continuing association with historical television, a genre in which he became particularly recognizable.
Victoria
Another major milestone came with ITV’s Victoria. Oakes played Prince Ernest, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, appearing across the series and its early seasons.
The series dramatized the life and reign of Queen Victoria, and Oakes’ character was part of the royal and political world surrounding the central story.
His work on Victoria further expanded his international television profile and connected him with another high-profile period drama.
Vikings: Valhalla
For many modern viewers, David Oakes is particularly recognizable as Earl Godwin in Vikings: Valhalla. He appeared throughout the series, which ran from 2022 to 2024. IMDb lists him as Earl Godwin across the show’s three seasons.
Godwin is a strategically minded political figure, giving Oakes another role built around ambition, alliances, negotiation, and historical conflict.
The character also represents a useful example of Oakes’ career trajectory: from supporting roles in major historical dramas to prominent characters in internationally distributed television series.
David Oakes’ Movies and Other Screen Work
Although television has been central to his career, Oakes has also worked in film.
His screen credits include Truth or Dare, Love by Design, Cold Skin, The Garden of Evening Mists, and Shuttlecock: Sins of a Father.
Cold Skin
In the 2017 film Cold Skin, Oakes took on a very different type of project from his familiar historical dramas. The film combined adventure, horror, and science-fiction elements, showing his willingness to work outside the period-drama genre.
The Garden of Evening Mists
Oakes also appeared in The Garden of Evening Mists, a film adaptation connected to the historical drama genre. His filmography demonstrates that while television has provided some of his most visible roles, his career has not been limited to television.
Theatre Career
Theatre remains an important part of David Oakes’ professional background.
His early theatrical work included Shakespeare’s Globe, the Almeida Theatre, and the Old Vic. His training at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School also gave him a strong foundation in stage performance.
This stage experience is significant because it preceded many of his best-known screen roles. Rather than becoming known solely through film or television, Oakes developed as a classically trained performer with experience in both theatre and screen acting.
David Oakes and Environmental Work
One of the most distinctive aspects of David Oakes’ biography is his interest in ecology and conservation.
His academic background includes an MSc in Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology from the University of Exeter. That scientific education has complemented his later involvement in environmental and natural-history projects.
Oakes has also been associated with The Wildlife Trusts and has worked on projects designed to encourage greater appreciation of the natural world. His natural-history podcast, Trees A Crowd, explores the relationship between people, nature, and the countryside.
This side of his career adds another dimension to his public profile. While many actor biographies focus almost entirely on film and television credits, Oakes has maintained a visible interest in conservation and ecology.
David Oakes’ Personal Life
David Oakes has been in a long-term relationship with actress Natalie Dormer. The pair met while working on the stage production Venus in Fur. They have two daughters, and reports have described the couple as entering a civil partnership in 2023.
Oakes generally maintains a relatively private public profile compared with some entertainment figures. As a result, information about his family life is more limited than the extensive information available about his professional work.
His interests outside acting include music and nature. He has been described as a bass singer and a player of clarinet and bass clarinet, while his environmental work has become an important part of his public activities.
What Is David Oakes Best Known For?
David Oakes is best known for his work in historical and period television dramas. Some of the productions most closely associated with his career are:
- The Pillars of the Earth — William Hamleigh
- The Borgias — Juan Borgia
- The White Queen — George, Duke of Clarence
- Victoria — Prince Ernest
- Vikings: Valhalla — Earl Godwin
His film work includes Cold Skin and The Garden of Evening Mists, among other productions.
A common thread across these projects is the presence of strong historical settings and characters involved in social, political, or family conflicts.
Why David Oakes Has Built a Distinctive Career
Oakes’ career stands out because it combines several disciplines rather than following a single path.
First, he has a strong academic background in both literature and ecology. Second, he received formal professional acting training. Third, he built experience in theatre before moving into prominent television roles. Finally, he has maintained a separate public interest in conservation and natural history.
This combination makes his biography broader than a conventional actor profile. His screen career is substantial, but his academic and environmental interests provide additional context for understanding his work outside acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is David Oakes?
David Oakes was born on October 14, 1983. He is 42 years old in 2026.
Where was David Oakes born?
He was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, and grew up in Fordingbridge, Hampshire.
What is David Oakes famous for?
He is particularly known for roles in The Pillars of the Earth, The Borgias, The White Queen, Victoria, and Vikings: Valhalla.
Who does David Oakes play in Vikings: Valhalla?
David Oakes plays Earl Godwin in Vikings: Valhalla. He appears throughout all three seasons of the series.
Who did David Oakes play in Victoria?
Oakes played Prince Ernest, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in Victoria.
Where did David Oakes study?
He studied English Literature at the University of Manchester, completed an MSc in Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology at the University of Exeter, and trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Is David Oakes involved in environmental work?
Yes. Alongside acting, Oakes has developed interests in ecology and conservation and has been involved with natural-history projects, including the podcast Trees A Crowd.
Is David Oakes married?
Oakes and actress Natalie Dormer have been partners since 2018 and entered into a civil partnership in 2023. They have two daughters.
Conclusion
David Oakes has built a career that extends well beyond his best-known television appearances. From his early involvement with Salisbury theatre to formal training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, he developed a foundation that eventually led to prominent roles in productions such as The Pillars of the Earth, The Borgias, The White Queen, Victoria, and Vikings: Valhalla.
His biography is also distinctive because of his academic and environmental interests. His studies in literature and ecology, combined with his conservation work and Trees A Crowd podcast, show a professional life that extends beyond acting.
For audiences who know him from Earl Godwin, Prince Ernest, or one of his earlier historical characters, David Oakes’ career offers a broader story: a classically trained English actor whose work across theatre, television, film, and environmental projects has developed over more than a decade.
