Rupert Friend Signs With UTA

EXCLUSIVE: UTA has signed Emmy-nominated actor Rupert Friend for representation in all areas.

Most recently, Friend was seen at Sundance in The American Society of Magical Negroes, an acclaimed satire from writer-director Kobi Libii, which hits theaters via Focus Features on March 15. 

A dissection of the Magical Negro trope, the film follows a young man, Aren (Justice Smith), as he’s recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white peoples’ lives easier. Friend is part of an ensemble also including David Alan Brier, An-Li Bogan, Drew Tarver, Michaela Watkins, Aisha Hinds, Tim Baltz and Nicole Byer.

Prior to The American Society, Friend was seen in the shorts The Swan and Ratcatcher, based on short stories by Roald Dahl, which Wes Anderson directed for Netflix. As a favorite of the filmmaker’s, Friend has also taken on prominent roles in his recent films Asteroid City and The French Dispatch.

Other notable film credits for the actor include The Death of Stalin, A Simple Favor, At Eternity’s Gate, The Young Victoria, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and Pride & Prejudice.

Emmy-nominated for his portrayal of CIA operative Peter Quinn on Showtime’s Homeland, Friend more recently played The Grand Inquisitor in Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries. Additional TV credits include Apple TV+’s High Desert opposite Patricia Arquette, and Netflix’s Anatomy of a Scandal opposite Sienna Miller.

Up next, Friend will be seen in New Line’s thriller Companion opposite Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, and Lukas Gage, as well as Michel Franco’s Dreams alongside Jessica Chastain and Lucio Castro, 2AM’s After This Death, and Pierre Morel’s Canary Black opposite Kate Beckinsale.

The actor will continue to be represented by Brillstein Entertainment Partners and attorneys Steve Warren and Jennifer Grey of Hansen, Jacobson, Teller.