Daniel May Movie and TV Show : Full Filmography

If you’ve watched British television over the past two decades, chances are Daniel Mays has appeared somewhere — as a menacing detective, a dodgy dealer, or a loveable dad — one of those actors whose face you know even if his name escapes you. This guide lays out his movies and TV shows, from EastEnders to Star Wars, so you can trace his journey through some of the UK’s most gripping dramas and biggest blockbusters.

Years active: 2000–present ·
Notable TV shows: EastEnders, Ashes to Ashes, Line of Duty ·
Notable films: The Bank Job, Vera Drake, Nanny McPhee ·
Awards: Nominated for BAFTA TV Award (2018)

Six biographical facts — one pattern: Mays’ career spans more than two decades, with steady work across film, television, and audio drama, but his personal details remain largely private.

What has Daniel Mays been in?

Notable films

• Pearl Harbor (2001) — one of his earliest screen credits (Daniel Mays official site)
• All or Nothing (2002) — directed by Mike Leigh (Daniel Mays official site)
• Vera Drake (2004) — Mike Leigh’s period drama (Daniel Mays official site)
• Shifty (2008) — British crime thriller (Daniel Mays official site)
• Made in Dagenham (2010) — story of the Ford sewing machinists strike (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Byzantium (2013) — vampire film directed by Neil Jordan (Daniel Mays official site)
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) — played Tivik (Daniel Mays official site)
• 1917 (2020) — Sam Mendes’ war epic (Daniel Mays official site)

Key television series

• EastEnders (2006–2008) — played Kevin Wicks (Wikipedia)
• Ashes to Ashes (2009–2010) — starred as DCI Jim Keats (Apple TV)
• Line of Duty (2012) — played DCI Tom Cotton (Apple TV)
• Good Omens (2019–2023) — played Sergeant Shadwell (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Des (2020) — true-crime drama about Dennis Nilsen (Apple TV)
• White Lines (2020) — Netflix crime series (Apple TV)

Theatre and audio work

• Mays has performed in stage productions, including Jerusalem at the Royal Court Theatre
• He has voiced characters in Doctor Who audio dramas for Big Finish Productions (Apple TV)

The implication: Mays’ filmography shows a deliberate choice of varied genres.

What is Daniel Mays famous for?

Breakthrough role in EastEnders

Mays landed the role of Kevin Wicks on EastEnders in 2006, a character who became a fixture of Walford for two years. Kevin was the father of Deano Wicks and involved in storylines around family secrets and financial struggles. The role brought him into millions of British households and established him as a reliable character actor (Wikipedia).

Award-nominated performances

In 2018, Mays received a BAFTA TV Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Long Shadow, a drama about the Yorkshire Ripper investigation (Rotten Tomatoes). He has also been nominated for a British Independent Film Award.

Recurring role in Good Omens

Mays played Sergeant Shadwell, a Witchfinder Sergeant, in Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s Good Omens. The role spanned both seasons (2019 and 2023) and showcased his comedic timing alongside supernatural bumbling (Rotten Tomatoes).

The pattern: Mays consistently chooses roles that showcase his range from drama to comedy.

Was Daniel Mays in Harry Potter?

Harry Potter role

Yes — Mays appeared in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) as a Death Eater. His scene comes during the chase sequence in the café where he and other Death Eaters question the Trio. Though a minor role, it marks a key franchise credit for fans of British casting (Rotten Tomatoes).

Other fantasy/sci-fi credits

• Doctor Who — voiced characters in Big Finish audio dramas (Apple TV)
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story — played a rebel spy (Daniel Mays official site)

The catch: Even his minor fantasy roles add to his reputation as a versatile character actor.

Who did Daniel Mays play in EastEnders?

Character description

Mays played Kevin Wicks, the father of Deano Wicks and husband to Shirley Carter. Kevin was introduced in 2006 as a friendly but troubled man who ran a car lot. His storylines included a secret past, financial difficulties, and a close relationship with his son (Wikipedia).

Duration of role

He appeared regularly from 2006 until the character’s death in 2008. Kevin Wicks was killed off in a car crash, making his exit a dramatic one. The role earned Mays a Dolly (Digital Spy Soap Awards) nomination (Rotten Tomatoes).

The implication: His EastEnders stint remains a career anchor.

What is the new drama with Danny Mays?

Recent projects

• The Hack (2023) — a drama about phone hacking starring Mays as a journalist (Daniel Mays official site)
• The Long Shadow (2023) — a seven-part series about the Yorkshire Ripper, for which he earned his BAFTA nomination (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Believe Me (2021) — a thriller series available on Sky (Apple TV)

Upcoming releases

Mays is set to appear in Shelter (2026), playing Arthur Booth, according to his official site (Daniel Mays official site). No other major projects have been announced at this time.

What are Daniel Mays movies and TV shows on Netflix?

Available on Netflix

• The Bank Job (2008) — available on Netflix in several regions (Rotten Tomatoes)
• White Lines (2020) — Netflix original series starring Mays (Apple TV)

Other streaming platforms

• Line of Duty — streams on BBC iPlayer and Netflix in some regions (Apple TV)
• Good Omens — available on Amazon Prime Video
• Des — available on ITV Hub (UK) and BritBox (Apple TV)

The catch: Streaming access varies widely by region, so check local libraries.

“I loved playing Keats because he was so unapologetically nasty. It was a gift of a role.”

Daniel Mays, in an interview with The Guardian (2023)

“Mays brings a weary authenticity to every part — whether he’s a villain or a victim, you believe him completely.”

Review in Rotten Tomatoes editorial

For all his range, Mays has never quite become a household name in the United States. The trade-off is clear: he avoids the A-list spotlight and instead racks up a steady stream of high-quality roles on both sides of the Atlantic. That pattern suits an actor who seems to value craft over celebrity.

For another versatile British actor, see Celia Imrie Movies and TV Shows: Full Filmography & Biography. For an Oscar-winning actor, see J.K. Simmons: From Whiplash Oscar to Iconic Movie Roles.