Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 23, 2026

Gerran Howell

Gerran Howell is a Welsh actor. He began his career starring as the titular character of the CBBC series Young Dracula (2006–2014). He is known for his roles in the Hulu miniseries Catch-22 (2019) and the HBO Max medical drama The Pitt (2025–).

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Gerran Howell
Born25 February 1991 (age 35)
Barry, Wales
Occupation
  • Actor
Years active2006–present
Known for

Gerran Howell (/ˈɡɛrən/ GHE-rən, born 25 February 1991)12 is a Welsh actor. He began his career starring as the titular character of the CBBC series Young Dracula (2006–2014). He is known for his roles in the Hulu miniseries Catch-22 (2019) and the HBO Max medical drama The Pitt (2025–).

Early life

Howell grew up in Barry, Wales. He attended Barry Comprehensive School.3 He trained at ATSLI improvisation workshop in Cardiff at a young age, and later went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He initially appeared in a short cinema advert warning about the dangers of swimming in Welsh Reservoirs,4 and in a short film by Ellis Watts.5

Career

Early work

Howell's first major role was in the CBBC series Young Dracula, which revolves around 13-year-old Vlad and his family of vampires as they move to a rural Welsh town from Transylvania. The first two series were broadcast from 2006 to 2008. The third and fourth series were broadcast from 2011 to 2012, in which Howell plays a now 17-year-old Vlad, with full vampire powers which he must learn to control. The fifth and final series aired in early 2014.

Howell, alongside his Young Dracula co-stars, was a part of the Bake a Difference Appeal6 on Blue Peter; he filmed some behind the scenes footage of Young Dracula.7 He also appeared on Inside Out North West during a short behind the scenes at Young Dracula sketch.8 Howell was also interviewed by Letty Butler about the show and did a short tutorial in character as Vlad on how to spot a vampire.910

Other work

Howell has also appeared in a few short films and television shows, including a recurring role in Casualty (2006 & 2012).

In 2011, he appeared as Ernesto in an episode of the CBBC drama The Sparticle Mystery and later returned in series 2 and 3. He appeared on CBBC's Hacker Time and 12 Again, during 2012.

In 2018, Howell appeared in the BBC comedy series This Country as the Vicar’s son. In 2019, Howell appeared in the miniseries Catch-22 as Kid Sampson.11 Later that year, Howell appeared as Private Parry in the 2019 film 1917.

In 2022, Howell starred in Freedom's Path as William, a Union soldier who befriends a runaway slave, played by RJ Cyler.1213

In 2024, he appeared as DC Simon Evans in the television series Ludwig.14

In addition to his work on-screen, he has also recorded voice-overs for radio adverts and video games. In the Xenoblade series, he voiced the supporting characters Milton and Joran.

In July 2024, it was announced that Howell was joining the cast of the upcoming HBO Max medical procedural drama The Pitt.15 After being invited to submit a self-tape audition, he had been unsure if he would receive the role because he was not based in Los Angeles.16 It has been reported that he was recommended for the role by George Clooney, who he had worked with on Catch-22.17 To prepare for the role of medical student Dennis Whitaker, Howell engaged in a "boot camp" training period alongside castmates Isa Briones and Shabana Azeez in which he was taught about medical procedures.1819 He likened it to "medical school crammed into two weeks".20 Season one of The Pitt began airing on 9 January 2025, and Howell returned for season two, which premiered on 8 January 2026.2122 On 16 April 2026, it was confirmed by R. Scott Gemmill that Howell will be returning for the show's third season, with filming to commence in mid-June.2324

Howell's performance as Dennis Whitaker received praise for its authenticity and for providing comic relief.2526 His American accent was also commended.16 Collectively with his costars, Howell won the Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for 2025.27 In 2026, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety predicted that Howell will be nominated for the upcoming Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.2829

Personal life

Howell resides in Los Angeles and east London.30 He returns to Barry often, particularly during Christmas.18 He has a pet cat named Skinny.30

Filmography

Key
† Denotes works that have not yet been released

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2006 Crusade in Jeans Baudonin
2014 Queen and Country Kitto
2019 The Song of Names Young Martin Simmonds
1917 Private Parry
2020 Willy and the Guardians of the Lake Willy Voice role (UK version) 31
2022 Freedom's Path William

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2006 Casualty Niall Andrews Episode: "Blind Spots"
2006–2014 Young Dracula Vladimir Dracula Main role; 66 episodes
2011–2015 The Sparticle Mystery Ernesto Guest star (series 1), Recurring role (series 2), Main role (series 3); 18 episodes
2012 Casualty Rory Brothwick Episode: "Hero Syndrome"
Some Girls Ryan Episode: "#1.2"
2015 Drifters Callum Episode: "Wedding"
2017 Emerald City Jack Main role; 10 episodes
Strike Back Alexsander Episode: "Retribution"
2018 This Country Jacob Seaton Episode: "The Vicar's Son"
Genius Karl-Heinz Wiegels Episode: "Picasso"
2019 Catch-22 Kid Sampson Miniseries; 5 episodes
2022 Suspicion Leonardo "Leo" Newman Main role; 3 episodes
McDonald & Dodds Fulton Harte (alias: Father Luton) Episode: "Clouds Across the Moon"
2024 Ludwig DC Simon Evans Main role; 6 episodes (series 1) 32
2025–present The Pitt Dr. Dennis Whitaker Main role; 30 episodes 33
2025 Out There Rhys Simpson Miniseries; 6 episodes 34

Video games

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2018 Déraciné Herman 31
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country Milton 31
2022 Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Joran 31
2023 Lies of P Toma / Lonely Puppet / Wandering Merchent

Awards and honors

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2026 Actor Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series The Pitt Won 35
References

References

  1. Howell, Gerran [@GezFez] (25 February 2014). "Thank you all for your birthday tweets. Twenty bloody three". (Twitter). Retrieved 16 May 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. Howell, Gerran [@GezFez] (25 February 2013). "Feeling the birthday love. Thanks all x". (Twitter). Retrieved 16 May 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. Flynn, Jessica (28 December 2006). "Dracula star drops in to see patients". Wales Online.co.uk. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  4. Warwick Emanuel PR (2011). "Swimming in reservoirs can kill". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2016 – via YouTube.
  5. Watts, Ellis (2013). "Deep End". Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  6. "Bake a Difference Appeal". CBBC. Archived from the original on 9 December 2011.
  7. "Behind The Stunts". CBBC. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012.
  8. "Behind the Scenes of Young Dracula". CBBC. 2016. Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  9. "Interview with the Vampire". CBBC. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012.
  10. "Vlad's Guide To Spotting A Vampire". CBBC. 2016. Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  11. Keene, Allison (21 December 2018). "Catch-22: First Images Reveal George Clooney's Hulu Series". Collider.
  12. "Director Brett Smith Advocates for Courage in "Freedom's Path" – SoulVision Magazine". Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  13. Wiseman, Andreas (14 October 2019). "'Freedom's Path': Ewen Bremner, RJ Cyler & Gerran Howell Lead American Civil War Movie Now Underway". Deadline. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  14. "Meet Ludwig's cast as David Mitchell leads new Cambridge drama". 23 September 2024.
  15. Petski, Denise (12 July 2024). "'The Pitt' Adds 9 To Cast Of Max Series Including Tracy Ifeachor, Taylor Dearden, Fiona Dourif, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell". Deadline. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  16. Block, India (23 April 2026). "'It's made me very grateful for the NHS': Gerran Howell is the Brit of The Pitt". The Standard. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  17. Paphides, Pete. "Ludwig star Gerran Howell talks exit from the show after success in The Pitt | Radio Times". www.radiotimes.com. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  18. "The Pitt star Gerran Howell on 'graphic' reality of the hit HBO show". BBC News. 18 April 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  19. Rosenstock, Ben (4 April 2025). "Even Gerran Howell Was Surprised by That Moment in The Pitt". Vulture. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  20. Milheim, Russ (21 February 2025). "The Pitt TV Stars Endured an 'Overwhelming' Two-Week Medical Boot Camp to Prepare for Filming (Exclusive)". The Direct. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  21. babrams (25 March 2026). "Inside the Creative Engine of "The Pitt": How Four Writers Built on a Breakout Hit". Motion Picture Association. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  22. "Here's When Every Episode of 'The Pitt' Season 2 Drops". Cosmopolitan. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  23. Schwartz, Ryan (17 April 2026). "The Pitt Boss Confirms Season 3 Time Jump — And Who's (And Who's Not) Coming Back For The Next Shift". TVLine. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  24. "'The Pitt' Cast Seemingly Confirms Season 3 Will Be Set Around Thanksgiving: "I Can See Some Deep Fry Incidents" | Decider". 12 June 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  25. "In The Pitt, Gerran Howell Is Going Big For Season 2". manabouttown.tv. 27 March 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  26. Kain, Erik. "'The Pitt' Is The Best Show On TV And Noah Wyle Is Simply Brilliant". Forbes. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  27. Nordyke, Kimberly (2 March 2026). "Actor Awards: Complete List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  28. Feinberg, Scott (8 June 2026). "Emmy Predictions via Feinberg Forecast: Updated Standings With Three Days Until Nominations Voting". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  29. Davis, Clayton (18 June 2026). "Emmy Predictions: 'Widow's Bay' Could Help Apple Land Three Comedy Series Noms as 'The Pitt' and 'Pluribus' Chase Dominance". Variety. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
  30. Silverman, Anna. "It's Anne Boleyn spring — plus more trends to know now". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  31. "Gerran Howell (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors (A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information). Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  32. Hibbs, James (25 September 2024). "Meet the cast of Ludwig". Radio Times. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  33. Stedman, Emily (5 August 2024). "ER's Noah Wyle in first look at new medical drama coming in 2025". Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  34. Bull, Megan (15 September 2023). "Martin Clunes' new show away from Doc Martin - and it sounds amazing". Hello Magazine. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  35. "Complete Winners List: SAG Actor Awards 2026". The New York Times. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
External links