Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 12, 2026

Max Beesley

Maxton Gig Beesley Jr. is an English actor and musician. His television and film credits include The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling (1997), The Match (1999), Hotel (2001), Kill Me Later (2001), The Last Minute (2001), Bodies (2004–2006), The Last Enemy (2008), Survivors (2008–2010), Mad Dogs (2011–2013), Suits (2013), Empire (2015–2016), Ordinary Lies (2015), Jamestown (2017–2019), The Outsider (2020), The Midwich Cuckoos (2022), Operation Fortune (2023) and Hijack (2023–present). In 2024, he appeared as boxing promoter Henry Collins in Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen (2024).

Last revised
Jun 12, 2026
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Max Beesley
Beesley at The Gentlemen premiere 2024
Born
Maxton Gig Beesley Jr.

(1971-04-16) 16 April 1971
Burnage, Manchester, England
Alma materGuildhall School of Music and Drama
Occupations
  • Actor
  • musician
  • writer
  • producer
  • director
  • composer
Years active1983–present
SpouseJennifer Noelle
Children2

Maxton Gig Beesley Jr. (born 16 April 1971) is an English actor and musician. His television and film credits include The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling (1997), The Match (1999), Hotel (2001), Kill Me Later (2001), The Last Minute (2001), Bodies (2004–2006), The Last Enemy (2008), Survivors (2008–2010), Mad Dogs (2011–2013), Suits (2013), Empire (2015–2016), Ordinary Lies (2015), Jamestown (2017–2019), The Outsider (2020), The Midwich Cuckoos (2022), Operation Fortune (2023) and Hijack (2023–present). In 2024, he appeared as boxing promoter Henry Collins in Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen (2024).

Early life

Beesley was born on 16 April 1971 in Burnage, Manchester.12 His father, Maxton Beesley Sr, is a professional jazz drummer and actor,2 and his mother was a jazz singer who performed under the stage name Chris Marlowe.3 He has a step-brother, Jason Milligan, who is also an actor.4 His middle name was inspired by the American actor Gig Young.3

Beesley has studied at the Chetham's School of Music,5 and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.6 Beesley is an advocate for method acting,3 being tutored by Sheila Gray, owner of the independent acting studio in Manhattan.7

Career

Acting

Beesley came to prominence with his first major acting role in BBC's The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling,3 a 1997 television mini-series based on the book of the same name. In 1999, he played the lead role of Wullie Smith, in the Scottish comedy film The Match, working with Isla Blair, Samantha Fox and Richard E Grant.3

In 2001, he played a bank robber in the film Kill Me Later, alongside Selma Blair.3 The same year, he starred as Antonio in Mike Figgis' movie Hotel.3 In 2004, he starred in the ethics challenging BBC Three dark medical drama Bodies,2 which ran until 2006, and won best drama at the Royal Television Society awards.3 In 2006, he starred as Charlie, the hotel Deputy Manager in the BBC One series Hotel Babylon.3

In June 2007, Beesley starred in the ITV series Talk to Me.1 He also starred in the film Red Roses and Petrol,1 alongside Malcolm McDowell, and in the BBC One thriller The Last Enemy,1 with Benedict Cumberbatch and Robert Carlyle. In October 2008, he was one of the lead characters in BBC One's remake of the 1970s drama Survivors,1 as remorseless former criminal Tom Price. The series consisted of six episodes, with a second series of six episodes transmitted in January 2010. He starred in the ITV drama The Reckoning in April 2011.1 Beesley gained more exposure with American audiences with a recurring role on Suits,1 in 2013 and from October 2015 with another recurring role, this time in the US spy drama Homeland,1 opposite Claire Danes, as ex-British special forces bodyguard Mike Brown. From 2016 to 2018 he starred in Jamestown as Henry Sharrow, depicting the first English settlers to colonise Virginia in 1609.1

Beesley in The Reckoning in 2011 source ↗

He was cast as Seale Bolton in The Outsider on HBO in June 2019, which aired from January 2020.1 In 2021, he starred as Ben Harris in Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, opposite Jason Statham.1 2021 also saw him return to television, starring in The Midwich Cuckoos opposite Keeley Hawes for Sky TV.1 In 2022, Beesley joined the cast of Hijack for Apple TV opposite Idris Elba and Neil Maskell.1

In 2024, he starred as boxing promoter Henry Collins in Guy Ritchie's The Gentleman for Netflix, alongside Theo James, Kaya Scodelario, and Ray Winstone.89

Voice and advertising

Beesley is also a voice over artist and has worked for multiple TV advertisements and documentaries including ITV, NFU Mutual's insurance, Energizer's lithium batteries, and PC World.10 He also provided the voiceover for Manchester United's season review DVD. He appeared in a TV campaign for the UK recruitment company Jobsite, and was also featured on their homepage.

Music

Beesley is also a session musician, and solo artist, having had a successful career before becoming an actor. He was a chorister at Manchester Cathedral and studied at Chetham's School of Music.11 He also studied percussion and classical piano at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama with soul singer Omar and toured with the Brand New Heavies on keyboards and percussion. He has also toured or recorded with George Benson, Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, The JB's and Zero 7. He is also a vibraphone player.12

Beesley has performed in concert as a percussionist and pianist for Robbie Williams, Take That, Jamiroquai, and the Paul Weller Movement.11 He played percussion and piano at Williams' Knebworth gigs in summer 2003 and at Hyde Park for Live 8 London. Williams' first concert of his Close Encounters Tour in Perth on 30 November 2006 saw Beesley as percussionist for the second half of the show. He also played drums during the performance of "Rudebox" at Williams' second Brisbane concert and during a BBC Electric Proms show.

In 1989, at the age of 18, his first ever boss was Paul Weller.6 In 1993, Beesley was a member of the jazz band Incognito, but in 1994, after an eight-month tour with them, decided to end his music career and start acting.12 On 28 October 2006, Beesley appeared as a special guest pianist for James Brown during his performance at the Roundhouse in London as part of the BBC's Electric Proms festival.13 In 2020, he recorded his first solo album titled Groove Spectrum at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles with Grammy-winning producer/mixer Al Schmitt mixing the album. It features Paul Weller, Robbie Williams, Fred Durst, Lisa Stansfield, jazz pianist Christian Sands, Tommy Blaize, Antonique Smith, John Turrell, Omar, and Francci Richards. A multi-instrumentalist, Beesley wrote, played, and scored the album.

He recorded his first solo instrumental album Zeus in January 2023 in Los Angeles with luminaries Steve Gadd, Walt Fowler, Christian Sands, Dean Parks, Luis Conte, and producing collaborator Jerry Meehan on bass. The album will be released towards the end of 2023 through Legere Records and features the vibraphone, one of the instruments Beesley is mainly associated with. He wrote, arranged, mixed, and produced the album under his "Max Beesley's HIGH VIBES" banner, and will tour the record in 2024 in both Europe and Japan. Critics cite the record as being heavily influenced by the music of Herbie Hancock, The Brecker Brothers, and vibraphonist Roy Ayers.

Filmography

Key
† Denotes projects that have not yet been released

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1999 The Match Wullie Smith 14
2000 It Was an Accident Mickey Cousins 15
Five Seconds to Spare William 16
2001 Kill Me Later Charlie Anders 17
The Last Minute Billy Byrne 18
Hotel Antonio 19
Glitter Julian "Dice" Black 20
2002 Anita and Me Hairy Neddy 21
2003 The Emperor's Wife Emperor 22
Red Roses and Petrol Johnny Doyle 23
2004 Torque Luther 24
2005 Her Name Is Carla Jack 25
2013 Pawn Billy 26
2019 Married Young Jake 27
Line of Descent Commissioner Bates 28
2023 Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre Ben Harris 29
2026 Jack Ryan: Ghost War Liam Crown 30
TBA Deville † A. Bell Filming

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1987 Last of the Summer Wine Passerby Episode: "Who's Feeling Ejected Then?" 31
1996 Thief Takers Kitson Episode: "Déjà Vu" 32
1997 The Broker's Man Joe Goodwin Episode: "Dangerous Bends" 33
The History of Tom Jones: a Foundling Tom Jones Miniseries; 5 episodes 34
2002 Fields of Gold Mark Hurst Miniseries; 2 episodes 35
2004–2006 Bodies Rob Lake Series regular; 17 episodes 36
2005 Bloodlines DC Jake Bannerman Miniseries; 2 episodes 37
Hustle Jake Henry Episode: "Old Acquaintance" 38
2006 Goldplated Charity MC Episode: "The Charity Dinner"
2006–2009 Hotel Babylon Charlie Edwards Series regular; 22 episodes 39
2007 Talk to Me Mitch Moore Miniseries; 4 episodes 40
2008 The Last Enemy Michael Ezard Miniseries; 5 episodes 41
2008–2010 Survivors Tom Price Series regular; 12 episodes 42
2010 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Thomas Stewart Episode: "Blood Moon" 43
2011 The Reckoning Mark Dobson Miniseries; 2 episodes 44
2011–2013 Mad Dogs Steve "Woody" Woods Series regular; 14 episodes 45
2013 Suits Stephen Huntley Recurring role; 7 episodes 46
2015 Ordinary Lies Mike Hill Series regular; 6 episodes 47
Strike Back Ray McQueen Episode: "Legacy" 48
Homeland Mike Brown Episode: "The Tradition of Hospitality" 49
2015–2016 Empire Guy Recurring role; 3 episodes 50
2017–2019 Jamestown Henry Sharrow Series regular; 24 episodes 51
2019 Flack Anthony Henderson Episode: "Anthony" 52
2020 The Outsider Seale Bolton Recurring role; 3 episodes 53
2022 The Midwich Cuckoos Paul Haynes Series regular; 7 episodes 54
2023–present Hijack DI Daniel O'Farrel Series regular; 13 episodes 55
2024 The Gentlemen Henry Collins Recurring role; 3 episodes 56
2025 Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes Andy Hayman Miniseries; 4 episodes 57
References

References

  1. "Max Beesley Credits". tvguide.com. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  2. "Max Beesley - Biography". Hello Magazine. 8 October 2009.
  3. "BBC - Drama - People Index Max Beesley". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  4. "Jason Milligan (III)". IMDb.com. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  5. "Max Beesley: 'Why falling in love with Spice Girl Mel B nearly ruined my career'". standard.co.uk. 12 April 2012.
  6. Rich Pelley (13 June 2022). "'I once played drums for Stevie Wonder': Max Beesley's honest playlist". theguardian.com.
  7. "Sheila Gray independent acting studio - Client List". sheilagraynyc.com. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  8. Megan Bull (7 March 2024). "The Gentlemen's Max Beesley reveals what it's really like working with Guy Ritchie". hellomagazine.com.
  9. Cordero, Rosy (26 June 2023). "Guy Ritchie's Netflix Series The Gentlemen Adds Max Beesley". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation.
  10. "Press Releases: Julie Graham, Max Beesley, Nikki Amuka-Bird & Paterson Joseph star in Survivors for BBC One". BBC Press Office. 30 May 2007. Retrieved 7 December 2008.
  11. Adrian. "Notable Alumni". Chetham's School of Music. Retrieved 21 July 2011. Ex-Chet's students include [...] actor Max Beesley, who achieved first recognition as percussionist and keyboard player with Jamiroquai, Take That and Robbie Williams
  12. "Max Beesley Discography at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  13. Dowden, Neil. "James Brown + The Zutons @ Roundhouse, London". musicOMH. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2011. ...actor/musician Max Beesley played piano for JB to sing Ray Charles' Georgia on My Mind
  14. Millar, John (8 July 1999). "Shooting to thrill". The Herald. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  15. Thomson, Michael (24 October 2000). "It Was an Accident (2000)". BBC. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  16. "Five Seconds to Spare". British Council. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
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  20. Koehler, Robert (20 September 2001). "Glitter". Variety. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
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  22. Frater, Patrick (30 October 2002). "Overseas' Emperor's Wife prepares to shoot". Screen Daily. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
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  27. "Married Young - Cast". marriedyoungthemovie.com. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  28. Kay, Jeremy (22 October 2019). "Brendan Fraser New Delhi-set crime thriller 'Line Of Descent' lands at Gravitas Ventures (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  29. Oleksinski, Johnny (2 March 2023). "'Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre' review: Spy comedy sputters". New York Post. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  30. Nugent, John (20 May 2026). "Jack Ryan: Ghost War Review". Empire. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  31. "Last Of The Summer Wine: Series 9, Episode 5". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  32. "Hustle - Characters & Actors". BBC. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
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  34. Sutcliffe, Thomas (8 December 1997). "TV Review: Tom Jones". The Independent. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  35. "Fields of Gold". BBC Breakfast. 6 June 2002. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
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  38. "The Hustle team are back". BBC. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  39. Rampton, James (16 January 2006). "Max Beesley: Access all areas". The Independent. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  40. Deans, Jason (11 June 2007). "Talk to Me: did ITV1's new Max Beesley drama hit the spot?". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  41. Lowry, Brian (2 October 2008). "The Last Enemy". Variety. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  42. Martin, Daniel (21 November 2008). "Survivors: grow your own dystopia". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
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  44. Dent, Grace (16 April 2011). "Grace Dent's TV OD: The Reckoning". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  45. Deans, Jason (5 May 2010). "John Simm and Philip Glenister to star in Sky1's Mad Dogs". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  46. Eames, Tom (25 April 2013). "Max Beesley joins USA Network's 'Suits' in recurring role". Digital Spy. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  47. Morgan, David (2 October 2014). "Michelle Keegan and Max Beesley coming to Warrington for comedy drama Ordinary Lies". Warrington Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  48. Jeffery, Morgan (23 September 2014). "Michelle Yeoh, Max Beesley join Strike Back's final series". Digital Spy. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  49. Harp, Justin (2 September 2015). "Max Beesley joins Homeland season 5 and is going to cause trouble for Claire Danes". Digital Spy. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  50. "Max Beesley lands Empire role". Virgin Media - TV. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  51. Frost, Caroline (4 May 2017). "'Jamestown': Cast, Plot - Max Beesley, Niamh Walsh Star In New Sky Drama From 'Downton Abbey' Team". HuffPost. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  52. "Anthony - Flack - Series 1 Episode 1 of 6". BBC. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  53. Petski, Denise (16 October 2019). "'The Outsider': Derek Cecil & Max Beesley To Recur In HBO Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  54. Creamer, Jon (28 April 2021). "Keeley Hawes, Max Beesley lead Midwich Cuckoos cast". Televisual. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  55. Rahman, Abid (25 May 2023). "Idris Elba Takes on Terrorists in First Trailer for Apple Series 'Hijack'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  56. Cordero, Rosy (26 June 2023). "Guy Ritchie's Netflix Series 'The Gentlemen' Adds Max Beesley". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  57. Molina-Whyte, Lidia (7 April 2025). "Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes confirms Disney Plus release date". Radio Times. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
External links