Adam Croasdell
Adam Croasdell is a Zimbabwean-born British-American actor, voice artist, writer, and producer renowned for his versatile performances across television, film, animation, and video games, including the role of Dr. Al Jenkins in the BBC soap opera EastEnders and the voice of Ignis Scientia in Final Fantasy XV.[1][2] Born on July 10, 1980, in Zimbabwe to British parents, Croasdell was raised in Africa, where he developed an early interest in performing arts before moving to the United Kingdom for education and training.[2] He began his professional career in the UK, landing his first acting job alongside Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman in a theatre production, and quickly established himself with recurring and guest roles in British television series such as Peak Practice, The Chase, London's Burning, and Agatha Christie's Poirot.[3][4] Relocating to the United States, Croasdell expanded his career into American television and voice acting, earning acclaim for portraying Eccarius in Preacher, Clive Grayson in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, and guest appearances in Supernatural, NCIS, Reign, Once Upon a Time, Nikita, and Body of Proof.[5][6] In voice work, he has provided performances for prominent video games including James Bond 007: Blood Stone (motion capture for James Bond), The Witcher series, Call of Duty, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (Torvin), Borderlands, and Dead Island, as well as animated series like Blood of Zeus (Apollo) and Castlevania.[2][5] His film credits include roles in Extraction, Werewolf: The Beast Among Us, and the upcoming Netflix production The Electric State (as The Marshall).[5] A member of SAG-AFTRA, Croasdell has received three nominations from the Behind The Voice Actors Awards for his video game performances, highlighting his impact in the industry.[5]Early life
Upbringing
Adam Croasdell was born on July 10, 1980, in Zimbabwe to British parents.[5][7][8] He was raised primarily in Zimbabwe during his early childhood before attending boarding school in South Africa.[8][9] His time in these countries provided exposure to the diverse cultures and natural environments of southern Africa.[10][6] His initial interest in performing arts was sparked during childhood by films and television shows.[11]Education and early influences
Croasdell completed his secondary education at a boarding school in South Africa following his early years in Zimbabwe. He then pursued tertiary studies in dramatic art at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he trained at the School of the Arts.[8][12] At Wits, Croasdell focused on acting and screenwriting, graduating top of his class with distinctions in both disciplines. This rigorous program equipped him with foundational skills in performance, emphasizing versatility across genres and styles.[8] His multicultural upbringing across Zimbabwe and South Africa fostered an adaptability that influenced his approach to character development, drawing from diverse cultural perspectives encountered during his formative years. After completing his education, Croasdell relocated to the United Kingdom with his parents, channeling his training into professional pursuits in theater and performing arts.[8][13]Career
Theatre and early television work
Croasdell's professional acting career began in 1997 with a small role as Joel Cunningham in the South African miniseries Natural Rhythm, marking his television debut.[14] His first major theatre role came in 1998, when he appeared in a production of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra at the Royal National Theatre in London, performing alongside Helen Mirren as Cleopatra and Alan Rickman as Mark Antony; Croasdell played the role of a soldier in this critically acclaimed staging directed by Sean Mathias.[15][16] Throughout the early 2000s, Croasdell built his on-screen presence through guest appearances and recurring roles in various UK television series, including comedies and period dramas. He featured in multiple episodes of the sketch comedy show Smack the Pony in 2001, portraying various characters that showcased his comedic timing. Other notable early credits included roles in medical dramas like Peak Practice (2001) and Holby City (2000), as well as the period mystery Agatha Christie's Poirot (2004), helping to establish his versatility in British broadcasting.[4][5] Croasdell's breakthrough came in 2009 when he landed the recurring role of Dr. Al Jenkins, a charismatic general practitioner, on the BBC soap opera EastEnders, appearing in 43 episodes until 2010. This part, which involved romantic entanglements and community storylines in the fictional London borough of Walford, significantly raised his profile domestically and highlighted his ability to carry lead roles in long-running series.[17]Transition to United States roles
Croasdell relocated to the United States around 2010, initially contributing motion capture performance as Daniel Craig's body double for James Bond in the video game James Bond 007: Blood Stone, which was confirmed in development that year and released in November 2010.[18][19] His live-action debut in American television came in 2010 with a guest appearance as the Norse god Baldur in the fifth-season episode "Hammer of the Gods" of Supernatural on The CW, portraying a charismatic deity amid a gathering of mythological figures.[20][21] This role marked his entry into U.S. genre programming, showcasing his ability to embody authoritative yet vulnerable characters. In film, Croasdell appeared as Colonel Elmer Ellsworth in the 2013 historical drama Saving Lincoln, a low-budget production depicting Abraham Lincoln's friendship with bodyguard Ward Hill Lamon through innovative green-screen techniques using antique photographs.[22] His performance as the Union Army officer highlighted his versatility in period pieces. Croasdell expanded into recurring television roles, beginning with Lord Bothwell, the third husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, in season four of The CW's Reign (2016–2017), where he portrayed a loyal yet roguish nobleman in several episodes.[23][24] He followed this with a guest role as Brennan Jones, the estranged father of Captain Hook, in the fifth season of ABC's Once Upon a Time (2015).[9] On CBS's NCIS, he recurred as the younger version of Angus Clarke across three episodes from 2014 to 2016, exploring the character's backstory in procedural narratives. In 2018, he took on the recurring role of Eccarius, a 350-year-old vampire leader, in six episodes of AMC's Preacher third season, bringing aristocratic charm to the supernatural anti-hero.[25][26] More recently, Croasdell appeared in Fox's Monarch (2022) as Clive Grayson, a recurring character in the country music dynasty drama co-starring Susan Sarandon as matriarch Dottie Cantrell Roman.[5] He also provided motion capture for multiple robotic roles, including The Marshall, in the Netflix science fiction film The Electric State, directed by the Russo brothers and released in March 2025.[27] These roles in high-profile U.S. productions, spanning fantasy, historical, procedural, and musical genres, significantly broadened Croasdell's international visibility beyond his UK television background.[3]Voice acting and video game performances
Croasdell began his voice acting career in video games with the role of Torvin, a dwarf hunter, in the 2014 action-adventure title Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, where he provided both voice and motion capture performance, contributing to the game's immersive Tolkien-inspired world.[2][28] His work in this franchise highlighted his ability to portray rugged, accented characters suited to fantasy settings, drawing on his British-Zimbabwean background for authentic vocal inflections. This role marked an early entry into high-profile gaming projects, showcasing his versatility in delivering dialogue-heavy performances amid intense action sequences. One of Croasdell's most prominent video game roles came in 2016 as Ignis Scientia, the strategic advisor and chef in Final Fantasy XV, a role that spanned the main game, its DLC expansions, and the animated film Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV. Ignis's character demanded a refined, intellectual tone with a subtle British accent, allowing Croasdell to explore emotional depth through extensive dialogue that emphasized loyalty and vulnerability.[2][5] The performance earned nominations for Behind The Voice Actors awards, underscoring its impact on the game's narrative success and fan reception. Croasdell has continued contributing to games through motion capture and additional voices, including in Avowed (2025) as Ygwulf, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024), Dune: Awakening (2025) as Piter De Vries, The Outer Worlds 2 (2025), and Date Everything! (2025) as The Sassy Chap, extending his involvement in performance capture up to the present.[29][5] In animation, Croasdell voiced dual roles as Alfred Pennyworth and Nightwing (Dick Grayson) in the 2018 anime-style film Batman Ninja, blending butlerly poise with heroic dynamism in a time-displaced narrative.[4][2] He further demonstrated his range in mythological animation as Apollo and Hephaestus across all three seasons of Blood of Zeus (2020–2025), appearing in multiple episodes.[30][31] In the Castlevania universe, he portrayed Maximilien Robespierre in Castlevania: Nocturne (2023–), infusing the historical figure with revolutionary fervor in a supernatural context.[32][5] Croasdell's approach to voice work emphasizes vocal stamina and specificity, particularly in adapting accents for fantasy and sci-fi genres, as seen in his controlled delivery that balances clarity and emotional nuance across long recording sessions.[33] His transition to United States-based projects in the early 2010s facilitated access to these international voice opportunities. These roles have significantly diversified his career, establishing him as a sought-after talent in animation and gaming beyond live-action television, with contributions to major franchises enhancing his global profile.[4]Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Tarzan and the Lost City | Lewis | Credited as Adam Crousdale.[34] |
| 2000 | Fatboy and Twintub | Twintub | Short film. |
| 2003 | Flyfishing | Phil | . |
| 2004 | Nature Unleashed: Avalanche | Thom | . |
| 2006 | Attack Force | Aroon | Directed by Steven Seagal. |
| 2006 | True True Lie | Shaun Rednik | . |
| 2007 | Too Much Too Young | Baz Chambers | . |
| 2007 | God's Wounds | Tony Clements | Short film. |
| 2008 | The Prince & Me 3: A Royal Honeymoon | Scott | Direct-to-video sequel. |
| 2012 | Werewolf: The Beast Among Us | Stefan | Syfy original film. |
| 2013 | Saving Lincoln | Col. Elmer Ellsworth | Film utilizing green screen technology to recreate historical photographs. |
| 2013 | Extraction | Alexi Vodanova | . |
| 2015 | Hatchet Hour | Isaac "Izzy" Friedman | . |
| 2025 | The Electric State | The Marshall, Taco Bot, Sentry Bot, Blitz | Motion capture performance; Netflix release. Co-stars Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt. |
Television
Croasdell made his television debut in the 1997 miniseries Natural Rhythm, appearing in a supporting role across its three episodes.[35] His early career featured guest spots and recurring parts in British medical and drama series, such as Holby City in 2000, where he played Marcus Saunders and Jason Hicks in the episode "The Trouble with the Truth."[36] In 2001, he portrayed various characters in five episodes of the sketch comedy Smack the Pony.[35] That same year, he appeared as Tony Preston in two episodes of Peak Practice.[37] In 2002, Croasdell guest-starred as Fraser in an episode of the firefighting drama London's Burning.[38] He took on the role of Michelangelo in the 2003 biographical miniseries Leonardo.[35] His television work continued with a guest appearance as Pierre Du Preez in the 2005 episode "Never Go Back" of Ultimate Force.[39] From 2006 to 2007, he had a recurring role as Sebastian Montgomery in nine episodes of the BBC drama The Chase.[40] Croasdell appeared as Chaz Enderby in the 2008 Heartbeat episode "The Devil Rides Out" and as Adam Goodman in the Agatha Christie's Poirot episode "Cat Among the Pigeons" that same year. He achieved greater visibility with his role as Dr. Al Jenkins in 43 episodes of the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2009 to 2010.[41] In 2010, he portrayed the Norse god Baldur in the Supernatural episode "Hammer of the Gods." Transitioning to U.S. productions, Croasdell guest-starred as Ronan Gallagher in the 2011 Body of Proof episode "Gross Anatomy."[42] He played Jamal Avlurov in the 2012 NCIS: Los Angeles episode "The Chosen One."[43] In 2015, he appeared as Brennan Jones in the Once Upon a Time episode "Swan Song."[44] Croasdell voiced the Scarred Man in the 2018 Castlevania episode "Shadow Battles."[2] Later roles include Lord Bothwell in 10 episodes of Reign's fourth season in 2017, Eccarius in six episodes of Preacher in 2018, and Young Angus Clarke in the 2018 NCIS episode "Spinning Wheel."[24][45] In 2022, he recurred as Clive Grayson in five episodes of Monarch and played Simon in the Pam & Tommy episode "Pamela in Wonderland."[46] Croasdell has voiced multiple characters, including Apollo, Hephaestus, and a demon, across 10 episodes of the animated series Blood of Zeus from 2020 to 2025.[47]| Year(s) | Title | Role | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Natural Rhythm | Supporting role | Miniseries (3 episodes)[35] |
| 2000 | Holby City | Marcus Saunders / Jason Hicks | 1[36] |
| 2001 | Smack the Pony | Various | 5[35] |
| 2001 | Peak Practice | Tony Preston | 2[37] |
| 2002 | London's Burning | Fraser | 1[38] |
| 2003 | Leonardo | Michelangelo | Miniseries[35] |
| 2005 | Ultimate Force | Pierre Du Preez | 1[39] |
| 2006–2007 | The Chase | Sebastian Montgomery | 9[40] |
| 2008 | Heartbeat | Chaz Enderby | 1 |
| 2008 | Agatha Christie's Poirot | Adam Goodman | 1 |
| 2009–2010 | EastEnders | Dr. Al Jenkins | 43[41] |
| 2010 | Supernatural | Baldur | 1 |
| 2011 | Body of Proof | Ronan Gallagher | 1[42] |
| 2012 | NCIS: Los Angeles | Jamal Avlurov | 1[43] |
| 2015 | Once Upon a Time | Brennan Jones | 1[44] |
| 2017 | Reign | Lord Bothwell | 10[24] |
| 2018 | Castlevania | Scarred Man | 1[2] |
| 2018 | Preacher | Eccarius | 6 |
| 2018 | NCIS | Young Angus Clarke | 1[45] |
| 2022 | Monarch | Clive Grayson | 5[46] |
| 2022 | Pam & Tommy | Simon | 1 |
| 2020–2025 | Blood of Zeus | Apollo / Hephaestus / Demon | 10[47] |
Video games
Adam Croasdell has contributed to over two dozen video games through voice acting and motion capture, often in supporting or additional roles within high-profile franchises, though he has also portrayed lead characters in select titles.[48] His work spans action-adventure, RPG, and shooter genres, with notable emphasis on immersive storytelling in open-world environments. The following is a chronological overview of select video game credits, highlighting key roles:- 2010: James Bond 007: Blood Stone – James Bond (motion capture and voice).[49]
- 2013: Dead Island: Riptide – John Morgan (lead voice role in zombie survival narrative).[49]
- 2014: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor – Torvin (supporting voice in Tolkien-inspired action RPG).[49]
- 2015: The Order: 1886 – Additional voices (ensemble cast in steampunk shooter).[49]
- 2015: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Additional Voices.[5]
- 2016: Final Fantasy XV – Ignis Scientia (lead voice and motion capture for strategic advisor in epic JRPG franchise).[49][2]
- 2017: Middle-earth: Shadow of War – Torvin (supporting voice in Tolkien-inspired action RPG).[49]
- 2018: Fallout 76 – Modus, Buck Nixon, James Waltz (multiple supporting voices in post-apocalyptic multiplayer RPG).[49]
- 2018: Judgment – Akira Murase (supporting detective role in yakuza-themed action-adventure).[49]
- 2019: Borderlands 3 – Eista (supporting role).[2]
- 2019: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare – Additional voices (ensemble in military shooter reboot).[49]
- 2021: Lost Judgment – Queen Rouge Owner (supporting role in investigative spin-off).[49]
- 2022: Tactics Ogre: Reborn – Gildas W. Byrne (key supporting voice in tactical RPG remake).[49]
- 2023: Remnant II – Dran Throwers, Outcast, Fae Knight Shaed, Patients (multiple creature and NPC voices in souls-like shooter).[49]
- 2024: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – Additional cast (supporting voices in first-person shooter).[49]
- 2024: LEGO Horizon Adventures – Buried Shadow (supporting role in action-adventure adaptation).[49]
- 2025: Avowed – Ygwulf / Player voice (ensemble in fantasy RPG).[49]