Michael Socha
Michael Robert Socha (born 13 December 1987) is an English actor renowned for his portrayals of working-class characters in British television and film, particularly his breakthrough role as the skinhead Harvey in Shane Meadows' This Is England franchise.[1][2][3] Born in Derby, Derbyshire, to mother Kathleen Lyons, a residential social worker, and father Robert Socha, he grew up in a challenging environment marked by violence, alcohol, and drugs, with his parents separating early and his father passing away when Socha was 16.[1][2][4] His ancestry includes Polish, English, Irish, and Italian heritage, and he has a younger sister, Lauren Socha, who is also an actress known for roles in Misfits and the This Is England series.[1][5][2] Socha's interest in acting emerged in childhood; he attended Nottingham's Central Junior Television Workshop and made his debut in a local production of Bugsy Malone, though early attempts at amateur dramatics were short-lived due to his involvement in street life.[2][6] At age 17, he was cast as Harvey in the 2006 film This Is England after being spotted by director Shane Meadows, a role that marked his professional breakthrough and led to reprises in the Channel 4 miniseries This Is England '86 (2010), '88 (2011), and '90 (2015).[2][5][6] His television career expanded with the role of the werewolf Tom in the BBC supernatural drama Being Human from 2011 to 2013, earning him widespread recognition for his raw, energetic performance.[1][2] Socha gained international exposure as Will Scarlet, the Knave of Hearts, in ABC's Once Upon a Time (2013–2014) and its spin-off Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.[2][7] Other notable television credits include Lewis in The Aliens (2016), Mikhail in the HBO miniseries Chernobyl (2019), and David Hartley in the BBC historical drama The Gallows Pole (2023), where he played the leader of a 18th-century coin-clipping gang.[2][8][1] In film, Socha has appeared in supporting roles such as in The Unloved (2009), Spike Island (2012), Walk Like a Panther (2018), and Bonded by Blood (2010), often embodying gritty, authentic depictions of British youth.[2][4] More recently, he portrayed PC Justin Mitchell in the BBC anthology series Showtrial (2024), and is set to star in the BBC crime drama The Cage (2025).[9][10] On a personal level, Socha is a father to three children, with his eldest, Elis, residing in Derby and the younger two in south London; he maintains a low profile regarding his family life.[9] He practices martial arts, holding a brown belt in muay thai and kickboxing, and has credited acting with redirecting his life away from potential criminality.[2]Early life and education
Family background
Michael Socha was born on December 13, 1987, in Derby, Derbyshire, England, to mother Kathleen Lyons, a residential social worker, and father Robert Socha.[11][4] He grew up in the Littleover area of Derby, a suburb known for its residential character.[4] Socha's family had working-class roots, with his mother providing stability through her profession while his father struggled with alcoholism for many years.[11][12] He grew up in a challenging environment marked by violence, alcohol, and drugs.[11] In 2004, when Socha was 16, his father died from an alcohol-related heart attack, an event that profoundly affected the family emotionally and left a lasting impact on Socha's sense of independence.[13][2] His father had left the family when Socha was very young, contributing to the challenges of their household dynamics.[13] Socha is the older brother of actress Lauren Socha, and the siblings share a close bond shaped by their shared upbringing in Derby.[11]Schooling and acting beginnings
Socha attended St Benedict Catholic School in Derby, where he proved to be a rebellious pupil who frequently skipped classes and risked a future on a building site.[13] Despite his disruptive behavior, he achieved three GCSEs and found solace in drama classes, crediting his teacher Mrs Urquhart-Hughes for her persistent encouragement and motivation that kept him engaged.[13] At the age of 12, Socha entered the world of acting through a local children's amateur dramatics group, where he auditioned and secured the lead role of Bugsy Malone in a production of the musical.[2] Two years later, at age 14, he joined the Central Junior Television Workshop in Nottingham, a free program offering training in performance skills for television, film, and stage to young people from the East Midlands region.[11][13] The workshop, founded to nurture working-class talent and boasting alumni such as Samantha Morton and Vicky McClure, provided Socha with structured acting exercises, improvisation sessions, and exposure to professional filmmaking techniques, profoundly shaping his early skills and commitment to the craft.[2][11]Professional career
Breakthrough roles
Michael Socha's breakthrough came with his debut role as Harvey in the 2006 British drama film This Is England, directed by Shane Meadows. Cast at the age of 17 after being spotted by director Shane Meadows during a visit to his youth theatre workshop in Nottingham, Socha portrayed a troubled young skinhead navigating racial tensions and personal loss in 1980s England. The film received widespread critical acclaim, winning the BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film and earning Meadows the Best Director award at the British Independent Film Awards, which spotlighted Socha's raw, authentic performance as a newcomer from Derby's working-class background. Despite lacking formal acting training beyond local theater groups, Socha faced initial challenges during filming, including overcoming his regional accent and inexperience in front of the camera, but his natural intensity impressed the production team. Meadows has credited Socha's casting as pivotal, noting in interviews that the actor's genuine embodiment of the character's vulnerability helped anchor the film's semi-autobiographical narrative. This role not only marked Socha's entry into professional cinema but also established him as a promising talent in British independent film, with critics praising his ability to convey emotional depth without relying on polished technique. Building on this momentum, Socha took on a supporting role as Daniel in the 2008 independent drama Summer, directed by David Gleeson. In this Irish film, he played a teenager grappling with his brother's suicide and family dysfunction during a summer holiday, delivering a nuanced performance that highlighted his versatility in introspective roles. Summer premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh and received positive reviews for its emotional authenticity, with Socha's work earning specific commendation from Variety for capturing the quiet devastation of grief. This follow-up solidified his reputation in indie cinema, attracting attention from producers seeking actors with a grounded, relatable presence. The impact of This Is England and Summer was profound for Socha's early career, positioning him as a key figure in the wave of British youth dramas that emphasized social realism. These roles, achieved through persistence amid limited opportunities for actors from non-traditional backgrounds, laid the foundation for his subsequent work in film and television, demonstrating his skill in portraying complex, marginalized characters.Major television work
Socha gained prominence for his role as the naive and resilient werewolf Tom McNair in the BBC Three supernatural drama Being Human, appearing from series 3 in 2011 through to the final series in 2013.[14] Introduced as a recurring character seeking vengeance for his father's death at the hands of vampires, McNair's arc evolved from a vengeful outsider to a core member of the houseshare, forming a close bond with vampire Hal Yorke and grappling with themes of isolation and redemption. His performance was praised for bringing a fresh, earnest energy to the ensemble, with critics noting the character's growth as a highlight of the later seasons. Fans particularly appreciated McNair's portrayal as a lovable underdog, contributing to Socha's status as a fan favorite and boosting the series' cult following during its run.[15] Following Being Human, Socha took on the role of Will Scarlet, also known as the Knave of Hearts, in the ABC fantasy spin-off Once Upon a Time in Wonderland from 2013 to 2014.[16] As a roguish former member of Robin Hood's Merry Men who becomes entangled in Wonderland's chaos alongside Alice, the character served as a series regular across all 13 episodes, blending sarcasm, loyalty, and vulnerability in his quest for love and freedom.[17] This international role marked Socha's expansion into American television, with his chemistry with co-star Sophie Lowe drawing acclaim for elevating the spin-off's adventurous tone despite its short run.[15] The performance solidified his appeal in genre storytelling, leading to brief crossovers in the parent series Once Upon a Time.[18] Socha made notable guest appearances in high-profile miniseries, including as Mikhail, a Pripyat resident witnessing the Chernobyl disaster, in three episodes of the 2019 HBO/BBC production Chernobyl. His portrayal captured the human cost of the 1986 nuclear catastrophe amid the ensemble's focus on heroism and denial. Earlier, in 2009, he appeared in three episodes of the BBC One medical drama Casualty as troubled teen Ryan Malone, involved in a storyline exploring gang violence and emergency care.[19] These roles showcased his versatility in dramatic, real-world settings outside supernatural fare.[20] In 2016, Socha starred as Lewis in the E4 sci-fi comedy-drama The Aliens, playing a troubled young man in a society divided by species, earning praise for his comedic timing alongside co-stars Joe Dempsie and Michael Smiley.[21] In 2024, Socha starred as PC Justin Mitchell in the second series of the BBC legal thriller Showtrial, playing a cocky police officer accused of a hit-and-run killing of a climate activist.[22] As a key ensemble member alongside Adeel Akhtar, his character navigated intense courtroom scrutiny and moral ambiguity, contributing to the series' exploration of institutional bias and public trials.[23] Critics lauded Socha's nuanced depiction of Mitchell's defensiveness and unraveling, enhancing the thriller's gripping narrative across its four episodes.[11]Film and stage appearances
Socha made his professional stage debut in 2009, portraying Jimmy Perry in the comedy Glamour by Stephen Lowe at Nottingham Playhouse.[24] The production, directed by Bill Alexander, explored themes of aspiration and media influence in contemporary Britain, earning praise for Socha's energetic performance as an aspiring filmmaker navigating personal and professional turmoil.[25] His stage work remained limited thereafter, with a notable return in 2016 leading the cast of This Is Living by Liam Borrett at Trafalgar Studios in London, where he played a complex character in a drama about family dynamics and addiction.[26] In film, Socha's early roles included supporting parts in British independent productions during the late 2000s and early 2010s. He appeared as Craze, a gang member, in the urban drama Shank (2010), directed by Simon Pearce, which depicted the struggles of a teenage kickboxer in a dystopian future London.[27] That same year, he played Donny Svenson in Bonded by Blood, a crime thriller based on the real-life Essex Boys gang, directed by Sacha Bennett and featuring roles alongside actors like Adam Deacon.[28] These ensemble appearances showcased Socha's ability to portray gritty, streetwise characters in low-budget British cinema. Socha gained international exposure with his role as Julot in the 2017 remake of Papillon, directed by Michael Noer. In the film, produced by Red Wagon Entertainment and others, he portrayed a fellow convict in the French Guiana penal colony alongside Charlie Hunnam as Henri "Papillon" Charrière and Rami Malek as Louis Dega, adapting the true story of wrongful imprisonment and multiple escape attempts from the 1973 original.[29] The production, filmed in locations including Serbia and Montenegro, emphasized themes of resilience and camaraderie among inmates, with Socha's character providing key support during Charrière's ordeals.[30] His television success in series like This Is England helped secure such opportunities in larger-scale films.Recent projects
In the early 2020s, Socha continued to explore historical narratives with his lead role as David Hartley in the BBC Three miniseries The Gallows Pole (2023), a Shane Meadows-directed adaptation of Benjamin Myers' novel depicting the real-life 18th-century Cragg Vale Coiners' counterfeiting scheme that threatened the British economy.[31][32] This role marked a continuation of Socha's affinity for period pieces, building on his earlier portrayals of working-class characters in ensemble dramas.[2] Socha's television presence expanded in 2024 with a prominent role as PC Justin Mitchell in the second season of BBC One's Showtrial, where he portrayed a police officer accused of a hit-and-run killing of a climate activist amid intense public scrutiny. The series delved into themes of justice, media sensationalism, and institutional accountability, earning praise for Socha's nuanced performance as a defendant navigating a high-profile trial.[23] Looking ahead, Socha was cast in March 2025 as Matty in The Cage, a five-part BBC One crime thriller created by Tony Schumacher and set in a Liverpool casino, co-starring Sheridan Smith as Leanne, two workers entangled in a heist gone wrong against a backdrop of local gangsters.[10] Filming for the series, produced by Element Pictures, began in Liverpool in May 2025 and is ongoing as of November 2025, ahead of a planned 2026 premiere.[33][34] In September 2025, Socha joined the ensemble of Channel 4's Deadpoint, a "nerve-shredding" action thriller directed by Marco Kreuzpaintner, centered on climbers confronting an extremist group in the Welsh Eryri National Park amid a missing persons investigation.[35][36] Filming commenced in Wales that month under Clerkenwell Films and continued through October 2025, with no reported delays as production progressed toward completion by early 2026.[37]Personal life
Family and relationships
Michael Socha was in a long-term relationship with Faye Ray, with whom he shares a son named Elis, born in 2012.[38] The couple separated sometime before 2016, after which Socha has maintained a low profile regarding his romantic life, with no public confirmation of subsequent partnerships.[11] Socha is also father to two younger children, who reside in south London, and he keeps details about his family private.[9] In a 2016 interview, Socha discussed his commitment to fatherhood, explaining that he deferred potential career opportunities in the United States to align with his young son's preschool schedule, emphasizing the importance of being present during early childhood.[39] Post-separation, Socha and Ray have co-parented Elis, who primarily resides with his mother in Derby, while Socha, based in London, prioritizes regular visits and involvement in his upbringing despite his demanding acting schedule.[11][40] Socha has consistently described his personal life as private, rarely sharing details beyond occasional mentions of family joys and challenges in interviews, reflecting a deliberate effort to shield his son from public scrutiny while balancing professional commitments with parental responsibilities.[40]Siblings and personal influences
Michael Socha has one sibling, his younger sister Lauren Socha, who is also an actress best known for her role in the television series Misfits (2009–2013).[2][38] Both siblings hail from Derby, Derbyshire, where they were raised in a working-class environment that lacked any familial ties to the entertainment industry.[41][11] Socha's personal worldview has been profoundly shaped by his father's long struggle with alcoholism, which culminated in Robert Socha's death from an alcohol-related heart attack in 2004, when Michael was 16 years old.[2][11] This loss, occurring amid a turbulent family dynamic marked by separation and instability, left Socha without a paternal figure during his formative teenage years, contributing to his vulnerability to negative peer influences and a period of personal recklessness.[2] In reflecting on this absence, Socha has noted that his father's presence might have steered him away from the violent paths he later navigated, highlighting how the event instilled a deeper awareness of addiction's destructive potential.[2][11] These family experiences have fostered Socha's emphasis on resilience, prompting him to abandon heavy drinking in his early 20s after recognizing its tendency to exacerbate chaos in his life, a decision he attributes partly to lessons from his father's struggles.[2] He has credited his mother and sister with providing essential emotional grounding, describing a strong familial bond that supports his personal stability despite the challenges of loss.[2] Socha has publicly shared that this support, though not rooted in industry knowledge, has been vital for his growth, as he finds it difficult to perform authentically in front of family members unfamiliar with acting dynamics.[41][11] Through activities like muay thai and channeling experiences into his craft, Socha has transformed these hardships into a foundation for perseverance, often citing family ties as a core motivator in overcoming adversity.[2]Filmography
Film
Michael Socha has appeared in a variety of feature films, often portraying complex, edgy characters in independent British cinema and international productions. His film debut came in the critically acclaimed This Is England, marking the start of his screen career. The following table lists his feature film credits chronologically, including release year, title, role, and director where applicable.| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | This Is England | Harvey | Shane Meadows |
| 2008 | Better Things | Mike | Dušan Miocinović |
| 2008 | Summer | Daniel | Robert Tallentire |
| 2009 | The Unloved | Michael | Samantha Morton |
| 2009 | Dogging: A Love Story | Jim | Damon O'Donnell |
| 2010 | Shank | Craze | Mo Ali |
| 2010 | Bonded by Blood | Donny Svenson | Sacha Bennett |
| 2012 | Twenty8k | Tony Marchetto | Chris Atkins |
| 2012 | Spike Island | Carl | Mat Whitecross |
| 2013 | Svengali | Tommy | John Hardwick |
| 2017 | Double Date | Alex | Benjamin Barfoot |
| 2017 | Papillon | Julot | Michael Noer |
| 2018 | The Keeper | Bill Twist | Marcus H. Rosenmüller |
| 2018 | The Last Witness | Thomas Derrick | Piotr Szkopiak |
| 2019 | Killers Anonymous | Leandro | Martin Owen |
| 2019 | A Guide to Second Date Sex | Dan | Rachel Hirons |
| 2020 | Big Boys Don't Cry | Paul | Moon Chen |
| 2022 | The Other Me | Giorgi | Giga Atoneli |
| 2023 | Jericho Ridge | Leroy | Will Gilbey |
| 2025 | Go Away! | Kyle | Ed Kear |
| 2025 | Creatures of the Night | TBA | TBA |
| 2025 | Salvable | Little Marcus | Bjørn Franklin |
Television
Michael Socha began his television career with guest appearances in the BBC medical drama Casualty, portraying Ryan Malone across three episodes in 2008 and 2009. He achieved a breakthrough with a recurring role as the werewolf Tom McNair in the BBC supernatural series Being Human, appearing in 18 episodes from 2011 to 2013.[42] Socha starred as Will Scarlet, also known as the Knave of Hearts, in all 13 episodes of the ABC fantasy spin-off Once Upon a Time in Wonderland from 2013 to 2014, serving as a main cast member. He also appeared as Will Scarlet / Knave of Hearts in 7 episodes of the parent series Once Upon a Time (2013–2014). Additional recurring roles include Harvey in the This Is England miniseries trilogy—four episodes of This Is England '86 (2010), three episodes of This Is England '88 (2011), and six episodes of This Is England '90 (2015)—and Halig in eight episodes of the historical drama The Last Kingdom (2015–2018). He played the lead role of Lewis in all six episodes of the sci-fi comedy The Aliens (2016). Socha had a guest role as Mikhail, a Pripyat resident, in three episodes of the HBO miniseries Chernobyl (2019).[43] Further recurring appearances include Sean Meredith in six episodes of the ITV crime drama The Bay (2021) and Dave Chapman in three episodes of DI Ray (2022). In 2024, he portrayed PC Justin Mitchell in all five episodes of season 2 of the BBC legal thriller Showtrial.[44] Upcoming projects feature Socha as Matty in the five-part BBC crime drama The Cage (2025) and in a leading role in the Channel 4 action thriller series Deadpoint (2025), with episode details pending.[10][35]| Year(s) | Title | Role | Episodes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–2009 | Casualty | Ryan Malone | 3 | Guest |
| 2010 | This Is England '86 | Harvey | 4 | Recurring (miniseries) |
| 2011 | This Is England '88 | Harvey | 3 | Recurring (miniseries) |
| 2011–2013 | Being Human | Tom McNair | 18 | Recurring/main |
| 2013–2014 | Once Upon a Time in Wonderland | Will Scarlet / Knave of Hearts | 13 | Main |
| 2013–2014 | Once Upon a Time | Will Scarlet / Knave of Hearts | 7 | Recurring |
| 2015 | This Is England '90 | Harvey | 6 | Recurring (miniseries) |
| 2015–2018 | The Last Kingdom | Halig | 8 | Recurring |
| 2016 | The Aliens | Lewis | 6 | Main |
| 2019 | Chernobyl | Mikhail | 3 | Guest (miniseries) |
| 2021 | The Bay | Sean Meredith | 6 | Recurring |
| 2022 | DI Ray | Dave Chapman | 3 | Recurring |
| 2024 | Showtrial (season 2) | PC Justin Mitchell | 5 | Recurring |
| 2025 | The Cage | Matty | 5 | Main (upcoming miniseries) |
| 2025 | Deadpoint | TBA | TBA | Lead (upcoming series) |