Jared Harris Movies and TV Shows – Complete Filmography Guide

Jared Harris stands as one of contemporary television’s most distinctive character actors, building a career that bridges prestige drama and blockbuster cinema. Born in London as the son of legendary Irish actor Richard Harris, he has carved his own path through four decades of performances that range from historical monarchs to science fiction visionaries, establishing himself as a sought-after performer for complex authority figures.

His work spans critically acclaimed series including The Crown and Chernobyl, alongside major studio films such as Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and Lincoln. Unlike many actors of his generation, Harris found his greatest recognition later in his career, transitioning from supporting film roles in the 1990s and 2000s to leading status in television’s golden age, according to Wikipedia.

This comprehensive overview examines his verified filmography, addressing both his documented roles and common misconceptions about his involvement in major franchises, while tracing the trajectory that established him as a versatile presence in historical and speculative fiction.

What TV Shows Has Jared Harris Appeared In?

Harris has built a significant television career across premium cable and streaming platforms, appearing in more than a dozen series since the early 2000s. His television work demonstrates particular strength in historical and science fiction genres, with recurring roles that often center on institutional authority.

• Son of Harry Potter actor Richard Harris, establishing a multi-generational acting legacy
• Portrayed King George VI in six episodes of The Crown Season 1 and 2
• Appeared in 26 episodes of Mad Men as Lane Pryce, also directing the episode “Time & Life”
• Played Dr. David Robert Jones across nine episodes of Fringe
• Starred as Valery Legasov in all five episodes of the Emmy-winning Chernobyl
• Currently leads Foundation as Hari Seldon, developer of psychohistory
• Portrayed Anderson Dawes in The Expanse and Absalom Breakspear in Carnival Row

Jared Harris Movie Roles

Harris’s filmography encompasses studio blockbusters, independent dramas, and voice work, with particular prominence in villainous roles and historical epics. His film career began in the late 1980s with character roles before expanding to franchise films and prestige productions.

Blockbuster Franchises and Villainous Turns

Harris secured one of cinema’s most iconic antagonist roles as Professor James Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011), opposite Robert Downey Jr., per Fandango. He entered the comic book realm as Emil Nikols in Morbius (2022) and appeared in the video game adaptation Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) as Dr. Charles Ashford.

Additional franchise work includes Ocean’s Twelve (2004) as Basher’s Engineer and voice roles in animated features The Boxtrolls (2014) as Lord Portley-Rind and The Sea Beast (2022) as Captain Crow.

Historical and Independent Cinema

Beyond blockbusters, Harris has maintained a presence in period dramas and independent films. He appeared in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015) as Sanders, Pompeii (2014) as Severus, and Robert Zemeckis’s Allied (2016) as Frank Heslop. His work in Kelly Reichardt’s Certain Women (2016) provided a contrast to his studio franchise appearances.

Jared Harris Early Career and Personal Life

Harris began his screen career in 1989 with The Rachel Papers, followed by appearances in Far and Away (1992) and The Last of the Mohicans (1992). His portrayal of Andy Warhol in I Shot Andy Warhol (1996) marked an early significant role, while Smoke (1995) and Happiness (1998) established his facility for character-driven independent cinema.

Family Heritage

Harris is the son of the late Irish actor Richard Harris, known for his roles in Harry Potter and Gladiator, according to TV Insider. This lineage connects him to a significant theatrical and cinematic tradition, though he has established distinct professional credentials separate from his father’s legacy.

Transition to Television Prominence

The shift from film character actor to television leading man crystallized with Mad Men in the late 2000s, followed by The Crown and culminating in Chernobyl, which earned him widespread critical recognition for his portrayal of Soviet scientist Valery Legasov.

Recent and Upcoming Projects

Harris continues to maintain active production schedules across film and television. In 2024, he appeared in the British psychological thriller Reawakening alongside Erin Doherty and Juliet Stevenson, playing the father of a returning missing child.

Looking ahead to 2025, Harris appears in Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite as the Secretary of Defense, marking another high-profile political role. He remains active in Foundation, which continues its run on Apple TV+ with additional seasons in development.

Career Timeline and Evolution

1. 1989: Film debut in The Rachel Papers — Wikipedia
2. 1996: Portrays Andy Warhol in I Shot Andy Warhol — Rotten Tomatoes
3. 2004: Appears in Resident Evil: Apocalypse and Ocean’s Twelve — Fandango
4. 2008: Joins cast of Fringe and appears in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
5. 2009: Begins recurring role as Lane Pryce on Mad Men
6. 2011: Plays Professor Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
7. 2012: Portrays Ulysses S. Grant in Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln
8. 2016: Appears as King George VI in The Crown Season 1
9. 2019: Stars as Valery Legasov in HBO’s Chernobyl
10. 2021: Begins leading role as Hari Seldon in Apple TV+’s Foundation
11. 2024: Stars in psychological thriller Reawakening
12. 2025: Appears in Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite

Established Credits vs. Common Misconceptions

Career Trajectory and Industry Position

Harris represents a specific category of performer who achieved leading-man status in television while maintaining a character-actor presence in film. His career arc mirrors industry shifts toward long-form television storytelling, where his ability to convey institutional weight and moral complexity found fuller expression than in the supporting film roles of his early career.

His casting in Foundation and The Expanse positions him centrally within science fiction’s current prestige television wave, while historical dramas like The Crown and Chernobyl utilize his capacity for embodying specific historical periods. This versatility aligns him with peers such as those featured in Jack Quaid Movies and TV Shows – Complete Filmography and 2025 Projects, who similarly navigate between franchise properties and independent productions.

Attribution and Source Material

Filmography details compiled from official credits and verified databases. Career information reflects data available through authoritative entertainment industry sources.

“Harris plays Hari Seldon, the developer of psychohistory, in Apple TV+’s Foundation series.”

— Television credits, TV Guide

Summary of Filmography

Jared Harris has established himself across four decades as a versatile performer capable of anchoring both historical dramas and science fiction epics. From his early film work in the 1990s to his Emmy-nominated television performances in Chernobyl and The Crown, his career demonstrates a successful evolution from supporting film actor to leading television presence. Current projects including Foundation and A House of Dynamite indicate continued activity across major streaming and theatrical platforms. For related career comparisons, see Robin Wright Movies and TV Shows – Complete Filmography Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions