SIMON HAINES

Simon is an award-winning actor and filmmaker. He is best-known as Malendol in THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER, for his role opposite Glen Powell in Edgar Wright's THE RUNNING MAN, as queer villain Owen Michaels in EMMERDALE, and as smug news anchorman Rod Reed in all episodes of THE PUZZLE LADY (Paramount) - as well as TV & film for BBC, ITV, Netflix, and leading theatre roles in the West End and at the Dutch National Theatre.

 

Coming soon: Lucas in A24 x Channel 4 comedy series IT GETS WORSE, directed by Mounia Akl; and Sergeant Davis Carter in spy dramedy thriller PONIES (Universal / Sky), opposite Emilia Clarke.

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Simon is proudly queer (bisexual) and neurodiverse (dyspraxic), and that intersectionality informs his work. Born in North Somerset to a single-parent benefits-class family, he studied English at Cambridge University, where he wrote/performed comedy with the Cambridge Footlights, then trained as an actor at the prestigious Guildhall School.

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As a filmmaker, he's directed/written/produced films which have won awards and screened at festivals worldwide, including Oscar-qualifying Raindance Festival. His latest short as writer-director SENIOR CONSULTANT! started its festival journey at BAFTA-qualifying LOCO (London Comedy Film Festival) and has won awards for Best Comedy, Best Writer and Best Acting Ensemble. His next short STILL OPEN? is in post-production, due for release in 2027.

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Passionate about craft, he has been teaching for fifteen years. He teaches and directs at top drama schools and is a tutor at the National Film and Television School (NFTS). He coaches actors and directors privately, including for Hollywood movies and high-end British television. ​​

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Simon is apprentice to ‘coach to the stars’ Adrienne Weiss, whose clients include Emmy-winners and Oscar-winners. Simon is the only person in the UK certified to teach Adrienne’s world-renowned method for getting great performances from actors. Simon has also consulted for the legendary Professor Ken Rea, most notably for The Outstanding Actor - a set textbook in drama schools worldwide.