Daniel Gillies

Last updated

Daniel Gillies
Daniel Gillies at PaleyFest 2014.jpg
Gillies at the 2014 PaleyFest
Born
Daniel Joshua Gillies

(1976-03-14) 14 March 1976 (age 48)
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Citizenship
  • Canada
  • New Zealand
Occupations
  • Actor
  • screenwriter
  • director
  • producer
Years active1998–present
Spouse
(m. 2004;div. 2021)
Children2

Daniel Joshua Gillies[ citation needed ] (born March 14, 1976) is a Canadian-New Zealand actor, film producer, director and screenwriter. He played Elijah Mikaelson on The Vampire Diaries and its spin-off, The Originals; Dr. Joel Goran on Saving Hope . He wrote and directed the 2012 film, Broken Kingdom.

Contents

Early life

Gillies was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to parents from New Zealand. When he was five, his parents decided to return to their native New Zealand, and moved to Invercargill and then to Hamilton. Though born into a family of strong medical background (his father is a pediatrician, his mother a nurse, and he is descended from the renowned ENT/plastic surgery pioneer Sir Harold Gillies), he became interested in acting because he said it was "the only thing I was ever any good at". [1]

Frustrated with the lack of opportunities in New Zealand, he moved to Sydney, Australia for six weeks in 2001 before going to Canada for two months, where he worked as a waiter and dishwasher until deciding to move to Los Angeles. [2]

Career

Gillies began his career starring in several Auckland Theatre Company productions, before landing a two-season lead role in the television drama Street Legal. [3] After deciding that his acting options in his native New Zealand were limited, Gillies explored his options in Sydney and Canada. Gillies then moved to Los Angeles and was soon cast in the movies Bride and Prejudice and Spider-Man 2 . [4]

Since 2002, Gillies has worked in North American film and television productions. Before landing lead roles in television series, Gillies landed guests spots on television shows such as Masters of Horror , NCIS , and True Blood . In 2010, he was cast on the hit The CW drama The Vampire Diaries as Elijah Mikaelson. In 2013, CW created a successful spin-off of The Originals. chronicling the lives of the first (aka "the Original") vampires. Gillies's recurring part as Elijah from The Vampire Diaries became a lead part in The Originals. [5] [6] A potential nightmare existed for CW since Gillies was already under contract to play Dr. Joel Goran in the supernatural series, Saving Hope. [7] [8] Saving Hope initially aired in the US on NBC, but the series was not renewed although it continued to run in Canada. He continued both shows. [9] In 2012, Gillies wrote, directed and starred with then wife Rachael Leigh Cook in Broken Kingdom. [1]

From 2019 to 2022, Gillies portrayed the role of Mark Monroe in the Netflix's 2019 romantic drama television series, Virgin River . He was in the show for four seasons. [10] In January 2021, Gillies starred in the psychological thriller film Coming Home in the Dark , based on a 1995 short-story of the same name by Owen Marshall. [11] He was also cast as Charlie Tate in the second season of ABC series The Newsreader in 2022. [12]

Personal life

Gillies married American actress Rachael Leigh Cook on 8 August 2004. [13] [14] Together they have a daughter, born in September 2013, and a son, born in April 2015. [15] [16] In an interview in 2017, he revealed he pursued a vasectomy to prevent a third child from being brought into the family citing concerns about his age and energy levels, saying, "I want to be able to give these two my love and my attention and my care. I would like to stop now." [17]

On 13 June 2019, both Cook and Gillies announced on Instagram that they mutually decided to separate and they also said that they wanted it to be as discreet as possible for the sake of their kids. [18] On 10 July 2020 Gillies filed for divorce from Cook. [19] Their divorce was finalized on 10 March 2021. [20]

Since 2021, Gillies has been in a relationship with cellist Julia Misaki. [21]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1998 A Soldier's Sweetheart Medic
Pleasantville
2001 No One Can Hear You Dirk Mettcalfe
2002 Various Positions Marcel
2004 Spider-Man 2 John Jameson
Evil RemainsMark
Bride and Prejudice Johnny Wickham
2006 The Sensation of Sight Dylan
2007 Captivity Gary Dexter
Matters of Life and DeathJimmyShort film
2008 Uncross the Stars Troy
2012Broken KingdomJason '80'Also director and producer
2020 Occupation: Rainfall Wing Commander Hayes
2021 Coming Home in the Dark Mandrake

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1999 Young Hercules AntosEpisode: "My Fair Lilith"
2000 Cleopatra 2525 Hot GuyEpisode: "Mind Games"
Street Legal Tim O'ConnorSeasons 1 & 2
2002 Mentors King ArthurEpisode: "Once and Future King"
Jeremiah SimonEpisode: "The Long Road: Part 1"
Snow Queen Delfont ChalfontTelevision movie
2005 Into the West Ethan BiggsMiniseries
2007 Masters of Horror Jack MillerEpisode: "Dream Cruise"
2010 The Glades Dave RollinsEpisode: "Doppelganger"
True Blood JonEpisode: "I Smell a Rat"
NCIS Royal Marine Major Peter MalloyEpisode: "Royals & Loyals"
2010–2014 The Vampire Diaries Elijah Mikaelson Recurring role (seasons 2–5)
2012–2015 Saving Hope Dr. Joel GoranSeasons 1–3
2013–2018 The Originals Elijah MikaelsonDirector for episodes: "Phantomesque",
"There in the Disappearing Light"
2017 SEAL Team Nate MasseyEpisode: "Pilot"
The Lost Wife of Robert DurstRobert DurstTelevision film
2019–2022 Virgin River Mark MonroeMain (season 1) Guest (seasons 2–4)
2022 The Newsreader CharlieMain role (season 2)
2024- Sight Unseen Jake CampbellMain (Season 1)

Voice acting

YearTitleRoleNotes
2019–2020Thor: Metal GodsVarious/allEpisodes 1-15

As a director

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachael Leigh Cook</span> American actress and model (born 1979)

Rachael Leigh Cook is an American actress and model. She has starred in the films The Baby-Sitters Club (1995), She's All That (1999), and Josie and the Pussycats (2001), and in the television series Into the West and Perception. She is also the voice behind various characters in Robot Chicken and Tifa Lockhart in the Final Fantasy series, starting with the English version of the film Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. Since 2016, her television appearances have primarily been made-for-TV movies on the Hallmark Channel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Somerhalder</span> American actor (born 1978)

Ian Joseph Somerhalder is an American retired actor. He is known for playing Boone Carlyle in ABC's science fiction adventure drama television series Lost (2004–2010) and Damon Salvatore in the CW supernatural teen drama series The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matthew Davis</span> American actor (born 1978)

Matthew Wadsworth Davis is an American actor. He is mostly known for his roles as Warner Huntington III in Legally Blonde, Adam Hillman on the ABC comedy-drama What About Brian (2006-2007) and Alaric Saltzman on The CW fantasy drama The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017) as well as the spin-off series Legacies (2018-2022). He starred on the short-lived CW mystery and horror drama Cult as Jeff Sefton, and had a recurring role on the CBS police drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as Sean Yeager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Morgan (actor)</span> English actor (born 1981)

Joseph Morgan is an English actor. He is known for playing Niklaus "Klaus" Mikaelson on The CW's The Vampire Diaries and its spinoff The Originals in which he is the lead. He has portrayed CJack60/Elliot in the Peacock series Brave New World, and Brother Blood in the HBO Max series Titans. He recently starred as James Ackerson in the Paramount+ series Halo (2024).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claire Holt</span> Australian actress (born 1988)

Claire Rhiannon Holt (born 11 June 1988) is an Australian–American actress. She made her acting debut playing Emma Gilbert in the fantasy series H2O: Just Add Water (2006–2008), before moving to America and making her film debut in 2009. After appearing in the television sequel Mean Girls 2 and the first two seasons of Pretty Little Liars (both 2011), she had her breakthrough playing Rebekah Mikaelson in the CW supernatural drama series The Vampire Diaries (2011–2014), The Originals (2013–2018) and Legacies (2021–2022). The role earned her acclaim and a Teen Choice Award nomination. She also starred in the NBC period crime drama series Aquarius (2015–2016), to further acclaim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathaniel Buzolic</span> Australian actor

Nathaniel Buzolic is an Australian actor. He was the host of Nine Network's late-night television quiz show The Mint, and had a regular role on the BBC soap opera Out of the Blue (2008). He was also a co-host of the educational show Weather Ed on Sky News Weather Channel. He is also known for his role as Kol Mikaelson on the CW show The Vampire Diaries and its spin-off The Originals.

<i>The Vampire Diaries</i> 2009 American supernatural teen drama television series

The Vampire Diaries is an American supernatural teen drama television series developed by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, based on the book series of the same name written by L. J. Smith. The series premiered on The CW on September 10, 2009, and concluded on March 10, 2017, having aired 171 episodes over eight seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Roerig</span> American actor (born 1985)

Zachary George Roerig is an American actor. He is known for playing Casey Hughes in As the World Turns (2005-2007), Hunter Atwood in One Life to Live (2007) and as Matt Donovan in The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017).

<i>The Vampire Diaries</i> season 2 Season of television series

The Vampire Diaries, an American supernatural drama, was officially renewed by The CW for a full 22-episode season on February 16, 2010. The first episode premiered on September 9, 2010, at 8 p.m. ET. The season picks up immediately after the events of the season one finale. All the series regulars returned. The second season focuses on the return of Elena Gilbert's doppelgänger, Katherine Pierce, the introduction of werewolves, the sun and moon curse, and the arrival of the original vampires. Tyler Lockwood's uncle, Mason Lockwood, arrives in town searching for the moonstone, a family heirloom. Tyler later learns of his family's werewolf curse. Meanwhile, Caroline Forbes is killed by Katherine while having Damon Salvatore's blood in her system, turning her into a vampire. The arrival of the original vampires, Elijah and Klaus Mikaelson, also bring about complications. Klaus is a vampire-werewolf hybrid, but his werewolf side had been forced into dormancy by witches, as nature would not stand for such an imbalance in power. Therefore, Klaus arrives in town with plans to break the curse and unleash his werewolf side by channelling the power of the full moon into the moonstone, sacrificing a vampire and a werewolf, and drinking the blood of the doppelgänger. It became available on DVD and Blu-ray on August 30, 2011.

<i>The Vampire Diaries</i> season 3 Season of television series

The Vampire Diaries, an American supernatural drama, was officially renewed for a third season by the CW on April 26, 2011. The season aired from September 15, 2011, to May 10, 2012, and consisted of 22 episodes. The plot focused on the story of Klaus' origin, his relation with his family and revealed more about the Original family. The third season opened to generally positive reviews. The season takes a gap from the last season and begins with Elena Gilbert's 18th birthday, with all series regulars returning with the exception of Sara Canning, whose character, Jenna Sommers, was killed off in the previous season. Joseph Morgan's character Klaus became a series regular after previously appearing in a recurring role.

<i>The Vampire Diaries</i> season 4 Season of television series

The Vampire Diaries, an American supernatural drama, was renewed for a fourth season by the U.S. channel The CW on May 3, 2012, seven days before the third season's finale. Unlike the previous seasons that aired in September, it premiered on October 11, 2012, to avoid competition from major television shows. Season 4 consisted of 23 episodes instead of the usual 22 episodes.

"The Departed" is the twenty-second and final episode of The Vampire Diaries's third season, premiering May 10, 2012 on The CW. During the episode, Elena remembers when life was simpler while the rest of her friends attempt to stay away from Alaric. In the episode's initial airing, it garnered 2.53 million viewers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julie Plec</span> American screenwriter

Julie Plec is an American television producer, writer and director, known for her work on The CW television series The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017) which she co-created with Kevin Williamson, and its spin-offs The Originals (2013–2018) and Legacies (2018–2022). She also developed the limited series Containment (2016).

<i>The Originals</i> (TV series) 2013 American supernatural drama television series

The Originals is an American fantasy supernatural drama television series that began airing on The CW on October 3, 2013. It is a spin-off of The Vampire Diaries and the first television series expansion of the franchise based on its parent series. The series follows vampire-werewolf hybrid Klaus Mikaelson as he and his family become embroiled in the supernatural politics of the French Quarter of New Orleans.

<i>The Vampire Diaries</i> season 5 Season of television series

The Vampire Diaries, an American supernatural drama, was renewed for a fifth season by the CW on February 11, 2013. The fifth season premiered on October 3, 2013, followed by the series premiere of the spin-off series The Originals.

"500 Years of Solitude" is the eleventh episode of the fifth season of the American series The Vampire Diaries and the series' 100th episode overall. "500 Years of Solitude" was originally aired on January 23, 2014, on The CW. The episode was written by Julie Plec and Caroline Dries and directed by Chris Grismer.

<i>The Originals</i> season 1 Season of television series

The Originals is an American supernatural drama television series created by Julie Plec for The CW. A spin-off of The Vampire Diaries, the series makes use of certain characters and story elements from the series of books of the same name. The first season premiered with a special preview on October 3, 2013, following the season premiere of its parent series, before premiering in its regular time slot on October 8, 2013.

<i>The Originals</i> season 5 Season of television series

The Originals, a one-hour American supernatural drama, was renewed for a fifth season by The CW on May 10, 2017. The 2016–17 United States television season debut of The Originals was pushed to midseason, as with the fourth-season premiere. On July 20, 2017, Julie Plec announced via Twitter that the upcoming season would be the series' last. The fifth season consists of 13 episodes and debuted on April 18, 2018. The series finale aired on August 1, 2018.

<i>Legacies</i> (TV series) 2018 American supernatural drama television series

Legacies is an American fantasy drama television series, created by Julie Plec, that aired from October 25, 2018, to June 16, 2022, on The CW. A spinoff of The Originals, it is part of The Vampire Diaries Universe, and features characters from both The Originals and its predecessor, The Vampire Diaries. Danielle Rose Russell stars as the 17-year-old Hope Mikaelson, continuing the role she originated in the fifth and final season of The Originals. Matt Davis also features prominently in the series, reprising his role as Alaric Saltzman from The Vampire Diaries. In May 2022, it was announced that the fourth season would be its final season.

The Vampire Diaries Universe is an American media franchise and a shared universe that is centered on various interconnected television series airing on The CW. The series were developed by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, and based on characters who appeared in the original novel series, The Vampire Diaries, by L. J. Smith.

References

  1. 1 2 Gallagher, Michael Aaron (11 September 2012). "Daniel Gillies Releases Broken Kingdom/Kingdom Come Films". StayFamous.net. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  2. Barry, Rebecca (19 June 2005). "Spiderweb of fame". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  3. RAE, FIONA. "Axe hovering over Street Legal's core cast". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  4. "Mary Jane Watson and John Jameson (Daniel Gillies)". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  5. Goldberg, Lesley (22 January 2013). "Daniel Gillies Joins CW's 'Vampire Diaries' Spinoff 'The Originals'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  6. "Daniel Gillies Joining 'Vampire Diaries' Spinoff 'The Originals'". MTV. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  7. Naoreen, Nuzhat. "'Vampire Diaries' Daniel Gillies on his new drama 'Saving Hope'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  8. "Vampire Diaries Star Daniel Gillies Reveals Where He's Headed, and the Elena Scene We Never Saw!". E! Online. 17 February 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  9. "Daniel Gillies on Saving Hope, Originals". Digital Spy. 7 August 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  10. "Virgin River star Daniel Gillies just gave a huge update about season 4". Cosmopolitan. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  11. Wiseman, Andreas (26 January 2021). "'Coming Home In The Dark': Eerie First Teaser For Sundance Thriller Starring 'The Originals' Star Daniel Gillies". Deadline. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  12. Whittock, Jesse (25 July 2022). "'The Vampire Diaries' Star Daniel Gillies To Join Roku Original And ABC Australia Drama 'The Newsreader' As Series Regular". Deadline. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  13. "Baby on the Way for Rachael Leigh Cook and Daniel Gillies". People. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  14. "Rachael Leigh Cook: I'm Happy We Waited to Have a Baby". People. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  15. Webber, Stephanie (29 September 2013). "Rachael Leigh Cook, Husband Daniel Gillies Welcome Baby Girl". Us Weekly. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  16. Chen, Joyce (4 October 2013). "Rachael Leigh Cook Reveals Baby Name: Charlotte Easton Gillies!". Us Weekly. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  17. "EXCLUSIVE: Daniel Gillies Gushes Over 'Beautiful' Wife Rachael Leigh Cook, Reveals If Baby No. 3 Could Happen!". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  18. Stone, Natalie (13 June 2019). "Rachael Leigh Cook and Daniel Gillies Announce Split After Nearly 15 Years of Marriage". People.
  19. Stone, Natalie (16 July 2020). "Rachael Leigh Cook's Husband Daniel Gillies Files for Divorce 1 Year After Separating". People.
  20. "Rachael Leigh Cook and Daniel Gillies Finalize Divorce Nearly 2 Years After Split". People. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021. a Los Angeles judge signed off on the actors' divorce on March 10, nearly two years after the couple split in June 2019.
  21. "From 'Vampire Diaries' to 'Virgin River' Catch Up With Actor Daniel Gillies + Find Out What He's Doing Now". Yahoo Life. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  22. Highfill, Samantha. "'The Originals' Star Daniel Gillies on Directing: 'I Got the Best Episode of the Season'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 28 September 2023.