Joseph Morgan
Biography
Joseph Morgan, born Joseph Martin on 16 May 1981, is a British actor and director. He was born in London, England, United Kingdom, and is also credited under the names Joseph Martin and Joseph Martin Morgan. Morgan’s most prominent television work is his portrayal of Niklaus “Klaus” Mikaelson, a central character on The CW’s series The Vampire Diaries and its spin‑off The Originals, where he serves as the lead. His career includes a range of acting credits across film and television, totaling thirty known roles according to the Movie Database. Morgan is male and has been active in the entertainment industry as both performer and director.
Career overview
Joseph Morgan, born Joseph Martin on 16 May 1981 in London, England, is a British actor and director who has worked in both film and television. Early in his career he appeared under the names Joseph Martin and Joseph Martin Morgan, reflecting the variations listed in his professional records. Over the course of his career he has accumulated thirty credited roles across movies and TV series, demonstrating a steady presence in the entertainment industry.
Morgan’s most prominent and widely recognized work is his portrayal of Niklaus “Klaus” Mikaelson, a central figure in The CW’s supernatural drama The Vampire Diaries and its spin‑off series The Originals. In The Originals he assumed the lead role, anchoring the show’s narrative around the complex anti‑heroic vampire character. This performance has become the defining element of his public profile, as highlighted by multiple biographical sources.
In addition to acting, Morgan has taken on directing responsibilities, further expanding his involvement behind the camera. While details of his education and other projects are not specified in the available sources, the documented filmography confirms his ongoing activity in the industry, with a range of appearances that underscore his versatility as a performer. His career, marked by the landmark role of Klaus and a breadth of credited work, positions him as a notable figure within contemporary British acting circles.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Halo (2022) as James Ackerson
- Brave New World (2020) as CJack60
- Legacies (2018) as Klaus Mikaelson
- Titans (2018) as Sebastian Sanger / Brother Blood
- Gone Baby Gone (2018) as Patrick Kenzie
- Carousel (2017) as Kit
- Carousel (2017) Director
- Carousel (2017) Writer
- Carousel (2017) Executive Producer
- Carousel (2017) Editor
- Animal Kingdom (2016) as Young Jed
- Desiree (2014) as Eric Ashworth
- The Originals (2013) as Klaus Mikaelson
- The Originals (2013) Director
- Open Grave (2013) as Nathan
- Warhouse (2013) as A.J. Budd
- The Grind (2012) as Paul
- Immortals (2011) as Lysander
- Angels Crest (2011) as Rusty
- Ben Hur (2010) as Judah Ben-Hur
- The Vampire Diaries (2009) as Klaus Mikaelson
- Mister Lonely (2008) as James Dean
- Mansfield Park (2007) as William Price
- The Line of Beauty (2006) as Jasper
- Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa! (2006) as Alfie
- Becoming Alexander (2005) as Self
- Alexander (2004) as Philotas
- Hex (2004) as Troy
- Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) as William Warley, Cpt. of Mizzentop
- Henry VIII (2003) as Thomas Culpeper
- Eroica (2003) as Matthias
- Silent Witness (1996)
- Casualty (1986) as Tony Reece
- People's Choice Awards (1975) as Self - Presenter
- Herbert West: Reanimator as Herbert West