Andrew Gower

Andrew Gower – Life, Career, and Artistry

Explore the life and career of English actor and singer Andrew Gower, born November 8, 1989. From his theatrical roots to roles in Outlander, Being Human, Carnival Row, and more, discover his journey, influences, and impact.

Introduction

Andrew Gower (born 8 November 1989) is an English actor and musician whose versatility has earned him roles across stage, radio, television, and film. Known internationally for portraying Prince Charles Edward Stuart in Outlander and the vampire solicitor Cutler in Being Human, he is also a trained performer with a deep love for music and theatre.

In this article, we’ll delve into Gower’s early years, his training, his major breakthroughs, and the qualities that make him a compelling performer in an often unpredictable industry.

Early Life and Family

Andrew Gower was born in Aintree, Merseyside (near Liverpool, England). Davenhill Primary School in Aintree and later Great Sankey High School in Warrington, Cheshire.

His parents and family have largely remained out of public spotlight, as Gower tends to keep his private life private. Even so, his upbringing in a region with strong musical and theatrical traditions likely helped nurture his early creative instincts.

Youth, Interest & Training

Gower’s interest in acting emerged early. While in secondary school, he participated in school plays and local drama productions.

Around the time he was studying for A-Levels, he joined a local amateur drama group, further cementing his commitment to performing.

He went on to train formally at the Oxford School of Drama, graduating in 2010. That same year, he was awarded the highly regarded Spotlight Prize for Best Actor. This recognition early in his professional training helped elevate his reputation in the British acting community.

Career and Achievements

Early Appearances & First Breakthroughs

Gower’s first significant screen work began in 2011, when he was cast as Dr. Andrew Mullery on the ITV medical drama Monroe.

Also in 2011, he appeared as Victor Frankenstein in Frankenstein’s Wedding… Live in Leeds, a televised live musical event that was broadcast from an outdoor location before a large audience. The live nature of this performance demonstrated his comfort with the pressures of real-time acting.

In 2012, Gower joined Being Human (BBC Three) in the role of Nick Cutler, the vampire solicitor. The character appeared across multiple episodes and gained visibility among genre fans. Misfits and took to the theatre stage at the Arcola Theatre in The Conquest of the South Pole.

Television, Film & Genre Work

Over the following years, Gower’s credits expanded impressively across period drama, fantasy, historical, and speculative genres:

• Outlander: Perhaps his most internationally recognized role, Gower portrayed Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) across multiple seasons.

• Carnival Row: He played Ezra Spurnrose, a central role in the Amazon Prime fantasy-noir series.

• Miss Scarlet and The Duke: Portrayed Rupert Parker in this Victorian-era detective drama.

• Black Mirror – “Crocodile”: He appeared in the fourth season’s episode “Crocodile”, playing the role Rob.

• Other credits include appearances in Midsomer Murders, Poldark, The Village, The White Queen, The Borgias, Rosewater, Endeavour, and Running Naked among others.

On stage, one of his most notable performances was in the West End adaptation of 1984 (George Orwell) at London’s Playhouse Theatre, where he took on the lead role of Winston Smith. Terror Tales, Conquest of the South Pole, After the Fall, and classical student productions.

In radio and voice work, Gower has also participated in productions like The Diary of a Nobody (BBC Radio 4), Dark Visions: Speak, and voiced characters in animated shorts.

Music & Artistic Side Projects

Beyond acting, Gower has strong musical interests. In 2005, he co-founded a Manchester-based rock band named Emerson, where he was lead vocalist. The band played gigs, including performances at the historic Cavern Club in Liverpool, before disbanding when he began formal dramatic training.

More recently, he has been involved in the music project The Gustaffsons, collaborating with friends and releasing music, including EPs and upcoming works. Humpty Fuking Dumpty*. The Beatles is well known, and he’s described himself as a devoted fan.

Traits, Style & Artistic Identity

Versatility & Genre Range

One striking feature of Andrew Gower’s career is the range of genres he’s explored — from supernatural (vampires, fantasy) to historical, period drama, dystopian, and crime. He does not confine himself to one niche, which speaks to both his adaptability and desire to challenge himself.

Emotional Depth & Subtlety

Gower often brings introspection and nuance to characters, especially in roles that require internal conflict or moral ambiguity (e.g. Cutler in Being Human, Prince Charles in Outlander). He tends to reflect rather than dominate, allowing complexity to emerge.

Commitment & Preparation

Accounts of his approach to roles — such as observing real surgeries when playing a surgeon — suggest a serious, immersive process. His theatre and live production background also indicate comfort with demanding performance environments.

Understated Presence

Despite high-profile roles, Gower keeps a relatively low public profile. He appears measured and grounded in interviews and tends not to seek celebrity limelight.

Notable Quotes

While Andrew Gower is less quoted in media than many celebrities, a few statements give insight into his perspective:

“Every job I take … comes down to the quality of the script.” “I am quite happy that I can still walk down the street … and no one knows who I am. That's nice.” On playing historical figures: “There is a point … where you leave the books alone, and instead, you focus on … creating your version.”

These echoes reveal his humility, craft orientation, and careful balance between source material and creative interpretation.

Lessons from Andrew Gower’s Journey

1. Embrace breadth over pigeonholing. Gower’s career demonstrates that flexibility allows richer opportunities rather than narrow specialization.

2. Ground roles in preparation. He takes steps to understand characters deeply, whether via technical research or immersive experience.

3. Balance ambition and discretion. His measured public presence shows that one can succeed without constant spotlight.

4. Stay true to artistic instincts. He chooses roles that resonate, not just ones that bring visibility.

5. Persist across mediums. He continues working in theatre, radio, screen, and music — adapting among formats keeps an artist vital.

Conclusion

Andrew Gower is a multifaceted talent whose career spans genres, formats, and countries. From his beginnings in Aintree to center stage in Outlander, Carnival Row, and beyond, he embodies both quiet discipline and expressive range. His journey reminds fans and aspiring artists alike that success can lie in versatility, subtlety, and devotion to craft.

If you’d like, I can pull together a “complete filmography timeline” or a list of recommended performances of Andrew Gower to watch.