A History Of Liverpool Thespians - Ellis Howard

Ellis Francis Howard was born in 1997 in Norris Green, Liverpool and grew up he says "in a two up, two down, with two sisters, a massive dog, and both my parents." From a young age, Ellis showed interest in performance and storytelling. His father worked as a dockworker, while his mother was employed in the NHS and to get Howard out of the house they sent him to acting classes in West Derby where by the age of 12, he was auditioning to professional schools, and got into one, the Black Box. Ellis says, "It was really prestigious. And I was so lucky to have gotten in. My school didn't run any acting programs. No art, no acting. But in the car ride home, my mum stopped the car, and she broke down crying. And she was like, 'El, we just can't afford to send you to a drama class'." After that he stopped acting for a couple of years but, undeterred, when he was 13 or 14, an opportunity came along and he ended up going to Rare Studio: a free-to-access performing arts school in Liverpool that offers classes, and there he began developing his skills that, he says, changed his life. Having performed Jonathan Harvey's play, 'Beautiful Thing', which he says he loved, he said, "It was a massive experience for me. And I did that when I was 15 in Liverpool, and that felt like a real moment. I got my first agent, and I started to feel like, wow 'people, maybe are taking me seriously'." Also being a member of the UK Youth Parliament Scheme, the experience played an important role in building his confidence and preparing him for bigger opportunities in the future. Later, he moved to London to study at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Graduating in 2018, he received professional training in acting, stage performance, and creative development.

Ellis as Antony in Red Rose

 

Combining his views with a healthy dose of activism, setting up crowd funders to put on his plays, he founded Step Up For Scousers, a local programme that provided toys and goods to families in need. Officially beginning his professional acting career in 2019, like many actors, he started by taking on roles that allowed him to gain experience and visibility. Breaking into television is never guaranteed, and the early years often require patience and persistence. His first major screen appearance came in the HBO historical drama 'Catherine the Great' (2019), where he played Ivan VI of Russia. This role marked a strong entry point into high-profile productions. Now living in London, he slowly but surely built up a repertoire of work as he appeared in the TV movie 'Romeo & Juliet' (2021), the TV movie 'Help' (2021)  and in plays like the 2022 West End production 'To Kill a Mockingbird' playing Dill Harris at the Gielgud Theatre. Then he gained wider attention through the BBC Three horror drama 'Red Rose' (2022), where he portrayed Antony Longwell in 8 episodes. The series combined suspense, youth culture and psychological tension, and his performance contributed to the show's strong reception. This project helped establish him as a serious young actor capable of handling emotionally intense roles. It also positioned him as a rising name in British television.

Byron (Ellis) with the Fallen Divas in 'What It Feels Like for a Girl'

In 2025 he took on the lead role of 15-year-old Byron in the BBC’s wild, anarchic coming-of-age drama 'What It Feels Like for a Girl', as it follows Byron, a working-class teen whose flamboyance clashes with their macho father’s expectations makes him a target of anti-LGBTQIA+ violence at school. Inspired by the critically acclaimed memoir of the same name by writer and journalist Paris Lees. Ellis has opened up about his portrayal of Byron, class, queerness, the power of community, and why humanising the trans experience matters now more than ever. He says, "It was the first time in my life I was surrounded by queer people, and I felt like, 'Oh my god, this is who I am.' It was like I'd been handed a passport to myself, to authenticity. Now, Byron’s story has a very clear journey, from A to B. The destination is sharp and definite. Mine hasn’t been that. Mine's messier. But I’m so grateful that this book gave me the chance to meet these people, and in doing so, I felt like, I’m finally starting to feel like myself for the first time." He was named as one of 20 creatives on the year's Bafta Breakthrough list. The initiative, supported by Netflix, aims to spotlight people within gaming, TV and film who are on the verge or in the middle of a breakthrough moment.

Beyond acting, Ellis Howard is also developing his career as a writer and is writing and developing a television show with his best friend, Taheeb, based on their time at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Ellis says, "We were both outsiders entering this huge, elite institution. When we joined, the school was beginning to change, moving away from the idea of escaping yourself and focusing more on authenticity – on who you are. But I had the time of my life there. I met my best mates, and it really set me up to become an actor." As well as being involved in creating television projects and working on original ideas, he is connected to charitable efforts and still runs the non-profit initiative, Step Up For Scousers with his family, which collects and donates unsold toys and household supplies to local families. The goods are distributed through the Fans Supporting Foodbanks network set up by the MP for West Derby Ian Byrne. To this end he texts Ian and goes back to Liverpool regularly. This work reflects his continued connection to Liverpool and his desire to support local communities. It adds depth to his public image, showing that his success has not separated him from his roots.

see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2026/05/a-history-of-liverpool-thespians-emily.html