For fans who first got to know Ben Robson through his intense, sword-swinging role on the hit historical drama Vikings—which aired on the History Channel starting in 2013—it might have seemed like Ben Robson was destined for the spotlight from the very beginning. His commanding screen presence certainly gave that impression. But in reality, Ben Robson’s journey into acting took a rather unexpected turn later in life. Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, back in 1984, Ben Robson didn’t follow the typical path of many actors. He never acted in school plays or pursued theater in his youth. Instead, he focused on academics, earning a business degree from the University of the West of England in Bristol.
It wasn’t until he turned 25 that Ben Robson felt a sudden and powerful calling toward acting—a shift that surprised even those closest to him. Explaining this career pivot to family and friends wasn’t easy, but Ben Robson was determined. He made the bold move to fly across the world to Los Angeles, where he enrolled at the prestigious Stella Adler Academy to train seriously in the craft. During his time there, Ben Robson immersed himself in stage work, eventually performing in productions such as The Goldilocks Effect, which helped build his confidence and skills.
His breakthrough came when he landed his first major film role in Dracula: The Dark Prince (2013), sharing the screen with seasoned actor Jon Voight—an impressive start for someone so new to the industry. From there, Ben Robson continued to build momentum, appearing in the chilling horror film The Boy (2016). That same year, he stepped into the world of Vikings as the character Kalf, delivering a standout performance throughout the show’s second season.
After making a strong impression on fans of the series, Ben Robson transitioned smoothly into another compelling role—this time as a series regular on the TNT crime drama Animal Kingdom (2016–present). With each role, Ben Robson has proven that it’s never too late to chase a dream, and his evolving career continues to captivate audiences around the world.
When it comes to Ben Robson’s filmography, one standout performance comes from Emperor (2020), which happens to be his highest rated movie so far. Critics and audiences alike responded well to Ben Robson’s role in that film, giving it solid marks across several review platforms. On the other hand, Ben Robson also appeared in A Violent Separation (2019), a film that didn’t quite resonate as strongly with viewers or critics—making it his lowest rated movie to date. While Ben Robson has shown range and dedication in various roles, these two films represent the upper and lower ends of his acting journey in terms of critical reception. Still, Ben Robson continues to build a diverse portfolio, and fans are watching closely to see what he does next.