Charlie Coxis an English actor best known for his performance as Matt Murdock AKA Daredevil in the (formerly) Netflix Original SeriesDaredevil. While Cox has been in a variety of media, including short films and music videos, Cox made his film debut in the psychological thrillerDot the i, shortly after which he received a supporting role inThe Merchant of Venicealongside Al Pacino, breaking the terms of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s policy to not audition outside school productions. However, this choice worked out for the best for him as it gained him the lead role inStardust.
With his new role as Michael in the new crimeTV seriesKin, which has already been renewed for a second season, and his upcoming role as Adam in theNetflix showTreason, Cox deserves more attention for his non-MCU performances (though, of course, hisrecent return as Matt MurdockinSpider-Man: No Way Homewas a major milestone for the actor and character). Whether it’s a lead role or a supporting role, Cox always manages to bring out the best or worst in his characters. These are Charlie Cox’s 8 best performances, ranked.
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8King of Thieves
When a crew of retired criminals plan a jewel heist for their last hurrah, things soon go awry when greed consumes them. Based on the real-life Hatton Garden safe deposit burglary,King of Thievesfeatures huge names in British cinema including Michael Caine, Tom Courtenay, and Michael Gambon. Charlie Cox plays the role of Basil/Michael Seed, the only young member of the heist group and the only one who manages to evade capture and leave the country. With such a strong cast,King of Thieveswas a recipe for success. However, the film did not come close to meeting the expectations of critics with many stating that the film lacked any direction, unable to establish itself as a comedy or a drama, despite having a real-life event at the core of the plot.
Based on the real-life character Giacomo Casanova,Casanovafollows the infamous Venetian seducer of women who is forced to get married or leave Venice and then falls in love with Francesca, a free-thinking woman who writes in secret. Alongside Heath Ledger, Sienna Miller, and Natalie Dormer, Charlie Cox plays the role of Giovanni, Francesca’s brother who is madly in love with his pious neighbor Victoria. Cox shines in the role of this shy boy turned playboy who manages to get Victoria to fall in love with him and winds up taking over the role of “Casanova” when the real Casanova leaves Venice.
6The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice,based on the Shakespearean playof the same name, features some A-list cast members, including Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons. Set in Venice, Bassanio makes a deal with Jewish moneylender Shylock in order to attempt to win Portia’s hand in marriage. However, in making this deal, Shylock insists that if Bassanio cannot pay the money back, he must pay with a pound of flesh. Charlie Cox plays the role of Lorenzo, the Christian lover of Shylock’s daughter Jessica. The couple runs away in secret with Jessica converting to Christianity and eloping with Lorenzo, taking a great deal of her father’s wealth with her. The film received a great deal of praise for the performances from the actors and for the costume, winning a BAFTA nomination for Best Costume Design.
Serving as Charlie Cox’s breakout role into lead roles, Cox plays the role of Tristan who ventures out into the magical forest to fetch a fallen star to win the heart of his crush Victoria. Little did he know that the fallen star would not be a rock but would come in the shape of a woman named Yvaine. Tristan finds himself on a wild journey as the sons of the king and an evil witch all wish to steal the star for their own personal gain.Stardustis a unique film like no other with stars like Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Robert DeNiro to support this fantastical adventure. The film was nominated for a number of awards, including the Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Overlooked Film of the Year.
4The Theory of Everything
Based on the life of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking,The Theory of Everythingfollows Hawking’s romantic relationship with his wife, his success in science, and his journey in handling his devastating diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Alongside Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones, who play the roles of Stephen and Jane Hawking, is Charlie Cox as Jonathan Jones. Widower Jonathan is befriended by Jane who helps Stephen with his illness and plays with the children. When Stephen and Jane’s marriage dissolves, Jonathan and Jane fall in love and eventually marry.The Theory of Everythingwas critically acclaimed, nominated for five Academy Awards — taking home the Academy Award for Best Actor for Eddie Redmayne — and is considered one of thebest biopics ever made.
Related:Best Eddie Redmayne Movies, Ranked
3Downton Abbey
While he only appeared in the first episode ofDownton Abbey, Charlie Cox’s performance is memorable as the Duke. After the Crawley family is told about the passing of Mary’s cousin, fiancé, and the heir to the Downton estate, they are distraught. However, their spirits lift upon receiving a surprise visit from the Duke, who has nothing to offer but his title. It’s later revealed that Thomas was the one who contacted the Duke to come to the Abbey, having previously had a secret, intimate relationship with him. Cox’s performance is memorable, getting across as a despicable character, only interested in the wealth that he thought Lady Mary would inherit.
2Boardwalk Empire
Boardwalk Empirefollows the tale of politician/gangster in Atlantic City, Enoch “Nucky” Thompson who runs things above and underground during the time of Prohibition, having a particular interest in bootlegging. Charlie Cox plays the role of Owen Sleater, an Irish immigrant and IRA operative, serving as Nucky’s driver and bodyguard. The series received a number of awards in a variety of categories, including a total of three Primetime Emmy Awards in its five-year run.
1Daredevil
Finally, we have Charlie Cox’s most known role as the vigilante Matt Murdock AKA Daredevil, a blind man with superhuman hearing who takes it upon himself to fight crime on the streets. Based on the Marvel Comics of the same name,Daredevilwas the first in a series of shows that led toThe PunisherandThe Defenders. The series is critically acclaimed, with special praise for Cox’s performance, for both the action sequences and the great emotional scenes (like when Foggy discovered that Matt is Daredevil). Cox’s performance even earned him the Helen Keller Achievement Award. While the series was set to have a fourth season, it was canceled. That said, after Cox’s appearance as Daredevil inSpider-Man: No Way Home, there is talk that Daredevil may receive arevival series on Disney+or Hulu.
