Childhood & Early Life
Emun Elliott was born Emun Mohammadi, on November 28, 1983, in Edinburgh, Scotland. His father was of Persian descent, and his mother was Scottish. He grew up in Duddingston, Portobello, Edinburgh, where he attended 'George Heriot's School.'
Elliott graduated with a degree in English literature and French from the 'University of Aberdeen.' After completing the first year of college, he dropped out and auditioned for drama school.
He studied acting at 'The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland' in Glasgow. While attending the program, Elliott got the opportunity to explore some of the all-time classic plays. He was trained by many influential and inspiring teachers, such as Hugh Hodgart, Joyce Deans, and Ros Steen. He graduated from the institute in 2005.
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Career
Elliott made his acting debut in 2005, with a single-episode appearance (as 'Danny') in the ‘BBC’ drama ‘Monarch of the Glen.’ He subsequently appeared in the ‘BBC’ sitcom 'Feel the Force' (as 'PC MacGregor') and the ‘ITV’ drama 'Afterlife' (as 'Tariq').
He also worked in short films such as 'Then a Summer Starts' (as 'Luke') in 2007 and 'The Clan' (as 'Cal McKinley') in 2009.
In 2009, Elliot was seen playing his first TV lead, in the British science-fiction police drama 'Paradox,' starring Tamzin Outhwaite, Mark Bonnar, and Chiké Okonkwo. He played 'Dr. Christian King,' a scientist trying to prevent disasters predicted by futuristic images. That year, the industry magazine 'Screen International' described him as "one to watch."
Elliott appeared as 'Private Fraser' in the critically acclaimed 'National Theatre of Scotland' production 'Black Watch,' authored by Gregory Burke. He was also part of 'The 12th Annual Virginia Arts Festival' in 2008. He played the character on stage for over 2 years and also lent his voice to its radio adaptation. Elliott also played a voice role in the radio drama 'Places in Between.'
In 2010, he played charming 'Jay Bryan Adams' in the 'BBC Three' drama 'Lip Service,' 'Damien Barratt' in an episode of the 'BBC One' drama 'Inspector George Gently,' and 'Swire' (alongside Sean Bean) in the 2010 German–British action–horror film 'Black Death.' He appeared as 'Claudio' in the 'Almeida Theatre' production of Shakespeare's 'Measure for Measure.'
In 2011, Elliot appeared as 'Marillion' in the ‘HBO’ fantasy–drama series 'Game of Thrones,' as 'James Bennett' in the ‘ITV’ crime drama 'Vera,' and as an older Scottish picker named 'Kev' in the light psycho drama 'Strawberry Fields.' He also starred in the Tom MacRae-written British sitcom 'Threesome,' alongside Amy Huberman (as 'Alice') and Stephen Wight (as ‘Alice's boyfriend, 'Mitch'). Elliott played the gay best friend of ‘Alice’ and ‘Mitch,’ 'Richie.'
He played 'Guilhem du Mas,' the husband of 'Alaïs’ (played by Jessica Brown Findlay) and the lover of 'Oriane' (played by Katie McGrath), in the 2012 TV adaption of Kate Mosse's 2005 novel 'Labyrinth.' Elliot was cast as the charismatic 19th-century department store owner 'John Moray' in the costume drama 'The Paradise,' co-produced by 'BBC Studios' and 'Masterpiece.' He was seen as 'Basilio Sánchez' in the crime series 'Falcón,' adapted from Robert Wilson's book series.
Elliott and Benedict Wong co-starred as ship pilots 'Chance' and 'Ravel,' respectively, in the science-fiction feature 'Prometheus.' He played 'Peter Inglis' in the 2013 British black comedy crime film, adapted from Irvine Welsh's novel 'Filth.' He also appeared as 'Richard' in the short film 'The Ring Cycle.'
He made an appearance in the 2014 biblical film 'Exodus: Gods and Kings.' He played 'Brance' in the opera film 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' and 'Marco' in Arthur Miller's play 'A View from the Bridge' (staged at the 'Young Vic,' London).
In 2015, Elliot was cast as 'Leon' in the feature 'Scottish Mussel.' He also guest-starred as 'Stephen Belkin' in David Renwick's ‘BBC’ mystery crime drama 'Jonathan Creek' and appeared as 'Pierre LaPorte' in Lolita Chakrabarti's play 'Red Velvet' (staged at 'The Garrick,' London).
He played the influential CEO of the fictional company ‘Solasta Finance,’ 'Alistair McDermid,' in the British thriller series 'Clique.'
Elliott was also roped in to play 'Dr. Andy Brenner,' alongside Jodie Whittaker, in the 'BBC One' drama 'Trust Me.' To prepare for their respective roles, both Jodie and he had to attend a masterclass at 'St. John's Hospital' in Livingston to learn about the emergency procedures.
In 2017, he was seen as 'Roy' in the British–New Zealand political action thriller '6 Days,' based on the 1980 Iranian embassy siege in London. He also performed in the play 'Fatherland' at the 'Royal Exchange' in Manchester.
In August 2018, Elliott performed in Naomi Wallace's 'Things of Dry Hours,' staged at the 'Young Vic Clare Theatre.' The following year, he appeared as 'Kenny Burns' in the four-part ‘BBC’ dark comedy–drama 'Guilt.'
He auditioned for theater directors Trip Cullman and Jim Carnahan in London and then flew to New York to attend a reading for a play with actor Marisa Tomei. When he went back to London, he was offered a part in Tennessee Williams's play 'The Rose Tattoo.' It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Elliott, as he had been a huge fan of the playwright ever since he had read his 'A Streetcar Named Desire' in high school.
‘The Rose Tattoo’ featured him as 'Alvaro Mangiacavallo.' The play was staged at 'American Airlines Theater,' New York City.
