David Moorst

David Moorst
Born1992 (age 33)[1][2]
St Helens, Merseyside, England
EducationCowley International College
Alma materLondon Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
OccupationActor
Years active2014 - present
TelevisionBridgerton (Series 4)

David Moorst (/moːrst/)[3] is an English stage and screen actor. His stage performances have earned him an Evening Standard Theatre Award and a Critics' Circle Theatre Award, as well as an Olivier Award nomination. On television, he is best known for portraying Alfie in Series 4 of Bridgerton (2026).[4]

Early life and education

Moorst grew up in the Haresfinch neighbourhood in St Helens, Merseyside (formerly part of Lancashire).[5][4] His mother, who is a school administrator, raised him and his elder brother as a single parent.[6] He attended Cowley International College, where he played in a brass band and performed in his school's musicals.[7][4] He also took part in the National Youth Theatre as a teenager. Moorst took his A Levels in Music, Performing Arts, and Graphic Design[8] before securing a place at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), having been encouraged by his teacher to apply for drama school.[5] He graduated from LAMDA in 2014.[9]

Career

Moorst's acting career has spanned across both the stage and the screen. His stage performances, in particular, have earned him positive critical reviews over the year.

Moorst's first stage role after graduating from LAMDA was as apprentice miner Malcolm in Beth Steel's Wonderland, staged at Hampstead Theatre in 2014.[10] Critic Charles Spencer described Moorst's performance as "deeply touching" in his review of the play for The Telegraph.[11] His breakthrough role came the following year, when he starred as teenager Liam in the Royal Court Theatre production of Violence and Son, written by Gary Owen. Writing for The Telegraph, Dominic Cavendish described Moorst as "a complex joy to watch"[12] while The Guardian's Michael Billington praised the young actor for "outstandingly catch[ing] Liam’s mix of smart-arse knowingness, sexual nervousness and aching loneliness".[13] The role earned Moorst the Emerging Talent Award at the 2015 Evening Standard Theatre Awards[14] as well as the Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising Newcomer at the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards the following year.[15] Also in 2015, Moorst had his first musical theatre role, starring as Jack in the production of Into the Woods at the Royal Exchange, Manchester.[6] Though the production overall received mixed reviews, Exeunt Magazine noted that Moorst was "particularly excellent"[16] and WhatsOnStage named the actor as the cast member who made "the most of his role".[17]

In 2016, Moorst appeared in Mark Hayhurst's First Light at Minerva Theatre, Chichester[18] and in the revival production of Shopping and Fucking at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.[19] In 2018, he played Andy in Alan Bennett's hospital drama Allelujah! at the Bridge Theatre,[20] whose premier coincided with the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the NHS.[21] In 2019, he returned to the Royal Exchange in Manchester for Simon Stephens's Light Falls. The production received a 5-star review from The Telegraph, with Moorst's performance described as "superb".[22] The same year, he was cast as Puck in the Bridge Theatre's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, which required the actor to train in aerial acrobatics at the National Centre for Circus Arts.[23] His performance was positively remarked upon in reviews by The Independent[24] and The New York Times.[25] Moorst later reprised the role when the production returned to the Bridge Theatre in 2025.[26] In 2022, he was cast as Dill Harris in the West End premier of To Kill a Mockingbird, an adaptation of Harper Lee's novel of the same name.[27] The role landed him a nomination for Best actor in a supporting role at the 2023 Laurence Olivier Awards.[28] In 2024, he played Geoffrey in A Taste of Honey at Manchester Royal Exchange. His performance was highlighted in a review by Manchester Evening News as "a heart-breaking and thoughtful piece of acting that starts off comic and becomes something much more interesting".[29]

On television, Moorst has had guest roles in BBC One's Holby City (2014), Partners in Crime (2015), and Killing Eve (2022) and ITV's Grantchester (2016). His breakthrough role, however, was footman Alfie in Series 4 of the Netflix series Bridgerton (2026),[4] where his character quickly became a fan favourite.[30]

Moorst's first major film role was as Joseph in Mike Leigh's 2018 release, Peterloo.[31] He has since appeared in Waiting for the Barbarians (2019),[32] Blitz,[33] and William Tell[34] (both released in 2024).

Acting credits

Films

Years Title Role Refs
2018 Peterloo Joseph [35]
2019 Waiting for the Barbarians Garrison Soldier 6 [32]
2024 Blitz Sailor in Bar [33]
William Tell Leopold [34]

Television

Year Title Network(s) Role Note Refs
2014 Holby City BBC One Josh Wallace-Jones Series 17, Episode 7 [36]
2015 Partners in Crime BBC One Wilfred Episode 4 [37]
2016 Grantchester ITV Lankester Series 2, Episode 2
2020 Secrets of the Dead PBS / BBC Two Rudolf Vrba Season 18, Episode 2; Broadcast in the UK in 2019 under the title 1944: Should We Bomb Auschwitz? [38][39]
2022 Killing Eve BBC One David Series 4, Episode 1
2025 Down Cemetery Road Apple TV Sam Series 1, Episode 1 [40]
2026 Bridgerton Netflix Alfie Series 4, supporting role [4]

Theatre

Year Title Role Venue(s) Refs
2014 Wonderland (by Beth Steel) Malcolm Hampstead Theatre [10]
2015 Violence and Son (by Gary Owen) Liam Royal Court Theatre [13]
2015-2016 Into the Woods Jack Royal Exchange, Manchester [41]
2016 First Light Alfie Minerva Theatre, Chichester [18]
Shopping and Fucking Gary Lyric, Hammersmith [19]
2018 Allelujah! Andy Bridge Theatre [20]
2019 Light Falls (by Simon Stephens) Steven Royal Exchange, Manchester [42]
2019; 2025 A Midsummer Night's Dream Puck Bridge Theatre [43][26]
2022 To Kill a Mockingbird Dill Harris Gielgud Theatre [27]
2024 A Taste of Honey Geoffrey Royal Exchange, Manchester [44]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work(s) Results Refs
2015 Evening Standard Theatre Awards Emerging Talent Award Violence and Son Won [14]
2015 Critics' Circle Theatre Awards Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising Newcomer Violence and Son Won [15]
2016 St Helens Star's Pride of St Helens Awards Arts Award Body of work Won [45]
2023 Laurence Olivier Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role To Kill a Mockingbird Nominated [28]

References

  1. ^ "David Moorst' star is on the rise after he is named Evening Standard's Emerging Talent at theatre awards". St Helens Star. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  2. ^ "PRIDE OF ST HELENS: Actor David has never forgotten his roots". St Helens Star. 17 November 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  3. ^ "Moorst". Wiktionary. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  4. ^ a b c d e Zemler, Emily (23 February 2026). "Meet David Moorst, aka Alfie, the Best Friend Everyone Needs". www.shondaland.com. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  5. ^ a b Mather, Stephen (3 November 2015). "David returns to his old school to give some acting tips". St Helens Star. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  6. ^ a b Curtis, Nick (10 November 2015). "Evening Standard Theatre Awards: Stars of the future in the spotlight". The Standard. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  7. ^ Mather, Stephen (25 November 2015). "David Moorst' star is on the rise after he is named Evening Standard's Emerging Talent at theatre awards". St Helens Star. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  8. ^ "David takes a giant stride onto the stage". St Helens Star. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  9. ^ "Alumni News: October Edition". London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  10. ^ a b "Wonderland: Meet the cast". Hampstead Theatre. 13 May 2014. Archived from the original on 10 February 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  11. ^ Spencer, Charles (2 July 2014). "Wonderland, review: 'rare power'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 9 July 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  12. ^ Cavendish, Dominnic (9 June 2015). "Violence and Son, Royal Court Upstairs, review: 'every teenager should see this'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  13. ^ a b Billington, Michael (9 June 2015). "Violence and Son review – honest account of brutality kept in the family". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  14. ^ a b "Evening Standard Theatre Awards: Who won and why". The Standard. 23 November 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  15. ^ a b Leith, Alex (28 January 2016). "The 2015 Critics' Circle Theatre Awards". The Critics' Circle. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  16. ^ Varney, James (14 December 2015). "Into the Woods". Exeunt Magazine. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  17. ^ Trueman, Matt (14 December 2015). "Into the Woods (Royal Exchange, Manchester)". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  18. ^ a b Lawson, Mark (16 June 2016). "First Light review – questions of courage and cowardice in tale of a war deserter". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  19. ^ a b Gardner, Lyn (13 October 2016). "Shopping and Fucking review – Mark Ravenhill's fearless play clicks into Amazon age". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  20. ^ a b "Allelujah!". Bridge Theatre. Archived from the original on 3 February 2026. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  21. ^ "Alan Bennett play Allelujah! takes scalpel to modern NHS". BBC News. 19 July 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  22. ^ "Light Falls, Manchester Royal Exchange, review: Jarvis Cocker's terrific score adds to a life-affirming evening". The Telegraph. 30 October 2019. Archived from the original on 2 November 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  23. ^ Frodsham, Isobel (12 June 2019). "David Moorst went to circus school to prepare for Shakespeare's Puck". The Standard. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  24. ^ Taylor, Paul (12 June 2019). "A Midsummer Night's Dream review: Nicholas Hytner's take is another mould-breaker". The Independent. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  25. ^ Wolf, Matt (4 July 2019). "In a New 'Midsummer Night's Dream,' Darkness and Wonder (Published 2019)". Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  26. ^ a b Zafar-Arif, Shehrazade (24 April 2025). "Cast announced for A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at the Bridge Theatre". West End Theatre News and Reviews. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  27. ^ a b Akbar, Arifa (31 March 2022). "To Kill a Mockingbird review – Harper Lee would approve of snappy Sorkin update". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  28. ^ a b "Olivier awards 2023: full list of winners". The Guardian. 2 April 2023. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  29. ^ Williams, Rob (22 March 2024). "Review: A Taste of Honey at the Royal Exchange". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  30. ^ Utley, Riley (31 January 2026). "There's A New Bridgerton Character I'm Desperate To See More Of In Season 4, Part 2, And I'm Thrilled Fans Are As Obsessed As I Am". Cinemablend. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  31. ^ "Actor stars in historic drama film Peterloo". St Helens Star. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  32. ^ a b "Waiting for the Barbarians credits - Metacritic". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  33. ^ a b "Blitz credits - Metacritic". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  34. ^ a b "William Tell credits - Metacritic". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  35. ^ Bradley, D. M. (16 May 2019). "Film Review: Peterloo – The Adelaide Review". Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  36. ^ "BBC One - Holby City, Series 17, Flesh and Blood". BBC. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  37. ^ "BBC One - Partners in Crime, N or M? - Part One". BBC. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  38. ^ "PBS Presents "Secrets of the Dead: Bombing Auschwitz" - The Jewish Voice". thejewishvoice.com. 24 January 2020. Archived from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  39. ^ "BBC Two - 1944: Should We Bomb Auschwitz?". BBC. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  40. ^ "Down Cemetery Road Season 1 Episode 4 Recap – Reel Mockery". 12 November 2025. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  41. ^ Gardner, Lyn (14 December 2015). "Into the Woods review – reality bites for Sondheim's fairytale heroes". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  42. ^ Billington, Michael (30 October 2019). "Light Falls review – Simon Stephens' guilt-ridden love letter to the north". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  43. ^ Billington, Michael (11 June 2019). "A Midsummer Night's Dream review – join the fiesta with Gwendoline Christie". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  44. ^ Ahad, Nick (22 March 2024). "A Taste of Honey review – Shelagh Delaney's grenade explodes again". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  45. ^ "REVEALED: Pride of St Helens 2016 - the winners". St Helens Star. 12 November 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
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