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Harry Richardson: Poldark, The Gilded Age & Career

Cooper Anderson White • 2026-08-18 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

There’s a certain kind of actor who feels equally at home in the muddy fields of 18th-century Cornwall and the gilded drawing rooms of 1880s New York. Harry Richardson is one of them. Born March 3, 1993, in Sydney, Australia, this classically trained performer has quietly built a career bridging period drama and modern cinema, from his breakout as Drake Carne in Poldark to his current role as Larry Russell in HBO’s The Gilded Age.

Age: 31 (born March 3, 1993) ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) ·
Known For: Drake Carne in Poldark, Larry Russell in The Gilded Age ·
Nationality: Australian ·
Training: RADA, West Australian Academy of Performing Arts

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Current relationship status (wife or partner) not publicly confirmed (CelebHeightAge)
  • Specific upcoming projects beyond 2024 not yet announced (CelebHeightAge)
  • Exact height disputed: some sources say 5’9″, others 5’10″ or 6’0″ (CelebHeightAge)
3Timeline signal
4What happens next

Six facts that define the actor’s profile:

Label Value
Full Name Harry Richardson
Date of Birth March 3, 1993 – confirmed by multiple sources
Place of Birth Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (IMDb Biography)
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) – estimates vary (Outbackwatch.net)
Profession Actor
Training Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA); West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (The Protagonist Magazine)

What is Harry Richardson doing now?

Current acting projects in 2025

As of early 2025, Richardson’s primary gig is the role of Larry Russell in HBO’s period drama The Gilded Age. The series, created by Julian Fellowes, continues into its third season. According to IMDb (film database), he has appeared in 25 episodes and is expected to remain a series regular. No other television or film projects have been announced, though Richardson has not signaled any intention to step away from the screen.

Recent and upcoming releases

After Poldark ended in 2019, Richardson took a brief break before joining The Gilded Age in 2022. A 2025 profile on Australiapress.net (entertainment news) reported that he had “no other announced TV or film credits” at the time. That could change as the industry ramps up production, but for now, The Gilded Age remains his sole acting commitment.

Bottom line: Harry Richardson is currently focused on his ongoing role in The Gilded Age. Fans waiting for a new project should watch for casting announcements later in 2025.

The implication: Richardson is deepening his foothold in a single major series, a smart career move in an uncertain industry.

How old is Harry Richardson and where was he born?

Age

Harry Richardson was born on March 3, 1993, making him 31 years old as of 2024. This date is confirmed by Wikipedia (online encyclopedia) and IMDb Biography (official bio page). A conflicting date of March 13, 1993 appears on TV Insider (entertainment guide), but the March 3 date is more widely cited.

Birthplace and nationality

Richardson was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He holds Australian nationality. According to Amazon Prime Video (streaming platform), his birthplace is Sydney, a fact repeated by Wikipedia and IMDb. He spent part of his childhood between London and Australia, according to Italian Wikipedia (international encyclopedia).

The pattern

Richardson’s dual-hemisphere upbringing — schooled in Australia, trained in London — gave him the transatlantic ease that makes him believable in both British and American period pieces.

What this means: his background directly equips him for the cross-cultural roles that define his career.

Who did Harry Richardson play in Poldark?

Role of Drake Carne

Richardson portrayed Drake Carne, the brother of Morwenna, in the BBC drama Poldark. He joined the series in its third season (2017) and remained through the fifth and final season in 2019. Wikipedia (online encyclopedia) confirms the role and the 2017–2019 timeframe. Drake is a working-class miner turned blacksmith, and his romance with the aristocratic Rowena represented a central storyline.

Poldark character arc

Drake Carne’s character undergoes significant hardship: he is falsely accused of theft, imprisoned, and later rescued. The role gave Richardson a chance to display emotional range in a period setting. IMDb lists the character as appearing in 25 episodes. The casting was a breakout for the then-unknown actor.

Why this matters

Poldark was Richardson’s first major television role, and it established him as a go-to actor for period drama — a niche he would later deepen in The Gilded Age.

The catch: this role locked him into a period‑drama lane, but one with plenty of opportunity.

Who does Harry Richardson play in The Gilded Age?

Role of Larry Russell

In HBO’s The Gilded Age, Richardson plays Larry Russell, the son of newly rich railroad magnate George Russell (played by Morgan Spector). Larry is a well-meaning, slightly naive young man caught between his family’s ambition and the old-money society of 1880s New York. IMDb confirms the role started in 2022 and continues. The Gilded Age Wiki (fan community) identifies him as the actor behind the character.

Character description

Larry Russell is one of the few genuinely sympathetic characters in the series — he falls in love with a woman from a lower social class and tries to navigate the rigid expectations of his family. The role showcases Richardson’s ability to blend charm with vulnerability. TV Insider (entertainment guide) notes that the character has become a fan favorite.

What are Harry Richardson’s other movies and TV shows?

Full filmography list

Before Poldark, Richardson appeared in the 2016 miniseries Doctor Thorne as Frank Gresham. In 2017, he had a small role in Christopher Nolan’s war epic Dunkirk — a brief but memorable appearance as a soldier. IMDb (film database) lists these credits alongside his lead roles. He also played a role in the Australian film Not Suitable for Work (2018), though details are scarce.

Notable roles like Dunkirk and Doctor Thorne

Doctor Thorne, based on the Anthony Trollope novel, marked his television debut. Dunkirk placed him in a globally recognized blockbuster. According to The Protagonist Magazine (actor interview), Richardson credits his training at RADA and WAAPA for preparing him to work with directors like Christopher Nolan and Julian Fellowes.

Bottom line: Richardson’s filmography is compact but high-impact: two major period dramas, a Nolan film, and a Trollope adaptation. His next move will determine whether he expands into contemporary leads or continues as a period specialist.

The pattern: his filmography is built on carefully chosen, high‑profile projects rather than volume.

Career timeline

  • 1993 – Born in Sydney, Australia.
  • 2016 – Debut in Doctor Thorne.
  • 2017 – Appears in Dunkirk.
  • 2017–2019 – Plays Drake Carne in Poldark.
  • 2022–present – Portrays Larry Russell in HBO’s The Gilded Age.

The implication: each step in his timeline reinforces a deliberate career focus on period drama.

For profiles of other Australian actors, see Dacre Montgomery: Wife, Stranger Things Exit, Age & More and Tom Blyth: Age, Height, Relationship, and Movies.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Birth date: March 3, 1993 – confirmed by multiple sources
  • Birthplace: Sydney, Australia – confirmed by multiple sources
  • Role in Poldark as Drake Carne (2017–2019) – confirmed by multiple sources
  • Role in The Gilded Age as Larry Russell (2022–present) – confirmed by multiple sources
  • Trained at RADA and WAAPA – confirmed by multiple sources

What’s unclear

  • Exact height disputed (5’9″–6’0″ reported)
  • Current relationship status not publicly confirmed
  • No confirmed future projects beyond The Gilded Age as of early 2025
  • Details of the “airline anecdote” circulated online remain unverified

The catch: the unanswered questions leave fans with limited forward visibility into his personal and professional life.

Quotes and perspectives

“I consider myself fortunate to have trained at both WAAPA and RADA, which gave me a solid foundation for period work.”

— Harry Richardson, interviewed by The Protagonist Magazine

“Richardson brings a natural charm to the role of Larry Russell, making him one of the most relatable characters in the series.”

— Australiapress.net (entertainment review)

What this means: critics consistently praise his natural charm, and he himself credits his training for his period‑drama ease.

Summary

Harry Richardson has carved a niche as a classically trained Australian actor who excels in period dramas. His trajectory — from a Sydney childhood to RADA, from Poldark to The Gilded Age — shows a deliberate career built on strong foundations. For casting directors looking for a performer who can embody both historical authenticity and modern sensibility, the choice is clear: Richardson is the reliable bridge between centuries.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Harry Richardson?

Estimates vary. Some sources list him at 5 ft 9 in, others at 5 ft 10 in or 6 ft 0 in. The most commonly cited figure is around 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m).

Is Harry Richardson married?

His current marital status is not publicly confirmed. He has not spoken about a wife or partner in interviews.

Why did they change the actor for Geoffrey Charles in Poldark?

That’s a different character. Harry Richardson played Drake Carne, not Geoffrey Charles. The role of Geoffrey Charles was played by a different actor.

What is Harry Richardson’s nationality?

He is Australian, born in Sydney, New South Wales.

Did Harry Richardson train at RADA?

Yes, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, as well as the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Perth.

What role did Harry Richardson play in Dunkirk?

He played a soldier in the 2017 film directed by Christopher Nolan. His role was small but part of the ensemble.

Bottom line: The pattern: the FAQs address the most common gaps left by his limited public profile.



Cooper Anderson White

About the author

Cooper Anderson White

Coverage is updated through the day with transparent source checks.