From social media fame to TV period drama, the 27-year-old British comediam-cum-actor maps out his path to polymathic prosperity.

Social media star-cum-comedian-cum-actor Henry Rowley has taken an increasingly familiar route to the screen world. Although the silver screen was his personal dream as a young man, the 27-year-old from Leicester, England, first found his fame on social media, sharing witty, satirical, character-led comedy on Instagram and TikTok. Quickly becoming beloved on the apps and with a theatrical background to match, Rowley took his talents on the road. After impressing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, he soon undertook a UK tour, selling out major venues like Richmond Theatre and Alexandra Palace.

Now, in a full circle moment for the rising talent, Rowley is currently being seen featuring in the Lionsgate/MGM adaptation of a classical tale. Robin Hood is a story known and loved by all, and this new series is offering up a modern and humour-driven twist. Rowley stars as Will Scarlett, featuring alongside the likes of Connie Nielsen and Sean Bean.

As he embarks on this new chapter and looks ahead to a promising acting career, Rowley talks to Man About Town about TikTok fame, social media challenges and acting ambitions.

You first blew up on TikTok with your satirical characters. Where did the idea come from? Who is your personal favourite?

It was an accident, really. I’ve always done characters and things, and one day I was doing this Husky-voiced posh girl character (“Minty”), which was based on some of my friends from University in Bristol who are quite posh. My friend told me to make a video of it and post it. I didn’t really expect anything to come of it; it was just a bit of a laugh, but the video did well, and so I carried on. My favourite videos to make are any improvised ones, like Scottish Harry Potter, etc., just because they’re weird and I take myself by surprise. I think my favourite character probably has to be Minty, it all started with her.

Has anyone ever played you at your own game and done a great impression of you? If so, who?

My girlfriend Ollie Winter does an impression of me that really makes me laugh. It’s not even the voice she does, it’s more what she says – it feels so personal and so accurate, and it really gets me. She’s really funny, you can see her stuff on TikTok too, her account will blow up soon, no doubt, she’s genuinely hilarious.

Social media can be tough on mental health if you aren’t careful. How do you keep your relationship with it positive?

I think you have to really just treat it as fun. I make these videos because I find it fun, and I think they’re funny, and it has to just stay as simple as that. It can be very negative both ways if you start to put too much stock into what people think; if they hate it or find you annoying, it can be damaging if you pay too much attention to that. But also, if everyone is praising you and you pay too much attention, it can be just as damaging. If people don’t find me funny, it really doesn’t bother me because comedy is subjective. If you post comedy videos hoping every single person will love it, then you’re doomed from the start. I also think friends and family are key. Your friends and family aren’t there because of anything you achieve, so it’s nice to know that if it all dries up and fades, your friends and family are still going to be there.

You’ve appeared Edinburgh Fringe previously – why is the festival so important for rising comics? 

It feels like a rite of passage, almost. When you tell people you do stand-up, they sort of don’t take you seriously until they hear you’ve done the Fringe. I think it’s such an incredible place with so many wonderful people and such a great community of comics and performers; it gives you the chance to not only perform your own show but see so many weird and wonderful shows to learn from. Aside from anything else, it’s such an amazing experience. I mean, it really bloody takes it out of you, but looking back, it’s so worth it. You have to look at the names that have found fame via the festival to see the impact it can have on giving comics a platform.

How do you graduate to a ‘comedian’ from a guy who stands on a stage and hopes people laugh? What’s the paramount learning curve?

I mean, that’s really what a comedian is. I guess the main thing I found was all the times you have an awful gig, which happens a hell of a lot at the start. It really is awful, but you get used to dealing with it. When you’re trying new material, it won’t always land, but that doesn’t have to be awkward. You realise that even if your material isn’t landing, if you keep your cool and make light of it, the audience relaxes, it shows them you’re in control and not panicking. They’re not afraid of you not being funny; they’re afraid of it being awkward. The bad shows will always happen, that’s how you create a good one; you try and try and try at pubs and clubs until you create your big show, which you’ll go and advertise, and that’s the one people see.

You’re set to star in the new Robin Hood TV series. How did that come about?

I got the audition through my agents. I remember seeing the sides and character and just immediately loving it. I absolutely love the auditioning/self-taping process, especially with a character and script you really love, so I just had a lot of fun with it. A couple of months went by, and suddenly I had a call saying I had an offer for the role, and that I was flying out to Serbia in 4 days, so it was all a bit crazy but so exciting.

It’s your first big acting role – how was the experience?

It was the best experience of my life. I’ve always wanted to be an actor, and I remember from my first day on set to my last day filming, I could not stop grinning. It’s just the most fun, wonderful, incredible experience. That’s also really helped by having such an incredible cast and crew that really just help create a wonderful atmosphere and make the experience that much more fun.

What was the biggest challenge?

The heat. In the summer, we’d be outside in these thick layered costumes of boots and tunics and leather, but it was like 40 degrees Celsius, so it was quite a lot. But whenever it started to get too uncomfortable, you have to catch yourself and realise – “wow, look at where I am and what I’m doing. Yes, I’m hot and sweaty, but come on.” So it was something you can deal with if it is uncomfortable. I think also in the first couple of months, I had major impostor syndrome and was convinced I’d be sent home immediately, which took a while to get used to.

You star alongside the likes of Sean Bean and Connie Nielsen. How was it sharing the screen with such revered names? What did they teach you about the craft? 

I mean, it’s incredible. It’s very surreal to meet these people you’ve grown up watching, let alone star alongside them. But they were so lovely and kind and helpful, and just seeing them and their process is so useful. To be honest, I learned from every cast member, subtle things here and there, but I felt like, throughout the whole process, with the help of the cast and crew, I really grew as an actor in so many ways.

Acting was your first love – is the series a full circle moment?

Absolutely. It’s my childhood dream, and I still can’t quite believe it. The only issue is, now I’ve got a taste for it, I’m desperate for more. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. I like that feeling, but as long as you make sure to stop and enjoy and appreciate the current moment at the same time.

What doors do you hope your TV role opens?

I’m really hoping it leads to more roles in film & TV. Coming from a comedy background, it’s really nice to land my first role as a serious character in a very grounded and serious show. I’d love to do comedy roles in the future for sure, but I also want to really build and grow as an actor in a whole variety of roles, and so this initial part will hopefully open that door for more projects in the future.

What are your plans for the short and long term?

Acting and acting. I won’t close the door on another stand-up tour at some point, but for now, acting is my real focus. I want to put everything into it, and it really is what I love to do more than anything. But I won’t be abandoning my silly little videos any time soon, after all, as I mentioned earlier, they’re just quite a lot of fun.