Henry Rowley

From playing pretend with his brothers in the garden to playing pretend as Will in Robin Hood, Henry Rowley has always had a knack for storytelling, just now with slightly better costumes. His creative journey, which began with clever, character-driven TikToks, has built a loyal following drawn to his blend of humour and heart. Yet, it’s his debut acting role in Robin Hood that reveals a new side to him: the same childlike “little brother” spirit, mixed with a dose of imposter syndrome and a genuine love for the craft, proving that the boy who loved to play make-believe has simply found a bigger stage.

Off-screen, Henry remains grounded and thoughtful, balancing the intensity of his work with quiet rituals and the company of friends and family. If you had to guess what he was doing, other than work, you’d most likely be right if you said, “in the sauna,” where his “tears blend in with [his] sweat,” or “watching a movie” like It’s A Wonderful Life — where his tears do not blend in as well. It’s that blend of sincerity and self-awareness that makes him so endearing; whether exploring the highs and lows of creative expression, reflecting on moments of personal growth, or embracing the joy in everyday experiences, he brings a refreshing honesty and warmth to every endeavour.

MGM+’s Robin Hood is available to stream weekly via Prime Video now.

This being your first acting experience, was there a single moment on set where everything suddenly clicked—where you thought, “This is what I’m meant to be doing”?
The first day on set. It wasn’t that it all clicked at once, but I just loved it so much. I can’t quite explain it. It was intense, and I couldn’t stop smiling. Even thinking about it now gets me excited. Being in costume, being on set…I was ridiculously nervous. Jonathan [English] came over and said, “In this scene, you feel really awkward. You don’t really know how to stand, you don’t really know what to do —you’re really out of your depth.” I thought, “That’s perfect!” [laughs] It was a scene where I was standing in the background, and it was exactly the kind of challenge I loved. From that moment, I thought, This is what I have to do. That feeling was immediate and pressing.

I’ve seen some of your TikToks, too, and you’ve always done some acting because you are creating characters. So it’s not crazy to see you go from that to a TV show set.
Yeah, there are definitely similarities in the core process, but it is a completely different experience. With TikTok, you have to exaggerate a lot. I’ve done some videos where I’ve acted in a more subtle way—still for comedic effect—but they don’t perform as well. When people are scrolling, they don’t have time to really engage, so you need that loud energy.

Robin Hood has been retold countless times. As someone new to acting, how did you find your own rhythm within a story so steeped in legend?
Ooh, what a beautifully worded question! [laughs] That had its own rhythm, didn’t it? The writing very much helped. Everyone on set agreed that the scripts were really strong, and the way Jonathan and John [Glenn] created these characters within this world made it so easy to imagine it all. That was incredibly useful from an actor’s point of view. Building off that foundation, it just came very naturally. The world was so vivid. After this, I’m going to do a video taking the piss out of what I’m doing now—actors in interviews. You hear yourself and you’re like, “Urgh!” [laughs] But honestly, the world was beautifully realised, and everyone just seemed to fit in naturally. That’s a real testament to Jonathan and John and how they created it.

Stepping into Will’s world for the first time, what challenged you the most? Was it the physicality, the emotion, or simply the act of becoming someone else?
There’s a lot of Will that I relate to, which is great. The physicality was difficult. When you’re auditioning, you’re inhabiting a character in a small space, so there’s not as much movement. And then, when you’re on set, you have to become the character and walk around. I became aware of that very quickly, which was a challenge for my first role. In one of my first scenes, I stood with my hands on my hips the whole scene, and Jonathan said, “Move a little bit, don’t just stand,” and I realised. I had some really nice advice from Steve [Waddington], who plays Huntingdon. He said, “Try walking around your room, doing things as Will, and you’ll discover it.” That was really useful. On set, you realise just how immersed you have to be.

Will is described as playful yet perceptive. Was there a moment where you found yourself learning from him, rather than performing him?
Umm…god, that’s a good question as well. I think I might be answering this differently from how you intended. In some ways, through doing the scene, you learn who he is by being him. That’s what’s really fun about being with your scene partner, because you don’t know how your scene partner’s going to act, and how they’re going to read their lines. You can’t go in with a set way of saying something; In that process, that is learning from your character. There’s a scene— I don’t think I can tell you which one—but it was so interesting because I’d never read those lines in that way. But when I was saying it, it was his words, if you know what I mean. In performance, you can be like, “Oh, this actually has taken on a whole new meaning that feels so much more right and so much more powerful.”

There’s a tenderness in Will that feels quietly human. Do you think that kind of softness is something we still undervalue in men on screen?
Yeah, I think so. [As a society] we are warming towards the softer sides of masculinity, and I think that’s becoming a part of masculinity, which is really positive. I’ve never been the most macho man in the world [laughs], but I’ve always embraced that. I’ve always been proud of my style of masculinity. On screen, we’re starting to see it reflected in more characters, and people are connecting with it. It’s probably still undervalued, but hopefully, we get more of it.

Every debut teaches you something fundamental. What’s the lesson from Robin Hood that you’ll carry into whatever comes next?
Confidence. I had major imposter syndrome at the start. I’ve seen a lot of interviews with actors where they’ve said this same thing, but you’re convinced that you’re going to get fired or sent home. You think you’re just so bad and ruining the whole thing. I’ve heard some really brilliant people say this. It’s always good to strive for improvement. I grew so much as an actor during the process. It made a huge difference to know I was there because I deserve it. When I settled into it, the performances came much more naturally.

The world of Robin Hood feels so textured—the landscapes, the costumes, the atmosphere. How much did the environment shape the way you found Will as a character, and how you became him?
The costumes were incredible. They’re so detailed. I also couldn’t believe the sets. Being there was just the coolest thing I’ve ever done. As a kid, when I would play “make believe” with my brothers, I used to love really cool gardens or buildings because it helped me think I was in another world. You get really immersed in the playing, and you genuinely believe you’re there. It’s kind of the same thing now. [smiles] When you’re in costume and you’re in this amazingly detailed set, it’s hard not to really believe it. Being in the forests also gives you an energy of what the show's going to look like.

Even after having filmed all of season one, does it still feel surreal that you actually were there on set?
One million per cent. I’m just really hoping we can do it again.

If you could slip into another character’s shoes for a day—not to play them, but just to understand them—who would it be and why?
That’s a good question. I’ve got to pick someone from Robin Hood, I think. Priscilla. She’s a new character and she’s so good. Lydia Peckham plays her amazingly. She’s also so well written. I might be wrong, but I think she’s a new invention in the whole Robin Hood world. There’s a certain affinity between her and Will. There are similarities between them, which is so fascinating.

When the cameras stopped and you were just Henry again, was there a piece of Will that lingered with you?
Because there are similarities between us, I found myself amping up certain things, like his playful and mischievous side. I don’t mean “mischievous” in the sense of causing actual trouble, but the little “Ooh, one more beer” moments. Will’s ability to adapt to his surroundings and enjoy himself while he’s doing it definitely stuck with me. I remember sitting down with Richard [Lintern], who plays the Bishop, and at one point, he just went, “You are Will.” I was like, “Thanks.” It’s good and bad when you think about it. I love Will, but yeah, that really playful side, with a little sprinkle of mischief, definitely lingers.

Did that make it easier for you to believe more that you could play Will well?
Weirdly, when I was on set, the confidence wasn’t as much of an issue. When I was there and doing it, it was fine. It was off set— when I’d go home— that I’d be like, “Oh my god, that was the worst thing I’ve ever done.” That was just fear and anxiety. I think the similarities helped. Even from the audition, I felt like I understood Will really well, and I put a lot of myself into the character. Toward the end of the season, I definitely felt like I understood him more.

What’s been the most unexpected or defining moment in your creative journey so far?
I started off doing all this posh stuff, and I was like, “Okay, I could very quickly become a one-trick pony and become very old.” Even now, a lot of people are like, “Oh, you do the posh stuff.” But then I started doing other characters, and I left some of the posh stuff behind for a while. Things were going well, and then one day, I remember sitting down and recording this stupid, completely improvised family scenario. It was so ridiculous, but it was very much my humour. I thought, There’s no way anyone’s going to get this. They’re all going to think I’m a weirdo. I posted it, and they did think I was a weirdo, but it did quite well. That was really nice because it made me realise I can do this stupid, weird stuff, and it doesn’t have to be some well-crafted, relatable character. That gave me a kind of creative liberation.

Is that your favourite type of content to create? Since TikTok is so heavily focused on algorithms, do you think about that at all?
I try not to think about the algorithm. The minute you do, you get yourself into a trap, and what you make isn’t as good. I’ve always just thought, Do I find it funny? If so, great. Improv is the most fun. I’ve got things like “Scottish Harry Potter,” “Improv Harry Potter,” “Improv Posh Family,” “Improv Northern Family”—there are loads. TikTok even has a filter with letters that show up, and then you use that letter to give you the word you’re going to say. All of that is fun because I don’t know what’s going to come out. I question myself after them sometimes. I’m like, What the hell is wrong with me? Some of the character ones do better and seem more put together, but they lose that element of surprise.

You’ve built such a direct connection with your audience online, but acting asks for a different kind of vulnerability—one that doesn’t belong entirely to you, since coming into a prebuilt fandom. How did that shift feel?
It’s quite a nice feeling because it is something entirely different from TikTok. While I’m sure people from TikTok and Instagram will watch the show, it’s nice to know that I’m doing something for a new audience. My identity as an actor is something separate, and people are often quite shocked to realise it’s not this ridiculous comedic role. I’m hoping to branch out and build. I don’t resent it, but for most, I’m just that TikTok guy who’s in a show, rather than an actor. I’m hoping that with more roles, those identities become intertwined. People say stuff like [in a roadman voice] “So when was bro an actor?” Or [in a posh, middle-aged mum voice] “He’s cosplaying as an actor.” I’m like, “No! I’ve just got a role. A lot of TikTokers actually come from theatre or musical backgrounds, and TikTok is just something they’ve gotten into along the way.

Did you train as an actor?
I was in quite a few theatre shows, but my dad wouldn’t let me go to drama school. That was the big goal, and I was always “the acting kid,” but he wouldn’t let me go, which ended up being the right decision. I needed to go to uni and just mess about for a bit. It’s all coming around now.

You share so much of yourself online. How do you decide what parts of your life deserve an audience, and what deserves to stay private?
Friendships, relationships, and family are best kept private. If I’m on holiday, I’ll post some holiday pics, just as you would. But people don’t really care [laughs], so I don’t have to. Maybe that’ll change one day, but I’m quite lucky. People don’t care about my personal life, which is quite funny. It baffles me—other creators do comedy content and post a picture out and about, and it’ll do so well. If I post a picture out and about, it does poorly, and I’ll lose so many followers. It’s like [mimics frustration] “We don’t want that! We want you to make us laugh!” So, it’s not something I have to worry about too much, but I do try to keep my family, relationships, and friends relatively private.

People first see your humour based on the content you create, but what do they discover once they really get to know you?
That I’m pretty irritating. [laughs]

[Laughs] At least you’re self-aware!
Yeah. [smiles] With my friends, my humour is very…bad. It’s not dark, just bad—Dad jokes, puns, little things that make them groan, like “Ugh, god, just shut up.” It’s hard to answer this yourself. I could say all this stuff, and my friends would be like, “No. That’s not what we see at all.” [laughs] I’d be like “Yeah, I’m really handsome and generous and…” [jokingly arrogant grin]— They would be like “No.” [laughs] I guess you’ve got to meet me. I would say I’m a little bit irritating, but not in a horrible way, more like a little brother way. Everyone says being called “nice” is the worst thing in the world, but I think it’s the best thing you could be. Whoever I meet, whatever they’re like, I’m just trying to be as nice as possible.

I agree. Why is it even seen as a bad thing? I don’t get it.
People see it as boring. Someone just goes, “Oh, he’s really nice,” and you think, Oh, you’ve got nothing else to say? But if your overarching quality is how nice you are, that’s such a good thing. That’s the best compliment.

We need to change the meaning of that word.
[smiles] We will.

If your life right now could be captured by a single TikTok sound or trend, which one would it be? And what would it reveal about you?
[smiles] Oh! I don’t really watch much social media, but the one I’ve seen that works for me right now is the song by 4 Non Blondes, “What’s Up?” It’s remixed with “Beez In The Trap” by Nicki Minaj. It is two sides going on together. It’s interesting trying to navigate the personal, the highs and the lows, and the light and the dark.

I loved all the Halloween ones. You could recreate it. One side is you, the other side is Will.
Oh yeah! People kept asking if I was going to go as Will for Halloween, and I’m like, “No!” Could you imagine a more pick-me, beggy thing? Like, “Who are you?” and I say, “I’m Will.” They’re like, “Who?” Then you have to explain. If it were someone really well-known, like Kit Harington going as Jon Snow, everyone would love it. But it’s a new show, so it would just be cringey.

Maybe in a couple of years.
For sure. Maybe I could go as Maid Marian. She’s got some great dresses.

Or maybe you could go as Priscilla?
That’s a good shout.

When you finally get a quiet day with no cameras or deadlines, what does that version of you look like?
It really depends. I love watching movies, so I go to the cinema by myself. I also spend a long, long time in the gym. It’s not because I’m the most “gym guy” ever—I’m quite the opposite—but I take ages doing it, and then I’ll sit in the sauna and steam room for so long and chill. I’d do that and read a little bit. I am always up and about, so it's nice to stay home drinking tea. I might also go to a pub.

Have another beer.
[laughs] Can’t go wrong. Have another beer.

What’s your favourite film recently, or of all time?
Oh god. Of all time…Notting Hill.

[gasps] OH MY GOD, SAME!
I love that film! I’ve genuinely seen it probably one hundred times. More recently, my favourite film is It’s A Wonderful Life. Every single time I watch that film, I just feel so much better about the world, about life, and about everything. It’s so good at making you appreciate what’s really important, and you end up crying. I love Jimmy Stewart. There are so many! Ran by Akira Kurosawa is amazing. It’s maybe in my top five films of all time. Memories of Murder has really stuck with me. It’s a Korean film. I thought about it for weeks after. Ran is so colourful and visually striking. Memories of Murder is haunting in the best way.

I need to venture out and watch new films. I end up watching the same ones.
Yeah, going to the cinema really helps. I’ll just see what’s on, and even if I’m not blown away by any options, I’ll pick one anyway. Sometimes it turns out to be the most amazing film. That feeling is the best.

Do you have a grounding ritual that keeps you centred when everything around you feels loud?
Yeah. That’s a really nice question, again. The main thing for me is spending time with friends and family. They’re eternally unimpressed with everything I do, but in the best way. I’m not surrounded by “Yes” men. They don’t care; I’m still just annoying Henry. I’d hate to ever be in a position where everyone around me is just sucking up and laughing at everything I do. I’m not big enough for that to happen, but I think, as long as I’ve got my friends and family, that’s always going to keep me grounded. I took my mum for dinner for her birthday, in the middle of filming Robin Hood, and she said, “Hen, all my friends keep saying, because you’ve been cast in Robin Hood, ‘You must be so proud of him’ and, I’m like, ‘Not, really.’”

I was like “Mum, what do you mean?” Then she said it’s because she’s proud of who I am, not what I do, and it became this really heartfelt moment. She continued with, “If I was proud of you for something you got cast in, then what would you think if you never got another role? I’m happy for you, and it’s amazing, but it doesn’t make me any prouder than I already am. I’m proud of who you are as a person.” I went from being like, “Mum, you’re not proud of me, what the hell?” to “Oooh, that’s the best thing to hear.” And if they’re not around…the sauna. [laughs] The tears just blend in with the sweat.

What part of Will, or this moment in your life, do you hope stays with you?
The joy of the moment. Will is really present. There’s a specific line, probably my favourite in the series, about being where you are and making the most of it. That part of Will is so key: “I’m here, I may as well really enjoy it and make the most of it.” In a personal sense, where I am, just so happens to be where I also absolutely love. You can get so caught up chasing the next thing. You have to remind yourself to really appreciate the moment.

When you think about what’s next, what kind of stories do you want to tell about where you are now?
The goal is to keep on acting. It’s to immerse myself in that world. That’s my love and passion. I want to look back and know I gave it my best. I never try to look too far into the future because everything that’s happened has come from not having that tunnel vision and that rigid five-year plan. If you set a goal like that, you overlook the periphery. Even small things, like when you look in the mirror and worry about looking a bit older, I don’t want that to be the overarching thing; I want to be really enjoying the present. I want to be able to look back and tell stories from a place of fondness, nostalgia, and love, rather than one of regret. Let the stories come, but I’m going to enjoy them while they happen.