Christian Cooke

Though largely unknown to American audiences, Christian Cooke was a veteran performer in his native England, where he enjoyed lead and supporting roles in television projects including "Wilmot" (ITV, 1999-2000), "Where the Heart Is" (ITV, 1997-2006) and "Demons" (ITV, 2009), before making his Stateside TV debut in "Magic City" (Starz, 2012-2013). Cooke began appearing on television at the age of 10 and segued successfully into weekly series with the comedy "Wilmot" and the primetime soap "Where the Heart Is." A slew of guest appearances preceded his return to series stardom in "Demons" (ITV, 2009) and his first film appearance in Ricky Gervais' "Cemetery Junction" (2010). Word of Cooke's talent and model-worthy looks quickly crossed the Atlantic, prompting his casting in "Magic City." He soon returned to features with the 2013 film version of "Romeo and Juliet," while earning gales of free press as a possible lead for the screen adaptation of E. L. James' immensely popular erotic novel, Fifty Shades of Grey. Though he lost the coveted lead on that picture, Cooke's profile was clearly on the ascent, needing only the proper vehicle to assure his stardom.