Checkmate - Thomas Brodie-Sangster's Next Move Is A Brilliant One

Calculated or not, Thomas Brodie-Sangster’s next move is a brilliant one that adds yet another facet to his impressive resumé as a versatile actor

- Jamie Tan

If there was a recurring theme in the production of this cover story, it was how people seemed to recall Thomas Brodie-Sangster’s roles so differently. A few people remembered him as “the kid from Love Actually” – a good 17 years after the polarising movie’s release (couples have split because it brought out their conflicting views on love). Others brought up his starring role as Newt in The Maze Runner trilogy. Of course, many recalled his part as Jojen Reed in the HBO hit Game of Thrones.

Indeed, this 30-year-old English actor’s career, which spans nearly 20 years now, has been characterised by diversity. From critically acclaimed cult films to blockbuster trilogies and award-winning TV series, Brodie-Sangster has done them all. Along the way, he’s even managed to dabble in various other things, from voice acting to music.

Brodie-Sangster’s next outing will see him starring opposite Anya Taylor-Joy in Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit. Unsurprisingly, his role this time is, again, markedly different from the past ones he has played. As the mysterious and aloof chess champion Benny Watts, he’s the foil, mentor and more to Taylor-Joy’s chess prodigy Beth Harmon.

It’s yet another demonstration of Brodie-Sangster’s versatility as an actor, which extends to his onscreen chemistry with the rest of his cast. And it’s a brilliant move for someone who has transitioned very well from a child actor, and continues to expand on his craft with depth and scope. We certainly have much to look forward to from this young thespian.