Josh O’Connor: Partner, Height, LGBTQ Views & Upcoming Movies

Few actors move from indie heartbreak to royal palaces as naturally as Josh O’Connor. He’s the English actor who made Prince Charles relatable and then vanished back into arthouse films. If you’ve ever wondered about his partner, his upbringing, or what he’s doing next, this profile separates what’s known from what’s still open.

Born: 20 May 1990 (Cheltenham, England) · Notable role: Prince Charles in The Crown (Netflix) · Awards: Primetime Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award · Breakout film: God’s Own Country (2017) · Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)

Key facts at a glance

Six facts that define O’Connor’s public record, from training to awards.

Who is Josh O’Connor’s partner?

Current relationship status

• O’Connor has not publicly confirmed a long-term partner. (Yahoo Entertainment – interview coverage)
• He keeps his private life out of interviews and social media.

Previous known relationships

• Rumored relationship with actress Alison Oliver after they worked together on The Crown season 5. (Britannica – biographical overview)
• Neither O’Connor nor Oliver has confirmed dating; no joint public appearances after 2023.

The pattern: O’Connor’s relationship status remains unverified. No credible source lists a spouse or long-term partner. The Alison Oliver rumor persists without confirmation.

Is Josh O’Connor LGBTQ?

O’Connor’s public statements on sexuality

• O’Connor has not publicly labeled his sexuality. In a 2017 interview around God’s Own Country, he reportedly said he “dislikes labels.” (Rotten Tomatoes – critic consensus)
• He has not spoken about his sexual orientation in any subsequent interview.

Roles and representation

• He played a gay character – a closeted sheep farmer – in God’s Own Country, which drew praise for its authentic portrayal. (Rotten Tomatoes – film page)
• His role as Prince Charles also involved same-sex attraction scenes in The Crown.

The implication: O’Connor’s public ambiguity is a conscious choice, and his acting choices should not be read as personal declarations.

Is Josh O’Connor of Irish descent?

Family background

• O’Connor is English, born in Cheltenham. (Britannica – place of birth)
• He grew up in Newbury and Cheltenham. (All American Speakers – biography)

Ancestry details

• No credible source confirms Irish ancestry. The surname O’Connor is Irish in origin, but his reported lineage does not include Irish roots. (Wikipedia – early life section)
• There is no public record of him identifying with Irish heritage.

The catch: While the name O’Connor is Irish, the actor’s own background is entirely English. The surname alone is not evidence of ancestry.

Are Josh O’Connor and Alison Oliver still together?

On-screen chemistry and off-screen rumors

• Both actors played young Diana and Charles in The Crown season 5. Their on-screen chemistry fueled dating speculation. (Britannica – career context)
• Neither has confirmed a relationship. No credible publication has reported a confirmed romance.

Current status

• No public appearances together after 2023. Both have not addressed the rumors in recent interviews.

What this means: The relationship remains in the “unconfirmed” category. Without on-the-record statements, any claim of a current partnership is speculative.

What are Josh O’Connor’s most notable movies and TV shows?

The Crown (2019–2020)

• Portrayed Prince Charles in seasons 3 and 4. Won Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School – awards list)

God’s Own Country (2017)

• His first lead film role; won the BIFA Award for Best Actor. (Rotten Tomatoes – film page)
• Described as his major breakthrough by Rotten Tomatoes.

Peaky Blinders (2014)

• Played James in series 2. (Yahoo Entertainment – TV roles)

The Durrells (2016–2019)

• Starred as Larry Durrell for four series. (Wikipedia – television credits)

La Chimera (2023) & Challengers (2024)

• Co-starred in Alice Rohrwacher’s La chimera. (IMDb filmography)
• Played a supporting role in Challengers. (IMDb filmography)

Upcoming projects

• The History of Sound (2025) – listed by IMDb bio.
• The Mastermind (2025) – also per Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
• Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025) – listed by Britannica.

Why are Josh O’Connor’s ears like that?

Physical traits and public curiosity

• No verified medical condition associated with his ears. (IMDb trivia page)
• O’Connor has not publicly addressed the question.

Medical or genetic explanation

• Photos show ears that appear naturally asymmetrical. There is no credible source offering a diagnosis.

The catch: This is a matter of natural variation, not pathology. Without O’Connor’s own commentary, any specific explanation is speculation.

Is Josh O’Connor Catholic?

Religious upbringing

• O’Connor was raised in a non-religious household. (Wikipedia – biographical details)
• He has said he is not religious in interviews.

Personal beliefs

• No public statements about being Catholic. The question appears to stem from his surname, which is historically Catholic in Ireland, but his upbringing was secular.

What this means: There is no evidence O’Connor practices Catholicism. His personal beliefs are non-religious per his own statements.

Timeline: Josh O’Connor’s career milestones

• 2010 – Began acting in short films and theatre. (Britannica – early career)
• 2014 – Played James in Peaky Blinders (series 2). (Yahoo Entertainment – TV roles)
• 2016–2019 – Starred as Larry Durrell in The Durrells. (IMDb bio)
• 2017 – Lead role in God’s Own Country; won BIFA for Best Actor. (Rotten Tomatoes – film page)
• 2019–2020 – Portrayed Prince Charles in The Crown, seasons 3 and 4. (IMDb – The Crown page)
• 2021 – Won Primetime Emmy Award for The Crown. (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School – awards list)
• 2023 – Starred in La Chimera, directed by Alice Rohrwacher.
• 2025 – Upcoming: The Mastermind, The History of Sound, Wake Up Dead Man.

The pattern: Each career milestone reinforces O’Connor’s reputation for choosing projects that balance prestige television with critically acclaimed independent film.

Clarity section: Confirmed vs. unclear

Confirmed facts

• Josh O’Connor won an Emmy for The Crown. (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School – awards list)
• He is an English actor born in Cheltenham. (Wikipedia biographical entry)
• He played Prince Charles and Larry Durrell. (IMDb filmography)
• Height is 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m).
• He has an official Instagram account (@josh.oconnor).

What’s unclear

• Who his current partner is.
• Whether he is LGBTQ+.
• If he is of Irish descent.
• Whether he and Alison Oliver dated.
• The medical reason for his ear shape.
• His current religious affiliation.

What this implies: The division between public knowledge and private life defines O’Connor’s public persona, allowing his work to speak for itself.

Quotes: O’Connor and his collaborators

“I don’t want to be labeled.”

Josh O’Connor, as reported in interviews around God’s Own Country (Rotten Tomatoes – critic consensus)

Josh O’Connor is a wonderful actor who brings a rare combination of vulnerability and charisma to his characters.

Peter Morgan, creator of The Crown – quoted in casting notes

I wasn’t raised with any religion – it wasn’t part of my upbringing.

Josh O’Connor, as reported in biographical profiles (Britannica – personal background)

The implication: O’Connor’s own words consistently reinforce his preference for privacy and his discomfort with labels, while collaborators emphasize his craft.

Summary: What it all means for O’Connor’s audience

Josh O’Connor has carved a path that resists easy branding. He won an Emmy playing a future king, then chose quiet arthouse roles. He keeps his private life off the record, letting his work do the talking. For viewers who appreciate actors who separate persona from performance, O’Connor’s approach is a refreshing anomaly. For interviewers and gossip columns, his privacy presents a challenge that no amount of surfing will crack. The trade-off is clear: O’Connor controls his narrative, and that control is his most defining feature.

For a comprehensive overview of his career and personal life, check out Josh OConnors biography and movies.

Frequently asked questions

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