Joseph Matthew Alwyn is an English actor known for his roles in both film and television. He made his film debut in Ang Lee's "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" in 2016 and has since appeared in notable movies such as "The Favourite," "Boy Erased," "Mary Queen of Scots," and "Harriet." In 2022, he expanded his repertoire by starring in the Hulu series "Conversations with Friends" and the comedy film "Catherine Called Birdy." Alwyn's career showcases his versatility and prominence in the entertainment industry.
February 1991: Birth of Joe Alwyn
Joe Alwyn was born in February 1991.
February 1991: Birth of Joe Alwyn
Joe Alwyn was born on February 21, 1991, in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England.
1994: Publication of "Catherine, Called Birdy"
Karen Cushman's children's novel "Catherine, Called Birdy", which was later adapted into a film, was published in 1994.
2003: Audition for "Love Actually"
Joe Alwyn auditioned for a small role in the Christmas romantic comedy "Love Actually" in 2003 but did not get the role.
2008: Publication of "The Last Letter from Your Lover"
Jojo Moyes' romantic novel "The Last Letter from Your Lover", which was later adapted into a film, was published in 2008.
2012: Graduation from University of Bristol
Joe Alwyn graduated from the University of Bristol with BA degrees in English literature and drama in 2012.
2012: Graduation from University of Bristol
Joe Alwyn graduated from the University of Bristol with a BA in English literature and drama in 2012.
2012: Release of "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" Source Material
The novel "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" by Ben Fountain, which served as the basis for the 2016 film, was published in 2012.
2015: Graduation from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Joe Alwyn graduated from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama with a BA in acting in 2015.
2015: Casting as Billy Lynn
Joe Alwyn was cast in the lead role of Billy Lynn in Ang Lee's war drama "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" in early 2015.
2016: Release of "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk"
Ang Lee's war drama "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk", starring Joe Alwyn, was released in 2016.
2016: Publication of "Boy Erased" Memoir
Garrard Conley's memoir, which served as the basis for the film "Boy Erased", was published in 2016.
2016: Relationship with Taylor Swift Begins
In 2016, Alwyn began a relationship with singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. The relationship was subject to intense media scrutiny.
2016: Film Debut in "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk"
Joe Alwyn made his feature film debut as the titular character in Ang Lee's war drama "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" in 2016.
2016: Casting and Debut in "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk"
Joe Alwyn was cast in the lead role of Ang Lee's war drama film, "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk", in early 2015, which marked his debut in a feature film in 2016.
2017: Publication of "Conversations with Friends"
Sally Rooney's novel "Conversations with Friends", which was later adapted into a Hulu series, was published in 2017.
2017: Role in "The Sense of an Ending"
Joe Alwyn played a supporting role in the mystery drama film "The Sense of an Ending", directed by Ritesh Batra, in 2017.
2018: Multiple Film Roles and Trophée Chopard Award
Joe Alwyn appeared in several films in 2018, including "The Favourite", "Operation Finale", "Boy Erased", and "Mary Queen of Scots". He also won the Trophée Chopard at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018.
2018: Notable Roles in Multiple Films
Joe Alwyn had roles in several films in 2018, including "The Favourite", "Boy Erased", "Mary Queen of Scots".
2018: Trophée Chopard Award
Joe Alwyn won a Trophée Chopard at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
2019: Role in "Harriet"
Joe Alwyn played a role in the film "Harriet" in 2019.
2019: Roles in "Harriet" and "A Christmas Carol"
Joe Alwyn played a slave owner in the biographical drama "Harriet" and Bob Cratchit in the television miniseries "A Christmas Carol" in 2019.
2020: Collaboration with Taylor Swift
Joe Alwyn began collaborating with Taylor Swift on her music, contributing to ten songs released from 2020 to 2022.
2020: Collaboration on Taylor Swift's 'Folklore'
In 2020, while in a relationship with Taylor Swift, Alwyn contributed to Swift's eighth studio album, 'Folklore', co-producing six songs and co-writing two under the pseudonym William Bowery.
2020: Collaboration on Taylor Swift's 'Evermore'
In 2020, Alwyn, credited as William Bowery, co-wrote three songs on Swift's second album of the year, 'Evermore', including 'Champagne Problems', 'Coney Island', and the title track.
2021: Grammy Award Win for 'Folklore'
In 2021, Alwyn won his first Grammy Award for Album of the Year for his contributions to Taylor Swift's 'Folklore'. 'Exile', a song he co-wrote and co-produced, was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
2021: Roles in "The Souvenir Part II" and "The Last Letter from Your Lover"
Joe Alwyn had a minor role in "The Souvenir Part II" and played a 1960s industrialist in the film adaptation of "The Last Letter from Your Lover" in 2021.
April 2022: Reveal of William Bowery Pseudonym Origin
In April 2022, Alwyn revealed the origin of his pseudonym 'William Bowery', explaining it was derived from his great-grandfather's first name, William Alwyn (a music composer), and the Bowery neighborhood in New York City, where he spent time when he first arrived in the US.
2022: Collaboration on Taylor Swift's 'Midnights'
In 2022, Alwyn co-wrote the song 'Sweet Nothing' on Swift's tenth studio album, 'Midnights', again under the pseudonym William Bowery.
2022: Lead Role in "Conversations with Friends" and "Catherine Called Birdy"
Joe Alwyn starred in the Hulu drama series "Conversations with Friends" and the period comedy film "Catherine Called Birdy" in 2022.
2022: Roles in "Conversations with Friends", "Stars at Noon", and "Catherine Called Birdy"
Joe Alwyn starred in the drama series "Conversations with Friends", the romantic thriller film "Stars at Noon", and the medieval comedy film "Catherine Called Birdy" in 2022.
2022: Time 100 Next List
Joe Alwyn was included in the 2022 Time 100 Next list of rising stars.
2023: Relationship with Taylor Swift Ends
In 2023, Alwyn's relationship with Taylor Swift ended.