Gary Oldman is back on our screens in the latest instalment of Apple TV's smash-hit espionage thriller, Slow Horses. It's impossible to deny that the 68-year-old has had a stellar career, from his acclaimed portrayal of Sirius Black in the Harry Potter franchise to his Oscar-winning turn as former Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the war drama, Darkest Hour. He even received a knighthood in 2025 for his services to drama, which he described as "mind-boggling".
But did you know that Gary isn't the only member of his family in the spotlight? Here's all you need to know about the Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy star's life off-screen as season six of the gripping spy thriller drops on Apple TV+.
© Courtesy of AppleGary Oldman's glittering career
The born-and-bred Londoner has had an extensive acting career. He started out on the stage at the York Theatre Royal performing in theatre productions, and has recently trodden the boards in a staging of the Samuel Beckett play Krapp's Last Tape. From theatre to film to TV, the film star is known for his versatility and has portrayed a range of figures, from former prime minister Sir Winston Churchill, Sex Pistols member Sid Vicious, and even Harry Potter's godfather, Sirius Black.
© Apple TVHe is now well-known as veteran MI5 agent Jackson Lamb in Apple TV's Slow Horses, based on the Slough House book series by British writer Mick Herron. Gary plays the role of cantankerous yet quick-witted agent Jackson Lamb in the hit show, and has said he loves playing the character, which he described as his "dream job".
In an interview for the Los Angeles Times, he said: "I'm a fan of long-form TV. I love being in these different worlds, with these different characters every week. Sometimes I'd watch with envy and think, "wouldn't it be great to be a recurring character who intersects with the same people, rather like a theatre company, where you keep coming back and developing these stories and characters?"
Gary was awarded a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours last year for services to drama, to which the star said he was "gob-smacked" and he found "mind-boggling". In an official statement, he said, "To be included in the long lineage of extraordinary actors, artists, and others who hold this title fills me with indescribable humility and pride".
© PAGary Oldman's famous sister
Gary is the youngest of three siblings, and his eldest sister, Laila Morse, also has a job in the showbusiness world. Laila's most notable role is as Big Mo on soap opera EastEnders, a role she has periodically played since 2000. Laila has also had roles in The Bill, Great Expectations and Hellboy. She also played Janet in Nil by Mouth, which marked her younger brother's directorial debut.
© Tristan FewingsLaila's stage name came about because of her younger brother. The moniker was suggested by the Italian actress Isabella Rossellini, who Gary dated during the 90s. "Laila Morse" is an anagram of "mia sorella", which is Italian for "my sister".
© InstagramGary Oldman's children
Gary is a doting father to three sons: Alfie (b. 1988), who he shares with ex-wife Lesley Manville, Gulliver (b. 1997) and Charlie (b. 1999), who were welcomed into the world during his marriage to American model Donya Fiorentino. Alfie has started following in his father's footsteps and in 2019 he made his acting debut in Compos Mentis, a student short film. Alfie has worked behind-the-scenes on major films including Maleficent, The Dark Knight Rises and The Hitman's Bodyguard.
© Dave J HoganAlthough he and Lesley co-parented Alfie, Gary raised his sons Gulliver and Charlie after being awarded sole custody of them following his split from Donya. Gulliver is an aspiring photographer, while Charlie works as a model and has walked the runway for brands like Dolce & Gabbana.
Gary Oldman's ex-wives
Gary has walked down the aisle five times during his life, including with famous actress Lesley Manville and Uma Thurman. In 1987, Gary married The Crown star Lesley, with the pair welcoming their son a year later. However, things didn't last and the duo divorced in 1989.
© Scott GarfittThere has been no bad blood between the former couple, and in 2018, after the pair were both nominated for Academy Awards, Lesley said on BBC Radio 4: "His sons from his other partner and my son are all very close, so it's a family evening. And that's what it's felt like. And Gary and I are friends, so it's been very good and been very nice for our son."
Gary and Uma married in 1990, but divorced just two years later in 1992. Reflecting on their relationship in 1996, Uma told Vanity Fair: "He was 12 years older. It was a crazy love affair that ended as it needed to. He was my first love. I had no prior experience."
© Jim SmealGary later started dating Isabella Rossellini, who was his co-star in Immortal Beloved, and although the couple became engaged, they called the wedding off in 1996. Gary's third marriage was to model Donya Fiorentino, with the pair marrying in 1997. The couple divorced in 2001. In 2008, Gary married singer Alexandra Edenborough, however they divorced in 2015, with the singer citing "irreconcilable differences".
Gary Oldman's wife Gisele Schmidt
The actor is currently married to writer Gisele Schmidt, with the pair walking down the aisle in 2017.
During an interview with Jimmy Kimmel in 2018, Gary revealed that he popped while dressed as Winston Churchill during a break in filming for Darkest Hour.
© Dave Benett"There was a break in the filming, and we had talked about it and I just felt the urge," the Harry Potter star shared. "We were down in the war rooms, and I took her into the back room. And as Winston Churchill, I said, 'Will you marry me?'"
