Meet Gabriel Howell: The Actor Behind ‘Bodies’ and ‘Nightsleeper’

Published on May 15, 2025 by Millie Titus

Who’s the young actor dominating the British drama scene? If you’ve seen Bodies or Nightsleeper, then you must know who Gabriel Howell is. Howell may be a fresh face to most, but he has certainly made his mark in the entertainment industry. With his increasing projects and effortless charm, he is turning heads left, right, and centre.

In this piece, we are going to share everything there is to know about Gabriel Howell, including the roles he has portrayed and the reasons that make him one of the most sought-after in his industry.

Birth, Parents, and Education

Gabriel Howell is a British actor who has gained recognition for his roles in television series such as Bodies and Nightsleeper. He is 25 years old now since he was born on 19 February 1999. Gabriel’s place of birth is Bristol, United Kingdom.

As far as the family of Gabriel Howell is concerned, very little is known, as he prefers to keep his personal life under wraps.

He received his education in acting from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting (H Level) in 2021.

Career

Gabriel Howell’s professional acting career began at RADA, where he performed in several productions, culminating with Howell’s step toward television in 2022’s short film, “Sketching Dragons”. He also appeared in the 2022 film “The Fence” as Dennis.

A major breakthrough came with his stage debut in “The Unfriend” (2022), written by Steven Moffat and directed by Mark Gatiss. The production premiered at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester, before transferring to the West End at the Criterion Theatre in 2023. His performance was described as “the perfect stage debut” in The Daily Telegraph, alongside established actors Reece Shearsmith, Amanda Abbington, and Frances Barber.

In 2023, he gained recognition as the younger version of Elias Mannix in the Netflix series ‘Bodies’. A year later, in September 2024, he appeared in “Nightsleeper”, a BBC crime-thriller drama.

Aside from this, Howell is still expected to feature in the bespoke role of Snotlout Jorgenson in the live-action picture adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon” in 2025.

Also read: From Villa to Real Life: 10 Love Island UK Couples Still Together

Notable Performances

Gabriel Howell has been known to perform a couple of notable performances, with the following being his most recognised ones.

Gabriel Howell Notable Performances
image source: IMBD, DreamWorks Wiki and radio times

Young Elias Mannix in Bodies (2023)

The Netflix series Bodies brought attention to Gabriel Howell as one of the cast members in the supporting role of younger Elias Mannix. Howell’s emotional and powerful portrayal was a large part of the show’s international acclaim.

Tobi McKnight in Nightsleeper (2024)

In the BBC series Nightsleeper, Howell starred as Tobi McKnight, a junior cyber analyst at the National Cyber Security Centre. He added such depth to that character as the storyline took some strange turns. In recent interviews about that role, Howell had described Tobi as “the youngest and most inexperienced of the NCSC team” and expressed eagerness to act alongside Alexandra Roach, whom he jokingly dubbed his “hero”.

Snotlout Jorgenson in How to Train Your Dragon (2025)

Gabriel Howell will be taking up the role of Snotlout Jorgenson in the forthcoming live-action feature film How to Train Your Dragon, set for a 2025 release. That will be his debut in big film franchises.

Recent Interviews and TV Appearances

Gabriel has been more recently profiled in several interviews that highlight his career. In November 2024, he gave an interview to LEWIS Magazine to discuss his move from Bodies to Nightsleeper and why he was attracted by the “nail-biting real-time drama”, as well as some of the difficulties faced when filming aboard a suspense-filled sleeper train.

He was interviewed by Country and Town House magazine in September 2024, wherein he talked about playing Tobi McKnight and working with the cast. In October 2024, he appeared in MANINTOWN magazine, where he talked about transitioning from Bodies to major lead roles.

Social Media Presence

Gabriel Howell appears to be active on social media platforms like Instagram, going by the handle @gabrielhowell_. There, he posts about his work-related activities, some BTS pictures, and even snippets from his leisure time. He is known for his roles in the series Bodies and Nightsleeper and brings along a personal touch as he shares insights from his everyday life. The page enables his admirers to follow him and stay informed about his latest releases and activities.

Personal Life

So far, Gabriel Howell has not disclosed any information regarding his private life. He seems to maintain a low profile, and as of today, he is not publicly known to be dating anyone based on credible reports or verified sources. This suggests that he may not publicise his private life and prefers concentrating on his career.

Upcoming Projects

As an actor, Howell has multiple projects lined up that highlight his adaptability to different characters.

How to Train Your Dragon (2025)

Gabriel Howell will be appearing as Snotlout Jorgenson in the live-action instalment of How to Train Your Dragon, set to release in 2025. These films mark his debut into large film franchises.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank (2024)

In 2024, Howell played a role in the stage production of What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank at the Theatre Royal, Marylebone. Directed by Patrick Marber, the production was a hit and got extended due to popular demand.

Net Worth

Gabriel Howell’s net worth is now estimated to be around £800,000 as of 2025, largely accruing from his acting roles in TV shows, films, and live theatre. His increasing stature within the entertainment sector provides some scope for higher earnings in the coming years.

Also read: 10 Richest UK Celebrities: Who Tops the Chart?

Conclusion 

Like many other young British actors, Gabriel Howell is slowly but surely gaining attention. He has already done fantastic work in shows like Bodies and Nightsleeper. With more roles coming his way, he is clearly on a steady path. It will be exciting to see his talent unfold.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *