Gabriel Howell is a British actor whose career has moved steadily between theatre, television, and film. He gained wider attention after playing Elias Mannix in the Netflix mystery series Bodies and Tobi McKnight in the BBC thriller Nightsleeper. His profile grew further in 2025 when he played Snotlout Jorgenson in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon.
Howell’s background in theatre has also played an important role in his development as a performer. Before becoming widely recognized on screen, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and appeared in productions including Steven Moffat’s The Unfriend. He later returned to the stage in What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank.
Early Life
Gabriel Howell was born on February 19, 1999. In a 2025 interview with Wonderland, he explained that he was born in Hong Kong and moved around the United Kingdom while growing up. He spent much of his adolescence in Bristol, a city he described as feeling like home.
His interest in performance developed at an early age. Howell has spoken about making short films as a child and becoming interested in the excitement of performing for an audience. His father was a vicar, and the family moved several times during his childhood.
That early interest eventually became a professional ambition. Rather than treating acting as a hobby, Howell pursued formal training and went on to study at one of Britain’s best-known drama schools.
Education and RADA Training
Howell trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, where he completed the BA in Acting program. RADA lists him as a 2021 graduate.
Drama-school training gave Howell a foundation in stage performance, voice, movement, and character work. His early professional credits show that theatre remained an important part of his career even as opportunities in film and television began to expand.
During his RADA years, Howell appeared in student productions, including Against by Christopher Shinn. A 2021 RADA production document lists him in the role of Tim/Dan.
His transition from training into professional theatre was relatively direct. Within a year of graduating, he joined the original cast of The Unfriend.
Gabriel Howell’s Theatre Career
One of Howell’s early major theatre opportunities came with The Unfriend, written by Steven Moffat and directed by Mark Gatiss.
The production premiered at the Minerva Theatre in Chichester in 2022. Howell played Alex, the teenage son of Peter and Debbie, characters portrayed by Reece Shearsmith and Amanda Abbington. The production later transferred to London’s Criterion Theatre in 2023.
The role gave Howell an opportunity to work alongside established British performers while performing a contemporary comedy on major stages. His involvement in both the Chichester production and the West End transfer helped establish theatre as a significant part of his early professional career.
In 2024, Howell returned to the London stage in Nathan Englander’s What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank. He played Trevor in the production directed by Patrick Marber at Marylebone Theatre. The show ran from October 4 to November 23, 2024.
The role was notably different from his earlier work. Trevor functions partly as a narrator and observer within the play, giving Howell a substantial theatrical role alongside Joshua Malina, Caroline Catz, Dorothea Myer-Bennett, and Simon Yadoo.
Several theatre critics highlighted Howell’s performance. One review described him as a particularly effective presence in the production, while another noted his comic timing and work as a narrator.
Gabriel Howell Movies and TV Shows
Although Howell built his early career through theatre, his screen credits have become increasingly prominent.
His film and television work includes The Fence, Bodies, Nightsleeper, and How to Train Your Dragon. TV Guide currently lists these four productions among his principal acting credits.
The Fence
Howell appeared as Dennis in The Fence, a 2022 British film directed by William Stone.
The film is set in 1980s Bristol and focuses on a group of young people navigating violence and difficult circumstances. Howell’s connection to Bristol gives the project an interesting place within his early screen career, particularly because he spent much of his adolescence in the city.
The Fence represented an important early feature-film credit for Howell before his television work brought him to a much larger audience.
Bodies
In 2023, Howell appeared in the Netflix limited series Bodies, a science-fiction crime thriller built around a murder investigated by detectives across different time periods.
Howell played Elias Mannix, appearing alongside actors including Stephen Graham, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Shira Haas, Kyle Soller, and Amaka Okafor. TV Guide lists Howell as part of the series cast, playing Elias.
The role gave Howell a part in a complex story that moves between 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053. His character is connected to the larger mystery at the center of the series, making his appearances important to the show’s unfolding story.
Bodies also introduced Howell to a global streaming audience. The series became one of the projects most closely associated with his name before his next major television role.
Nightsleeper
Howell followed Bodies with Nightsleeper, a BBC thriller that premiered in 2024.
He played Tobi McKnight, a young computer specialist caught up in the crisis surrounding a sleeper train traveling between Glasgow and London. Howell appeared alongside Joe Cole, Alexandra Roach, and other members of the ensemble cast.
In an interview with Country & Town House, Howell discussed Nightsleeper and reflected on his earlier work in Bodies. The interview also showed how quickly his screen career was developing during this period.
The contrast between Bodies and Nightsleeper demonstrated Howell’s ability to move between different types of television drama. While Bodies relied heavily on mystery and science fiction, Nightsleeper placed its characters inside a fast-moving contemporary thriller.
Gabriel Howell in How to Train Your Dragon
The role that brought Howell to an even broader international audience was Snotlout Jorgenson in the 2025 live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon.
Directed by Dean DeBlois, the film reimagines the story of Hiccup and Toothless with a live-action cast. Mason Thames plays Hiccup, Nico Parker plays Astrid, Gerard Butler plays Stoick, and Nick Frost plays Gobber. Howell plays Snotlout.
Snotlout is one of the young dragon-fighting students on Berk. In the live-action film, the character retains his competitive relationship with Hiccup while becoming part of the group learning to understand dragons.
Howell’s casting was announced as part of the film’s expanding ensemble in 2024. His previous theatre and screen work gave him experience with both comedy and dramatic material before taking on the high-profile franchise role.
The film was released in June 2025 and became a major new chapter in Howell’s film career. Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb both list him as Snotlout in the movie.
What Makes Snotlout Important to Howell’s Career?
Snotlout is a recognizable character from the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, meaning Howell’s performance reached audiences already familiar with the animated films.
The live-action version also gave him the chance to work within a large-scale fantasy production rather than a smaller television or independent-film setting. The film was written and directed by Dean DeBlois, who was also involved with the original animated trilogy.
In a 2025 interview with Wonderland, Howell discussed his approach to Snotlout and his connection to the character. He also talked about the actors who influenced him, naming performers including Al Pacino, Stephen Graham, Paapa Essiedu, Juliette Binoche, Olivia Colman, and Sam Rockwell.
What’s Next for Gabriel Howell?
Howell’s connection to the How to Train Your Dragon franchise is set to continue. Universal has scheduled How to Train Your Dragon 2 for June 11, 2027, with Dean DeBlois returning to write and direct.
The sequel is intended to continue Hiccup’s story several years after the events of the first live-action film. Howell’s involvement as Snotlout gives him the opportunity to continue developing the character within the franchise.
His career to this point also shows a balance between major screen productions and theatre. That combination remains a defining feature of his professional background.
Personal Life
Howell generally keeps his personal life separate from his acting career. Public interviews have focused primarily on his work, training, influences, and creative interests rather than romantic relationships or family details.
He has spoken about his childhood and his father being a vicar, as well as moving around the UK before spending much of his adolescence in Bristol. He has also discussed making short films with his family when he was younger.
There is no need to extend his biography with unverified claims about relationships, marriage, or private family matters. His professional work provides a much clearer picture of his development as an actor.
Gabriel Howell Height
Gabriel Howell’s height is frequently searched online, particularly following his appearance as Snotlout in How to Train Your Dragon. However, a dependable height measurement is not established in the stronger sources covering his career.
For that reason, a specific height should not be treated as a confirmed biographical fact. Photos and screen appearances can also make height comparisons misleading because of camera angles, footwear, and positioning.
Gabriel Howell Net Worth
No dependable public financial record establishes Gabriel Howell’s personal net worth.
Online celebrity databases publish widely different estimates, but these figures are generally not accompanied by verifiable financial documentation. His earnings from acting projects, theatre productions, and future work are private.
As a result, a specific dollar figure would be misleading. His growing list of film, television, and theatre credits can be documented, while his personal finances cannot be established from reliable public reporting.
Awards and Recognition
Howell’s career has so far been defined more by individual performances and increasingly prominent roles than by a long list of major acting awards.
His stage work has received positive critical attention, particularly his performances in The Unfriend and What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank. His screen profile expanded through Bodies and Nightsleeper, followed by the major franchise role of Snotlout.
The progression is notable because Howell has continued working across several acting formats rather than concentrating exclusively on film or television.
Interesting Facts About Gabriel Howell
- Howell graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2021.
- He was born in Hong Kong and spent much of his adolescence in Bristol.
- His early professional theatre work included The Unfriend, written by Steven Moffat and directed by Mark Gatiss.
- He played Elias Mannix in Netflix’s Bodies.
- He portrayed Tobi McKnight in the BBC thriller Nightsleeper.
- He played Snotlout Jorgenson in the 2025 live-action How to Train Your Dragon.
- Before pursuing acting professionally, Howell made short films as a child and developed an early interest in storytelling.
FAQs
Who is Gabriel Howell?
Gabriel Howell is a British actor known for television, film, and theatre. His notable screen roles include Elias Mannix in Bodies, Tobi McKnight in Nightsleeper, and Snotlout Jorgenson in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon.
How old is Gabriel Howell?
Gabriel Howell was born on February 19, 1999. As of September 2026, he is 27 years old.
Where was Gabriel Howell born?
Howell said in a 2025 interview that he was born in Hong Kong. He later spent much of his adolescence in Bristol, England.
What is Gabriel Howell known for?
He is particularly known for playing Elias Mannix in Bodies, Tobi McKnight in Nightsleeper, and Snotlout in the 2025 live-action How to Train Your Dragon.
Who does Gabriel Howell play in How to Train Your Dragon?
Gabriel Howell plays Snotlout Jorgenson in the 2025 live-action How to Train Your Dragon. Snotlout is one of the young dragon-fighting students on Berk and is portrayed as a rival to Hiccup.
Did Gabriel Howell attend RADA?
Yes. Howell studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and graduated from its BA Acting program in 2021.
What are Gabriel Howell’s movies and TV shows?
His better-known screen credits include The Fence (2022), Bodies (2023), Nightsleeper (2024), and How to Train Your Dragon (2025). His theatre credits include The Unfriend and What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank.
Conclusion
Gabriel Howell’s career has developed through a combination of formal training, theatre experience, television drama, and increasingly prominent film roles. His work in The Unfriend and What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank established a strong stage background, while Bodies and Nightsleeper brought him to a wider television audience.
His role as Snotlout in How to Train Your Dragon marked another significant step, placing him in one of the most recognizable fantasy franchises of the 2020s. With How to Train Your Dragon 2 scheduled for 2027, the character is also set to remain part of his screen career.
For readers searching for Gabriel Howell, his story is ultimately one of a classically trained actor expanding his range across stage, television, and major studio filmmaking.
