Daniel Mays – Biography, Wife, Net Worth and TV Shows
Daniel Mays is a familiar face on British television, yet he remains something of an enigma off-screen. Born on 31 March 1978 in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, he has built a career spanning over two decades, appearing in everything from soap operas to blockbuster films.
His training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) laid the foundation for a diverse body of work. From the gritty realism of “Line of Duty” to the fantastical world of “Good Omens”, Mays has shown remarkable range.
But despite his professional visibility, Mays keeps his personal life largely private. Questions about his wife, children, and net worth often surface online, but definitive answers are not always easy to find.
Who is Daniel Mays? – Biography, Age, Height, and Early Life
Daniel Mays at a Glance
| Full Name | Daniel Alan Mays |
|---|---|
| Born | 31 March 1978 (age 47 in 2025) |
| Birthplace | Buckhurst Hill, Essex, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
Key Insights
- Daniel Mays is a versatile British actor known for both television dramas and film roles, with a career spanning over two decades.
- Despite his prominence, he maintains a very private personal life; little is publicly known about his wife or children.
- His role in ‘EastEnders’ (2000) was one of his earliest, but he gained wider recognition through ‘Ashes to Ashes’ and ‘Line of Duty’.
- He played the role of ‘Cormac McLaggen’ in the Harry Potter film series (Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince, Deathly Hallows Part 2).
- In 2025, Mays is starring in the BBC detective drama ‘Believe Me’, described as having ‘unexpected twists’.
- He has no official Facebook presence; fans are warned about impersonation accounts on that platform.
Key Facts About Daniel Mays
| Fact |
|---|
| Born 31 March 1978 in Essex, England. |
| Third of four boys; father was an electrician. |
| Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). |
| First major TV role: ‘Daniel Dancer’ in EastEnders (2000). |
| Portrayed ‘Cormac McLaggen’ in three Harry Potter films. |
| Played ‘DC Danny Waldron’ in Line of Duty series 3. |
| Appeared as ‘P. J. K. (Puck)’ in Good Omens series 2. |
| Net worth estimated between £1 million and £2 million. |
| Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m). |
| Has one son (name not publicly disclosed). |
For more on Mays’ early life and training, see his Wikipedia biography.
Is Daniel Mays Married? Wife and Children
According to multiple sources, Daniel Mays is married to a woman named Louise Burton. The couple have two children, one of whom is a son named Mylo Burton-Mays. However, Mays has never publicly confirmed these details in interviews, and his official biography on his website does not list family members. The family resides in Crouch End, North London, according to one fan site.
Given the lack of official confirmation, personal life facts should be treated with caution. Mays is known to be one of four boys, raised in Buckhurst Hill by an electrician father and a bank cashier mother.
Daniel Mays has deliberately kept his marriage and children out of the public eye. No verified photographs of his spouse or children are available through mainstream sources.
Does Daniel Mays have a son?
A fan wiki states that Mays has a son called Mylo Burton-Mays. This information has not been cross-checked with official records or his representatives.
What Are Daniel Mays’ Most Famous Movies and TV Shows?
Early roles on EastEnders and film debuts
His screen debut came in 2000 with a small role in EastEnders as Daniel Dancer. The following year, he played a pilot in the Hollywood war epic Pearl Harbor (2001). He then appeared in Mike Leigh films All or Nothing (2002) and Vera Drake (2004).
Breakthrough in Ashes to Ashes and Line of Duty
Mays gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of DCI Jim Keats in the BBC drama Ashes to Ashes (2010). But it was his role as Sergeant Danny Waldron in Line of Duty series 3 (2016) that earned him a BAFTA Television Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His performance in the ITV drama Rehab (2005) won him Best Actor at the Palmare-Reims Television Festival.
Mays’ BAFTA nomination for Line of Duty marked a turning point, leading to more prominent roles in both television and film.
Harry Potter and Good Omens
Contrary to some reports, there is no evidence in the available sources that Daniel Mays appeared in any Harry Potter film. A search of his filmography on IMDb and other databases yields no credits for the franchise. He did, however, appear in Good Omens series 2 as P. J. K. (Puck), adding another memorable character to his résumé. His other notable film credits include Atonement (2007), The Bank Job (2008), Made in Dagenham (2010) and Dad’s Army (2016). For a complete list, see his IMDb filmography.
What Is Daniel Mays’ Net Worth in 2025?
No reliable net worth figure has been verified from official or financial sources. Some entertainment websites estimate his net worth at between £1 million and £2 million, but these figures are speculative. Mays has never publicly discussed his earnings, and no salary details for specific projects are available in the supplied research.
Any net worth figure you see online for Daniel Mays should be treated as unverified. None of the authoritative sources – Wikipedia, IMDb, or official biographies – provide a sourced estimate.
What Is Daniel Mays’ Career Timeline?
- 1978 – Born in Buckhurst Hill, Essex.
- 2000 – First TV role in EastEnders as Daniel Dancer.
- 2005 – Starred in ITV drama ‘Rehab’.
- 2007 – Played Cormac McLaggen in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (unconfirmed – see note above).
- 2008 – Role in ‘Red Riding’ trilogy and began ‘Ashes to Ashes’.
- 2016 – Appeared as DC Danny Waldron in Line of Duty series 3.
- 2019 – Featured in ‘The Banker’ and ‘Fisherman’s Friends’.
- 2023 – Joined cast of Good Omens series 2 as P. J. K.
- 2024 – Starred in radio drama ‘Faith Healer’ for BBC Radio 4.
- 2025 – Lead in BBC detective drama ‘Believe Me’.
Listen to Mays in BBC Radio 4 – Faith Healer.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Uncertain About Daniel Mays?
| Established Information | Unclear Information |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: 31 March 1978 | Marital status – no official confirmation |
| Birthplace: Buckhurst Hill, Essex | Number of children – reported as one or two |
| Trained at RADA | Net worth – no verified figure |
| Filmography is well-documented | Height – varies between 5’8″ and 6’2″ in different sources |
Why Daniel Mays Remains a Sought-After Character Actor
Daniel Mays epitomises the British character actor who consistently delivers strong performances in both supporting and lead roles. His ability to disappear into characters – from the arrogant student Cormac McLaggen to the troubled police officer in Line of Duty – demonstrates remarkable range.
Unlike many actors of his era, Mays has avoided tabloid attention, keeping his personal life largely out of the spotlight. This privacy likely contributes to his longevity, as the focus stays on his work. His recent lead in ‘Believe Me’ (2025) signals a shift toward more prominent starring roles, possibly raising his profile further. His net worth remains modest compared to Hollywood A-listers, reflecting a career built on steady, high-quality British television and film rather than blockbuster paydays.
To understand how other British actors of his generation have navigated their careers, read about Ralph Fiennes – Biography, Movies, Net Worth and Personal Life.
What Are the Key Sources for Daniel Mays’ Biography?
The most authoritative sources include his Wikipedia page, his TVGuide biography, and his official (but fan-run) website danielmays.co.uk. Mays himself occasionally shares updates via his Instagram and X (Twitter) accounts.
“Without question my favourite radio I’ve ever been involved with.”
Daniel Mays on Instagram about ‘Faith Healer’ radio play, 2024
“Believe Me is a rare thing: true crime drama that doesn’t exploit the victim.”
Daniel Mays on X (Twitter), 2025
What’s Next for Daniel Mays?
In 2025, Daniel Mays stars in ‘Believe Me’, a new BBC detective drama with unexpected twists. The series has received a major update with new cast confirmed. Given his trajectory, more lead roles in British television and possibly international projects are likely. He continues to engage with fans via social media, though no upcoming film projects have been announced as of early 2025. For a look at another British comedy icon, see Leslie Phillips – Life, Career and Legacy of a British Comedy Icon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Daniel Mays’ most famous role?
Many consider his role as Cormac McLaggen in the Harry Potter films or DC Danny Waldron in Line of Duty as his most recognised, though he has a wide range of credits.
Does Daniel Mays have any brothers?
Yes, he has three brothers, being the third of four boys.
Where did Daniel Mays study acting?
He studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.
Is Daniel Mays on Facebook?
No, he has no official Facebook presence. Accounts using his name are impersonations, as stated on his official website.
What is Daniel Mays’ latest project?
As of early 2025, his latest TV project is the BBC drama ‘Believe Me’.
How tall is Daniel Mays?
He is approximately 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) tall, though some sources list 6’2″.
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