Shetland's Stuart Townsend is a former 00s heart-throb who dated Hollywood superstar for 10 years
He joins the cast as key character in season 10
Stuart Townsend has joined the cast of Shetland, and we’d be surprised if he wasn’t about to become a robust love interest for DI Ruth Calder. But in real life, he’s rather famous for dating a huge Hollywood star.
The actor has been on our screens for decades, having made a name for himself in the 90s and 00s in some well-received films.
That along with his eyebrow-raising, high-profile love life and you will definitely have heard of the actor. But he’d actually stepped away from the limelight in recent years.
Shetland series 10 marks Stuart Townsend’s first ever role on British TV. He’s previously worked in films and in the States. Here’s everything you need to know about the actor, including THAT famous romance.
Who does Stuart Townsend play in Shetland series 10?
British actor Stuart Townsend joins Shetland series 10 as Ed Tulloch, the son of murdered Eadie. Of course, that also makes him a suspect as far as we’re concerned!
As well as being the estranged son of the victim, we have a feeling that the rather un-ugly Stuart might just become a possible love interest for the single DI Ruth Calder. After all, in the opening minutes of episode 1 (Wednesday, November 05, 2025), she tells colleague Tosh about her disastrous recent date and says she’s “giving up on men” for a while.
That’s like saying “I’ll be back” in a horror movie. Of course, a romantic connection is just around the corner!
So what better time for poet and pub owner Ed to arrive on the scene? Plus, he has a hidden connection to Ruth that he reveals in the first episode (you’ll find no spoilers here, mind you).
What is Stuart Townsend doing now in 2025?
As well as appearing in Shetland series 10, Stuart Townsend is set to play the character of Roy in the upcoming film Yankee Rose. The supernatural film follows a woman struggling with addiction and an abusive relationship with her ex-husband.
This year, Stuart also portrayed Daemon Benz in the shark thriller Into the Deep with Richard Dreyfuss. The movie centres on pirates who kidnap a boat of tourists and force them to dive into shark infested waters to look for sunken drugs. You can stream it now on Apple TV+, and Paramount+.
What is he famous for? What films and TV shows has he been in?
Stuart made his very first TV appearance in 1996, when he was in his early 20s. At that time, he played Dermot in the comedy drama film Trojan Eddie opposite TV heavyweights Stephen Rea and Richard Harris.
He went on to make his name in films, notably Kate Beckinsale romantic comedy Shooting Fish in 1997. Stuart subsequently played leading roles in movies such as Resurrection Man, About Adam, Queen of the Damned, and Trapped. In 2003, he famously portrayed Dorian Gray in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
Moving over to US TV in the 00s, he played Carl Kolchak in Night Stalker, the titular character in XIII: The Series, and Jack McAllister in Betrayal. Other significant TV roles include Dr Samuel Wainwright in Salem. He hasn’t been on TV since 2017, and Shetland marks his first significant role on British TV.
In the past eight years, Stuart has popped up in a few films, but has largely been out of the public eye.
Was Stuart Townsend supposed to be Aragorn in Lord of the Rings?
Shetland actor Stuart Townsend was famously cast to play Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. However, he was replaced at the last minute by Viggo Mortensen. On the day before principal photography began, after two months of training, he was let go.
In an interview at the time, Stuart said: “I was there rehearsing and training for two months, then was fired the day before filming began. After that I was told they wouldn’t pay me because I was in breach of contract due to not having worked long enough.
“I had been having a rough time with them, so I was almost relieved to be leaving until they told me I wouldn’t be paid. I have no good feelings for those people in charge, I really don’t. The director [Peter Jackson] wanted me and then apparently thought better of it because he really wanted someone 20 years older than me and completely different.”
Did Shetland star Stuart Townsend date Charlize Theron?
Shetland actor Stuart Townsend famously dated Hollywood A-lister Charlize Theron. The pair dated for nearly 10 years, from 2001 to 2010.
They met on the set of the 2001 film Trapped and went official in 2002, often appearing loved up in public, including red carpet events, and parties.
In fact, Charlize thanked Stuart in her 2004 Oscar acceptance speech. That year, the South African actress won the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Aileen Wuornos in Monster.
At the time, the couple lived together in Los Angeles and Stuart’s native Ireland. They considered themselves “married” although they did not exchange vows. However, they did wear commitment rings.
He said: “We didn’t have a ceremony. I don’t need a certificate or the state or the church to say otherwise. So no, there’s no big official story on a wedding, but we are married. I consider her my wife and she considers me her husband.”
In turn, Charlize told Marie Claire: “I really don’t need to wear a white dress and throw a big party.”
‘I was just smitten’
The lovebirds ended up starring in three movies together – Trapped in 2002, Head in the Clouds in 2004, and Æon Flux in 2005.
Talking about falling for Charlize, Stuart told Irish America that he “didn’t take that much notice” of Charlize on the set of Trapped because they were co-workers. But that soon changed at a cast dinner.
He went on to say: “She just looked like a million dollars. I went ‘Whoa! Who is this girl?’ It was funny because I guess there had been so much going on at the reading I hadn’t really taken stock of her. When she glams up it’s ridiculous… I was just smitten after that.”
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Why did Shetland actor Stuart Townsend and Charlize Theron split up?
After nearly 10 years together, Charlize and Stuart broke up in 2010. Neither have spoken about their ex since their breakup, but that didn’t stop the rumours from swirling.
Reports at the time blamed a troubled holiday in Mexico. They came back on day two of a planned 10-day holiday in January 2010.
Some ‘sources’ suggested the relationship had “run its course” and that they had become like “brother and sister”.
Charlize is also known for dating Sean Penn, and Stephan Jenkins. Rumours also linked her to Alexander Skarsgård.
Who is Stuart’s girlfriend or wife now?
There is no peep of a girlfriend or wife on Stuart’s official Instagram page. Although we do know he is father to two children from his longterm relationship with Agatha Araya, we don’t know if they are still together.
After his high-profile relationship with Charlize, it seems Stuart has learnt to live his private life away from the cameras.
Stuart and Agatha got together in 2013, and have Desmond and Ezra Townsend together. The proud dad often shares pictures of his beautiful children online.
In May 2015, Stuart Townsend’s brother said that Stuart had settled down in Costa Rica, where he had bought some land. At the time, Agatha Araya was expecting their second child.
Domestic abuse allegations
In 2019, Stuart was living in Santa Monica with Agatha and their two children. At that time, their relationship was the subject of unwanted tabloid attention.
The Irish Sun alleged that Stuart Townsend was reportedly facing a domestic abuse charge. The report claimed police arrested him following a fight with his wife when he refused to let her leave the house.
Medical attention was not required. Although police arrested Stuart for felony domestic violence, the charges were later dropped.
Stuart reportedly told TMZ that the couple did have an argument but had resolved their issues by the time police arrived. He said he looked forward to this “being resolved speedily and favourably and returning to (our) quiet lives as spouses and parents”.
A representative for the actor said the Santa Monica City Attorney had decided against bringing charges in relation to the incident.
A statement issued to the Irish Sun read: “The Santa Monica City Attorney has rejected bringing charges against Stuart Townsend in connection with an argument he and his wife had on September 5th.
“This ends the matter. Agatha and Stuart Townsend are grateful to the Santa Monica Police and City Attorney’s office for the work they do protecting the community.”
Where is Stuart Townsend from? Is he Scottish?
Stuart was born in Howth, County Dublin, Ireland. But he puts on a pretty convincing Scottish accent in Shetland (to a Southerner anyway!).
He’s the son of Irish model Lorna Hogan and professional golfer Peter Townsend. His younger brother, Dylan, is also an actor and writer.
Stuart attended the Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin, and made his non-professional stage debut in its 1993 production of Colin Teevan’s Tear Up The Black Sail.
How old is Shetland actor Stuart Townsend?
Shetland actor Stuart Townsend was born on December 15, 1972. He is currently
This makes him four years younger than his Shetland co-star Ashley Jensen, who is 56.
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