Look, if you're searching for Aidan Turner movies and TV shows, chances are you've seen him smolder as Ross Poldark or battle orcs as Kíli. But there's way more to explore. Let me walk you through his complete screen journey – the hidden gems, the blockbusters, and everything between. Trust me, I've spent countless weekends deep-diving into his filmography after catching Poldark reruns.
Early Days and Career Beginnings
Before Hollywood called, Aidan was grinding in Dublin theatre. His first TV break? Irish medical drama "The Clinic" (2003-2008). He played Ruairí McGowan for five seasons. Not flashy, but solid acting practice. Then came BBC's "Desperate Romantics" (2009), where he portrayed Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Art students might dig this, but honestly? The wigs were distracting.
The Game-Changer: Being Human
Everything changed with "Being Human" (2009-2011). Aidan's Mitchell – a brooding vampire trying to quit blood – became iconic. The show blended horror and humor perfectly. Remember that scene where he tears apart a supermarket freezer during withdrawal? Raw power. The BBC Three series proved he could carry major roles. Still holds up today.
| TV Show | Role | Years | Episodes | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Clinic | Ruairí McGowan | 2003-2008 | 38 episodes | First major TV role; medical drama training ground |
| Desperate Romantics | Dante Gabriel Rossetti | 2009 | 6 episodes | Period drama experience; pre-fame breakthrough |
| Being Human | John Mitchell | 2009-2011 | 23 episodes | Breakout role; cult following; established fanbase |
The Blockbuster Era: Hobbit and Beyond
Peter Jackson spotted Aidan's intensity and cast him as dwarf Kíli in The Hobbit trilogy (2012-2014). Suddenly, he was global. The films grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide. Kíli's archery skills and forbidden elf romance stood out. But here's my take: The CGI sometimes overshadowed the performances. Still essential viewing for fantasy fans.
| Movie | Role | Year | Director | Box Office | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey | Kíli | 2012 | Peter Jackson | $1.02B | Intro to dwarf brothers; iconic barrel escape scene |
| The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug | Kíli | 2013 | Peter Jackson | $958M | Expanded role; injury subplot; Tauriel romance |
| The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies | Kíli | 2014 | Peter Jackson | $956M | Emotional climax; major character resolution |
Smaller Films Worth Discovering
Between epics, Aidan chose interesting indies. "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones" (2013) was messy but fun fantasy. He played werewolf Luke Garroway – decent screen time despite mixed reviews. Better was Irish drama "The Secret Scripture" (2016) with Vanessa Redgrave. Aidan's Father Gaunt showcased restrained anguish. Underrated performance.
Then there's "Look Away" (2018). Horror about mirror doubles. Concept intrigued me, but execution? Meh. Aidan's police detective felt underused. Skip unless you're completionist.
The Poldark Phenomenon
Ah, "Poldark" (2015-2019). This BBC masterpiece made Aidan a household name. As 18th-century Cornish miner Ross Poldark, he delivered swagger, shirtless scything, and moral complexity across five seasons. Remember the mine rescue scene? Actual chills. Critics praised the show's social commentary – and yes, those smoldering stares.
Why Poldark Resonates: Beyond the aesthetics, it tackled class struggle, loyalty, and redemption. Aidan's Ross wasn't purely heroic – he cheated, gambled, and raged. That flawed humanity kept viewers hooked. Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) remains one of TV's great love stories.
| Season | Episodes | Year | Key Plot Points | IMDb Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | 2015 | Ross returns from war; saves Demelza; restarts mine | 8.3 |
| 2 | 10 | 2016 | Trial for wrecking; Elizabeth entanglement; Julia's death | 8.5 |
| 3 | 9 | 2017 | Copper crisis; new rival; Morwenna storyline | 8.2 |
| 4 | 8 | 2018 | French spy plot; mine disaster; Elizabeth's fate | 8.4 |
| 5 | 8 | 2019 | Final conflicts; Ross in Parliament; series conclusion | 8.1 |
Post-Poldark Projects
After riding horses through Cornwall, Aidan switched gears. He voiced Leonardo da Vinci in "Leonardo" (2021) – surprisingly thoughtful animated series. Then came Agatha Christie adaptation "The Man in the Brown Suit" (TBA). Delayed by strikes, but period mystery suits him.
Caught him in West End's "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" pre-pandemic. Brutal dark comedy – he wielded dead cats and machine guns. Stage presence electrifying. Hope he returns to theatre soon.
Essential Aidan Turner Viewing Guide
Overwhelmed? Prioritize these based on your mood:
Must-Watch Essentials:
- Poldark (Seasons 1-5): Career-defining role; Cornish landscapes; complex relationships
- Being Human (Seasons 1-3): Grounded supernatural drama; career breakthrough
- The Hobbit Trilogy: Epic fantasy scale; charismatic dwarf warrior
Underrated Gems:
- The Secret Scripture: Nuanced supporting role; Irish history backdrop
- And Then There Were None (2015): Chilling Christie adaptation; plays Philip Lombard
Completionist Picks:
- Hattie (2011 TV movie): Young John F. Kennedy; decent biopic
- The Mortal Instruments: Flawed but fun urban fantasy
My Hot Take: While Poldark soared, some later seasons recycled plots. The French spy arc? Felt tacked on. Aidan remained compelling, but writing occasionally coasted on chemistry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Aidan Turner's first major role?
His professional debut was stage work, but TV breakthrough came with Being Human (2009). Vampire Mitchell showcased his intensity and charm.
Is Aidan Turner in any upcoming projects?
Yes! "The Man in the Brown Suit" (filming 2024) – Christie mystery set on a train. Also rumored for a noir thriller, but unconfirmed.
Which Aidan Turner performance got award nominations?
Poldark earned him two National Television Awards (UK) nominations (2016, 2017). Surprisingly, no BAFTA love despite fan campaigns.
Why did Aidan Turner leave Being Human?
Scheduling conflict with The Hobbit. He filmed Season 3 concurrently with An Unexpected Journey – exhausted himself. Exit was emotional for fans.
Where can I stream all Aidan Turner movies and TV shows?
Poldark and Being Human are on BBC iPlayer (UK) and Amazon Prime (US). The Hobbit trilogy streams on Max. Smaller films vary by region.
Beyond the Screen
What makes Aidan Turner stand out? It’s the physical commitment – he trained in archery for Kíli, learned scything for Poldark. And emotional transparency. Watch the Poldark scene where Ross learns of Julia's death. No dialogue, just shattered silence. That’s craft.
His choices post-Poldark feel intentional. Less heartthrob, more character depth. The Aidan Turner movies and TV shows catalog reflects an actor avoiding typecasting. Even when projects misfire (cough Look Away), he brings integrity.
Final thought? We’re lucky he transitioned from Dublin theatre to global fame without losing intensity. Whether wielding a pickaxe or a broadsword, he makes you believe the struggle. That’s why digging through every Aidan Turner movie and TV show pays off – you witness an actor evolving scene by scene.