Max Irons, born Maximilian Paul Diarmuid Irons on 17 October 1985 in Camden, London, is an English‑Irish actor and model who has steadily built a respected career in film and television. He is the son of Oscar‑winning actor Jeremy Irons and actress Sinéad Cusack, placing him at the centre of one of the UK’s most accomplished acting dynasties.
After graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2008, Irons gained early recognition for his role in Red Riding Hood (2011) and went on to star in the television series The White Queen (2013) and the film adaptation of The Host (2013). He has since appeared in a range of period dramas, thrillers, and independent films. In his personal life, he is married to former fashion director Sophie Pera, and the couple have one daughter.
This article provides a detailed, fact‑based overview of Max Irons’ biography, physical attributes, career highlights, family background, and current projects, drawing on verified sources.
What is Max Irons’ personal life like?
| Full Name | Maximilian Paul Diarmuid Irons |
| Born | 17 October 1985 (age 40 as of June 2026) |
| Birthplace | Camden, London, England |
| Nationality | English‑Irish |
- Max Irons is part of a prominent acting dynasty: his father Jeremy Irons won an Oscar for Reversal of Fortune (1990), and his mother Sinéad Cusack is a celebrated Irish actress.
- He married Sophie Pera, a former fashion director for Tatler, on 30 November 2019 in Oxfordshire; the couple began dating in 2013.
- The couple have one daughter, born in 2023. The child’s name and gender have not been made public.
- Irons’ grandfather was the acclaimed Irish stage performer Cyril Cusack.
- Before acting, he taught performance in Nepal and modeled for Burberry and Mango.
- His father initially discouraged him from pursuing acting because Max has dyslexia.
- He attended the Dragon School in Oxford and graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2008.
| Category | Fact |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Sophie Pera (m. 2019) |
| Children | One daughter (born 2023) |
| Parents | Jeremy Irons (father), Sinéad Cusack (mother) |
| Height | Not officially documented; estimates place him around 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Age | 40 (born 17 October 1985) |
| Years Active | 2004–present |
| Notable Role | Edward IV in The White Queen, Henry in Red Riding Hood |
| Education | Guildhall School of Music and Drama (2008) |
Who is Max Irons married to?
Max Irons married Sophie Pera on 30 November 2019 in Oxfordshire. Sophie Pera was the fashion director for Tatler magazine before her marriage. The couple started dating in 2013. Her height is not publicly listed.
Does Max Irons have children?
Yes. Irons and his wife have one daughter, born in 2023. The child’s name and gender have not been publicly confirmed.
Who are Max Irons’ parents?
His father is the acclaimed English actor Jeremy Irons, winner of an Oscar, Tony, and Emmy. His mother is Irish actress Sinéad Cusack, daughter of celebrated stage performer Cyril Cusack. Max also has an older half‑brother, Sam Irons, from his father’s first marriage, though Sam is not in the public eye. Additional family background can be found at Jeremy Irons net.
Is Max Irons related to Jeremy Irons?
Yes, Jeremy Irons is Max Irons’ father. Jeremy is best known for voicing Scar in The Lion King (1994), playing George York in Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), and winning an Oscar for Reversal of Fortune (1990). He also won a Tony for The Real Thing (1984) and an Emmy for Elizabeth I (2006).
What are Max Irons’ physical attributes?
How old is Max Irons?
Max Irons was born on 17 October 1985. As of June 2026, he is 40 years old.
How tall is Max Irons?
His height is not officially documented in public records. Multiple online sources estimate his height at approximately 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m), but this figure is based on common actor bio estimates rather than a verified measurement.
What is Max Irons’ nationality?
He holds dual English and Irish nationality. He was born in England, and his mother Sinéad Cusack is Irish.
Where was Max Irons born?
He was born in Camden, a borough of London, England.
While many actor databases list Max Irons as 6 ft 2 in, no official measurement has been confirmed by Irons or his representatives. The figure should be treated as an estimate.
What are Max Irons’ notable movies and TV shows?
What is Max Irons known for?
Irons is best known for playing Henry in the gothic romance Red Riding Hood (2011), Edward IV of England in the BBC series The White Queen (2013), and Jared Howe in the sci‑fi film The Host (2013). He also led the political thriller series Condor (2018–2020) as Joseph Turner.
Did Max Irons appear in Sherlock?
The query “Max Irons Sherlock” often causes confusion. He does not play Sherlock Holmes. In the upcoming 2026 series Young Sherlock, Irons portrays Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock’s older brother. This is a regular role in a seven‑episode series.
What is Max Irons doing now (2025–2026)?
In 2025, Irons appeared in the miniseries Miss Austen as Henry Hobday. For 2026, he is a series regular in Young Sherlock as Mycroft Holmes. He is also filming the TV series Neuromancer, in which he plays Jean Tessier‑Ashpool. Fans of British period drama may also be interested in Ed Westwick – Biography, Height, Wife, Net Worth, and Career.
Complete filmography highlights
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Being Julia | Featured Extra | Film |
| 2011 | Red Riding Hood | Henry | Film |
| 2011 | Dorian Gray | 19th‑century Libertine | Film |
| 2013 | The Host | Jared Howe | Film |
| 2013 | The White Queen | Edward IV of England | TV Series (Lead) |
| 2014 | The Riot Club | Miles Richards | Film |
| 2014 | Woman in Gold | / | Film |
| 2017 | Bitter Harvest | David Castleman (Lead) | Film |
| 2017 | Crooked House | Charles Hayward | Film |
| 2018 | The Wife | Alfred | Film |
| 2018–2020 | Condor | Joseph Turner (Lead) | TV Series |
| 2025 | Miss Austen | Henry Hobday | Miniseries (4 eps) |
| 2026 | Young Sherlock | Mycroft Holmes | TV Series (7 eps) |
| Post‑Prod | Neuromancer | Jean Tessier‑Ashpool | TV Series (filming) |
Max Irons is often searched alongside “Sherlock” because of his 2026 role as Mycroft Holmes in Young Sherlock. He has never played the detective himself.
What are the key milestones in Max Irons’ career and life?
- 1985 – Born in Camden, London, England.
- 2004 – Began acting career with a short film Being Julia.
- 2011 – Breakthrough role in Red Riding Hood.
- 2013 – Starred in The White Queen (TV series) and The Host (film).
- 2014 – Appeared in The Riot Club and Woman in Gold.
- 2017 – Lead role in Bitter Harvest.
- 2018–2020 – Lead role in TV series Condor.
- 2019 – Married Sophie Pera.
- 2023 – Daughter born.
- 2025 – Appeared in miniseries Miss Austen.
- 2026 – Regular role as Mycroft Holmes in Young Sherlock.
Upcoming projects such as Neuromancer are still in production. Release dates and role specifics can change without official announcement.
What information about Max Irons is certain, and what remains unclear?
| Established Information | Information that Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Full name, date and place of birth, nationality, parents, and spouse are confirmed by reliable sources. | Height is not officially documented; the common estimate of 6 ft 2 in is unverified. |
| He has one daughter born in 2023. | The child’s name and gender have not been publicly confirmed. |
| His filmography up to 2026 is verifiable through IMDb and Wikipedia. | Future projects beyond those announced may change; release dates are subject to revision. |
| He plays Mycroft Holmes in Young Sherlock (2026), not Sherlock. | No major award wins as of 2026; award nominations are not confirmed. |
What background helps understand Max Irons’ career?
Max Irons grew up surrounded by theatre and film: his father Jeremy Irons is a legendary actor, and his mother Sinéad Cusack comes from a famous Irish acting family. Despite his family legacy, Irons has worked to carve his own path. He trained formally at the Guildhall School, spent time teaching in Nepal, and modeled before focusing fully on acting. His roles often place him in period dramas or literary adaptations, and he has gradually moved from supporting parts to leading roles in television series such as Condor and Young Sherlock. Education details are available from TV Insider.
What do official sources say about Max Irons?
“Max Irons is an English-Irish actor and model. He is known for his roles in Red Riding Hood (2011), The White Queen and The Host (2013).”
“Maximilian Paul Diarmuid Irons is an English-Irish actor and model.”
– IMDb
“Born Maximilian Paul Diarmuid Irons in the London, England borough of Camden on Oct. 17, 1985, Max Irons is the scion of one of the most celebrated acting families.”
In summary: Who is Max Irons?
Max Irons, born in 1985 in London, is an English‑Irish actor and model who has established a credible career in film and television. He is married to Sophie Pera, has one daughter, and is the son of Jeremy Irons and Sinéad Cusack. His notable works include Red Riding Hood, The White Queen, The Host, Condor, and the upcoming Young Sherlock (2026) in which he plays Mycroft Holmes. For more on actors of a similar generation, see Sam Claflin – Biography, Movies, Age, Height and Net Worth.
Frequently asked questions about Max Irons
What is Max Irons’ net worth?
Net worth figures are speculative and not confirmed. Reliable sources do not provide a verified number.
Did Max Irons win any awards?
He has not won major individual awards but has been part of award‑nominated productions like The White Queen.
Is Max Irons on Instagram?
Yes, his verified Instagram handle is @officialmaxirons.
Does Max Irons have siblings?
He has an older half‑brother, Sam Irons, from his father’s first marriage, but Sam is not in the public eye.
What was Max Irons’ first acting role?
His first credited role was as an extra in the 2004 film Being Julia.
Did Max Irons serve in the military?
No. There is no record of military service; he pursued acting after graduation.
Where did Max Irons study acting?
He graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2008.
Is Max Irons related to the actor Sam Claflin?
No. They are not related, though they have appeared in similar film genres.
What is Max Irons’ next project?
He is currently filming Neuromancer and will appear in Young Sherlock (2026).
How can I contact Max Irons for an interview?
Contact information is not publicly available. Professional inquiries are typically handled through his agency.
Sophie Chen is News & Politics Editor at readingwire.co.uk, covering UK and world news, politics, policy and current affairs.