Dev Patel has been acting for most of his life. He started acting in grade school, where Niahmh Wright, his drama teacher, said he was gifted and impressive in his ability to communicate a diverse range of characters in such a creative way. He received the highest grades and even continued his education while working professionally on his first television series. He first appeared on-screen in the UK hit show Skins in 2007, when he was just 16 years old. Prior to Skins, he had no professional acting credits. After Skins, his career quickly blew up, and in 2009, he received his first BAFTA nomination. He's received numerous awards during his expansive career, including a BAFTA and a SAG award.
Here are some of his best performances, ranked.
7 Skins (2007-2008)
His first professional role, Skins, was a hit show in the UK from 2007-2008, with Dev Patel starring as Anwar Kharral, a Pakistani teenager. Skins UK follows a group of British teens as they go through the trials and tribulations of teenage life. From familial dysfunction to depression, sexuality, and religion. Patel's character is unique in that he is struggling with his religious background as a Muslim boy who doesn't believe in homosexuality, while trying to be friends with Maxxie. Skins UK was a groundbreaking show at the time of its release and even led to an American adaptation in 2011.
6 The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel follows a retired British group on their move to Jaipur, India, to stay at the Marigold Hotel. The group believes the hotel has recently been revamped and restored, but finds it is actually quite rough around the edges. The film boasts an impressive cast, including Dame Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, and Dev Patel. Patel plays Sonny Kapoor, a vibrant but clumsy hotel manager trying to keep the hotel afloat. After numerous obstacles and failings, Sonny decides to close the hotel for good. This movie was nominated for lots of awards, including Best British Film at the BAFTAs. A sequel, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, was released in 2015.
5 The Green Knight
The Green Knight is a fantastical reimagining of the medieval story of Sir Gawain (Patel) and his quest to make a name for himself as he goes on a mission told through dreams, flashbacks, and time lapses. Gawain, while relatable, is unlikeable. The film's writer and director, David Lowery, chose Dev Patel for the role because he felt he was an actor the audience wouldn't abandon during his journey. Lowery said he couldn't imagine anyone else taking on the role of Gawain on his mission. The movie won more than a dozen awards.
4 Modern Love (2019-Present)
Modern Love is based on the New York Times section of the same name and provides vignettes of romances, with each episode focusing on a new couple. Dev Patel's episode (season 1, episode 2) is called "When Cupid Is a Prying Journalist", and he plays Joshu, the CEO of a new dating app. When a journalist (Katherine Keener) asks him if he's ever been in love, both of their lives change forever. His one-episode performance resulted in an Emmy nomination for Guest Actor in a Comedy.
3 The Newsroom (2012-2014)
The Newsroom was created by Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, The Social Network) and had a star-studded cast including Jeff Daniels, Sam Waterston, Olivia Munn, Emily Mortimer, and Dev Patel. Patel acted in 25 episodes from 2012-2014 and played Neal Sampat, a Night News team member who got his start in journalism after submitting video footage of a bomb explosion to the news network. The Newsroom received nine awards during its two-year run, including a prime-time Emmy.
2 Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
His first movie, after the success of Skins UK, Slumdog Millionaire, was a hit across the world. The movie stars Freida Pinto, Saurabh Shukla, Anil Kapoor, Irfan Khan, and Dev Patel. Slumdog Millionaire follows Jamal, a teenager from Mumbai, and tells the story of his life through flashbacks, after he is accused of cheating on an Indian game show, similar to Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Slumdog Millionaire won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
1 Lion (2016)
Lion is an emotional, true story based on the book Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley. After getting separated from his family at just five years old, young Saroo (Sunny Pawar) ends up in the system. He was sent to Australia, where he was adopted by the Brierlys (David Wenham and Nicole Kidman). Saroo (Patel) goes on a journey through his memories to find his long-lost family. While working on this movie, Patel met and worked with the real Saroo to tell his story in an accurate and meaningful way. He received his first Academy Award nomination for his role as a supporting actor.