Joseph Quinn’s Top Two Acting Influences

August 20, 20253 min read

Joseph Quinn’s career is on the rise, thanks to his standout role as Eddie Munson in the fourth season of Stranger Things. Since then, the British actor has been landing increasingly high-profile roles worldwide.

He appeared as one of the twin emperors in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, took on the role of Johnny Storm/The Human Torch in the reboot of Fantastic Four, and is set to portray George Harrison in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles biopic.

Before his rise to fame, Quinn had already made notable appearances, such as playing Koner in an episode of Game of Thrones and the doomed emperor Paul I in the Sky series Catherine the Great. Yet, among all the talented actors he has worked with, there are two who profoundly influenced him.

In a 2019 interview with Flickering Myth, Quinn spoke about his key inspirations. His first choice was the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, whom he admired deeply, followed by Olivia Colman, with whom he would later share screen time.

Quinn expressed, “Philip Seymour Hoffman is, in my opinion, one of the greatest actors of all time. His ability to portray the human condition is remarkable, and he possesses a rare quality—similar to Olivia Colman—where viewers feel a familiarity. When you watch them, you feel like you know them; it’s like seeing a part of yourself reflected on screen.”

Hoffman’s passing in 2014, just a week after Quinn’s 20th birthday, was undoubtedly a loss for the budding actor. As he prepared for his role in Gladiator II, Quinn drew on the performances of various actors, including Hoffman’s iconic portrayal of villain Owen Davian in Mission: Impossible III, which is often regarded as one of the best villains in the franchise.

Working with Olivia Colman was a different story. The two British actors were cast in the BBC miniseries Les Misérables, where Quinn played Enjolras, the leader of the revolutionary group ‘ABC Friends’, while Colman portrayed Madame Thénardier, the inventive wife of one of the plot’s minor antagonists.

Although Quinn didn’t have the opportunity to work directly with both of his idols, their influence is clearly evident as he ascends the ranks in Hollywood. Who knows what the future may hold—even technology could open new doors for collaboration!