Daniel Mays is a British actor born on March 31, 1978, in Epping, Essex. Trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), he has built a prolific and versatile career, noted for his ability to portray complex and authentic characters, often from working-class backgrounds. His film career began with key collaborations with director Mike Leigh in *All or Nothing* (2002) and *Vera Drake* (2004). His other film credits include *The Bank Job* (2008), *1917* (2019), and *Fisherman's Friends* (2019). On television, he gained widespread recognition with memorable roles such as the antagonist Jim Keats in *Ashes to Ashes*, Sergeant Danny Waldron in the third series of *Line of Duty*—a role that earned him a BAFTA award nomination for Best Supporting Actor—and Detective Chief Inspector Peter Jay in the miniseries *Des*. Also active in theatre, Mays is considered one of the most acclaimed and reliable character actors in the United Kingdom.