Anton Lesser - guest 2026
Guest appearance: Saturday 14. November 2026
Anton Lesser is an English actor. Anton Lesser is an English actor. He was educated at Moseley Grammar School before studying architecture at the University of Liverpool, where he graduated with a degree in 1973.
Lesser later turned to acting and trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) from 1974 to 1976. Upon graduating, he was awarded the Bancroft Gold Medal as the most promising actor of his year. His performance as Gethin Price in Trevor Griffiths’ Comedians attracted the attention of the Royal Shakespeare Company, which offered him a contract and launched a long and distinguished career on the British stage.
Lesser has appeared in numerous acclaimed film and television productions. His film credits include Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, in which he portrayed Lord John Carteret. His television work includes the historical drama The Crown, where he played British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, and the mystery series 1899, in which he portrayed Henry Singleton.
He is perhaps best known internationally for his role as Qyburn in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones. Lesser joined the show in its third season as the enigmatic former maester and unconventional scientist who eventually became one of Cersei Lannister’s most trusted advisers. He remained with the series through its final season.
For Star Wars fans, Lesser is particularly recognizable as Major Lio Partagaz in the Disney+ series Andor. Introduced in 2022, Partagaz is a high-ranking Imperial Security Bureau officer overseeing the Empire’s efforts to suppress growing signs of rebellion. Lesser returned to the role in the second season of Andor, further expanding the character and his place within the Imperial hierarchy.
In July 2025, it was announced that Lesser had joined the cast of the upcoming Harry Potter television series, in which he will portray Garrick Ollivander, the legendary wandmaker from the wizarding world.
Beyond his screen and stage work, Lesser is a frequent radio contributor and also recorded many audiobooks.