Ryan Alexander Hawley (born 21 September 1985) is an English actor, known as Robert Sugden on Emmerdale from 2014 to 2019, and then again from 2025 onwards.
Early life Hawley, son of Christine and Steve, spent his childhood partly in Sheffield and partly in the UAE due to his parents' work, making him a Third Culture Kid.
In school, Hawley took A-Level Media Studies and took part in numerous school plays, subsequently realising his dream of becoming a film director was very difficult. Hawley went to university and trained to become an actor at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England.
Career Hawley's acting career began in 2007, when he began to appear in a number of television series, films and stage productions. He made his television debut in the pilot of the American series Life Is Wild as Tim. In 2013, he appeared as Andy Thatcher in Devil's Pass, a Russian-British horror film.
In 2014, Hawley was cast in his most prominent role as Robert Sugden on the ITV soap opera Emmerdale, becoming the fourth actor to portray the character.
He has received critical acclaim for his portrayal and has been nominated for several awards, including "Best Villain" and "Best Actor" at The British Soap Awards.
In June 2019, it was announced that Hawley would be leaving Emmerdale after five years. His exit aired on 1 November of that year. In May 2025, Despite initially being reported as a guest stint, it was confirmed soon after that he was being reintroduced permanently.
Personal life In 2013, Hawley married Daisy Prestes de Oliveira. Together they have a son, born in 2021. They welcomed a second son together in 2023.
In 2025, he revealed he was living with his family in Brazil for about a year between 2023 and 2024, but moved back to the UK to resume his role in Emmerdale.
Filmography + Television and film roles Year TitleRoleNotes 2007 Life Is Wild Tim Pilot 2008 Doctors Jeremy Evesham 1 episode 2008 Survivors Will 1 episode 2008 Live! Short film 2010 The Wyoming Story Dakon Thorpe Television film 2010 Rules of Love Tarrant Television film 2010 Between You & Me Josh Short film 2011 The Royal Phil Cooper 1 episode 2012 Red Tails Mitchell Film 2012 Titanic Jack Thayer 2 episodes 2013 Father Brown John Van Ert 1 episode 2013 Devil's Pass Andy Thatcher Film 2014 The Magnificent Eleven Kurt Film 2014–2019, 2025–present Emmerdale Robert Sugden Regular role 2021 Silent Witness Michael Robson 2 episodes 2023–2024 All Creatures Great and Small Sid Crabtree 2 episodes 2024 Casualty Jamie Cleveland 5 episodes 2025 Miss Scarlet and the Duke Mr. Bailey 1 episode
+ Stage Year Title Role Venue 2007 The History Boys Rudge Wyndhams Theatre and UK Tour 2009 Letting in Air Adam Old Red Lion Theatre 2010 You May Go Now Finborough Theatre
Awards and nominations Year Result Award Category Film or series Character2015 British Soap Awards Best NewcomerEmmerdaleRobert Sugden Villain of the Year All About Soap Awards Best Moment 2014 – Robert Kisses Aaron Inside Soap Awards Best Newcomer TV Choice Awards Best Soap Newcomer2016 British Soap Awards Villain of the Year Best Onscreen Partnership (with Danny Miller) Inside Soap Awards Best Partnership (with Danny Miller)2017 TV Choice Awards Best Soap Actor Inside Soap Awards Best Bad Boy Inside Soap Awards Best Partnership (with Danny Miller) Digital Spy Readers' Awards Best Soap Relationship (with Danny Miller) 2018 TRIC Awards Soap Actor
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