Josh O’Connor says he was sacked as an altar boy for smiling too much, now plays priest in Netflix mystery

Josh O’Connor has revealed he was sacked as an altar boy because he smiled too much on the job. The Crown star, 35, recalled the moment as he prepares to portray a Catholic priest in Netflix’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. He discussed the anecdote during an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, saying the misstep occurred early in his acting life.

O’Connor described being in the ceremonial outfit, waving to his brothers and not always being solemn enough. He said he was “brilliant” at altar service but was removed for smiling too much. “I was an altar boy and it was sort of my first foray into being what I thought was being on stage, and I was red for smiling too much,” he said. His mother joked to the priest, “He’s smiling in the presence of the Lord,” he added, explaining that the moment felt funny because he could see his brothers. “That was probably those early signs of theatricality.” He previously discussed the episode with Vogue, recalling, “I was in this ridiculous outfit, my brothers were watching me, I was waving at them and probably not being gracious enough in that moment. That was probably those early signs of theatricality.”

On screen, O’Connor’s career has moved from period drama to a broader slate of high-profile projects. He first starred as a young Prince Charles in The Crown’s third season and later shared scenes with Emma Corrin’s Princess Diana in season four. Beyond the streaming royal drama, he has built a reputation for nuanced leads, notably as Patrick in Challengers, a role that helped cement him as a rising Hollywood figure. He has also appeared in God’s Own Country, a coming‑of‑age love story, and Mothering Sunday, whose intimate scenes drew attention. Discussing his craft, he has said: “I’m pretty comfortable in that situation. We’re all insecure about our bodies, but I love trying to play a character to its total truth.”

The actor’s growing prominence continues to draw attention to both his theatre and screen work. He has been linked publicly to Saltburn star Alison Oliver, with the pair seen together in Italy. Despite the public interest in his personal life, O’Connor has consistently framed his work around authentic performances and character truth, a pattern that has fueled his ascent as one of the industry’s most sought‑after leads. In addition to his prestige projects, his Netflix role in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery marks another pivot as he explores a priest character within a broader mystery universe.

As Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery moves through production and release plans, O’Connor’s trajectory reflects a broader trend in contemporary culture where actors transition between streaming‑era prestige projects and bigger screen roles. The interview and public appearances keep attention on his versatility, with audiences watching to see how he balances the theatrical instincts that carried him from altar boy to acclaimed performer with the demands of major streaming franchises.