Colin Woodell has built a steady and impressive Hollywood footprint through a mix of high-profile streaming series, blockbuster features, and intense thrillers. From playing a young Winston Scott in The Continental to major turns in television hits like The Flight Attendant, Woodell's career reflects a deliberate transition from reliable guest star to front-and-center leading man. Let's unpack how he built his momentum across film and television.
Early Beginnings and Breakout Television Roles
Born in San Francisco and trained at the University of Southern California's acting program, Woodell spent his early years cutting his teeth in network television guest spots. He appeared in procedural mainstays like Criminal Minds and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation before landing recurring and regular parts that raised his profile.
One of his first major multi-episode arcs came on The CW fantasy-drama The Originals, where he played the werewolf Aiden during the show's second season. This role introduced him to a passionate, dedicated fanbase and proved he could hold his own in serialized genre television. He followed this with a regular role in the Lifetime-turned-network comedy-drama Devious Maids as Ethan Sinclair, expanding his range into prime-time soap and mystery.
Stepping Into the Genre Spotlight
By the late 2010s, Woodell began gravitating toward high-concept thrillers and prestige cable projects. He secured a main role in the USA Network adaptation of The Purge, playing Rick Betancourt, a character navigating the chaotic morality of society's sanctioned night of lawlessness.
Horror and thriller fans also recognized him from Blumhouse's screenlife horror film Unfriended: Dark Web (2018), where he starred as Matias O'Brien, the unfortunate laptop owner who stumbles onto dark net secrets. Around the same time, he appeared in Steven Soderbergh's psychological thriller Unsane and Aneesh Chaganty's innovative mystery Searching. These consecutive roles established him as a dependable presence in modern, tense cinematic storytelling.
Mainstream Recognition and Major Streaming Hits
The true turning point in Woodell's mainstream visibility arrived with HBO Max’s dark comedy-thriller series The Flight Attendant. Starring alongside Kaley Cuoco, Woodell played Buckley Ware—a seemingly charming romantic interest who hides a terrifying, psychotic alter ego. His performance required sharp tonal shifts, moving from disarming warmth to pure menace. The series earned critical acclaim, and Woodell shared in a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
Cementing his status as a go-to star for major franchise prequels, Woodell took on the ultimate legacy role: a young Winston Scott in Peacock's three-part event series The Continental: From the World of John Wick. Stepping into shoes previously worn by Ian McShane in the film franchise, Woodell carried the high-octane action drama on his shoulders, portraying a cynical, sharp-dressed young entrepreneur navigating 1970s New York City's criminal underworld.
Expanding Into Blockbuster Cinema
While television has driven much of his recognition, Woodell has maintained a consistent presence on the silver screen. In 2022, he appeared in Michael Bay's high-speed action thriller Ambulance as EMT Scott, sharing the screen with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Jake Gyllenhaal.
He also stepped into historical and biographical spaces, portraying astronaut Buzz Aldrin in the romantic comedy-drama Fly Me to the Moon (2024), starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum. This diverse range—bouncing from gritty action and horror to prestige television and studio comedy—highlights an actor who refuses to be pigeonholed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Colin Woodell's most famous role?
He is best known for starring as a young Winston Scott in the John Wick prequel miniseries The Continental and for playing Buckley Ware in The Flight Attendant.
Did Colin Woodell star in The Originals?
Yes, he played the recurring character Aiden during the second season of The Originals on The CW.
What movies has Colin Woodell appeared in?
His film credits include Unfriended: Dark Web, Ambulance, Fly Me to the Moon, Searching, Unsane, and The Call of the Wild.
Where did Colin Woodell study acting?
He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Southern California.
