Peter Serafinowicz is an English actor, comedian, writer and voice artist who has built a career spanning radio, television and major franchise films. He is best known internationally for providing the voice of Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, but his body of work includes leading roles in British comedy series, supporting parts in Hollywood blockbusters, and extensive voice work in animation. Born in Liverpool in 1972, he has worked across genres and formats for more than three decades.
Serafinowicz first drew attention in the early 1990s as a radio performer before moving into television comedy. His breakthrough came in 1999 when he was cast as the voice of one of the most recognisable Star Wars villains. Since then, he has appeared in films such as Shaun of the Dead, Guardians of the Galaxy and John Wick: Chapter 2, and has voiced characters in animated features including Sing and How to Train Your Dragon (2025).
Beyond acting, Serafinowicz has created and starred in his own television shows, worked as a creative consultant on South Park, and continues to perform live. He is married to British actress Sarah Alexander and has two children.
Who Is Peter Serafinowicz? Biography and Background
Actor, Comedian, Writer, Voice Artist
Voice of Darth Maul, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Peter Serafinowicz Show
Liverpool, England
Sarah Alexander
Peter Serafinowicz is primarily recognised for his voice role as Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, a performance that gave him a global fanbase despite the character having limited dialogue. He has also appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a Nova Corps pilot in Guardians of the Galaxy. His eponymous sketch show, The Peter Serafinowicz Show, aired on BBC Two and won a Rose d’Or for Best Entertainer. He is married to actress Sarah Alexander, and the couple have two children.
- Voice of Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Recurring role in the Marvel galaxy as Garthan Saal in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- Creator and host of The Peter Serafinowicz Show on BBC Two (2007–2008)
- Starred as The Tick in the live-action series The Tick (2016–2019)
- Voiced Big Daddy in Sing (2016) and Sing 2 (2021)
- Played The Sommelier in John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
- Creative consultant and voice actor on South Park (2006–2015)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Peter Szymon Serafinowicz |
| Date of Birth | July 10, 1972 |
| Place of Birth | Liverpool, England |
| Height | 6′ 4″ (1.93 m) |
| Spouse | Sarah Alexander |
| Children | Phoebe and Sam |
| Major Role | Voice of Darth Maul (Star Wars: Episode I) |
| Notable Show | The Peter Serafinowicz Show (BBC Two) |
| ADHD | Publicly disclosed |
Peter Serafinowicz Movies and TV Shows: Complete Filmography
Serafinowicz has appeared in a wide range of films and television series, from big-budget franchise pictures to cult British comedies. His career includes both on-screen and voice roles, often playing distinctive supporting characters.
Notable Film Roles
In 2004, he played Pete in Edgar Wright’s Shaun of the Dead, a role that reprised his character from the television series Spaced. That same year, he provided an uncredited voice performance as one of the Shrunken Heads in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. A decade later, he appeared as Garthan Saal, a Nova Corps pilot, in Guardians of the Galaxy. In 2017, he played The Sommelier in John Wick: Chapter 2, a brief but memorable scene. His voice work includes Big Daddy in Sing (2016) and Sing 2 (2021), and Spitelout in the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon (2025).
Television Work
Serafinowicz co-created and starred in Look Around You (2002–2005), a parody of 1970s educational films. His own sketch series, The Peter Serafinowicz Show, aired on BBC Two from 2007 to 2008 and won a Rose d’Or. He voiced multiple characters on South Park between 2006 and 2015, including Darth Chef, and also served as a creative consultant on the series. From 2016 to 2019, he played the title role in the live-action series The Tick. He appeared as Edgar Covington on Parks and Recreation (2013–2015) and voiced the Fisher King in a 2015 episode of Doctor Who.
Beyond Darth Maul, Serafinowicz has voiced Battle Droid Commander and Gungan Scout in Star Wars: Episode I, Big Daddy in the Sing films, Spitelout in How to Train Your Dragon (2025), and Darth Chef on South Park. His vocal range has made him a sought-after voice actor in both animation and live-action projects.
Did Peter Serafinowicz Voice Darth Maul in Star Wars?
Yes, Peter Serafinowicz provided the voice of Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999). The physical portrayal of the character was performed by actor and stuntman Ray Park, while Serafinowicz supplied the dialogue and vocal effects. He also voiced the Battle Droid Commander and a Gungan Scout in the same film.
Serafinowicz has described the experience as the “biggest disappointment of my life” due to the extremely low pay he received for the role. Despite the character becoming an iconic figure in the Star Wars franchise, the financial compensation did not reflect the lasting popularity of the performance.
Although Serafinowicz voiced Darth Maul, the character was physically played by Ray Park. Serafinowicz was not involved in later Star Wars projects featuring Maul; the voice was subsequently performed by other actors in animated series such as The Clone Wars and Rebels.
Peter Serafinowicz Personal Life: Net Worth and Wife
Peter Serafinowicz is married to British actress Sarah Alexander. The couple have two children, a daughter named Phoebe and a son named Sam. The family resides in the United Kingdom.
Serafinowicz grew up on a council estate in Liverpool and was a Star Wars-obsessed child. He has publicly disclosed that he has ADHD. His full birth name is Peter Szymon Serafinowicz.
Net worth estimates for Serafinowicz vary. Industry sources typically place the figure between $1 million and $5 million, but no official confirmation exists. The variation reflects the difficulty of estimating earnings for performers who work across multiple mediums and markets.
Net worth figures for actors are rarely disclosed publicly and are usually estimated by third parties. For Serafinowicz, estimates are based on his film and television work, voice roles, and live performances. The true figure is not known with certainty.
Peter Serafinowicz Career Timeline: Key Milestones
- 1993 – Radio debut on BBC Radio 1’s The Knowledge, a spoof about the music industry.
- 1998 – Appears in television shows Comedy Nation and You Are Here.
- 1999 – Voices Darth Maul, Battle Droid Commander and a Gungan Scout in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
- 2001 – Leads BBC Two sitcom World of Pub.
- 2002–2005 – Co-creates and stars in Look Around You, a parody of educational films.
- 2004 – Plays Pete in Shaun of the Dead and provides uncredited voice work in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
- 2006–2015 – Voices characters and serves as creative consultant on South Park.
- 2007 – The Peter Serafinowicz Show airs on BBC Two; wins Rose d’Or for Best Entertainer.
- 2014 – Plays Garthan Saal in Guardians of the Galaxy.
- 2016–2019 – Stars as The Tick in the live-action series The Tick.
- 2017 – Plays The Sommelier in John Wick: Chapter 2.
- 2025 – Voices Spitelout in the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Peter Serafinowicz?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| He voiced Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. | Net worth figures are not officially confirmed; estimates vary between $1 million and $5 million. |
| He is married to actress Sarah Alexander. | Exact height is documented on some sources as 6′ 4″ (1.93 m), but other reports may differ. |
| He appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy as Garthan Saal. | Future project details beyond 2025 are not publicly known. |
| He created and starred in The Peter Serafinowicz Show on BBC Two. | Specific earnings from individual projects are not publicly available. |
What Is the Significance of Peter Serafinowicz in British Comedy and Film?
Peter Serafinowicz occupies a distinctive position in British comedy and genre film. His voice role as Darth Maul gave him a global fanbase despite minimal screen time, while his sketch show allowed him to showcase a broad range of impressions and original characters. His appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy tied him to two of the largest entertainment franchises in pop culture. Unlike many comedians, he has also pursued dramatic roles, music composition, and writing, demonstrating versatility across disciplines.
His work on Look Around You and The Peter Serafinowicz Show has been praised for its originality and attention to period detail. His involvement with South Park as a creative consultant reflects his understanding of comedy writing and production. Serafinowicz continues to perform live, with his 2024 tour Call of Now demonstrating ongoing audience interest.
What Do Official Sources Say About Peter Serafinowicz?
“Born in Liverpool, Peter Serafinowicz made his radio debut in 1993.”
BBC Comedy profile
“Peter Szymon Serafinowicz is an English actor, comedian and writer.”
Wikipedia
“His face and voice(s) are familiar to many.”
Curtis Brown talent agency
What Is the Key Takeaway About Peter Serafinowicz?
Peter Serafinowicz is a versatile English performer whose career spans radio, television, film, and live performance. He is best known for voicing Darth Maul in Star Wars, but his body of work includes acclaimed comedy series, major franchise films, and extensive voice acting. He remains active, with recent projects in 2025 and a live tour in 2024. For readers interested in similar profiles, see Walton Goggins – Biography, Net Worth, Wife, Height & Movies 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peter Serafinowicz
How tall is Peter Serafinowicz?
Peter Serafinowicz is listed as 6′ 4″ (1.93 m) on multiple entertainment databases.
What is Peter Serafinowicz’s net worth?
Net worth estimates vary widely, with most industry sources estimating between $1 million and $5 million.
Is Peter Serafinowicz on Instagram?
Yes, his official Instagram handle is @peterserafinowicz.
What is Peter Serafinowicz’s real name?
His full legal name is Peter Szymon Serafinowicz.
Does Peter Serafinowicz have children?
Yes, he and his wife Sarah Alexander have two children, Phoebe and Sam.
Was Peter Serafinowicz in Guardians of the Galaxy?
Yes, he played Garthan Saal, a Nova Corps pilot, in the 2014 film.
Did Peter Serafinowicz voice Darth Maul?
Yes, he provided the voice for Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
Where was Peter Serafinowicz born?
He was born in Liverpool, England.
What is The Peter Serafinowicz Show?
It is a BBC Two sketch comedy series that aired from 2007 to 2008, winning a Rose d’Or for Best Entertainer.
Does Peter Serafinowicz have ADHD?
Yes, he has publicly disclosed that he has ADHD.
Jack Thomas Clarke Thompson is a staff writer for PopCultureDaily.co.uk, covering entertainment news, film, television, streaming and celebrity culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Harriet Winslow and Managing Editor Lucas Bennett, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.