Biography
Carel Nel is a renowned South African actor celebrated for his versatility, depth, and intensity on both screen and stage. With a career spanning over ten years, Nel has established himself locally and internationally, gaining acclaim for his powerful performances and nuanced character portrayals.
He is widely recognized for his role as Karl the Android in Ridley Scott's sci-fi series Raised by Wolves, demonstrating his talent for infusing complexity and humanity into unconventional characters. Nel also played Abraham Lincoln in the historical miniseries Grant on The History Channel and appeared in the Emmy-nominated Roots remake.
Nel’s filmography includes a diverse range of South African and international projects, such as the ecological horror film Gaia (SXSW), the true crime series Catch Me a Killer, the dystopian action series Blood Drive, the courtroom drama Shepherds and Butchers, the sci-fi western Young Ones, the poetic drama The Endless River, and the French-Belgian thriller Flight of the Storks. His skill in navigating various genres has made him a sought-after talent in both film and television.
On the festival circuit, Nel has received notable accolades. In 2016 and 2017, he won consecutive Best Actor awards at the kykNET Silwerskerm Festival for his roles in Hum and Slaaf—the latter of which he co-wrote. In 2019, he earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his performance as Oedipus in Oedipus: The Musical.
A trained theatre performer, Nel studied Drama and Theatre Arts at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, his hometown. After graduation, he moved to Cape Town, where he continues to cultivate a rich and varied career across film, television, and theatre.
His stage work includes over 20 professional productions, such as Athol Fugard’s People Are Living There, which earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination, and Die Rebellie van Lafras Verwey, for which he won the prestigious Fleur du Cap Theatre Award for Best Actor. Other significant theatre credits include the one-man show Slaaf (nominated for Best Solo Performance), ’n Begin, Die Fliek, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Demon Bride, Koöperasiestories, Balbesit, The Garage Sale, and Anton Chekhov’s Die Kersieboord.
Carel Nel continues to challenge creative limits with his dedication to bold, layered performances. Whether embodying complex historical figures or original characters in speculative settings, he consistently delivers emotionally grounded portrayals, solidifying his reputation as one of South Africa’s most compelling and versatile actors.
