Tom Hanson is a British actor best known for playing the lovable Cardi in Sky’s comedy drama Brassic. He is also the son of two well known performers, which makes his story more interesting than a simple credits list.
This guide pulls together what is publicly known about his family, training, stage work, screen roles and private life. Where the details are unclear or disputed, we say so plainly.
Tom Hanson Bio Table
| Bio Details | Information |
| Full Name | Tom Hanson |
| Profession | Actor and voice performer |
| Nationality | British |
| Date of Birth | January 1993 (reported) |
| Age (2026) | 33 years |
| Birthplace | Not publicly confirmed |
| Education | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) |
| Graduation | 2014 |
| Famous Role | Cardi in Brassic |
| Mother | Samantha Bond |
| Father | Alexander Hanson |
| Sister | Molly Hanson |
| Marital Status | Not publicly confirmed |
| Net Worth | Not reliably confirmed |
Who Is Tom Hanson?
He is an English actor who works across television, film, theatre and voice acting. Most viewers know him as Leslie “Cardi” Titt, the soft hearted runner in the Brassic gang.
Quick facts at a glance:
- Profession: Actor
- Nationality: British
- Best known for: Brassic (Cardi) and The Outlaws (Spencer)
- Parents: Samantha Bond and Alexander Hanson
- Sibling: Molly Hanson, an actress
- Agency: Curtis Brown, according to the British Comedy Guide
- Upcoming work: Stepping Up (Channel 4) and These Sacred Vows, both listed for 2026
Tom Hanson Age and Early Life
He has never shared an official birth date. One family profile lists him as the younger of two children, born in 1993, which would make him around 33 today. Other sites only say he is in his 30s, and a few repeat a January 12 birthday taken from social media that he has not confirmed.
Treat any exact date with care. A safe answer is that he is in his early 30s.
He grew up in a theatre family, so performing was part of daily life. His mother is the actress Samantha Bond, and his father is the stage star Alexander Hanson. That background goes a long way toward explaining his comfort on both stage and screen.
Tom Hanson Parents: Samantha Bond and Alexander Hanson
Tom’s mother, Samantha Bond, is widely known for playing Miss Moneypenny opposite Pierce Brosnan in the James Bond films. More recently, she stars in The Marlow Murder Club as Judith Potts.
His father, Alexander Hanson, was born in Oslo, Norway, in 1961. He built a long career in the West End and on Broadway. His credits include:
- The Sound of Music (Captain von Trapp)
- A Little Night Music (Fredrik Egerman)
- Sunset Boulevard (Joe Gillis)
- Jesus Christ Superstar (Pilate, arena tour)
- Stephen Ward the Musical (title role)
The couple have been married since 1989. They met professionally and later shared the stage in Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband in 2010.
Tom Hanson and Alexander Hanson on Stage
Alexander Hanson is a musical theatre leading man, while his son has built a name mostly in screen comedy and drama. That is a useful contrast for readers who search for the two together.
We found no public record of Tom and his father sharing a main stage production. Alexander did appear with Samantha Bond in An Ideal Husband and later in Florian Zeller’s The Lie. Tom’s own stage link to the family trade is his 2016 role in a Kenneth Branagh production, covered below.
Tom Hanson Sister Molly Hanson
Molly Hanson is Tom’s sister and also works as an actress. Profiles list her as the elder sibling, with a birth year of 1991 or 1992 depending on the source.
Her credits include:
- EastEnders
- Doctors
- Father Brown
- Jack Ryan
- The Marlow Murder Club, where she played a younger version of Judith, her mother’s character
Molly trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, the same school her mother attended. Along with acting, she works in audio, social media and sports administration. In short, both Hanson children chose the family business, and each built a different path in it.
Tom Hanson Education at RADA
Several biography sites say he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, better known as RADA. That claim appears on smaller entertainment sites, yet we could not match it with a first hand source such as a school page or a published interview.
What we can say with confidence is that his career took off quickly. Within a few years of his first credits he was working on a West End filmed production, a major Hollywood film and prime time British television. Formal conservatoire training would fit that path, but confirmation from his agent or RADA would settle the question.
Tom Hanson Theatre Career
His best documented stage appearance is Romeo and Juliet at London’s Garrick Theatre in 2016, directed by Kenneth Branagh and Rob Ashford. He played Paris, the nobleman who hopes to marry Juliet. The production starred Richard Madden and Lily James and was filmed as Branagh Theatre Live.
That recording matters for his career. It put a young actor in a high profile ensemble and gave audiences everywhere a chance to see him.
A Family Connection With Romeo and Juliet
The link here is mostly about heritage. Both of his parents spent decades in the theatre, and his first major credit was a Shakespeare tragedy in the West End.
One note on accuracy: the cast list for the 2016 production names Tom as Paris. It does not list Alexander Hanson or Samantha Bond, so there is no evidence they appeared in it.
Tom Hanson Movies and Film Career
He has taken smaller film roles and has also worked on short films. His main film and short credits include:
- Murder on the Orient Express (2017): British Military Officer, in a large ensemble cast directed by Kenneth Branagh
- Laughing Branches (2018): Joe Harris, short film
- Treasure (2020): Joshua, short film, where he also worked as camera operator
- Trauma (2023): Ben, short film
He has also lent his voice to video games, including Battlefield V and Blood & Truth. Film remains a smaller part of his résumé than television, but the short film work shows an interest in filmmaking beyond acting.
Tom Hanson TV Shows
Television is where Tom has built most of his reputation. His screen credits include:
| Year | Title | Role |
| 2017 | The Moorside | Craig Meehan |
| 2017 to 2018 | The Tunnel | Blake Jenkins |
| 2018 | Silent Witness | Mark Button |
| 2018 | The Little Drummer Girl | Paulie |
| 2019 to 2024 | Brassic | Cardi |
| 2021 to 2024 | The Outlaws | Spencer |
| 2025 | Mr. Bigstuff | Tyler |
| 2026 | Stepping Up | Sean |
| 2026 | These Sacred Vows | Felix |
The Outlaws is a BBC comedy drama about a group of strangers doing community service. His part as Spencer gave him a second long running character beside Cardi.
Tom Hanson in Brassic
Brassic is a Sky comedy drama created by Joe Gilgun and Danny Brocklehurst. It follows a gang of small time crooks in a Lancashire town, and it ran for six series from 2019 to 2024.
Tom plays Cardi, short for “Cardiac Arrest,” a nickname tied to his diet and weight. Cardi is kind, loyal and easily led. He works as a runner for the gang, lives above a kebab shop and loves his pet pigeon, Nigel. The character is also written with a stutter, though there is no verified information that the actor has one.
Cardi and Carol in Brassic
Cardi’s love life is one of the show’s warmest threads. In later series he is married to Carol Dennings, played by Bronagh Gallagher. Their marriage is funny and messy. In series five, episode seven, titled “Albert,” the couple hit another rough patch, and Cardi tries to wreck a rival’s golf course after a big argument.
For fans, the pair work because the show never mocks Cardi’s sweetness. Carol sees it, and so does the audience.
Behind the Scenes of Brassic
Tom has shared some memorable stories about making the show:
- Location filming: For series three, the cast moved to Manchester full time to reduce COVID risk, and Tom’s girlfriend and cats came with him.
- Prosthetics: A bee sting storyline needed prosthetics built up in stages. Each application took about an hour, and he had no vision in one eye for two and a half days.
- Farm scenes: A pig pen scene was shot on a working farm with real pigs.
- Comic nudity: Joe Gilgun decided on set that the cast would go fully naked rather than wear boxer shorts, because he thought it would be funnier.
- Weight changes: Reports say he gained weight for the early series and later slimmed down, which changed how Cardi looked on screen.
Tom Hanson Girlfriend and Personal Life
Tom keeps his private life out of the spotlight. He has not named a girlfriend in public. The one confirmed detail comes from an interview, where he said his girlfriend and their cats moved to Manchester with him during the filming of Brassic series three.
Some low quality sites mention a child, but these claims come with no credible source, so we have not repeated them. He is active on social media, and his posts focus mostly on work and pets.
Conclusion
Tom is a working actor who grew up in a theatrical family and carved out his own lane in screen comedy. Cardi made him familiar to millions, The Outlaws kept him busy, and new projects for 2026 suggest his career is still climbing.
Many details of his early life remain private. Until he shares more, the best approach is to rely on confirmed credits and treat anything else with care.
FAQs
How old is Tom Hanson?
He has not confirmed his birth date. One profile gives 1993, which makes him about 33, while other sources only say he is in his 30s.
Who are Tom’s parents?
His parents are actress Samantha Bond and stage actor Alexander Hanson. They have been married since 1989.
Does Tom have a sister?
Yes, his sister is actress Molly Hanson. She has appeared in EastEnders, Doctors and The Marlow Murder Club.
Did Tom go to RADA?
Several biography sites say he trained at RADA. We could not confirm it from an official source.
Who does Tom play in Brassic?
He plays Leslie “Cardi” Titt, a kind hearted member of the gang. Cardi is nicknamed after “Cardiac Arrest.”
Who plays Carol in Brassic?
Carol Dennings is played by Bronagh Gallagher. She appears as Cardi’s wife in later series.
What else has Tom been in?
He has appeared in The Outlaws, The Tunnel, The Moorside, Silent Witness and Murder on the Orient Express. He also voiced characters in Battlefield V.
Who is Tom Hanson’s girlfriend?
He has not publicly named a partner. He has only mentioned that his girlfriend moved to Manchester with him during Brassic filming.
Is Tom in Romeo and Juliet?
Yes, he played Paris in Kenneth Branagh’s 2016 West End production, later released as Branagh Theatre Live.
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