The Movie & TV Guests of FACTS Spring 2026: Part 2

In a few days time, the FACTS mother ship will land in Flanders Expo for another star- and fun packed edition of FACTS. In our first article earlier this week we already told you all about two of the guests that will be at Flanders Expo this upcoming weekend. In this article we will tell you about the next three on the list. One is known most for "The Rookie", one is known most for "Harry Potter" and one is known most for "Hellboy". Let us tell you all about these three awesome actors.

Eric Barrett Winter was born on July 17, 1976, in La Mirada, California. He is the only son of Wayne Winter, a private investigator, and Gwen Winter, who worked in the theatrical fabric industry. Eric grew up in La Puente, a suburb of Los Angeles. As a child and young adult, he had no interest in becoming an actor; his focus was on academics and sports. He attended Los Altos High School in Los Altos, California, where he played both football and volleyball, all while taking his studies very seriously. After graduating, Eric enrolled at UCLA to pursue a degree in psychology. To support himself financially, he began modeling. A friend encouraged him to sign with an agent, and he also started attending acting workshops on the side. Before long, he was booking modeling jobs for major brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and traveling internationally.

When modeling no longer felt fulfilling, Eric decided he wanted to pursue a career in acting. He began auditioning and landed a few small, one‑episode roles in television series, including "Profiler" (1999, as Todd), "The Parkers" (1999, as Anthony), and "Charmed" (2002, as Trevor). Despite these early steps, breaking into the industry remained difficult. Eric even considered giving up acting altogether to become a first responder. He earned his EMT certification and completed various tests and training programs. Since he had always dreamed of becoming a doctor, he was very close to leaving the entertainment world behind. At that moment, his agent called and asked him to audition for the soap opera "Days of our Lives". Initially, Eric wasn’t interested in doing a soap, but he eventually agreed to audition — and landed the role of Rex Brady in 2002. A week after accepting the role, the fire department contacted him to join the academy. Fortunately, Eric had just decided to give acting one more chance.

Eric played the role of Rex Brady in 413 episodes of "Days of our Lives" from 2002 to 2005, a performance widely regarded as his breakthrough. He left the show in 2005 to broaden his career, though he looks back on the experience with great fondness. In the years that followed, Eric worked to shed the “soap actor” image and successfully transitioned into broader television and film roles. His credits include "Love Inc." (2005–2006, as Mike Smith), "Wildfire" (2007, as R.J. Blake), "Viva Laughlin" (2007, as Peter Carlyle), and "Brothers & Sisters"(2007–2008, as Jason McAllister). He also appeared in "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay" (2008, as Colton), "Moonlight" (2008, as ADA Benjamin Talbot), "Single With Parents" (2008, as Charlie), and "The Ugly Truth" (2009, as Colin). From 2010 onward, Eric continued to build a diverse portfolio with roles in "The Mentalist" (2010–2012, as Craig O'Laughlin), "Sundays at Tiffany’s" (2010, as Michael Friend), "Weekend at Bellevue" (2011, as Jared Knox), "GCB" (2012, as Luke Lourd), "Fire with Fire" (2012, as Dr. Adam), "Witches of East End" (2013–2014, as Dr. Daniel Dash Gardiner), "Secrets & Lies" (2016, as Neil Oliver), "Rosewood" (2016–2017, as Adrian Webb), and "The Good Doctor" (2017–2018, as Dr. Matt Coyle).

In 2013, Eric performed both the motion‑capture and voice work for Ryan Clayton in the video game "Beyond: Two Souls". He has described it as one of the most unique and challenging projects of his career. For the motion‑capture sessions, he worked in a small room surrounded by 36 cameras, with no props or sets — relying entirely on his acting skills and his scene partner. One of the highlights of the project was the opportunity to work alongside actors such as Ellen (now Elliot) Page and Willem Dafoe. Fast‑forward to 2018, when Eric auditioned for the role of Tim Bradford in the new police drama "The Rookie". He explained that he had to fight hard for the part because the character was so different from his own personality. The casting team also needed convincing to see him as the strict, no‑nonsense Bradford. But Eric delivered an outstanding audition that showcased his range as an actor, ultimately securing the role of Officer Tim Bradford. During his final audition, Eric let all his emotions pour out — he got genuinely angry and even walked out of the room. Preparation began immediately: he trained with the LAPD, and the show’s technical advisor, Chic Daniel, took the cast to the shooting range for hands‑on experience.

So as part of his preparation for "The Rookie", he received extensive technical training. He learned arrest techniques and other law‑enforcement procedures, and he also participated in multiple ride‑alongs with various LAPD divisions. Since he would be portraying a training officer — one with a tough, no‑nonsense attitude — he spent time speaking with real training officers to understand their mindset and approach.

The show went on to become a major success and is now in its eighth season.

Outside of acting, Eric is married to fellow actress Roselyn Sánchez. They first met at a party in Los Angeles in 2005. Three months later, Eric asked her out for sushi, and for their second date they took a weekend trip together.  In 2007, while kayaking at midnight in Roselyn’s home country of Puerto Rico, Eric proposed. The engagement ring never left the box — he was terrified she might drop it into the water — so he closed it again and told her she could see it once they were safely back on land. The couple married in 2008 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Their first child, daughter Sebella Rose, was born in 2012, followed by their son, Dylan Gabriel, in 2017.

Doug Jones was born on May 24, 1960, in Indianapolis, Indiana (U.S.), as the fourth son of Robert and Josephine Jones. His father, a former U.S. Navy serviceman, worked various industrial and factory jobs after completing his military duty. Doug often described him as traditional and disciplined—a tough, no‑nonsense man who valued sports, physical strength, and conventional masculinity. While Doug’s brothers were athletic and heavily involved in sports, Doug was the complete opposite: he was the artistic one. This contrast often made him feel out of place within his own family. Doug’s mother, on the other hand, was warm, nurturing, and deeply supportive. Her primary focus was raising her four children and creating a stable, loving home environment. She encouraged Doug’s creative nature, offering him the emotional space he needed to explore who he was. From a young age, Doug stood out not only because of his interests but also because of his appearance. While his brothers were muscular and physically strong, Doug was tall, slender, and noticeably different from his peers. In later interviews, he spoke openly about feeling awkward during his youth—both physically and socially—an experience that shaped much of his early identity.

He says that his brothers, as well as his classmates, often teased him. He developed a sense of humor and an expressive body language to cope with the social discomfort and the teasing. Besides this, television became an important escape, and Doug watched a lot of sitcoms such as "I Love Lucy", "The Dick Van Dyke Show", and "The Andy Griffith Show".

Doug went to Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis. In high school, he began to explore the performing arts. He participated in school performances and became more comfortable on stage and in front of an audience. Through all of this, he started to think differently about his body. Instead of being a source of insecurity, it could actually be a valuable asset in performing. After graduating high school, Doug went on to Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He pursued a degree in telecommunications, although this wasn’t his first choice. Doug says he only majored in telecommunications because his parents refused to let him major in theater (he did take a minor in theater).

He joined the mime troupe called 'Mime Over Matter'. Mime is a form of performance that relies entirely on body movement, facial expression, and physical storytelling. This was a perfect fit for Doug, who had been relying on humor and physical expression for many years. He quickly stood out because of his extremely long and slender posture, his flexibility, and his ability to move in an unnatural—some might even say creature‑like—way.

Another important part of his college experience was his performance as Charlie Cardinal, the official mascot of Ball State’s basketball games. He wore a large bird suit and had to entertain the audience in it, without using verbal or facial expressions. It was also in college that Doug met his future wife, Laurie. In later interviews, Laurie talks about Doug telling her that he was Charlie, and how she supported him by wearing a shirt that said “Charlie’s Chick.” Doug graduated from Ball State in 1982 and started working local jobs to make ends meet. He also performed in community theatre and continued performing in mime and live entertainment.

1984 was an important year, because Laurie graduated from Ball State with a degree in visual communications. Doug and Laurie got married, and a year later, in 1985, the couple decided to move to Los Angeles. Once there, Doug decided to shift more toward the entertainment industry. He signed with an agent and dreamed of a career as a character actor on sitcoms. His agent, however, kept sending him to auditions that involved heavy makeup and slapstick. His first paid job was playing a dancing mummy in a Southwest Airlines commercial. This role also earned him his membership in the Screen Actors Guild. It was the first time he realized that he could build a career out of playing creatures and monsters. He had watched the old Universal monster movies growing up, but he had never really thought about the fact that there was an actor underneath all that makeup. After establishing himself in commercials, he began landing roles in films and television series, and throughout the 1990s he became known as a go‑to performer for creature or monster roles.

In 1992, Doug played a minor role (as the Thin Clown) in "Batman Returns", and in 1993 he played the zombie Billy Butcherson in the cult classic "Hocus Pocus". In 1997 came the biggest turning point in his career, when he landed a role in "Mimic", directed by Guillermo del Toro. In the film, Doug plays Long John, an insect‑like creature, and Del Toro immediately recognized Doug’s unique talent. The movie marked the beginning of one of the most remarkable partnerships in modern fantasy cinema. In 2004, Doug landed his international breakthrough role in Del Toro’s adaptation of the comic book series "Hellboy". In the film, he plays Abe Sapien, the blue humanoid amphibious friend of Hellboy. In 2008, Doug played a double role in Del Toro’s masterpiece "Pan’s Labyrinth". In the film, he portrays the gentle but mysterious Faun, and on the other hand he plays the Pale Man, who is considered one of the most disturbing creatures in film history. In 2008, Doug reprised the role of Abe Sapien in Del Toro’s sequel Hellboy II: The Golden Army. In 2015, he played a double role in Del Toro’s Crimson Peak, portraying both Lady Sharpe and Edith’s mother. In 2017, Doug played the creature in Del Toro’s Academy Award–winning film The Shape of Water. This marks their sixth and final collaboration so far — though who knows what the future may bring.

Christian Peter Coulson was born on October 3rd, 1978, in Manchester, England (U.K.). There isn’t much information available about his family or childhood, as he has kept this part of his life very private. What we do know is that Christian spent part of his childhood in London, where he attended Westminster School on an academic scholarship. The school is known as one of the most academically demanding institutions in the U.K. During his school years, Christian developed a passion for the performing arts. When he was about twelve years old, he joined the National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT), where he was an active member from 1990 until 1997. During this period, he participated in numerous productions through both the NYMT and his school. Christian left Westminster School with years of theater experience and a diploma. After graduating, he enrolled at the University of Cambridge, where he studied English at Clare College.

During his university years, Christian performed in several notable productions, including Cabaret and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. These productions formed an important foundation for his acting career. At Cambridge University, student theatre is almost semi‑professional, and he performed at venues such as the historic ADC Theatre. This theatre serves as the home base for the Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club and is a breeding ground for future acting talent. By the time Christian graduated in 2000, he left Cambridge with a degree and years of high‑level performance experience. He began landing roles in TV shows such as "Love in a Cold Climate" (2001, as Matt), "Wetherby College" (2001–2002, as Ben Stemson), and "The Forsyte Saga" (2002, as Jolly). When auditions for the second "Harry Potter" movie were taking place (around 2001–2002), the casting directors were looking for someone to play the 16‑year‑old Tom Riddle. They were looking for someone who was calm and controlled, intelligent and intense, but also charming and unsettling at the same time. Even though Christian was already 23 at the time, he looked young enough to pass for a teenager, and he was a perfect fit for the role. Apparently, he was exactly what Chris Columbus was looking for, so Christian landed the role of Tom Riddle in the 2002 movie "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets".

After this blockbuster debut, Christian chose to follow his own path and continued working steadily. He didn’t chase starring roles in major Hollywood films; instead, he prioritized range and quality over visibility. He appeared in independent films and took on supporting roles. In 2002, he played Ralph Partridge in the Oscar‑nominated indie film "The Hours" (starring Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, and Nicole Kidman). In 2003, he played Midshipman Jack Hammond in the war drama "Hornblower: Loyalty". He also portrayed James, Duke of Monmouth, in the miniseries "The Last King". In the following years, Christian played minor (one‑episode) roles in several TV shows, including "Marple" (2005, as Edmund Sweetenham), "Brief Encounters" (2006, as Adam), "The Battery’s Down" (2009, as Raoul), "Gossip Girl" (2010, as Juan), "Wiener, Wiener" (2011, as Gary), and "The Good Wife" (2011, as Andre Bergson).

Over the last fifteen or so years, Christian has successfully combined theater work with film and television. He continued working steadily, and his credits include "Gayby" (2012, as Aaron), "I Am Nasrine" (2012, as Tommy), "Amateurs" (2013, as Evan), "Love Is Strange" (2014, as Ian), "Leaving Circadia" (2014, as Colin), "Those Who Wander" (2015, as Spencer), "Peter and John"  (2015, as Peter Roland), "Mozart in the Jungle" (2016–2018, as Sebastian), "Nashville" (2017, as Damien George), "Bite Me" (2019, as James), "High Fidelity" (2020, as Benjamin Young), and "Blood Brothers: Civil War" (2021, as Peter). Most recently, he played Schuyler in one episode of "The Beauty".