In less than a week it's time for one of our favorite events of the year: the Summer Edition of Heroes Dutch Comic Con 2026 will take place in the Jaarbeurs Hallen in Utrecht (The Netherlands). In our first article we already talked about a part of the amazing guest list for this edition and today we talk about three other actors that will be making their way to Utrecht on June 20th and 21st.

Giancarlo Giuseppe Alessandro Esposito was born on April 26th, 1958 in Copenhagen (Denmark), as the son of Giovanni Esposito and Elizabeth Foster. Giancarlo’s father (Giovanni) was an Italian carpenter and stagehand from Naples, Italy. His mother (Elizabeth) was an African American opera/nightclub singer from Alabama (US). The two met when Elizabeth performed at the historic Teatro di San Carlo, where Giovanni worked backstage. The couple moved around in Europe and when they lived in Copenhagen, their son Giancarlo was born. Not long after that the family moved to Rome. He lived there until he was about 5 or 6 years old and it gave him a sense of being culturally different. He later mentioned that he often questioned where he belonged. At the age of 5/6, the Esposito family moved to New York, where people began categorizing him as “black.” He was not used to this, because his identity felt more fluid while growing up in Italy. Being the son of an Italian father and an Afro American mother he did not fit neatly into one category.

Growing up in New York, Giancarlo attended Catholic schools and was raised in a disciplined Catholic environment. It was his mother who first recognized his artistic potential and encouraged him to study the performing arts. Giancarlo loved reciting poetry with her, and Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven became his favourite piece.His mother enrolled him in acting lessons and exposed him to music, theatre, and dance — she had studied ballet herself. All of this early training helped Giancarlo develop a strong sense of discipline from a young age.When his parents eventually separated, money became tight. Wanting to help, Giancarlo began doing odd jobs for RCA (the Radio Corporation of America). One day, while watching a movie with his older brother, he saw a TV commercial featuring an African-American child actor. It didn’t look difficult, and he thought he might be able to do the same to help his mother pay the rent.He told her about it, and she took both boys to an agent who represented young actors. A few days later, the agent called with an audition opportunity at the Broadway Imperial Garden Theatre. Giancarlo, however, was unprepared and did not have a song to sing at the audition.

Giancarlo decided to sing “Happy Birthday.” He was placed on one side of the stage while his brother stood on the other. It quickly became clear to him that his side was not the “good side.” Fortunately, his agent pushed him forward and asked the team to give him another chance. Giancarlo belted out “Happy Birthday” as loudly as he could — and it worked. Both he and his brother were cast in the production. In 1968, Giancarlo made his Broadway debut as a slave child in the musical "Maggie Flynn". The role gave him the opportunity to work alongside established performers such as Shirley Jones. Fun fact: forty years later, Giancarlo and Shirley reunited on screen in the 2008 drama film "Gospel Hill". Back in 1968, more musicals followed, including "The Me Nobody Knows" and "Seesaw". Giancarlo stepped away from acting for two years when he was sent to Mt. St. Joseph Military Academy. Much of the training focused on religious discipline — waking at 4:30 a.m., serving as an altar boy, and preparing for morning Mass. Giancarlo later said he loved the structure, ritual, and sense of purpose, and he even considered becoming a priest.

Eventually he realized that he wanted a spiritual life, but what he wanted most was to become an actor. After two years, Giancarlo returned to the stage and in the meantime he also pursued his education. After finishing high school, Giancarlo studied radio and television communications at Elizabeth Seton College in Yonkers, New York. By the time he entered college, Giancarlo already had quite an acting résumé (productions on and off Broadway). He chose this particular study, because he wanted to understand the technical and business side of television and broadcasting and after two years he received an associate degree in radio and television communication. Giancarlo wanted to branch out to on‑screen work, but to do that he had to learn how to act for the camera. He spent a year at the Actors Institute in New York. During this time Giancarlo joined the cast of Charles Fuller’s play “Zooman and the Sign” for the Negro Ensemble Company. In 1981, he landed the role of J.C. Pierce in the movie “Taps”, starring George C. Scott and Timothy Hutton. This role can be seen as the start of his movie and TV career.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Giancarlo could count on a steady stream of jobs. Without becoming a household name, he appeared in numerous movies and series, like: “King of New York” (1990, as Lance), Spike Lee’s “Mo’ Better Blues” (1990, as Left Hand Lacey), “Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man” (1991, as Jimmy Jules), “Bob Roberts” (1992, as Bugs Raplin), Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” (1992, as Thomas Hayer), “Amos and Andrew” (1993, as Reverend Jenton Brunch), “Fresh” (1994, as Esteban), “Bakersfield P.D.” (1993–1994, as Det. Paul Gigante), “The Usual Suspects” (1995, as Jake Bean), “Smoke” (1995, as Tommy), “The Maze” (1997, as Henry Kunitz), “Nothing to Lose” (1997, as Charlie Dunt), “Twilight” (1998, as Reuben), “Homicide: Life on the Street” (1998–1999, as Mike Giardello), “Homicide: The Movie” (2000, as Mike Giardello), “Ali” (2001, as Cassius Clay Sr.), “The $treet” (2000–2001, as Tom Divack), “Girls Club” (2002, as Nicholas Hahn), “Derailed” (2005, as Detective Church), “South Beach” (2006, as Robert Fuentes), “The Box” (2007, as Det. Dwayne Burkelhalter), “Gospel Hill” (2008, as Dr. Palmer), and more.His life changed in 2009, when he was cast in his breakthrough role as Gustavo 'Gus' Fring in "Breaking Bad". With his portrayal of Gus, he set a new standard for TV villains.

Giancarlo said he had never seen an episode of “Breaking Bad”, when he got the call for Gus. At that time he was focused on a career in directing, after making his debut as a director with “Gossip Hill.” He was working with Josh Kesselman, and when he got the call, Josh urged him to look into the part. “Breaking Bad” was his favourite show and Josh said he should do it, so he gave it a try (as it was a guest spot). Gus was originally going to be a 2‑episode role, but Giancarlo was so impressive that his role grew. Eventually he played the role of Gus for 26 episodes from 2009 until 2011. With the role, Giancarlo finally became the Hollywood household name he deserved to be. Over the following years, Giancarlo took on roles in movies and series, like: “Alex Cross” (2012, as Daramus Holiday), “Community” (2012–2013, as Gilbert Lawson),

“Revolution” (2012–2014, as Tom Neville), “Poker Night” (2014, as Bernard), “Allegiance” (2015, as Oscar Christoph), “Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" (2015, as Jorge), "The Jungle Book" (2016, as the voice of Akela), "Money Monster" (2016, as Captain Powell), and "The Get Down" (2016, as Pastor Ramon Cruz). In 2017, Giancarlo returned to the role of ultimate bad guy Gus Fring in "Better Call Saul", which serves as a prequel to "Breaking Bad". He had to up his game because he played a younger version of that established villain. He had to play Gus as someone who was still learning to control his fear and anger.Also in 2017, Giancarlo appears in "Okja" as Frank Dawson and as Charles Gold in "Rebel".

In 2018 he reprised his role as Jorge in "The Maze Runner: The Death Cure". In 2019, Giancarlo's career got a second burst when he joined two immensely popular franchises. First of all, he joined the "Star Wars" franchise with his role as Moff Gideon in "The Mandalorian". Eventually he would play Gideon for 9 episodes from 2019 until 2023. Also in 2019, Esposito joins the cast of "The Boys" as Stan Edgar, an antagonist comparable to Gus Fring. In 2019, Giancarlo also took on a major role in “Godfather of Harlem” as Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Instead of the fictional villain we love to see him play, this time he played a real historical figure. Powell Jr. was a Baptist pastor and politician and member of the United States of Representatives from 1945 until 1971. Giancarlo played the role of Powell Jr. for 21 episodes from 2019 until 2023. Over the last years Giancarlo seems to be everywhere and since 2020 he has played in movies and series like “Stargirl” (2020, as Archie), “Unpregnant” (2020, as Bob), “Blackbird” (2021, as Blackbird), “The Big Lie” (2022, as Dr. Greco), “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners” (2022, as voice of Faraday), “Kaleidoscope” (2023, as Ray Vernon), “The Gentlemen” (2024, as Stanley Johnson), “Abigail” (2024, as Lambert), “Parish” (2024, as Gracian Gray Esq.), “MaXXXine” (2024, as Buddy Night), “Captain America: Brave New World” (2025, as Sidewinder), “The Electric State” (2025, as Colonel Bradbury/The Marshall), “The Residence” (2025, A.B. Wynter), “The Prophecy” (2025, as Luther Bell) and many more.

Jamie Campbell Bower, born James Metcalfe Campbell Bower on 22 November 1988 in London, England, is the eldest son of Ann Elizabeth and David Bower. He grew up alongside his younger brother, Samuel, in a household shaped by strong artistic influences. His mother worked in music management, while his father held a position with the Gibson Guitar Corp., surrounding Jamie with creativity from an early age.From childhood, Jamie gravitated naturally toward music, performance, and storytelling. His interest in self‑expression led him to Bedales School in Hampshire—one of the UK’s most unconventional independent schools. Bedales is known for prioritizing individuality, creativity, and arts education, placing far less emphasis on traditional academic competition.During his years there, Jamie immersed himself in music and drama, discovering confidence on stage and a deep love for creative work. Although he participated in performing arts, acting was not his first passion, nor the path he initially expected to follow. Instead, it emerged gradually as one of several artistic outlets that shaped his early development.

Music played a significant role in Jamie’s early life, largely due to his parents’ work in the music industry. He grew up in an environment, where music wasn’t just entertainment but a craft, a discipline that demanded dedication and hard work. Before pursuing acting, Jamie stepped into the world of modeling. As a teenager, he caught the attention of several agencies thanks to his height, distinctive features, and expressive personality. Modeling increased his visibility and brought him into contact with casting directors and filmmakers. One of Jamie’s first professional acting roles was Anthony in Tim Burton’s 2007 film "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street", starring Johnny Depp, Alan Rickman, and Helena Bonham Carter. Starting his career in a production of that scale allowed him to learn from some of the most respected actors of the time and to work under one of the most iconic directors of his generation. In 2008, Jamie was cast as Jake, a wounded RAF pilot, in the Dutch film "Oorlogswinter" ("Winter in Wartime") by Martin Koolhoven. This role further established his presence in the film industry and showcased his ability to take on emotionally grounded characters.

Production took place in Lithuania and across the Netherlands, and for Jamie it was one of his first experiences on an international film set. In 2009, Jamie entered the "Twilight" franchise in the second installment, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon", which can be seen as his international breakthrough. Jamie played the role of antagonist Caius, one of the three Volturi leaders (and also the darkest one). He eventually reprised the role in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1" (2011) and "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2" (2012).In 2010, Jamie joined yet another major movie franchise when he was cast as young Gellert Grindelwald in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1". In 2011, he played the role of King Arthur in ten episodes of "Camelot", opposite Joseph Fiennes as Merlin. In 2013, his definitive breakthrough came when he played the lead role of Jace Wayland in "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones". The character Jace had a strong fan following from the novels and this set the bar high for Jamie.

The role of Jace demanded physical preparation and Jamie trained for fight scenes and worked on Jace’s movement and presence. The plan was to launch a long running film series, but the movie flopped at the box office and Jamie only got to play Jace in one movie. In 2017, Jamie starred as Christopher Marlowe in 10 episodes of the TV series “Will”, revolving around Shakespeare’s lost years. In 2018, Jamie reprised his role as young Gellert Grindelwald in “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”. Furthermore he became the US and UK voice of Skiff in the “Thomas & Friends” cartoon franchise. In 2022, Jamie’s star rose sky high when he joined the cast of the most popular TV show of that moment: “Stranger Things”. He played the role of uber villain Vecna in 17 episodes of the show (from 2022 until 2025). Of course, we haven't seen the last of this multi talented man yet!

There isn’t much to be found about James’ birth date or family. What we do know is that James was born on the island Jersey (one of the British Channel Islands in the Channel between England and France). As a child, James attended the Mont Nicolle (Primary) School in the parish of St. Brelade. Later he attended Les Quennevais (Secondary) school, which is also located in the parish of St. Brelade. According to multiple sources James developed an interest in the performing arts at a very young age, and was heavily involved in local theatre productions. Throughout his childhood and early teens, he appeared in multiple productions. During his earliest acting years James joined the local community theatre and performed in outdoor Shakespeare productions and youth performance groups. One of the most important companies connected to James’ early acting development was a theatre company called the Samares Players, known for Shakespeare productions at Samares Manor. 

James spent much of his teenage life around rehearsals at the Jersey Arts Centre and productions at the Jersey Opera House. These years were very important because young actors, like James, get a lot of practical experience helping with sets, stage combat, performing outdoors and thus improvising around weather conditions before live audiences and help backstage. When James was 16 years old, he left Jersey and moved to London to study at the prestigious Bird College of Performing Arts. Bird College is known for its intensive training in disciplines, like stunt movement, dance, acting, physical theatre and musical performance. One of the most important advantages of Bird College is its proximity to London’s West End theatre district, which gives students exposure to professional productions and networking abilities. During his time at Bird College James took a special interest in the physical side of performance. After his training he moved on to work for Universal Studios performing live stunt shows in Singapore and China. During his time in London, James did a lot of theater and musical work. He says that his dance background and the fact that he was an athletic man, made his transition into stunt work feel natural. According to most sources, James worked abroad for about 6 years. 

After about six years, he moved back to the U.K. and gradually moved into screen acting. After some difficult years, following the COVID pandemic and the industry strikes, James came close to quitting the industry. But then his agent called and offered him a mystery audition. In interviews, he said, his agent called and told him to pack his stunt bag and prepare for something really physical. The audition took place at Sky Studios Elstree in London (which is one of the U.K.'s major production studios). He said that this location made him realize that this was an audition on another level. He said that getting the phone call that he landed the role was a true 'pinch me' moment, but it was true and James landed the role of Mekaneck in "Masters of the Universe". His background in stunt performance allowed him to step onto the set and master the fight choreography immediately. He used the restrictions of his suit to help him fine tune Mekaneck's movements. "Masters of the Universe" is now showing in cinemas across the world and James says he is very grateful for getting the chance to play in a movie this big. He also says that it is back to hard work again now. Among James' future projects are "Road House 2" and "Bedlam".