Why Nikolai Lantsov From Shadow And Bone Looks So Familiar

As Netflix continues to grow its extensive collection of genre offerings, shows like "Shadow and Bone" are among its most valuable properties. Based on two different series from the Grishaverse created by Leigh Bardugo, the dark fantasy series is just releasing its second season, which is no doubt good news for fans of the franchise.

New to the Netflix series in the second season is the character of Nikolai Lantsov, a shadowy figure who has spent years hiding his identity as the former king of Ravka. Lantsov trusts central character Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li) enough to divulge his real name as he joins her to become one of her allies in "Shadow and Bone."

With the character showing up in all 8 episodes of Season 2, it's clear that Lantsov is going to be a major part of the adaptation, and, as such, fans might find themselves wondering what other projects they may have seen the actor who portrays Lantsov in prior to "Shadow and Bone." As it turns out, you probably have seen Patrick Gibson on-screen before.

Though Patrick Gibson, who plays Nikolai Lantsov in "Shadow and Bone," has been acting since 2002, the first high-profile show viewers might recognize him from is likely the historical drama "The Tudors." In the hit historical drama, Gibson played the son of real-life political leader Robert Aske (Gerard McSorley). Of course, the character was mostly tangential, as Gibson only appeared in three episodes of the series (via IMDb).

Gibson also appeared as Curly in "Neverland," a British mini-series that retells the saga of Peter Pan (Charlie Rowe), Captain Hook (Rhys Ifans), and Tinkerbell (Keira Knightley) through a slightly darker lens. Fans of other adaptations will recall that Curly is one of the Lost Boys and that he wears a fairly memorable bear outfit in the Disney version of the story. Naturally, Gibson did find meatier material as he aged into an adult, however, landing a major role in a popular science fiction drama.

While Netflix fans are currently clamoring to see "Warrior Nun" brought back to life by the streamer, Patrick Gibson starred in another sci-fi series that saw fan support following its cancellation by the streamer. Gibson appeared in "The OA," which was created by the acclaimed team of Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij. The interdimensional series follows Prairie Johnson (Marling), a missing orphan who suddenly reappears with little explanation to her parents or the authorities.

Patrick Gibson plays Steve Winchell, a troubled high school student who is recruited by Johnson to help share what really happened to her and rescue others like her from another dimension. Gibson portrayed the character across both seasons before the show was ultimately axed, showing up in all 14 episodes of the series. Though it now seems unlikely that "The OA" will return, Winchell, who is currently in another Netflix series, the aforementioned "Shadow and Bone," would likely reprise his role if it did return. 

2019 was an especially busy year for Patrick Gibson, as he appeared in two TV series and two movies. On top of "The OA," Gibson also appeared as The Boy in the Starz historical drama, "The Spanish Princess," once again taking on a smaller role in a historical epic set around English royalty.

Gibson also had a key role in the 2019 biopic "Tolkien." As the name would suggest, the film follows the life of the famed "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" author, J.R.R. Tolkien. Gibson plays Robert Gilson in the film, a rival-turned-friend of the burgeoning writer who introduces a young Tolkien to some of his lifelong friends and helps him to form the Tea Club and Barrovian Society.

Finally, Gibson also took on the mantle of well-known video game developer John Carmack in "Masters of Doom." Based on the book of the same name, the movie charts the rise of John Romero and his fellow programmer, Carmack, as they develop the seminal first-person shooter "Doom," a game that would change video gaming forever.