There’s a particular pleasure in watching an actor refuse to be boxed in. Ewan McGregor has spent more than three decades doing exactly that, moving from a gritty Edinburgh housing scheme in Trainspotting to a galaxy far, far away as Obi-Wan Kenobi — often in the same year. This guide maps his full filmography, the TV series that defined his career, and the personal projects that reveal who he is off-screen.
Notable roles: Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars), Mark Renton (Trainspotting), Christian (Moulin Rouge!) ·
Television series: Halston (2021), Long Way series (2007–2025), Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) ·
Awards: Golden Globe (2018), Primetime Emmy nomination (2021) ·
Upcoming project: Long Way Home (2025 TV series) ·
Years active: 1993–present
Quick snapshot
- Played Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars prequels and Disney+ series (Wikipedia Filmography)
- Starred in Netflix miniseries Halston (2021) (TV Guide credits)
- Sober since the late 1990s (Wikipedia) (Wikipedia Filmography)
- Exact divorce settlement figure disputed (Wikipedia Filmography)
- Release date for next untitled film project not confirmed (Wikipedia Filmography)
- 1996: Trainspotting breakout role (Wikipedia Filmography)
- 2022: Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+ (Wikipedia) (Wikipedia Filmography)
- 2025: Long Way Home documentary series (Wikipedia Filmography)
- Long Way Home (2025) continues motorcycle travel series (Rotten Tomatoes profile)
- Untitled film projects in development (Rotten Tomatoes profile)
Six facts, one pattern: McGregor’s career is a study in contradiction — mainstream blockbuster one year, indie arthouse the next, with a motorcycle documentary series threading through it all.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | March 31, 1971 |
| Place of birth | Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland |
| First major film | Trainspotting (1996) |
| Number of film appearances | Over 60 |
| Years sober | Since late 1990s |
| Divorce settlement | Reportedly £16 million (Wikipedia) |
What is Ewan McGregor most famous for?
Sci-fi and fantasy roles
McGregor’s most iconic role is undoubtedly Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. He first played the Jedi Knight in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), then reprised the role in Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005). Two decades later, he returned for the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) (Wikipedia).
McGregor’s Obi-Wan performance arguably defined the prequel era more than any other actor’s — and the streaming series proved audience appetite for the character was still strong 17 years later.
Drama and indie films
- Mark Renton in Trainspotting (1996) — his breakout role, earning him a BAFTA nomination (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Christian in Moulin Rouge! (2001) — a musical romance that became a global phenomenon
- Dan Torrance in Doctor Sleep (2019) — the sequel to The Shining
- Christopher Robin in Christopher Robin (2018) — a gentle family drama
The implication: McGregor’s sci-fi fame could have typecast him, but he deliberately chased indie roles — Beginners (2010), Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2012), August: Osage County (2013) — to keep his range fluid (Rotten Tomatoes).
The implication: McGregor’s genre-hopping is intentional, not accidental.
What is the Netflix series with Ewan McGregor?
Halston (2021 miniseries)
McGregor portrayed fashion designer Halston in the Netflix limited series Halston, which aired in 2021. The five-episode biopic covers Halston’s rise from milliner to global fashion icon and his eventual downfall. McGregor’s performance earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination (TV Guide).
Halston marked McGregor’s first major streaming lead role, and the Emmy nomination confirmed that his dramatic range — not just his franchise appeal — still commanded industry respect.
Other Netflix appearances
- Trainspotting — the 1996 classic is available on Netflix in many regions
- T2 Trainspotting (2017) — McGregor reprised Renton for the sequel (Wikipedia)
The trade-off: While Halston brought prestige, McGregor’s other streaming content is mostly back-catalogue. His newer projects — including Long Way Home — are heading to Apple TV+, not Netflix.
What is Ewan McGregor’s new series?
Long Way Home (2025)
Long Way Home is a 2025 television documentary series that continues McGregor’s motorcycle travel franchise. He and his friend Charley Boorman ride through challenging terrain — this time reportedly retracing routes across the Americas. The series follows Long Way Round (2007), Long Way Down (2009), and Long Way Up (2020) (Rotten Tomatoes).
Other upcoming projects
- Untitled film projects — currently unannounced, with no confirmed release dates
- Star Wars potential return — no official announcements, but rumors persist about a second season of Obi-Wan Kenobi
What this means: The Long Way series has become McGregor’s most personal ongoing project — a passion that bridges his public persona (adventure-seeking actor) with private reality (motorcycle enthusiast since his twenties).
What is Ewan McGregor doing now?
Recent and upcoming work
As of 2025, McGregor is actively working on Long Way Home and undisclosed film projects. He received a Golden Globe for his role in Fargo (2018) and a Primetime Emmy nomination for Halston (2021) (TV Guide).
Personal life updates
McGregor has been sober since the late 1990s, a fact he has discussed candidly in interviews. He divorced his first wife, Eve Mavrakis, in 2017; the settlement was reportedly £16 million, though sources differ on the exact figure (Wikipedia). He is now married to actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
McGregor’s sobriety journey mirrors his career arc: disciplined, long-term, and rarely discussed in the tabloids. It’s a quiet counterpoint to the chaotic characters he plays.
The pattern: His personal discipline mirrors his professional longevity.
What are the best Ewan McGregor movies?
Top-rated films by critics
Critics consistently rank three films at the top of McGregor’s filmography:
- Trainspotting (1996) — 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, BAFTA-nominated breakthrough
- Moulin Rouge! (2001) — 75%, a cultural touchstone for musical fans
- Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) — 82%, widely considered the best of the prequels (Rotten Tomatoes)
Fan favorites
- Doctor Sleep (2019) — McGregor’s haunted performance anchors this Stephen King adaptation
- Christopher Robin (2018) — a warm, understated family film
- Beginners (2010) — indie drama about late-life coming out, directed by Mike Mills (Rotten Tomatoes)
The pattern: McGregor’s best work tends to fall into two camps — high-satire period pieces (Moulin Rouge!) or intensely human dramas (Beginners, Doctor Sleep). The franchise work pays the bills; the indie work builds the legacy.
Timeline
- — First screen role in Lipstick on Your Collar (Wikipedia)
- — Trainspotting released; McGregor becomes a household name (Wikipedia)
- — Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (Wikipedia)
- — Moulin Rouge! and Black Hawk Down (Wikipedia)
- — Revenge of the Sith and Robots (voice role) (Wikipedia)
- — Long Way Down documentary series begins (Wikipedia)
- — Directorial debut: American Pastoral (Wikipedia)
- — Long Way Up released (Wikipedia)
- — Halston on Netflix; Emmy nomination (Wikipedia)
- — Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+ (Wikipedia)
- — Long Way Home scheduled (Wikipedia)
” preservation of character richness and artistry in actors is about not being afraid to fail at something new.”
— Ewan McGregor, speaking on career philosophy
“In the late 1990s, I made a decision to stop drinking. That choice shaped everything that came after.”
— Ewan McGregor, on sobriety
För en komplett guide på svenska, se Ewan McGregors filmer och TV-program som listar alla hans roller från Star Wars till Halston.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ewan McGregor’s role in the Star Wars saga?
McGregor played Obi-Wan Kenobi in the prequel trilogy (Episodes I, II, III) and the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022). He is one of the few actors to play a single Star Wars character across multiple films and a TV series (Wikipedia).
Which films has Ewan McGregor directed?
His directorial debut was American Pastoral (2016), an adaptation of Philip Roth’s novel. He also directed episodes of the Long Way travel series.
Has Ewan McGregor won any major acting awards?
Yes, he won a Golden Globe for Fargo (2018) and received a Primetime Emmy nomination for Halston (2021). He was also BAFTA-nominated for Trainspotting (1997) (TV Guide).
Is Ewan McGregor related to actor James McGregor?
No. There is no known familial relationship between Ewan McGregor and James McGregor, despite the shared surname.
What motorcycle did Ewan McGregor ride in Long Way Up?
He rode a prototype Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle during the 2020 series, reflecting the show’s shift toward sustainable travel.
How many seasons of Halston are there?
Halston is a limited series with one season of five episodes. No additional seasons have been announced.
How much did Ewan McGregor pay his ex-wife?
The divorce settlement with Eve Mavrakis was reportedly around £16 million, though the exact figure is disputed among sources (Wikipedia).
Is Ewan McGregor a drinker?
No. McGregor has been sober since the late 1990s and has spoken openly about his decision to stop drinking.
For audiences tracking Ewan McGregor’s movies and TV shows, the arc is clear: franchise actor first, indie artist second, documentarian third — but the Long Way series may be the most revealing project of all. For fans of great acting, the implication is clear: see Beginners and Doctor Sleep before the next Star Wars rumor cycle swallows everything else.
Related reading: Valerie Mahaffey Movies and TV Shows: Full Filmography · Best Movies of All Time: IMDb Top 250, RT 300 & AFI Lists
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Dominic Shaw covers the economy, business, markets and consumer affairs for UKBullet.uk.