Miles' early life in Zimbabwe was marked by his parents' military background, with his father, Jock, serving as a general and his mother, Daphne, a homemaker who later became an author, publishing "The Toerags" in 1989. Miles' decision to leave school, citing a Shakespeare class, was met with surprise at home, whereupon he announced his intention to travel to England to pursue a career in acting.
After graduating with the prestigious Ronson Award from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Miles joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he spent ten years honing his craft. Despite initial reservations about the Bard, he went on to excel in various stage productions, including "The Witch of Edmonton", "The Twin Rivals", "Macbeth", "The Weir", and "Oliver!", directed by Sam Mendes.
Miles' television appearances in the UK include roles in "Ultimate Force", "House of Cards", "Holby City", and "Soldier, Soldier", earning him widespread recognition. He has also had success in the US, with recent roles in "Hunters", "Always Sunny in Philadelphia", "Criminal Minds", "Baskets", "Battle Creek", and films such as "LaLaLand" and "Radioflash".
A curious fact about Miles' career is that he has never strayed far from Shakespeare, with recent roles in "The Tragedy Of Macbeth" alongside Frances McDormand and Denzel Washington, as well as three Shakespeare seasons at the Old Globe San Diego under the direction of Adrian Noble. His performances as King George in "The Madness of George III" and Salieri in "Amadeus" earned him critical acclaim, and he was awarded the Craig Noel San Diego Critics' Circle Award for Best Actor in a Lead for his portrayal of King George.
Miles has also demonstrated his versatility in television comedy, starring as the magician Merlin in "Escape the Night". He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Bella Merlin, and their two sons, Joe and Max, who are both involved in the entertainment industry.
