Jonathan Banks, who grew up in Montgomery County, is back in the global spotlight as he stars in Netflix’s newest hit miniseries The Beast in Me. The show is a psychological thriller that has quickly climbed to the top of the streaming platform’s rankings since its 2025 debut.
Banks graduated from Northwood High School in Silver Spring in 1966. He was born in Washington DC and spent his early childhood in Chillum Heights in Prince George’s County before his family moved to Montgomery County. He gained attention early in his career with roles in Airplane!, 48 Hours, and Beverly Hills Cop in the early 1980s.
Banks appears in the series as Martin Jarvis, the father of Nile (Matthew Rhys), a powerful and increasingly suspicious figure whose influence shapes the show’s central mystery. Jarvis is portrayed as a ruthless real estate mogul determined to protect his empire and secure his legacy.
The Beast in Me follows Aggie, played by Claire Danes, a grieving author who becomes fixated on her enigmatic new neighbor, Nile. As her obsession deepens, Aggie begins to investigate him, pulling herself into a dangerous psychological game where reality and fiction blend together. The series focuses on themes of grief, morality, obsession, and control, all brought to life through tense and layered performances.
Many viewers know Banks for his acclaimed role as Mike Ehrmantraut in AMC’s Better Call Saul, the spin-off of the popular series Breaking Bad. He first appeared as Mike in Breaking Bad, later returned in Better Call Saul, and reprised the role in the film El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. The character, a former police officer turned private investigator, became one of the franchise’s most iconic figures.
Throughout his career, Banks has earned recognition from critics and peers. He has been nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work on Better Call Saul. In 1987, he also received a Primetime Emmy nomination for his role in the television series Wiseguy.
