How To Fail With Elizabeth Day

Tom Ellis - Fatherhood, Surrogacy and Years of Therapy

Sep 3, 2025
Tom Ellis, known for his charming roles in 'Lucifer' and 'Miranda', delves into his journey as a father of four, recently welcoming a daughter via surrogacy. He shares insights on modern fatherhood and the emotional complexities of family dynamics, including step-parenting. Tom reflects on personal growth through years of therapy, his journey from aspiring athlete to actor, and his unique experiences growing up as a preacher's kid. The conversation also touches on navigating creative partnerships with his wife in the entertainment industry.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Spirituality Shapes Decision-Making

  • Tom Ellis retains a sense of spirituality while moving away from organized religion.
  • He uses that belief to recognize when to change course and avoid conflict-avoidant patterns.
ADVICE

Acknowledge And Change Course

  • Acknowledge when you're in the wrong place and change course to return to where you belong.
  • Facing uncomfortable truths can lead to steadier personal alignment.
ANECDOTE

Star-Studded Set, Surreal Moments

  • Tom felt intimidated on set with Helen Mirren, Ben Kingsley and Pierce Brosnan but experienced role-reversal when they fawned over his character.
  • He later recalled a surreal moment when Steven Spielberg visited the set unannounced.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app