What Happened to Abigail Thorn?
Abigail Thorn is a prominent English YouTuber, actress, and playwright, best known for her educational YouTube channel Philosophy Tube, which she launched in 2013. After publicly coming out as a trans woman in 2021, Thorn has expanded her career into mainstream acting, appearing in major series like "House of the Dragon" and "Star Wars: The Acolyte," while continuing her advocacy for trans rights and theatrical work.
Quick Answer
Abigail Thorn, creator of the popular YouTube channel Philosophy Tube, has significantly expanded her career as an actress and playwright since publicly coming out as a trans woman in January 2021. In 2026, she appeared in the third season of HBO's "House of the Dragon" as Admiral Sharako Lohar and Disney+'s "Star Wars: The Acolyte" as Ensign Eurus, and starred in the film "Again Again." She also won the People's Human Rights Champion award at the Amnesty Media Awards 2026 for her investigation into NHS conversion practices and is developing a feature film and planning a staged reading of her play "The Prince" in Los Angeles.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline17 events
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Abigail Thorn was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Launched Philosophy Tube YouTube Channel
Thorn created Philosophy Tube to offer free philosophy education following a rise in UK university tuition fees.
Graduated from University of St Andrews
She earned a Scottish Master of Arts (MA Hons) in Philosophy from the University of St Andrews, coming top of her year.
Completed MA at East 15 Acting School
Thorn trained at East 15 Acting School, completing a Master of Arts awarded by the University of Essex.
Philosophy Tube adopts theatrical style
Thorn began incorporating dramatic sets, costumes, and makeup into her Philosophy Tube videos, shifting to a more theatrical style.
Came out as bisexual
Abigail Thorn discussed her sexuality and came out as bisexual in her YouTube video titled 'Queer.'
Shakespeare Livestream for Charity
Thorn hosted a five-day Twitch livestream reading Shakespeare's complete works, raising over £100,000 for the mental health charity Samaritans.
Came out as a trans woman
Abigail Thorn publicly announced she is a trans woman via a video and public statement, receiving widespread attention and support.
Playwriting debut with 'The Prince'
Thorn wrote and starred in her play 'The Prince,' which ran Off West End and received critical acclaim, including Broadway World awards.
Announced new trans femme action star role
At Trans+ History Week, Thorn revealed she was preparing to film a major action role, involving boxing and sword fighting lessons.
Starred in 'Blink' at King's Head Theatre
Thorn starred in a revival of Phil Porter's play 'Blink' in London, exploring themes of parasocial relationships.
Won Amnesty Media Award
Thorn received the People's Human Rights Champion award at the Amnesty Media Awards 2026 for her investigation into NHS conversion practices.
Attended 'House of the Dragon' Red Carpet
Thorn was photographed at an HBO red carpet event for 'House of the Dragon' Season 3, wearing a Wonder Woman-inspired gown.
Appeared in 'House of the Dragon' Season 3
Thorn played Admiral Sharako Lohar in the third season of HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
Appeared in 'Star Wars: The Acolyte'
She took on the role of Ensign Eurus in the Disney+ series 'Star Wars: The Acolyte.'
Co-starred in 'Again Again' film
Thorn co-starred as Naomi in the science fiction film 'Again Again,' directed by Mia Moore.
Discussed upcoming projects and aspirations
In an interview, Thorn discussed a feature film in development, a staged reading of 'The Prince' in Los Angeles, and her ambition to play Wonder Woman.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Abigail Thorn, born on April 24, 1993, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, first rose to prominence as the creator of the YouTube channel Philosophy Tube in May 2013. She launched the channel with the mission to provide free philosophy education in response to the increase in UK university tuition fees in 2012. Initially presenting in a direct lecture style, Thorn's videos evolved dramatically by 2018, incorporating theatrical elements, elaborate sets, costumes, and character-driven narratives, which significantly broadened her audience and critical acclaim.
Thorn's personal journey became more public in October 2019 when she came out as bisexual in her video "Queer." On January 30, 2021, she made a widely publicized announcement, coming out as a trans woman through a video titled "Coming Out As Trans – A Little Public Statement" and a more theatrical piece, "Identity: A Trans Coming Out Story." This announcement garnered international attention and positioned her as a prominent advocate for trans rights in the UK, where she has spoken out against healthcare inequalities and societal hostility towards transgender people.
Beyond her YouTube success, Thorn has cultivated a robust acting and playwriting career. In 2022, she made her playwriting debut with "The Prince," a transgender-themed work based on Shakespeare's "Henry IV, Part 1," which ran Off West End and earned her Broadway World awards for Best Actress and Best New Production. Her screen credits include roles in "Django" (Sky), "Ladhood" (BBC3), and "Chivalry" (Channel 4).
The year 2026 has marked a significant period for Thorn's acting career. She appeared as Admiral Sharako Lohar in the third season of HBO's "House of the Dragon" and as Ensign Eurus in Disney+'s "Star Wars: The Acolyte." Additionally, she co-starred in the 2026 science fiction film "Again Again," directed by Mia Moore, playing the character Naomi. From February 19 to March 22, 2026, Thorn starred in a new production of Phil Porter's play "Blink" at the King's Head Theatre in London, exploring themes of parasocial relationships.
In May 2026, Thorn received the People's Human Rights Champion award at the Amnesty Media Awards for her investigative work into conversion therapy within the British healthcare system, highlighting systemic discrimination against transgender individuals. Looking ahead, Thorn is actively pursuing more action-oriented roles, with a feature film in development where she is set to play a "kickass action role." She also expressed a strong desire to portray Wonder Woman in James Gunn's DCU. In July 2026, a staged reading of her acclaimed play "The Prince" is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Abigail Thorn made different choices?