Joseph Mawle (born March 21, 1974) is an English actor renowned for his intense character roles, most notably Benjen Stark in Game of Thrones, Odiseo in The Rings of Power, and Jesus in The Passion. Raised on a Warwickshire farm, he overcame severe dyslexia and a 70% hearing loss from labyrinthitis to train at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. His career began in theater before breaking out in the 2006 television film Soundproof, leading to acclaimed performances in Birdsong and Ripper Street.