Meet Jonah Hauer-King, The Little Mermaid’s dashing prince: the British actor beat Harry Styles for the Disney role, went to Eton College like Prince Harry, and had instant chemistry with Halle Bailey

Jun 3 , 2023

Jonah Hauer-King plays the love interest, Prince Eric, to Halle Bailey’s character Ariel, in The Little Mermaid (2023). Photos: Getty Images; TNS

Jonah Hauer-King is making waves globally as the hunky new prince in Disney’s The Little Mermaid alongside Halle Bailey – he’s also been praised for his incredible vocal talents

The British-American actor attended Eton College, the same school as Boris Johnson, David Cameron and Prince William, and is set to star in The Tattooist of Auschwitz next

The Little Mermaid hit theatres on May 26 and Prince Eric’s actor Jonah Hauer-King is grabbing much of the fanfare. Not only did he beat out Harry Styles for the role, he has also mightily impressed with his singing abilities.

Jonah Hauer-King in Hong Kong for an Oliver Spencer campaign in February 2020. Photo: @jonahhauerking/Instagram

So, who is the dashing Disney prince who has become a Hollywood heartthrob overnight? Here’s what you need to know about the 28-year-old actor everyone is talking about …

Jonah Hauer-King had impressive schooling

British actor Jonah Hauer-King attends Britain’s premiere of The Little Mermaid in London, Britain, on May 15. Photo: EPA-EFE

Hauer-King attended the prestigious Eton College in England. Eton is known for its impressive alumni, including educating 20 British prime ministers there including Boris Johnson and David Cameron, along with members of the British royal family including Prince William and Prince Harry, per Get Reading.

British actor Jonah Hauer-King in Budapest, Hungary, in November 2018. Photo: @jonahhauerking/Instagram

Hauer-King went on to study at St. John’s College, Cambridge and graduated with a degree in theology and religious studies in 2017. He also starred in The Maiden and Blue while he was a student.

His upcoming film projects

Halle Bailey as Ariel, left, and Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid. Photo: Disney

While there’s still buzz around his role in The Little Mermaid, Hauer-King is also set to star as Lale in the adaptation of the hit novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz. He confirmed the news in an Instagram post in April, thanking the cast, crew and writers for “a challenging and formative three months of filming. Will never forget it”.

He will also appear in A Beautiful Imperfection, Fabio D’Andrea: One Small Step and Rich Flu.

He supports his cast mates

Jonah Hauer-King wearing a corset in December 2017. Photo: @jonahhauerking/Instagram

According to PBS, when filming the Little Women TV series, Hauer-King wore a bonnet and corset in solidarity with his castmates. He said he had a few hours free before he was due to film and started playing around with costumes.