Dacre Montgomery is an Australian actor best known for playing Billy Hargrove in Netflix’s hit science-fiction series Stranger Things and Jason Scott, the Red Ranger, in Power Rangers (2017). His performances have introduced him to audiences around the world, but his career extends beyond blockbuster entertainment. From psychological thrillers to independent dramas, Montgomery has shown an interest in characters with complicated emotions and difficult personal histories.
Born in Perth, Western Australia, Montgomery developed an interest in acting at a young age. His breakthrough came in 2017, when Power Rangers and the second season of Stranger Things brought him widespread attention. Since then, he has continued to explore different genres, including comedy, horror and biographical drama.
This guide covers Dacre Montgomery’s age, early life, acting career, best-known movies and television roles, relationship status and latest projects.
Who Is Dacre Montgomery?
Dacre Montgomery is an Australian film and television actor whose full name is Dacre Kayd Montgomery-Harvey. He was born on November 22, 1994, in Perth, Western Australia. He is widely recognized for portraying Billy Hargrove in Stranger Things, a character whose aggression and troubled background make him one of the series’ most memorable antagonists.
Montgomery grew up around the entertainment industry. His mother, Judith Barrett-Lennard, is Australian-Canadian, while his father, Scott Montgomery, is from New Zealand. Both parents worked in the film industry, giving him early exposure to filmmaking and the creative process.
However, growing up around film sets did not automatically make acting an easy career choice. Montgomery pursued formal training and worked to develop the skills required for professional performances. His background in acting helped him approach demanding roles with an understanding of character development, movement and emotional expression.
Dacre Montgomery: Age, Height and Personal Details
Here is a quick overview of the actor’s publicly reported background.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Dacre Kayd Montgomery-Harvey |
| Date of birth | November 22, 1994 |
| Age | 31 years old as of October 2026 |
| Birthplace | Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Profession | Actor, producer and filmmaker |
| Height | Approximately 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Best-known role | Billy Hargrove in Stranger Things |
| Other notable role | Jason Scott in Power Rangers |
| Education | Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) |
These details are based on publicly available biographical and filmography information.
Early Life and Acting Education
Montgomery’s interest in performance began during childhood. His parents’ involvement in film gave him an early look at how productions worked, but he still needed to develop his own abilities as an actor.
He studied acting at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, commonly known as WAAPA. The institution has trained performers across theatre, film and television, and Montgomery’s formal education provided a foundation for the professional work that followed.
He also faced challenges during his school years. In interviews, Montgomery has discussed experiences of bullying and social isolation. These experiences are relevant when considering how he approaches emotionally complex characters, although an actor’s personal history should not be treated as a complete explanation for any performance.
His early career included smaller screen projects before he secured more prominent film roles. Like many actors, he had to build experience and demonstrate that he could handle a variety of characters before landing opportunities with a much larger audience.
How Dacre Montgomery Became Famous
Montgomery’s major breakthrough arrived in 2017, when he appeared in two high-profile productions: Power Rangers and Stranger Things.
In Power Rangers, he played Jason Scott, a former high-school football star who becomes the Red Ranger. The film gave him a leading role in a familiar franchise and required physical preparation for an action-oriented character.
Later that year, he joined Stranger Things as Billy Hargrove in its second season. The Netflix series had already attracted a strong audience, and Billy’s arrival added tension to the story. His character was intimidating, unpredictable and often cruel, making him an immediate source of conflict.
The contrast between these roles demonstrated Montgomery’s range. Jason is a reluctant leader learning responsibility, while Billy is a deeply troubled young man whose anger affects nearly everyone around him. Both characters struggle with identity, but they express that struggle in very different ways.
The success of these projects established Montgomery as an actor to watch and opened the door to more varied film opportunities.
Dacre Montgomery in Stranger Things
Billy Hargrove is arguably Montgomery’s most recognizable role. Introduced in the second season of Stranger Things, Billy arrives in Hawkins with his stepsister, Max Mayfield. He quickly develops a reputation for aggression, intimidation and reckless behavior.
At first glance, Billy appears to be a straightforward bully. As the story progresses, however, the series reveals more about his family environment and the experiences that shape his behavior. His relationship with his father, in particular, helps explain some of his anger without excusing the harm he causes.
Montgomery’s performance relies on more than an intimidating appearance. His physical posture, facial expressions and sudden changes in mood make Billy difficult to predict. The character can seem threatening even when he is not speaking, which adds tension to many scenes.
Why Billy Hargrove Matters to the Story
Billy introduces a different kind of danger into the series. While Stranger Things features supernatural threats, his behavior represents the very human consequences of fear, abuse and unchecked aggression.
His story becomes especially significant in the third season, when supernatural forces make him central to the conflict involving the Mind Flayer. The storyline gives Montgomery opportunities to portray fear, vulnerability and resistance alongside the character’s usual hostility.
Billy’s arc is also emotionally complicated. Understanding his background encourages viewers to consider how trauma can affect behavior, but it does not erase his responsibility for his actions.
This balance is part of what makes the performance memorable. Montgomery plays a character who can be frightening, pitiable and tragic without making those qualities interchangeable.
Dacre Montgomery’s Movies and TV Shows
Montgomery’s filmography includes superhero action, horror, romantic comedy, biographical drama and independent cinema. The following titles offer a useful introduction to his work.
1. Power Rangers (2017)
Power Rangers was one of Montgomery’s first major Hollywood roles. He played Jason Scott, a teenager who must learn to work with a group of classmates after gaining extraordinary abilities.
Jason is initially defined by his reputation as a talented athlete, but his mistakes force him to reconsider his priorities. His development into a team leader gives the film an emotional thread alongside its action scenes.
The role required Montgomery to combine physical performance with the portrayal of a young man learning accountability. It also introduced him to audiences familiar with the long-running Power Rangers franchise.
2. Better Watch Out (2016)
This horror thriller places Montgomery in a story that begins with the familiar setup of a babysitter protecting a child during a night at home. The film gradually shifts expectations, using suspense and psychological manipulation to create a more unsettling experience.
Montgomery’s role contributes to the film’s dark tone and demonstrates his ability to work in a smaller production rather than relying on the scale of a franchise film.
For viewers interested in his work beyond Stranger Things, Better Watch Out is a useful early example of his involvement in darker, character-driven stories.
3. A Few Less Men (2017)
This Australian comedy follows a group of men dealing with an increasingly chaotic journey after a wedding-related tragedy. Montgomery appears as Mike in a supporting role.
The film offers a different look at his acting career. Instead of supernatural threats or superhero action, the story relies on awkward situations, comic timing and the relationships between its characters.
It also reflects his connection to Australian film productions early in his career.
4. The Broken Hearts Gallery (2020)
In this romantic comedy, Montgomery plays Nick, an aspiring hotelier who crosses paths with Lucy, a young woman trying to move forward after a breakup.
The film explores heartbreak, personal growth and the way people attach meaning to objects connected to past relationships. Montgomery’s role allows him to work in a lighter genre and show a more relaxed screen presence.
For audiences who know him mainly as Billy Hargrove, this film offers a clear contrast in tone and character.
5. Elvis (2022)
Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis examines the life and career of Elvis Presley, played by Austin Butler, through the singer’s complicated relationship with manager Colonel Tom Parker.
Montgomery portrays Steve Binder, the television director involved in Elvis’s influential 1968 comeback special. Binder’s role is important to the film’s depiction of the creative decisions behind the performance and Elvis’s attempt to reconnect with his musical identity.
The project placed Montgomery in a major biographical drama, giving him the chance to portray a real person rather than a fictional teenager or superhero.
6. Went Up the Hill (2024)
Went Up the Hill is a psychological drama featuring Montgomery as Jack, a man who travels to New Zealand following the death of his estranged mother.
He meets Jill, his mother’s widow, played by Vicky Krieps. Their relationship becomes complicated by grief, unresolved family history and unsettling experiences connected to the deceased woman.
The film represents a more restrained side of Montgomery’s work. Rather than depending on action or a familiar franchise, it focuses on loss, emotional tension and difficult relationships.
Montgomery was also involved as an executive producer, reflecting an interest in the creative side of filmmaking beyond acting.
7. Dead Man’s Wire (2025)
Dead Man’s Wire is a crime drama inspired by a real 1970s hostage incident involving Tony Kiritsis. The film features Montgomery as Richard Hall and forms part of his work in stories based on real events.
The project sits within a different tradition from his earlier franchise roles. Historical crime dramas require performers to work within an established context while making their characters feel believable.
Its inclusion in Montgomery’s filmography demonstrates his continued movement between mainstream entertainment and films aimed at audiences interested in more grounded stories.
8. What We Hide (2025)
Also known as We Bury the Dead in connection with its wider release, this survival horror film features Montgomery as Reece. The story follows a woman searching for her missing husband after a catastrophic event in which the dead begin to return.
The film combines suspense with questions about grief, survival and the emotional cost of searching for someone who may be lost. Montgomery’s involvement adds another horror-oriented project to a career that has frequently returned to unsettling or psychologically intense material.
When searching for the film, viewers may encounter different titles across festival, regional and release listings.
What Is Dacre Montgomery’s Acting Style?
Montgomery often plays characters who hide emotional vulnerability behind a confident or intimidating exterior. Billy Hargrove is the clearest example, but his other roles show that he is not limited to aggressive characters.
Three qualities stand out in his performances.
Physical expression: Montgomery uses body language, posture and movement to establish a character’s personality before dialogue explains it.
Emotional contrast: His characters can shift between confidence, anger, uncertainty and vulnerability. These changes help make their behavior feel less predictable.
Genre flexibility: His credits range from superhero films and horror to romantic comedy and biographical drama. Each genre requires a different approach to timing, tone and character development.
His career also suggests an interest in projects that offer more than a familiar screen persona. Independent productions such as Went Up the Hill give him room to explore quieter, emotionally demanding material.
Dacre Montgomery’s Personal Life and Relationship
Montgomery generally keeps his personal life away from the level of attention given to his professional work. Public interest in his relationships increased after his success in Stranger Things, but reliable information should be separated from online speculation.
He has been publicly linked to Australian model Liv Pollock, with reports of their relationship dating back to 2017. Some biographical sources have described them as engaged, but relationship details can change and should be checked against recent, direct statements before being treated as current fact.
Montgomery does not need to share every detail of his private life for audiences to understand his work. For readers researching his relationship status, the most dependable sources are recent interviews and statements from the people involved rather than anonymous posts or unverified celebrity gossip.
Dacre Montgomery’s Life Beyond Acting
Montgomery has shown an interest in the creative process beyond performing in front of the camera. His credits include work as a producer and director, as well as acting.
These roles matter because filmmaking involves many decisions that shape a finished story: script development, performance choices, visual style and the way scenes are assembled. Taking on creative responsibilities outside acting can give a performer a broader understanding of how a project develops.
His work on shorter and independent productions also suggests an interest in storytelling that is not limited to large commercial releases. That does not mean he has abandoned mainstream films. Instead, his career includes both familiar franchises and projects that explore more personal themes.
What Is Dacre Montgomery Working on Now?
Montgomery’s more recent screen work includes Went Up the Hill, Dead Man’s Wire and What We Hide. These projects show his continued interest in dramatic stories, suspense and characters facing difficult circumstances.
His future work should be assessed by the status of each individual production. A film listed as completed, in post-production or in pre-production does not necessarily have a confirmed release date. Release schedules can also vary by country.
For the most accurate updates, check official film announcements, distributor pages and reputable entertainment publications. Film databases are useful for tracking credits, but planned projects and release dates can change.
Where Should You Start Watching Dacre Montgomery?
If you are discovering Montgomery’s work for the first time, the best starting point depends on the type of story you enjoy.
- For his best-known performance: Start with Stranger Things, particularly the seasons featuring Billy Hargrove.
- For superhero action: Watch Power Rangers (2017) to see him in a leading role.
- For horror and suspense: Try Better Watch Out or What We Hide.
- For romance and comedy: Choose The Broken Hearts Gallery.
- For a more dramatic performance: Watch Went Up the Hill.
- For a biographical film: See Elvis, where he plays television director Steve Binder.
Watching these titles together makes it easier to see how Montgomery changes his performance to suit different genres. His screen presence remains recognizable, but the characters’ motivations and emotional styles vary considerably.
Final Thoughts
Dacre Montgomery has built a career that reaches beyond the role that first made him internationally recognizable. His portrayal of Billy Hargrove in Stranger Things remains a defining performance, while Power Rangers introduced him as a leading man in a major franchise.
His later projects show a willingness to explore different genres and more emotionally complex stories. From the romantic comedy The Broken Hearts Gallery to the psychological drama Went Up the Hill, his filmography offers several ways to appreciate his development as an actor.
For anyone researching Dacre Montgomery, the key takeaway is that his career is still broader than a single character. His combination of mainstream roles and independent projects makes his future choices worth following.
