Julian Kostov

Julian Kostov (Bulgarian: Юлиян Костов; born 25 August 1989) is a Bulgarian actor, filmmaker, and swimmer and pentathlete. He is based between London and Los Angeles.

Kostov was born in Varna, Bulgaria. His father owns a logistics business and his mother is a judge; he has a younger sister, Lia Kostova. Kostov learned English watching American television as a child.

Kostov attended a Spanish high school before going to the Netherlands to study International Business at Tilburg University in the Netherlands. After becoming depressed, he decided to move to the UK and pursue acting, inspired by Heath Ledger's performance in The Dark Knight. Kostov transferred to the University of Wales Institute Cardiff (now Cardiff Metropolitan University) to finish his studies, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Business Studies in 2011. He was admitted to the National Youth Theatre that same year.

Athletics

Kostov holds over 60 medals, including a bronze medal at the 2007 Balkan Games. At the age of 12, Kostov was a pentathlon champion. He was a 10-time National Swimming Champion from 2005 to 2009.In 2007 and 2008, he was awarded Varna's Sportsmen #6 of the Year, and in 2008 he earned the Master of Sport title in Swimming.