Tom Ellis (actor). From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Tom Ellis (born 17 November 1978) is a Welsh actor best known for playing Dr. Oliver Cousins in the BBC soap opera EastEnders and Detective Sergeant Sam Speed in a Life on Mars parody on The Catherine Tate Show.He was also Sam in the BBC comedy Pulling and played Gary in the BBC2 / BBC1 comedy Miranda.llis was married to actress Tamzin Outhwaite from 2006 to 2014. On 25 June 2008, she gave birth to their first daughter, Florence Elsie Ellis. He has another daughter, Nora Ellis, from a previous relationship. On 20 December 2008, the pair appeared on ITV gameshow All Star Mr & Mrs Christmas Special.