Matthias Schoenaerts, the Belgian actor slated to appear in the upcoming DC film Supergirl, has been handed a six-month prison sentence after being convicted of driving without a valid licence.
A Pattern of Driving Offences
The 47-year-old star, known for roles in Far from the Madding Crowd and The Danish Girl, was sentenced in absentia by a police court in Beringen, Belgium on December 1, 2025. The court also imposed a €4,000 (approximately £3,520) fine and a one-year driving ban.
This conviction stems from two incidents in April 2024, where Schoenaerts was stopped while riding his motorcycle in Pelt. On both April 5 and April 21, he did not possess a valid driver's licence. Reports indicate he was let off with a warning during the first stop, but was apprehended again weeks later.
History of Bans and Previous Convictions
This latest offence occurred while Schoenaerts was already banned from driving. In September 2021, he received a ban after being caught driving under the influence of cocaine. To regain his licence, he was required to complete mandatory recovery tests and exams, which he had not done by the time of the 2024 stops.
According to Belgian outlet VRT News, the actor claimed he was unaware his ban applied to motorcycles when first stopped. The court, however, noted his extensive record as an aggravating factor. Court spokesperson Luc De Cleir revealed Schoenaerts has been convicted 11 times previously in the police court for various driving issues.
"The fact that the defendant has already been convicted 11 times and that he was arrested again within three years of his conviction in 2021 are aggravating factors," De Cleir stated. "You could argue that the measures in the past didn't seem to have any effect."
Failed Court Appearance and Future Appeal
Schoenaerts did not attend the court hearing, leading to the sentence being passed in his absence. His lawyer, Axel De Schampheleire, claimed they missed the summons, possibly because the actor was abroad, and confirmed they will be appealing the sentence.
De Cleir added that because neither Schoenaerts nor his lawyer appeared, "the judge could not take note of any intentions or sense of guilt."
The actor's legal troubles date back to at least 2007, when he was convicted for a drunk driving hit-and-run accident that occurred a year earlier.
Despite this conviction, Schoenaerts is still set to play the character Krem in Supergirl, starring Milly Alcock, which is scheduled for release in June 2026.
