Matthias Schoenaerts Sentenced to Prison for Repeated Driving Offenses
A Belgian court has sentenced actor Matthias Schoenaerts to six months in prison following multiple convictions for driving without a valid license, escalating a legal saga that began with a prior driving-under-the-influence conviction.
Belgian actor Matthias Schoenaerts, known for roles in films like Red Sparrow and Far From the Madding Crowd, faces imprisonment after failing to comply with court orders and repeatedly driving without a license. The 47-year-old received the sentence on December 1, 2025, after being convicted in absentia at a police court in Beringen, Belgium.
According to reports from Belgian outlet VRT News, Schoenaerts was initially stopped by police while riding his motorcycle on April 5 and again on April 21, 2024, both times without a valid driver’s license. This occurred after he was banned from driving in September 2021 due to a conviction for driving under the influence of cocaine. Following the 2021 incident, Schoenaerts was required to complete a series of mandatory recovery tests – encompassing medical, psychological, theoretical, and practical evaluations – to regain his license. However, he had not fulfilled these requirements.
During the April 5th traffic stop, Schoenaerts reportedly claimed he was unaware the driving ban extended to motorcycles, and was initially released with a warning. However, the subsequent stop on April 21st, again without a license, led to the court proceedings and eventual sentencing. In addition to the six-month prison term, Schoenaerts was also fined €4,000 (approximately $3,520 USD) and issued a one-year driving ban.
The actor’s history with driving offenses extends back to 2007, when he was convicted following a hit-and-run accident. That conviction resulted in a three-month driving ban and a €2,750 (approximately $2,420 USD) fine, alongside a requirement to retake driving tests. A court spokesperson, Luc De Cleir, emphasized that Schoenaerts’ extensive record played a significant role in the recent sentencing.
“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.” The spokesperson also noted that Schoenaerts’ absence from the December 1st court hearing prevented the judge from considering any potential remorse or mitigating circumstances.
Schoenaerts’ legal team, led by Axel De Schampheleire, intends to appeal the sentence, claiming the actor missed the court summons, potentially due to being abroad. Despite the legal challenges, Schoenaerts is currently slated to appear in the upcoming Supergirl film, set for release in June 2026, portraying the character of Krem. Milly Alcock will star as Kara Zor-El / Supergirl in the film, building on her previous appearance in Superman.
Schoenaerts’ previous film credits include roles as Gabriel Oak in Far from the Madding Crowd (2015), Hans Axgil in The Danish Girl (2015), and Uncle Vanya in Red Sparrow (2018). He has also appeared in the TV series The Regime alongside Kate Winslet, and in the 2023 series Django.
Representatives for Matthias Schoenaerts have been contacted for comment.
