Daniel grew up in South Wales and was educated in Welsh before training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He left college early in 1994 to join the Royal Shakespeare Company and returned to the company a decade later.

His work as an actor has spanned Shakespeare, Sondheim and Sarah Kane, at the RSC, National Theatre, Royal Court, Donmar Warehouse, Menier, Sheffield and on Broadway. He’s the recipient of two Olivier Awards for his Sondheim performances.

In 2009, Daniel was appointed Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres where he directed, among others, Shakespeare, Ibsen, Hare and Lerner and Lowe, as well as acting in Sondheim.

In 2016, he was appointed Artistic Director of Chichester Festival Theatre. During his tenure, CFT produced 17 world premieres, while 5 shows transferred to London or Broadway. Alongside Executive Director, Kathy Bourne, CFT navigated the challenges of the pandemic, advancing the meaningful work with and for the community in West Sussex.