Reid was born in rural New South Wales, Australia, where his father was a cattle farmer. His older brother is Rupert Reid, who is also an actor.[3] He attended Cranbrook School, a private boys school in Sydney. Upon completion of school, Reid briefly lived in New York City before moving to London to study acting.[4] In 2010, he graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art where he was awarded star student of his graduating class.[5]