With a lot of encouragement and advice from RunPee C.O.O. Jill I’ve been doing occasional biographical articles about British talent and what they bring to the big — nay — huge blockbuster franchises.
It’s one of those mysteries lost in the depths of time…how did this actually start? My recollection is that I saw somewhere that Sir Patrick Stewart’s 80th birthday was imminent and just decided to have a go at writing a mini-biography. Then there was the sad passing of Sir Ian Holm, so I did a similar piece for him. Then things started to snowball and I began doing mini-biographies quite regularly; I’ve even got a few requests! Leave me a comment below if you have anyone else in mind.
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It’s a work in progress with a new Brit Bio posted each month or so, so feel free to check back. This post will keep every bio handy before I write it all up into my first book.
Just to make things a bit easier to find, here we have a mini index of every bio article. Enjoy!
British Actors:
A warm resonant voice and a career that covers all genres
The master of accents and appearances
Not just the keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts
A legend. The first cinematic James Bond and much more too.
The latest scion of an acting dynasty.
Our most treasured of national treasures.
Much more than Mordo
Hobbits, Holmes, Hitchhiker, and more!
The Doctor will see you now…
So much more than Obi-Wan Kenobi
Let’s keep things low key…
Hobbits again! But with a range from Besson to the Bard.
I wanted to say the Maesteg Maestro but he comes from Port Talbot!
Supremely talented and deeply missed.
Once more unto the bwlch…
One of the most ubiquitous character actors working today.
The scene-stealing grande dame of stage and screen for 75 years.
A national treasure. A very rude one but a national treasure all the same.
One of the most capable and versatile actors working today.
A franchise straddling behemoth of stage and screen; see Patrick Stewart.
When most of us are thinking of retirement he reinvents himself as an action hero!
Laconic, louche, languid, lanky…
Just goes to show that RADA doesn’t know everything!
Not such a naughty boy after all.
Sadly missed and so much more than Severus Snape.
One of the four grand dames of British acting.
Because you’re allowed to pick your favourites when you’re writing the pieces!
A franchise-straddling behemoth of stage and screen; see Ian McKellen.
Tilda Swinton – Coming Soon!
Androgynous, ethereal, amazing!
More than just a stand up!
Fortunately, there’s no limit on the number of national treasures there can be.
The finest Hamlet of his generation and in so many films!
Rachel Weisz
So much more than a pretty face and being Mrs Bond!
Ruth Wilson – Coming Soon!
Psychopath or housewife? I don’t care!
British Directors:
One of the most visionary directors ever.
Fingers in so many genres.
Coming Soon
No guarantees! These are some of the people who I’m thinking of writing about. If you have a particular favourite, or someone I haven’t mentioned, please add them in the comments.
Helena Bonham-Carter CBE
Sir Kenneth Branagh
Jim Broadbent
Brian Cox CBE
Idris Elba
Denholm Elliott CBE
Stephen Fry
Jane Goldman
Stephen Graham OBE
Sir Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Ben Kingsley
Adrian Lester CBE
Anna Maxwell Martin
Dame Helen Mirren
Guy Ritchie
Sir Ridley Scott
Andy Serkis
Matthew Vaughn
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
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Former teacher, lecturer, homelessness administrator, pharmacy dispenser now happily retired, happily married, and a very happy granddad. I live next to the Mersey but on the side Daniel Craig and Taron Egerton come from rather than the side the Beatles came from!
Jill Florio Administrator
I’m voting for these awesome dudes next!
Bill Nighy
Gary Oldman
Also, Bandersnatch Cumberbunder
Rob Williams Administrator
Done, done, and done!