Alex Ferns

Last updated

Alex Ferns
Born
Alexander Ferns

(1968-10-13) 13 October 1968 (age 55)
Lennoxtown, Stirlingshire, Scotland, United Kingdom
Education University of Cape Town
OccupationActor
Years active1993–present
Television EastEnders
River City
Spouse
Jennifer Woodburne
​
(m. 1996)​
Children2

Alexander Ferns (born 13 October 1968) is a Scottish actor and television personality. His role in EastEnders as Trevor Morgan from 2000 to 2002 was described as "Britain's most-hated soap villain". He also played the role of Rick Harper in the BBC Scotland soap opera River City between 2017 and 2018. For his performance as coal miner Andrei Glukhov in the 2019 miniseries Chernobyl he received a BAFTA Scotland Award.

Contents

Early life and education

Alex Ferns is the oldest of three children of his family, who left Scotland for South Africa, when Ferns was eleven years old. [1] The family took up residence in Secunda, where Ferns' father worked as an electrician during the construction of a power plant. [1] After he finished school, he joined the South African Defence Force and fought in Angola between 1987 and 1989. [1] Afterward he studied drama at the University of Cape Town. [2] In the mid 1990s, he moved back to the United Kingdom and started his career in acting.

Career

Ferns made an appearance in The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) before various television roles, including Trevor Morgan in the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2000 to 2002, for which he won the British Soap Award for Best Newcomer. [3] In 2005, Ferns played Lieutenant Gordon in the highly acclaimed trilingual film Joyeux Noël , which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars, Golden Globe Awards and the BAFTAs.

In 2003, Ferns appeared as Draco Malfoy in a Harry Potter sketch for Comic Relief . In 2004, he played Commander Martin Brooke, the lead role, in the short-lived ITV series Making Waves. In the same year he appeared in Man Dancin' , a Festival Film & TV production, which won a number of awards on the festival circuit, including Outstanding Original Screenplay at the Sacramento Film Festival. He has also appeared on Coronation Street .[ citation needed ] He has also appeared in the 2006 film Shadow Man , as Schmitt, also starring Steven Seagal.

His theatrical work includes the role of the "tapeworm" (a hallucination) in I.D. , a play about Dimitri Tsafendas and his assassination of South African Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd, the 2008 national tour of Agatha Christie's murder mystery And Then There Were None , and Little Shop of Horrors as the Dentist. In 2011, he took the role of Scottish gangster Jimmy Boyle in the play about his life, The Hardman, during a Scottish tour to positive reviews. [4]

He also made a brief appearance in a Smirnoff Vodka advert in 2009.[ citation needed ]

Ferns took part in television series Celebrity Coach Trip , partnered with friend Ricky Groves. [5] He starred as Luther in the 2011 London revival and subsequent UK tour of South Pacific .

In 2013, he starred as Lee in True West at Glasgow's Citizen's Theatre. In 2014, he starred in 24: Live Another Day . In 2016, Ferns starred in ITV's Vera series 6 episode 4 ("The Sea Glass") as Michael Quinn. He also appeared in the BBC's Wallander series 4 episode 1 ("The White Lioness") as Axel Hedeman.

He portrayed the leader of Tula coal miners Andrei Glukhov in the HBO 2019 miniseries Chernobyl . For this performance, he received a BAFTA Scotland Award for Best Actor in Television. [6]

Ferns appeared in Netflix's The Irregulars (2021) as Vic Collins. He portrayed Gotham Police Commissioner Pete Savage in the superhero film The Batman (2022). Also in 2022, he appeared in the Disney+ series Andor as Sergeant Linus Mosk.

In 2024, Ferns appeared as Aaron Moy in the BBC One thriller series Nightsleeper . [7] [8]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1996 The Ghost and the Darkness Stockton
2003 Man Dancin' Jimmy Kerrigan
2005 Joyeux Noël Lieutenant Gordon
2009 Farewell Scottish Agent
2014True WestLee
2015Caring for the Recently DeceasedSolicitorShort
Legend McLean
2016 Hot Property J.P. De Cock
The Legend of Tarzan Force Publique Officer
2017Baby MineMikeShort
Romans JoReleased as Retaliation in the U.S.
2020 Knuckledust Major Vaughn
2021 Wrath of Man John (Sticky John)
2022 The Batman Commissioner Pete Savage
2024 Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Mikael

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1993GenerationsTV series
1996 Rhodes John GrimmerMiniseries, 6 episodes
1997 Tarzan: The Epic Adventures Jimmy Dorgo1 episode
Black Velvet BandMajor WatsonTV film
1998 The Bill Johno1 episode
1999 Psychos PolicemanMiniseries, 1 episode
Taggart Lenny Kerr1 episode
2000 Britannic Stoker EvansTV film
Holby City Stuart1 episode
Doctors Dan Thomas1 episode
2000–2002 EastEnders Trevor Morgan 119 episodes
2001 Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) Mad Alex1 episode
2001–2002De 9 dagen van de gierBrianTV series
2004 Making Waves Commander Martin BrookeMain role, 6 episodes
2006Dream Team 80'sAl MackayMiniseries, 2 episodes
Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire Mark Antony Miniseries, 1 episode
2007 M.I. High General Scarp1 episode
Casualty Tom Dart1 episode
2014 The Widower DCI Neil ThompsonMiniseries, 2 episodes
24: Live Another Day RadkoMiniseries, 1 episode
The Passing Bells David EdwardsMiniseries, 3 episodes
2015 The Coroner Nolan Prince1 episode
Wallander Axel Hedeman1 episode
2016 Vera Michael Quinn1 episode
Wolfblood AlistairRecurring role, 6 episodes
2017 Taboo Hall1 episode
2017–2018 River City Rick HarperRecurring role, 9 episodes
2019 Chernobyl Andrei GlukhovMiniseries, 1 episode
2020 Barkskins Gay Bill4 episodes
2021 The Irregulars Vic Collins4 episodes
Danny Boy Gavin WoodTV film
2022 Andor Sergeant Linus Mosk5 episodes
The Devil's Hour DS Nick HolnessMiniseries, 5 episodes
2023 Six Four Gordon Byrne3 episodes
2024 Nightsleeper Aaron Moy6 episodes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ross Kemp</span> English actor, journalist (b. 1964)

Ross James Kemp is an English actor, author, and television presenter. He rose to prominence in the role of Grant Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. He is also known for his other roles in Emmerdale as Graham Lodsworth and in Birds of a Feather as Detective Inspector Monk. Kemp has received international recognition as a reporter for presenting the BAFTA Award-winning documentary television series Ross Kemp on Gangs (2004–2009).

Alex Michael Jennings is an English actor of the stage and screen, who worked extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre. For his work on the London stage, Jennings received three Olivier Awards, winning for Too Clever by Half (1988), Peer Gynt (1996), and My Fair Lady (2003). He is the only performer to have won Olivier awards in the drama, musical, and comedy categories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keeley Hawes</span> English actress (born 1976)

Clare Julia Hawes, known professionally as Keeley Hawes, is an English actress. After beginning her career in a number of literary adaptations, including Our Mutual Friend (1998) and Tipping the Velvet (2002), Hawes rose to fame for her portrayal of Zoe Reynolds in the BBC series Spooks (2002–2004), followed by her co-lead performance as DI Alex Drake in Ashes to Ashes (2008–2010). She is also known for her roles in Jed Mercurio's Line of Duty as DI Lindsay Denton (2014–2016) and in BBC One drama Bodyguard (2018), in which she played Home Secretary Julia Montague.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matthew Macfadyen</span> English actor (born 1974)

David Matthew Macfadyen is an English actor. Known for his performances on stage and screen, he gained prominence for his role as Mr. Darcy in Joe Wright's Pride & Prejudice (2005). He gained wider recognition for playing Tom Wambsgans in the HBO drama series Succession (2018–2023), for which he received two consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards, two BAFTA Television Awards, and a Golden Globe Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Richardson</span> Scottish actor (1934–2007)

Ian William Richardson was a British actor from Edinburgh, Scotland. He was best known for his portrayal of machiavellian Tory politician Francis Urquhart in the BBC's House of Cards (1990–1995) television trilogy, as well as the pivotal spy Bill Haydon in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979). Other notable screen work included a portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in two films, as well as significant roles in Brazil, M. Butterfly, and Dark City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jared Harris</span> British/Irish actor

Jared Francis Harris is a British actor. His roles include Lane Pryce in the drama series Mad Men (2009–2012), for which he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series; King George VI in the historical drama series The Crown (2016–2017); and Valery Legasov in the miniseries Chernobyl (2019), for which he won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor and was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Compston</span> Scottish actor

Martin Compston is a Scottish actor and former professional footballer. He played Anti-Corruption Unit Detective Inspector Steve Arnott in the BBC drama Line of Duty, Liam in Ken Loach's Sweet Sixteen, Paul Ferris in The Wee Man, Ewan Brodie in Monarch of the Glen and Dan Docherty in The Nest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Simm</span> English musician and actor (born 1970)

John Ronald Simm is an English actor, director, and musician. He is best known for playing Sam Tyler in Life on Mars, the Master in Doctor Who, and DS Roy Grace in Grace. His other television credits include State of Play, The Lakes, Crime and Punishment, Exile, Prey, and Cracker. His film roles include Wonderland, Everyday, Boston Kickout, Human Traffic and 24 Hour Party People. He has twice been nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor and the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Stott</span> Scottish stage, television and film actor

Kenneth Campbell Stott is a Scottish stage, television and film actor who won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in 1995 in the play Broken Glass at Royal National Theatre. He portrayed the dwarf Balin in The Hobbit film trilogy (2012–2014).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ralph Ineson</span> English actor and narrator

Ralph Michael Ineson is an English actor and narrator. Known for his deep and rough Yorkshire accented voice, he rose to fame as Chris Finch in the BBC sitcom The Office (2001).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Mullan</span> Scottish actor and filmmaker (born 1959)

Peter Mullan is a Scottish actor and filmmaker. His credits include Riff-Raff (1991), Shallow Grave (1994), Braveheart (1995), Trainspotting (1996), My Name Is Joe (1998), The Claim (2000), Neds (2010), War Horse (2011), The Fixer (2008), Top of the Lake (2013), Mum (2016-2019), Ozark (2017-2018), Westworld (2018-2020), Cursed (2020), The North Water (2021), The Underground Railroad, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022), After the Party (2023), and Baghead (2023).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Douglas Henshall</span> Scottish actor (born 1965)

Douglas “Dougie” James Henshall is a Scottish television, film and stage actor. He is best known for his roles as Professor Nick Cutter in the science fiction series Primeval (2007–2011) and Detective Inspector Jimmy Pérez in the crime drama Shetland (2013–2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Mangan</span> English actor (born 1968)

Stephen James Mangan is an English actor, comedian, presenter and writer. He has played Guy Secretan in Green Wing, Dan Moody in I'm Alan Partridge, Seán Lincoln in Episodes, Bigwig in Watership Down, Postman Pat in Postman Pat: The Movie, Richard Pitt in Hang Ups, Andrew in Bliss (2018), and Nathan Stern in The Split (2018–2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jenna Coleman</span> English actress (born 1986)

Jenna-Louise Coleman is an English actress. She began her television career by playing Jasmine Thomas in the soap opera Emmerdale from 2005 to 2009, followed by a recurring role in the BBC school-based drama series Waterloo Road (2009). She made her film debut with a small role in the American superhero film Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), and made appearances on diverse British period miniseries, including Titanic (2012), and Death Comes to Pemberley (2013).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wunmi Mosaku</span> British-Nigerian actress (born 1986)

Oluwunmi Mosaku is a Nigerian-born British actress. She is known for her roles as Joy in the BBC Two miniseries Moses Jones (2009) and Holly Lawson in the ITV series Vera (2011–2012). She won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Gloria Taylor in the TV film Damilola, Our Loved Boy (2016). In 2019, she starred in the fifth series of Luther. In 2020, she starred as Ruby Baptiste in HBO's Lovecraft Country, and starting in 2021, starred as Hunter B-15 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) television series Loki, and reprised the role in the 2024 film Deadpool & Wolverine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robbie Coltrane</span> Scottish actor (1950–2022)

Anthony Robert McMillan, known professionally as Robbie Coltrane, was a Scottish actor. He gained worldwide recognition in the 2000s for playing Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter film series. He was appointed an OBE in the 2006 New Year Honours by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to drama. In 1990, Coltrane received the Evening Standard British Film Award – Peter Sellers Award for Comedy. In 2011, he was honoured for his "outstanding contribution" to film at the British Academy Scotland Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monica Dolan</span> English actress (born 1969)

Monica Margaret Dolan is an English actress. She won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing Rosemary West in Appropriate Adult (2011).

Alexandra Elizabeth Roach is a Welsh actress best known for her roles as Becky in Utopia and DS Joy Freers in No Offence. She has also made appearances in series including Being Human, Inside No. 9, Black Mirror and Killing Eve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Callum Turner</span> British actor (born 1990)

Callum Robilliard Turner is a British actor. After beginning a career as a fashion model, he began working in film and television. Turner has been nominated for a British Academy Television Award for Best Actor and named as a Breakthrough Brit by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amir El-Masry</span> British-Egyptian actor (born 1990)

Amir El-Masry is an Egyptian-British actor. He won a Scottish BAFTA for his performance in the film Limbo (2020) and was nominated for a British Independent Film Award. He was named a 2020 BAFTA Breakthrough Brit and a 2021 Screen International Star of Tomorrow.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Susan Swarbrick: EastEnders' Alex Ferns on leaving River City and his Lennoxtown thriller . In: heraldscotland.com, 13 January 2018.
  2. ↑ Alex Ferns . In: apm.co.za, access date 22 July 2022.
  3. ↑ Welsh, James. "British Soap Awards 2002: Nominations". Digital Spy . Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  4. ↑ Fisher, Mark (4 April 2011). "The Hard Man – review". The Guardian.
  5. ↑ Alex Fletcher (16 September 2010). "Celebrity 'Coach Trip' lineup revealed". Digital Spy .
  6. ↑ Scotland: Actor – Television in 2019 . In: awards.bafta.org, access date 22 July 2022.
  7. ↑ Craig, David (13 September 2024). "Meet the cast of Nightsleeper". Radio Times. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  8. ↑ Hepburn, David (15 September 2024). "Nightsleeper television review: The most exciting thing to ever happen on a train from Glasgow to Motherwell". The Scotsman. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.