Owen Brenman

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Owen Brenman
Owen Brenman.png
Brenman in "Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean" (1992)
Born (1956-12-17) 17 December 1956 (age 68)
London, England
Education University College School
Alma mater
OccupationActor
Years active1983–present
Television Doctors
Love Soup
One Foot in the Grave
Woof!
SpouseJackie Brenman (until 2020)
Children2
Website owenbrenman.com

Owen Brenman (born 17 December 1956) is an English actor, known for his roles as Nick Swainey in the BBC sitcom One Foot in the Grave and Heston Carter in the BBC drama series Doctors . [1]

Contents

Early and personal life

Brenman was educated at University College School, an independent day school for boys in Hampstead in north west London, followed by the University of Birmingham, where he obtained a BA (Hons) degree in Drama, and the Webber Douglas School of Singing and Dramatic Art, now known as the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. [2]

Brenman was married to wife Jackie Brenman until 2020, when she died of cancer. [3] The pair met on Valentine's day in 1984 when he approached her in a bar and went on to have two sons together. [3]

Career

In addition to One Foot in the Grave, Brenman also played Lloyd Drewitt in two series of David Renwick's BBC dramedy Love Soup (2005–8). He also starred in People Like Us , three series of the children's television series Woof! , and three series of Alexei Sayle's Stuff . He played Mark Thatcher opposite John Wells and Angela Thorne in the political sitcom Dunrulin'. [4]

On the London stage Brenman played Theo in the 2006 European premiere of Steve Martin's The Underpants at the Old Red Lion Theatre - a reworking of Carl Sternheim's 1911 satirical comedy, Die Hose . [5] Brenman also played Ian in the football comedy An Evening with Gary Lineker at the Duchess Theatre, and Tariq Ali's and Howard Brenton's New Labour satire Ugly Rumours (Tricycle Theatre), The Ghost Train (Lyric Hammersmith Theatre), C4 Sitcom Festival (Riverside Theatre) which resulted in the C4 comedy series In Exile and a rarely performed Ionesco play, Journeys Among The Dead (Riverside Theatre).

Outside London, Brenman played Felix in Elly Brewer's and Sandi Toksvig’s Shakespeare deconstruction The Pocket Dream (York Theatre Royal), Brian in Terry Johnson's Dead Funny (Nottingham Playhouse), toured with Butterflies Are Free , appeared in The Winslow Boy and The Trial of Lady Chatterley (Nottingham Playhouse) and Richard Hope's black comedy about serial killers and the press, Good Copy, in which he played a paedophile priest opposite Robert Bathurst's prostitute murderer (West Yorkshire Playhouse).

In 2008, Brenman completed a UK tour, with Richard Wilson, of Steve Thompson’s political comedy Whipping It Up [6] and featured in a new series of Doctor Who for BBC Radio 7. He played Heston Carter in BBC television series Doctors from 2008 to 2018.

He was nominated for Best Actor at the 2010, 2011 and 2016 British Soap Awards. [7]

Filmography

Films

YearFilmRoleNotes
2001 The Martins Teacher
2000 One of the Hollywood Ten Dalton Trumbo
1983 The Jigsaw Man Policeman

Television

YearTV ShowRoleNotes
2024 Father Brown Lord St John Sprockett1 episode: The Hermit of Hazelnut Cottage
2023 Sister Boniface Mysteries Captain Pargiter1 episode : Stage Fright
2008–2018 Doctors Heston Carter 1,234 episodes
2010Decade of Doctors Himself3 episodes: Behind the Scenes / Amazing Facts / Storylines
2009 The British Soap Awards Himself - Audience Member
2008Filthy RichJames Stewart
2005–2008 Love Soup Lloyd Drewitt8 episodes
2007 Comedy Connections Himself1 episode : One Foot in the Grave
2005 Bremner, Bird and Fortune Climate Adviser1 episode : Episode #7.2
Absolute Power Anthony Dewson1 episode: The Trial
2004 Casualty Brian Wallace1 episode : Who Cares?
2003 Doctors Adam Cardwell1 episode : Doppelgänger
My Family Headmaster1 episode : Loco Parentis
2001–2002 Oscar Charlie Alan Spinner13 episodes
1990–2000 One Foot in the Grave Nick Swainey15 episodes
2000 Fat Friends Harvey Lipman1 episode: When the Fat Lady Sings
The Peter Principle Victor1 episode: Desperately Seeking Susan
1999 People Like Us Graham Broadbent1 episode : The Solicitor
1998 Drop the Dead Donkey Sally 11 episode: A Bit of an Atmosphere
In Exile Bishop6 episodes
1997 Heartbeat Lester1 episode: What the Butler Saw
UnderworldHeadmaster3 episodes: Episode #1.1 / Episode #1.3 /Episode #1.4
Sharpe Witherspoon1 episode: Sharpe's Waterloo
1996 Dangerfield Wills1 episode: "Eden"
Paul Merton in Galton and Simpson's Englishman/actor (voice)1 episode: The Radio Ham
1993–1995 Woof! Mr Thomas24 episodes
1995 Health and Efficiency Mr. Lester1 episode: Finders Keepers
1992 Mr. Bean Store Clerk1 episode: Merry Christmas Mr. Bean
Perfect ScoundrelsAlan Reynolds1 episode: Dirty Tricks
1988–1991 Alexei Sayle's Stuff Actor / Various Roles13 episodes
1991 2point4 Children Yuppy1 episode: Leader of the Pack
The Les Dennis Laughter ShowActor1 episode: Episode #5.6
The Bill Dighton1 episode: With Intent
The Upper Hand Actor1 episode: And the Winner Is...
About Face Chris1 episode: Briefcase Encounter
1990 Birds of a Feather The Snatcher1 episode: Sweet Smell Of Success
1988 The Bill Solicitor1 episode: The Assassins
1987–1988 'Allo 'Allo! Guard / London Calling (voice) / Kingfisher (voice) / French' Radio Voice (voice)4 episodes
1987 No Place Like Home Barman1 episode: Fortyfying the Over
1986 Screen Two Actor1 episode: "Honest, Decent and True"
1984 Spitting Image Writer (written by)Episode #1.6
1983 Sweet Sixteen Youth1 episode:Episode #1.3
The Nation's Health Orthopaedic S.H.O1 episode: Chronic

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References

  1. BBC – Drama – Doctors – Actors – Owen Brenman
  2. Owen Brenman. "Owen Brenman - Acting CV". Owen Brenman. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Chicken Soap for the Soul with Guest Owen Brenman (Dr Heston Carter)". Spotify . Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  4. "Brenman | Diamond Management | Artist Representation and Management". Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  5. Theatre review: The Underpants at Old Red Lion
  6. Whipping It Up (From Wiltshire Times)
  7. "Owen Brenman Nominated for Best Actor at the Soap Awards | Diamond Management | Artist Representation and Management". Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2014.