Rupert Vansittart

Last updated

Rupert Vansittart
Rupert Vansittart by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Vansittart in July 2017
Born
Rupert Nicholas Vansittart

(1958-02-10) 10 February 1958 (age 66)
Cranleigh, England
Alma mater Central School of Speech and Drama
OccupationActor
Spouse
Emma Kate Watson
(m. 1987)
Children2

Rupert Nicholas Vansittart (born 10 February 1958) is an English character actor. He has appeared in a variety of roles in film, television, stage and radio, often playing comic characters. He is best known for his role as Lord Ashfordly in the ITV drama Heartbeat and for playing Lord Yohn Royce in the HBO series Game of Thrones (2014–2019).

Contents

Early life and education

Vansittart was raised in Cranleigh, Surrey, [1] and is of partial Dutch ancestry. He trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama.

Career

Vansittart started his acting career in an episode of Bulman in 1985. [1] In 1995, he starred in the serial Pride and Prejudice , [1] as Mr Hurst, the brother-in-law of Charles and Caroline Bingley. He has also worked with Rowan Atkinson on a number of occasions, appearing as a guest star in two episodes of Mr. Bean in addition to The Thin Blue Line , [2] and Johnny English Reborn . [2]

In 1993, he appeared in Remains of the Day as Sir Geoffrey Wren, a character based on the 1930s British fascist Sir Oswald Mosley. [2] In 1994, he appeared in the film Braveheart as Lord Bottoms. [1] He worked in Four Weddings and a Funeral , [1] as George the Boor at the Boatman in 1995. [3]

In 2002, he appeared in the Midsomer Murders episode "Market for Murder". [1] He also portrayed General Asquith in the Doctor Who episodes "Aliens of London" and "World War Three". [2] In 2003, he appeared in the West End adaptation of Arsenic and Old Lace . In 2006, Vansittart portrayed Thomas J. Dodd in the BBC three-part drama documentary Nuremberg: Nazis on Trial . [2] In 2007, he appeared in another episode of Midsomer Murders, "The Axeman Cometh". He also appeared in the 2008 BBC serial Spartacus as Consul Lentulus. [2]

In 2009, he was asked to play Peter Morrison in Margaret . Two years later in the critically acclaimed The Iron Lady with Meryl Streep he played Cabinet minister John Biffen. [4] He has also played political characters on stage: in 2014 he was one of the main actors in the cast of Great Britain at the National Theatre. [5]

2009 also saw his third appearance in Midsomer Murders, in the episode "The Dogleg Murders". [1] In 2010, he appeared in Doctors as Anthony Chippington, a friend of Charlie's. He played Harrison Ashton Lard, the "posh girl's father", in How Not to Live Your Life . He provided additional voice-over for World's Craziest Fools . He appeared in the final two seasons of Foyle's War as Sir Alec Myerson, the title character's boss at MI5. [1] Vansittart also appeared in the BBC Three comedy Bad Education, playing Mr. Humpage. [2] In 2014, Vansittart started playing Lord Yohn Royce in the HBO series Game of Thrones , [1] making recurring appearances in season 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. [1] In 2016, he appears in the BBC TV series Father Brown as Arthur Le Broc in episode 4.7 "The Missing Man". [2] In January 2016, he played Peter Jennings in an episode of the BBC series Casualty . [2]

Personal life

Vansittart has been married to Emma Kate, daughter of the actors Moray Watson and Pamela Marmont, since 1987. [1] They have two children. When Emma Watson was cast for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone , Emma Kate Watson changed her name to Emma Vansittart, adopting her husband's surname as her new stage name, to avoid being confused with the young actress. [6]

Theatre

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1985 Plenty Client's Asst.
1986 Half Moon Street Alan Platts-Williams
1987 Eat the Rich Rupert
1988 Buster Fairclough
1993 The Remains of the Day Sir Geoffrey Wren
1994 Four Weddings and a Funeral George the boor at The Boatman - Wedding One
1995 Braveheart Lord Bottoms
Cutthroat Island Captain Perkins
1997 Diana & Me Chef
1998 Monk Dawson Fr Timothy
2000 Kevin & Perry Go Large Bank Manager
2008 The Bank Job Sir Leonard Plugge
2011 Johnny English Reborn Derek
The Iron Lady Cabinet Minister
2013 Austenland Mr. Wattlesbrook
2016 A United Kingdom Sir Ian Fraser
2017 The Children Act Sherwood Runcie
2020 Misbehaviour Lord Bly

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1985 Bulman Jack1 episode
1986 The Comic Strip Presents... Jeremy1 episode
1988; 1989 Wish Me Luck Guard in Factory / German Soldier at Station2 episodes
1989 The Saint: The Brazilian Connection WyattTelevision film
1990; 1991 The Piglet Files Zemskov / KGB Officer2 episodes
1992-2009 Heartbeat Lord AshfordlyMain role, 75 episodes
1993 Love Hurts Richard Hollis1 episode
1993 Chef! Diner1 episode
1993 Frank Stubbs Promotes Businessman1 episode
1994; 1995 Mr. Bean Police Officer / Guardsman2 episodes
1995 Pride and Prejudice Mr HurstMiniseries, 4 episodes
1995 The Thin Blue Line Commander Crow1 episode
1996 Wilderness JeremyMiniseries, 2 episodes
1997 Supply & Demand Police PersonnelTelevision film
1997 Noah's Ark Mark Villiers1 episode
1997 A Dance to the Music of Time SoperMiniseries, 1 episode
1997 Painted Lady Henry FellowsTelevision film
1998 Berkeley Square Lord Percy WiltonMiniseries, 2 episodes
1998 Vanity Fair SmithMiniseries, 1 episode
1998; 2014 Birds of a Feather Counsel / Wayne2 episodes
1999 CI5: The New Professionals Chairman1 episode
2000 The Bill Solicitor1 episode
2000 Harry Enfield's Brand Spanking New Show Various2 episodes
2000 Black Books Rich Guy1 episode
2000 Take a Girl Like You Headmaster2 episodes
2000; 2001 My Family Mr. Davis / Mr. Quince2 episodes
2001 Sword of Honour Commander-in-ChiefTelevision film
2001 Sam's Game Robert1 episode
2001 Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) Brian Babbacombe1 episode
2001 The Way We Live Now Sir Damask MonogramMiniseries, 1 episode
2002 The Falklands Play Sir Robert ArmstrongTelevision film
2002; 2007; 2009 Midsomer Murders Alistair Kingslake / Desmond Harcourt / Selwyn Proctor3 episodes
2003-2004 My Dad's the Prime Minister ChancellorRecurring role, 8 episodes
2004 The Brief PrettymanMiniseries, 1 episode
2004 Roman Road FarmerTelevision film
2005 Twisted Tales Dr. Mantle1 episode
2005 Doctor Who General Asquith2 episodes
2005 Wallis & Edward Chief WhipTelevision film
2006 Nuremberg: Nazis on Trial Thomas J. Dodd Miniseries, 2 episodes
2007 Hustle Jonathan Mortimer-Howe1 episode
2007 Sensitive Skin Interview Guest1 episode, uncredited
2008 Heroes and Villains Lentulus 1 episode
2009 Margaret Peter MorrisonTelevision film
2010 How Not to Live Your Life Harrison1 episode
2010 Any Human Heart The EarlMiniseries, 2 episodes
2010; 2012; 2014 Doctors Benedict 'Bennie' Harley / Mr. Graham Fitch / Anthony Chippington3 episodes
2011 Comedy Showcase Headmaster1 episode
2011 Holy Flying Circus Bernard Barnard QCTelevision film
2012 The Royal Bodyguard Roderick FinchMiniseries, 1 episode
2012 Bad Education Mr. Humpage1 episode
2013-2015 Foyle's War Sir Alec MeyersonRecurring role, 5 episodes
2014 The Midnight Beast Headmaster1 episode
2014 Death in Paradise Colin Campbell1 episode
2014-2019 Game of Thrones Yohn Royce Recurring role, 13 episodes
2015 Chewing Gum Big Boss1 episode
2015 Versailles Throckmorton2 episodes
2016 Father Brown Arthur Le Broc1 episode
2016; 2021 Casualty Peter Jennings/Kenneth Stair2 episodes
2016 Plebs Tarquin1 episode
2016 Tutankhamun Flinders Petrie Miniseries, 1 episode
2017 King Charles III Sir MatthewTelevision film
2017 Outlander Lord William Dunsany1 episode
2017-2022 Doc Martin Professor Langan2 episodes
2019-2022 Gentleman Jack Charles LawtonRecurring role, 6 episodes
2019 Four Weddings and a Funeral GeorgeMiniseries, 2 episodes
2019 The Crown Cecil Harmsworth King 1 episode
2020 Spy City Ian Stuart-HayMiniseries, 4 episodes
2021-2023 The Nevers Lord BroughtonRecurring role, 5 episodes
2022 Bridgerton Mr. Brookes1 episode
2022 Andor Chief Hyne2 episodes
2022 The Larkins Dean1 episode
2023 The Diplomat Hoope2 episodes
2023 The Chelsea Detective Patrick Blythe1 episode
2023 Sister Boniface Mysteries Sir Swinton Usher1 episode
2024 Belgravia: The Next Chapter Lord NetherburyMiniseries, 4 episodes
TBA Amadeus Upcoming miniseries

Video games

YearTitleVoice roleNotes
2019 Du Lac & Fey: Dance of Death John Waldron

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Broadbent</span> British actor (born 1949)

James Broadbent is an English actor. A graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 1972, he came to prominence as a character actor for his many roles in film and television. He has received various accolades including an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, an International Emmy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards as well as nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Grammy Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Baker (British actor)</span> English actor and writer (1931–2011)

George Morris Baker, MBE was an English actor and writer. He was best known for portraying Tiberius in I, Claudius, and Inspector Wexford in The Ruth Rendell Mysteries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Nettles</span> English actor

John Vivian Drummond Nettles, OBE is an English actor and author. He is best known for his starring roles as detectives in the crime drama television series Bergerac (1981–1991) in the title role, and Midsomer Murders (1997–2011) as Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby. He has also narrated several television series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Henshaw</span> English actor

John Joseph Henshaw is an English actor, best known for his roles as Ken Dixon the landlord in Early Doors, Wilf Bradshaw in Born and Bred and PC Roy Bramwell in The Cops. Often associated with characters who are "hard men", he played John Prescott in the 2007 ITV drama Confessions of a Diary Secretary.

Francis Bernard Heptonstall better known by the stage name Bernard Hepton, was an English theatre director and actor. He is known for his stage work and television roles in teleplays and series, he also appeared briefly on radio and in film.

Elizabeth Jean Spriggs was an English character actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Kelly</span> British actor (1943–2014)

Roger Michael Kelly, known by the stage name Sam Kelly, was an English actor who appeared in film, television, radio and theatre. He is best known for his roles as Captain Hans Geering in 'Allo 'Allo!, Warren in Porridge, Sam in On the Up, and Ted Liversidge in Barbara.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haydn Gwynne</span> British actress (1957–2023)

Haydn Gwynne was an English actress. She was nominated for the 1992 BAFTA TV Award for Best Light Entertainment Performance for the comedy series Drop the Dead Donkey (1990–1991), and won the 2009 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical. She was also a five-time Olivier Award nominee, winning her first posthumously in 2024. Her other television roles included Peak Practice (1999–2000), Merseybeat (2001–2002), and playing Camilla in The Windsors from 2016 until her death in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angela Thorne</span> English actress (1939–2023)

Angela Margaret Leslie Thorne was an English actress of stage, television and film having performed roles in World in Ferment (1969), Get Some In! (1976), The Good Life (1977), Midsomer Murders, Foyle's War and Heartbeat, The BFG (1989) as the voice of the Queen, Three Up, Two Down and Lassie (2005).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Middlemass</span> English actor

Francis George Middlemass was an English actor, who even in his early career played older roles. He is best remembered for his television roles as Rocky Hardcastle in As Time Goes By, Algy Herries in To Serve Them All My Days and Dr. Alex Ferrenby in 20 episodes of Heartbeat. Middlemass was also active in the Royal Shakespeare Company and was the fourth and final actor to play Dan Archer in The Archers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guy Henry (actor)</span> English actor

Guy Henry is an English actor whose roles include Henrik Hanssen in Holby City, Pius Thicknesse in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and Part 2, Cassius in Rome and Grand Moff Tarkin in Rogue One.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Calder (actor)</span> British actor

David Ian Calder is an English actor. His film and television credits include The World Is Not Enough (1999), Crown Court, Boys from the Blackstuff, The Professionals, Enemy at the Door, Minder, Bergerac, The New Statesman, Between the Lines, Bramwell, Cracker, Dalziel and Pascoe, Heartbeat, Sleepers, Spooks, Midsomer Murders, Hustle, Waking the Dead, Wallis & Edward, A Touch of Frost, Cold Blood, Burn Up, Lewis and Houdini, United (2021), The Last Front (2024).

John Arthur Duttine is an English actor noted for his roles on stage, films and television. He is well known for his role as Sgt George Miller in Heartbeat and also Bill Masen in the TV series The Day of the Triffids.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry Jackson (actor)</span> English actor (1938–2013)

Barry Jackson was an English stage, film and television actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Shrapnel</span> British actor (1942-2020)

John Morley Shrapnel was an English actor. He is known mainly for his stage work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre in the United Kingdom and for his many television appearances. One of his well-known roles was Mr Skinner in the 1996 live-action film 101 Dalmatians.

Adrian Philip Scarborough is an English actor.

Simon Stephen Shepherd is an English actor best known to TV audiences from many appearances, including as Dr Will Preston in eight series of ITV's Peak Practice and Doctor Jonathan Barling in Casualty.

Ellie Haddington is a Scottish actress with a career in both TV and film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Ryall</span> English actor (1935-2014)

David John Ryall was an English stage, film and television character actor. He had leading roles in Lytton's Diary and Goodnight Sweetheart, as well as memorable roles in Dennis Potter's The Singing Detective and Andrew Davies's adaptation of To Play the King. He also portrayed Billy Buzzle in the ITV sitcom Bless Me, Father and Frank in the BBC sitcom Outnumbered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernard Gallagher</span> English actor

Bernard Gallagher was an English actor known for his stage work, including with the National Theatre and the Royal Court; and his many appearances in television soap operas and dramas. He was born in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Ian Molyneaux (10 February 2022). "ITV Heartbeat: Rupert Vansittart's 35-year marriage and why Harry Potter meant his wife had to change her name". mylondon.news.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Rupert Vansittart Credits". tvguide.com. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  3. Rupert Vansittart – Rotten Tomatoes
  4. Roya Nikkah (14 January 2012). "The Iron Lady: Thatcher's men deliver verdict on film". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  5. Anita Singh (25 June 2014). "Billie Piper to star as tabloid editor in National Theatre satire about press and prime minister". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  6. Richard Eden (22 April 2012). "Look Out! The original Emma Watson stages a comeback". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 May 2017.