Alun Armstrong

Alun Armstrong, born Alan Armstrong in 1946, is a renowned English character actor. Born in Annfield Plain, County Durham, he spent his childhood in North East England and developed a profound interest in acting through Shakespeare productions conducted at his grammar school. Over a career spanning from the early '70s till today, he has skilfully portrayed a wide range of characters, from the grotesque to musicals, often in vibrant, somewhat eccentric roles. His notable work includes numerous Charles Dickens adaptations and his popular role as Brian Lane, the eccentric ex-detective in the series, New Tricks. An accomplished stage actor, Armstrong spent nine years with the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company. He is famously renowned for originating the role of Thénardier in the London production of Les Misérables, a performance that brought him widespread recognition. He also achieved an Olivier Award for his title role in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Armstrong combined his direction-interest with love for acting, with an in-depth involvement in developing his character Thénardier in Les Misérables.

Film and television aside, Armstrong has successfully carried out several theatre productions. Early in his career, he played Billy Spencer in David Storey's play The Changing Room at the Royal Court Theatre. He was affiliated with the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1979 to 1988, with significant roles in various productions like Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing and Azdak in The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Armstrong's stage work in productions of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, The Tempest, and The Taming of the Shrew received wide appreciation. Armstrong's portrayal of Sweeney Todd in the 1993 London revival of the musical at the National Theatre won him the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Off-stage, Armstrong, father of three sons with wife Sue, one of whom is actor Joe Armstrong, has been a pillar of support to the arts. In acknowledgment of his contributions to the arts, he was awarded two honorary degrees - an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of East Anglia and an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from the University of Sunderland.