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Richard Armitage

Career

Born in Leicester, he went to Huncote Primary School in Huncote[citation needed], later Brockington College in Enderby and then Pattison College in Coventry, and then studied acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). At 17 he joined a circus in Budapest for 6 weeks to gain his Equity Card. His first major role was in the BBC drama Sparkhouse (2002). After a variety of supporting roles in the TV productions of Between the Sheets, Cold Feet (series 5), and Ultimate Force (Series 2), he landed his first leading role, that of John Thornton in the BBC drama North and South based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell.

In 2005, he was seen in Macbeth, part of the BBC's ShakespeaRe-Told series. He starred in the BBC's The Impressionists, in which he played the young Claude Monet, and as Dr Alec Track in ITV's The Golden Hour.

He has appeared on stage in Royal Shakespeare Company productions and also in various musicals, including Cats as Admetus and Macavity.

In 2006 Armitage took on the major role of Sir Guy of Gisborne in the BBC series Robin Hood. He also appeared in a two-part Christmas special of The Vicar of Dibley, as Harry Kennedy the vicar's new love interest (and eventual husband).

On 8 April 2007 he starred in George Gently, a detective drama, with Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby. Armitage played biker Ricky Deeming.

On 9 May 2007, he appeared in the BBC Four production of Miss Marie Lloyd - Queen of The Music Hall. playing Marie Lloyd's first husband, Percy Courtenay. Also, he also appeared in the Granada TV production of Agatha Christie's novel Ordeal by Innocence as the character Philip Durrant.

Armitage joined the cast of Spooks for series 7 which began on 27 October 2008 in the UK, as the character Lucas North.

He is involved in producing a drama based on the life of Richard III.

On playing Gisborne, who kills Maid Marian, he said, "Guy is a dream part and I can't wait to start filming the third series in Hungary in May. But it will be weird without Lucy [Griffiths]. To kill the woman you love is a very hard part to play. I questioned the writers, and I'm still not sure I agree with it."

Series 3 of Robin Hood started on 28 March 2009. His character, Guy of Gisbourne, was killed off in the last episode.

In March 2009 he began filming for Series 8 of Spooks, due to be aired in the Autumn.

On 20 May 2009, he appeared in the BBC1 drama Moving On as John Mulligan.