Anecdotes

At 17, joined a circus in Budapest for six weeks to get his Equity card.

Was named after King Richard III, as he was born on the anniversary of the day the king was killed in battle.

Was the youngest actor to audition for the role of Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit.

He plays the cello, guitar, and flute.

Suffers from aquaphobia (specifically, fear of drowning) stemming from an incident in which his stroller fell into a neighbor's pond when he was a toddler. This has not stopped him from taking aqua aerobics classes to prepare for the role of Lee in Cold Feet, allowing himself to be water-boarded twice (In Spooks and Strike Back), swimming at least 50 laps a day to prepare for the role of Heinz Kruger in Captain America, and allowing himself to be submerged in a well for a considerable length of time while shooting an episode of Robin Hood.

He won the 2016 Saturn Award for his role as Francis Dolarhyde in Hannibal.

At age 14, he persuaded his parents to send him to a vocational school in Coventry where he could develop his musical talents.

Joined the Royal Shakespeare Company at age 28 for 18 months.

He was among the finalists for the role of Pennywise in It (2017) before Bill Skarsgard was cast.

Previous jobs include packing boxes in a warehouse, working at a laser gun place and taking front-of-house jobs in the theatre but continuing to go to drama classes.

Shot the BBC comedy, The Vicar of Dibley Christmas Special 2006 as Harry, Geraldine's love interest. These were the last two episodes of this popular series. (octobre 2006)

Nominated for an Olivier Best Actor Award for his role in The Crucible.

Nominated for WhatsOnStage Best Actor in a Play Award for his role in The Crucible.

To get into character as Lee, his role in Cold feet: Amours et petits bonheurs (1997), he took up aqua aerobics.

He was considered for the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016).

His parents are John, an engineer, and Margaret, a secretary. Coincidentally, he played the character John Thornton in North & South and his love interest was Margaret Hale.

Started acting career in musical theatre.

His role in The Great Red Dragon (2015) is almost entirely silent.

Filmed The Hobbit: Parts 1 and 2 in New Zealand. (mars 2011)

Filmed the BBC drama Robin Hood in Hungary, where he played Guy of Gisborne, the Sheriff of Nottingham's evil henchman. (mai 2006)

Shot Miss Marple and then returned to shooting Guy of Gisbourne in the second series of Robin Hood. (février 2007)

Shot Sky1 six-part series Strike Back in South Africa. (août 2009)

Is a fan of Damages (2007).

Shot the second series of Robin Hood, reprising his role as Guy of Gisbourne. (avril 2007)

Shot the third series of Robin Hood in Hungary. (juillet 2008)

Filmed some scenes of Spooks series seven in Moscow. (août 2008)

His older brother's name is Chris.

Completed filming the first episode of Inspector George Gently (2007). In "Gently Go Man" he played the character of Ricky, a Geordie biker. (décembre 2006)

Completed filming a two-part series called Malice Aforethought set in 1920s, where he played misogynist Bill Chatford. (novembre 2004)

Shot the seventh series of Spooks in London. (mars 2008)

Shot Marie Lloyd in the role of her first husband, Percy Courtenay. (février 2007)

Filmed Jimmy McGovern's new project Moving On (working title) in Liverpool. (décembre 2008)

Shot series eight of Spooks (MI5). (juillet 2009)

Shot the seventh series of Spooks in London. (février 2008)

Filmed series eight of Spooks in London. (avril 2009)

Shot series nine of Spooks (MI5). (février 2010)