Alun Armstrong
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1946-07-17
    • Born Place: Annfield Plain, County Durham, England, UK
  • Also Known As:

    Αλούν Άρμστρονγκ

Alun Armstrong

Alun Armstrong (born Alan Armstrong on July 17, 1946, in Annfield Plain, County Durham, England) is a highly respected and versatile English character actor known for his distinctive Northern accent and his compelling portrayal of "colourful characters, often a bit crazy, despotic, [or] psychotic." He made his screen debut in the 1971 crime thriller Get Carter alongside Michael Caine. Armstrong is instantly recognizable to British television audiences for his main role as the eccentric retired detective Brian Lane in the long-running BBC series New Tricks (2003–2015). A faithful interpreter of Charles Dickens, he has starred in numerous adaptations, including Daniel Peggotty in David Copperfield (1999) and Mr. Bucket in Bleak House (2005). On the international film stage, his credits include major roles in films such as Braveheart (1995), Sleepy Hollow (1999), The Mummy Returns (2001), and Van Helsing (2004). An accomplished stage actor, he spent nine years with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and is a major figure in musical theatre, having originated the role of Thénardier in the original 1985 London production of Les Misérables. He won an Olivier Award for his performance in Les Misérables, and another for the title role in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1994). He continues to act in both stage and screen roles, recently appearing in the comedy series Breeders and the upcoming 2025 film The Choral.

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