Richard Armitage is a well-known figure in British television, with a career spanning numerous movies and TV show episodes. From small roles and short appearances to leads or main supporting casting calls, he has showcased his versatility and acting skills. As a graduate of London’s Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), he is highly respected in the industry and has made significant contributions to the UK’s entertainment scene.
Biography of Richard Armitage – Early Career and Education
The present-day actor was born on August 22, 1971, in Leicester, England. Although his immediate family wasn’t all that artsy (his father was an engineer, and his mother was a secretary), Richard always seemed to have a penchant for the arts. At the age of 14, he persuaded his mother to let him attend Pattison College, a boarding school with a speciality in performance arts.
Richard Armitage’s journey in the entertainment industry began during his final school years, when he started acting in amateur productions. He then took a significant step by joining the Nachcircus in Budapest, Hungary, to earn his Equity Card and gain experience in the entertainment field. This detour led him to do musical theatre shows for 2-3 years, but in 1992, he decided to pursue his passion for acting more seriously and enrolled in LAMDA.
As the actor describes, he had felt a pull towards more serious acting. He “Needed to do something a bit more truthful than musical theatre.”.
Most Notable Roles in TV, Movies & Theatre
Let’s look at some of the most notable and best-remembered roles of Richard Armitage on both the small and big screens.
John Thornton in “North & South” (2004)
Richard Armitage’s portrayal of John Thornton in “North & South” (2004) was a defining moment in his career. Before that, he was only doing theatre plays and had small roles, but the BBC drama gave him a breakthrough.
A Younger Richard Armitage in BAFTA awards show, 2007.
In the historical drama, Leicesterian portrays a stern yet passionate mill owner. Thornton is a complex character that captivates the hearts of audiences and impresses critics, too. A leading role in the BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel highlights Armitage’s ability to make a deep and complex character believable. Although not an A-lister just yet, after North & South, Richard Armitage definitely put himself on the map of the UK’s entertainment world.
Thorin Oakenshield in “The Hobbit” Trilogy (2012-2014)
This was probably the role that provided Armitage with the most exposure. Playing the courageous and determined dwarf prince Thorin Oakenshield, Richard Armitage stuck in many people’s minds. As a complex and flawed character, the trilogy allowed the British actor to have his moments, highlighting the unique traits of this being.
Richard Armitage starred as Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug and The Battle of the Five Armies, directed by Peter Jackson. To this day, it’s atop the list of most notable roles that the actor has done.
Heinz Kruger in “Captain America: The First Avenger” (2011)
At almost the same time as his other Hollywood mega-blockbuster role, Richard Armitage starred in the first movie of the new superhero epic. In “Captain America: The First Avenger”, he stars as an evil and ruthless agent of Hydra. Whilst not a leading role, this portrayal of a villain helped him etch his name in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s history. The actor gave a memorable performance, even with limited screen time.
John Proctor in “The Crucible” (2014)
If you look at the list of Richard Armitage movies and TV shows, you can instantly see that he’s a very versatile pro of the stage. He has done drama, action and almost everything in between. However, if you remember, we mentioned that he moved away from musical theatre to do something that’s a bit more truthful. Well, this is probably why he has the most gravitas and success doing hard, dramatic roles.
The 2014 stage production of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” cannot be left unmentioned. It was praised by critics and theatre-goers all over the United Kingdom. Armitage’s intense performance as the tragic hero who grapples with guilt and integrity in the midst of the Salem witch trials was no short of spectacular.
Recent Work of Richard Armitage
Richard Armitage is still active on all fronts of the entertainment world. He still does theatre to some extent while mainly focusing on roles in TV and movies. Two notable roles we’d like to highlight include playing Joe Burkett in the thriller series Fool Me Once and Dr Matthew Nolan in Red Eye, both of which are of the same genre.
In Netflix’s series “Fool Me Once,” Armitage plays Joe Burkett. The plot is adapted from Harlan Coben’s novel. Joe Burkett is one of the main characters, entangled in a web of deception and secrets. The plot revolves around Maya, who is grieving her husband’s murder until she sees him on their nanny cam. Trust and betrayal lies and truths – all are questioned in this intricate storyline. As of Q1 2024, it was the 7th most-watched Netflix series in the English Language of all time. Some might say this could be one of Armitage’s biggest hits to date.
And now in the ITV series “Red Eye,” the actor stars as Dr. Matthew Nolan. He is a British doctor who, as becomes casual for Armitage’s roles, finds himself in a high-stakes conspiracy. He is extradited to China after being accused of murder in Beijing. The series follows Nolan’s desperate quest to clear his name and uncover the truth. Both shows are definitely worth watching.
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