Paul Copley
Paul is a long established and much respected British actor and voiceover artist. Born in Denby Dale, West Riding of Yorkshire, on 25th November 1944 he grew up beside a dairy farm. His father, Harold, was involved with local amateur dramatic productions, as were the rest of his family. He went to Penistone Grammar School, then the Northern Counties College of Education in Newcastle upon Tyne, where he received an Associate of the Drama Board (ADB) in Drama. He taught English and Drama in Walthamstow, before he joined the Leeds Playhouse Theatre-in-education Company in 1971. In 1976, Paul won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a New Play for his role in John Wilson's For King and Country. With many and varied roles to follow, Paul soon established himself as one of the UK's leading stage, film, television and radio actors. In 2011-2015 Paul gained worldwide recognition appearing in 16 episodes of the hugely popular television series Downton Abbey playing the popular role of farmer Mr Mason. Paul is married to the actress Natasha Pyne. They married in 1972, after both performing in a Leeds Playhouse production of Frank Wedekind's Lulu, adapted by Peter Barnes, directed by Bill Hays in 1971.
Known For
Credits
- 2025 ยทDownton Abbey 3as Albert Mason
- 2023 ยทTickeras Howard
- 2022 ยทDI Rayas Terry
- 2022 ยทDownton Abbey: A New Eraas Mason
- 2021 ยทThe Infectious Imagination of Henry Brambleas Great Uncle Geoffrey
- 2020 ยทEnola Holmesas Station Master
- 2020 ยทRopelessas Larry Windsor
- 2018 ยทOn the Edgeas Ray
- 2017 ยทBrokenas Joe Kerrigan
- 2016 ยทRegas
- 2016 ยทThe Nest Eggas
- 2015 ยทThe Sound of Music Live!as Franz
- 2015 ยทThe Coroneras John Roxwell
- 2015 ยทCode of a Killeras Sidney Jeffreys
- 2014 ยทInside No. 9as Ernie
- 2013 ยทFather Brownas Mr Feste
- 2013 ยทCarved with Love: The Genius of British Woodworkas Narrator
- 2012 ยทLast Tango in Halifaxas
- 2012 ยทLast Tango in Halifaxas Harry
- 2012 ยทFirst Encounter: King Learas King Lear
- 2012 ยทWhite Heatas Alan (present day)
- 2012 ยทCall the Midwifeas Tommy Smith
- 2011 ยทVeraas Malcolm Kenrich
- 2010 ยทDownton Abbeyas Mr. Mason
- 2009 ยทMoving Onas Ronnie
- 2008 ยทSurvivorsas Ted
- 2008 ยทInspector George Gentlyas
- 2007 ยทThe Shadow in the Northas Paton
- 2007 ยทKingdomas Vincent Straker
- 2006 ยทTorchwoodas Clement McDonald
- 2006 ยทThe Streetas
- 2006 ยทJohnny and the Bombas Sgt. Bourke
- 2006 ยทLife on Marsas Reg Cole
- 2005 ยทMarian, Againas Phillip Walsh
- 2005 ยทDead Man Wedsas Blind Man
- 2004 ยทNo Angelsas
- 2004 ยทNew Tricksas
- 2003 ยทThe Keyas
- 2003 ยทHow Clean Is Your House?as
- 2003 ยทHow Clean Is Your House?as Self - Narrator (voice)
- 2003 ยทBurn Itas Terry Grimshaw
- 2003 ยทThe Royalas Nesbitt
- 2003 ยทHornblower: Dutyas Matthews
- 2003 ยทHornblower: Loyaltyas Matthews
- 2002 ยทNice Guy Eddieas
- 2002 ยทThe Many Lives of Albert Walkeras Danny Peck
- 2001 ยทWaking the Deadas
- 2001 ยทWaking the Deadas Clifford Day
- 2001 ยทMessiahas Ian Fleet
- 2001 ยทHornblower: Retributionas Matthews
- 2001 ยทHornblower: Mutinyas Mathews
- 2001 ยทBlow Dryas Ken
- 2000 ยทClocking Offas
- 1999 ยทHornblower: The Frogs and the Lobstersas Mathews
- 1999 ยทHornblower: The Duchess and the Devilas Matthews
- 1999 ยทQueer as Folkas Roy Maloney
- 1998 ยทHornblower: The Examination for Lieutenantas Mathews
- 1998 ยทThe Worst Witchas Algernon Rowan-Webb
- 1998 ยทThe Worst Witchas Algernon Rowan Webb
- 1998 ยทHornbloweras Matthews
- 1998 ยทHornblower: The Even Chanceas Matthews
- 1998 ยทWritten in Bloodas Brian Chappel
- 1997 ยทThe Lakesas Peter Quinlan
- 1997 ยทMidsomer Murdersas Frank Dewar
- 1996 ยทThis Lifeas Jerry Cook
- 1996 ยทDalziel & Pascoeas
- 1996 ยทSilent Witnessas
- 1996 ยทJudeas Mr. Willis
- 1994 ยทRoughnecksas Ian
- 1994 ยทA Pinch of Snuffas Charlie Heppelwhite
- 1993 ยทThe Remains of the Dayas Harry Smith
- 1993 ยทCrackeras Pathologist
- 1993 ยทHarryas Thomas Thomas
- 1993 ยทPeak Practiceas Tim Shardlow
- 1993 ยทPeak Practiceas DS Patrick Hopkins
- 1992 ยทHeartbeatas Dick Radcliffe
- 1992 ยทHeartbeatas Herbie Lloyd
- 1992 ยทHeartbeatas Malcolm Stainsby
- 1991 ยทHow's Businessas Jack
- 1989 ยทStay Luckyas
- 1989 ยทThe Paradise Clubas Mousey Pavitt
- 1989 ยทTestimony of a Childas Gerry
- 1989 ยทYoung Charlie Chaplinas Chimnery Sweep
- 1986 ยทTheban Plays: Oedipus at Colonusas Local Man
- 1986 ยทCasualtyas Frederick Chambers
- 1986 ยทCasualtyas Mick McCarthur
- 1986 ยทCasualtyas Arthur
- 1985 ยทSilas Marneras William Dane
- 1985 ยทThe Bright Sideas
- 1985 ยทWhich Side Are You On?as Narrator (voice)
- 1985 ยทBird Fancieras Roy Pearson
- 1984 ยทThe Billas
- 1983 ยทDollโs Eyeas Social Worker
- 1983 ยทEnds and Meansas
- 1982 ยทGhost in the Wateras Mr. Reed
- 1981 ยทP.Q. 17as PO Jordan
- 1981 ยทA Room for the Winteras Robert
- 1981 ยทTenkoas POW
- 1981 ยทA Brush with Mr. Porter on the Road to El Doradoas Tom
- 1980 ยทHappyas Vernon
- 1980 ยทDeath of a Princessas Steve Jackson
- 1979 ยทMinderas Palmer
- 1979 ยทCries from a Watchtoweras Andy
- 1979 ยทBlack Jackas Narrator
- 1979 ยทZulu Dawnas Cpl. Storey
- 1978 ยทOn a Paving Stone Mountedas
- 1978 ยทTravellersas Young William/Middle William/Sales Rep
- 1978 ยทMucking Outas Brian Wilson
- 1978 ยทThe Turkey Who Lives on the Hillas Bill
- 1978 ยทDestinyas Paul McShane
- 1978 ยทSome Enchanted Eveningas Peter
- 1977 ยทA Christmas Carolas Fred (Scrooge's Nephew)
- 1977 ยทTreasure Islandas
- 1977 ยทSecret Armyas Eric Finch
- 1977 ยทA Bridge Too Faras Pvt. Wicks
- 1976 ยทArnhem: The Story of an Escapeas Finnegan
- 1975 ยทDays of Hopeas Ben Matthews
- 1975 ยทAlfie Darlingas Bakey
- 1975 ยทDianeas Jim
- 1973 ยทFather Dear Fatheras Dumbo
- 1973 ยทSpeech Dayas Woodwork Master
- 1970 ยทPlay for Todayas
- 1970 ยทPlay for Todayas Andy
- 1965 ยทBBC Play of the Monthas
- Future ยทDangerous Journeyas Narrator