Richard Madden
Encyclopedia
Richard Madden is a Scottish
stage, film, and television actor, known for his work in theatre and for his roles in both film and television.
, Scotland
. His father is in the fire service and his mother is a classroom assistant. At the age of 11, he joined Paisley Arts Centre's youth theatre programme to help overcome his shyness. He was soon cast as young Andy in the film adaptation of Iain Banks
's Complicity
, followed by his being cast in a lead role as Sebastian in the television series Barmy Aunt Boomerang
, for which he filmed 6 episodes that aired from 1999 through 2000. He graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
in 2007.
While at RSAMD he worked with the Arches
and Glasgow Repertory Company, followed by Franz Xavier Kroetz's play Tom Fool at the Citizens' Theatre
, which was so well received that it transferred to London
, where Madden was spotted by a team from the Globe Theatre
. In his final year with RSAMD, he was cast as Romeo in a production of Romeo and Juliet
at the Globe Theatre which, after a run in London, toured in open-air stages during the Summer of 2007, being the Globe's first-ever tour. He also played Callum McGregor in the stage production of Malorie Blackman's 'Noughts and Crosses' in 2008.
He later gained the lead role of Dean McKenzie in the 2009 BBC
series Hope Springs
, followed by his roles as Ripley in the 2010 film Chatroom
, and as Theatre of Hate
singer Kirk Brandon
in the 2010 film Worried About The Boy
. Since 2011, he has starred as Robb Stark in the HBO series Game of Thrones
, based upon George R. R. Martin
's A Song of Ice and Fire
series of novels, and in the Channel 4
series Sirens
.
's production of Be Near Me
, Warwick Thompson of Bloomberg
noted his performance to be "especially good". Susan Mansfield of The Scotsman
reported that Madden has caught the eye of critics for his work and reported additional positive reviews of his work by The Daily Telegraph
, and The Observer
.
In reviewing the Globe Theatre
's 2007 production of Romeo and Juliet
as its first-ever tour, Susan Elkin of The Stage
noted that "Ellie Piercy’s Juliet has just the right blend of wide-eyed, high-voice, pubescent passion degenerating into fear, fury and, finally, dignified determination. Piercy’s facial expressions are exceptionally wide ranging and powerful. And she’s well counterpointed against Richard Madden’s gravelly Glaswegian, almost childlike Romeo."
The Scotsman
reports that Madden "is one of the hottest young acting talents in the business but making it on to the Eligibles list is not the only accolade Richard has got recently.
He won Most Stylish Male at the Scottish Style Awards in October and has also been named in Esquire
s Hottest Stars for 2010 list." They also note that Madden is "tipped for mainstream glory this year, and will be starring in the new film Chatroom and TV series Game of Thrones".
He was named one of Screen International
's Stars of Tomorrow in 2011.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
stage, film, and television actor, known for his work in theatre and for his roles in both film and television.
Background
Madden grew up in ElderslieElderslie
Elderslie is a village in the council area and historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. The village is situated midway between the nearby towns of Paisley and Johnstone....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. His father is in the fire service and his mother is a classroom assistant. At the age of 11, he joined Paisley Arts Centre's youth theatre programme to help overcome his shyness. He was soon cast as young Andy in the film adaptation of Iain Banks
Iain Banks
Iain Banks is a Scottish writer. He writes mainstream fiction under the name Iain Banks, and science fiction as Iain M. Banks, including the initial of his adopted middle name Menzies...
's Complicity
Complicity (film)
Complicity is a 2000 film based on the novel Complicity by Iain Banks. The screenplay was written by Bryan Elsley. It was directed by Gavin Millar...
, followed by his being cast in a lead role as Sebastian in the television series Barmy Aunt Boomerang
Barmy Aunt Boomerang
Barmy Aunt Boomerang was a children's comedy series which aired on BBC1 in the UK from 16 September 1999 to 14 December 2000. Sebastian's world is turned upside down by the arrival of his unconventional Australian aunt Boomerang...
, for which he filmed 6 episodes that aired from 1999 through 2000. He graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is a conservatoire of music, drama, and dance in the centre of Glasgow, Scotland. Founded in 1845 as the Glasgow Educational Association, it is the busiest performing arts venue in Scotland...
in 2007.
While at RSAMD he worked with the Arches
The Arches (Glasgow)
The Arches is a bar, arts venue, theatre, live music venue and nightclub in Glasgow, Scotland, which first opened in 1991. It is a not-for-profit organisation...
and Glasgow Repertory Company, followed by Franz Xavier Kroetz's play Tom Fool at the Citizens' Theatre
Citizens' Theatre
The Citizens Theatre is based in Glasgow, Scotland and is the principal producing theatre in the west of Scotland. The theatre includes a 500-seat Main Auditorium, and two studio theatres, the Circle Studio and the Stalls Studio .The Citizen's Theatre repertory group, originally called the Citizen's...
, which was so well received that it transferred to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where Madden was spotted by a team from the Globe Theatre
Globe Theatre
The Globe Theatre was a theatre in London associated with William Shakespeare. It was built in 1599 by Shakespeare's playing company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, and was destroyed by fire on 29 June 1613...
. In his final year with RSAMD, he was cast as Romeo in a production of Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
at the Globe Theatre which, after a run in London, toured in open-air stages during the Summer of 2007, being the Globe's first-ever tour. He also played Callum McGregor in the stage production of Malorie Blackman's 'Noughts and Crosses' in 2008.
He later gained the lead role of Dean McKenzie in the 2009 BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
series Hope Springs
Hope Springs (TV Series)
Hope Springs is a British television comedy-drama series following the lives of four female ex-cons in hiding following a multimillion pound robbery. Produced by Shed Productions, the company behind Bad Girls, Footballers' Wives and Waterloo Road, the 8-part series began airing on BBC One on 7 June...
, followed by his roles as Ripley in the 2010 film Chatroom
Chatroom (film)
Chatroom is a 2010 British drama thriller film directed by Hideo Nakata about five teenagers who meet on the internet and encourage each other's bad behaviour. The film is based on the play Chatroom by Enda Walsh.-Plot:...
, and as Theatre of Hate
Theatre of Hate
Theatre of Hate were a post-punk band formed in Britain in 1980.Led by singer-songwriter and ex-member of punk band The Pack, Kirk Brandon, the original group also consisted of: guitarist Steve Guthrie, bassist Stan Stammers , saxophonist John Lennard and drummer Luke Rendle from Crisis/The...
singer Kirk Brandon
Kirk Brandon
Kirk Brandon is an English musician.-Musical career:Brandon's music career started in 1978, in Clapham, South London, with the formation of punk group The Pack, in which he was the singer/songwriter....
in the 2010 film Worried About The Boy
Worried About The Boy
Worried About the Boy is a 2010 television drama centred around the life of George O'Dowd . It starred Douglas Booth as George and Mathew Horne as lover Jon Moss. It was shown on BBC2 as part of 80's season...
. Since 2011, he has starred as Robb Stark in the HBO series Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones (TV series)
Game of Thrones is an American medieval fantasy television series created for HBO by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. Based on author George R. R. Martin's best-selling A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels, the first of which is called A Game of Thrones, the television series debuted in...
, based upon George R. R. Martin
George R. R. Martin
George Raymond Richard Martin , sometimes referred to as GRRM, is an American author and screenwriter of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. He is best known for A Song of Ice and Fire, his bestselling series of epic fantasy novels that HBO adapted for their dramatic pay-cable series Game of...
's A Song of Ice and Fire
A Song of Ice and Fire
A Song of Ice and Fire is a series of epic fantasy novels by American novelist and screenwriter George R. R. Martin. Martin began writing the series in 1991 and the first volume was published in 1996. Originally planned as a trilogy, the series now consists of five published volumes; a further two...
series of novels, and in the Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
series Sirens
Sirens (UK TV series)
Sirens is a British comedy-drama about an ambulance service team broadcast on Channel 4. It was first screened on 27 June 2011.The series is based on the book Blood, Sweat & Tea by Brian Kellett. The series is filmed predominantly in Leeds with some filmed in the surrounding areas...
.
Recognition
Of Madden's performance as Mark McNulty in the National Theatre of ScotlandNational Theatre of Scotland
The National Theatre of Scotland is a theatre company established in February 2006. The company performs in a wide range of venues including theatres, halls and found spaces across Scotland....
's production of Be Near Me
Be Near Me
"Be Near Me" is a song by ABC. The hit single from How to Be a...Zillionaire!, it is a message from the group's lead singer, Martin Fry, to an unknown addressee. He commands the addressee not to leave him. It peaked at #26 on the UK singles chart in 1985, then later in the year it went to #9 on the...
, Warwick Thompson of Bloomberg
Bloomberg L.P.
Bloomberg L.P. is an American privately held financial software, media, and data company. Bloomberg makes up one third of the $16 billion global financial data market with estimated revenue of $6.9 billion. Bloomberg L.P...
noted his performance to be "especially good". Susan Mansfield of The Scotsman
The Scotsman
The Scotsman is a British newspaper, published in Edinburgh.As of August 2011 it had an audited circulation of 38,423, down from about 100,000 in the 1980s....
reported that Madden has caught the eye of critics for his work and reported additional positive reviews of his work by The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
, and The Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
.
In reviewing the Globe Theatre
Globe Theatre
The Globe Theatre was a theatre in London associated with William Shakespeare. It was built in 1599 by Shakespeare's playing company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, and was destroyed by fire on 29 June 1613...
's 2007 production of Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
as its first-ever tour, Susan Elkin of The Stage
The Stage
The Stage is a weekly British newspaper founded in 1880, available nationally and published on Thursdays. Covering all areas of the entertainment industry but focused primarily on theatre, it contains news, reviews, opinion, features and other items of interest, mainly to those who work within the...
noted that "Ellie Piercy’s Juliet has just the right blend of wide-eyed, high-voice, pubescent passion degenerating into fear, fury and, finally, dignified determination. Piercy’s facial expressions are exceptionally wide ranging and powerful. And she’s well counterpointed against Richard Madden’s gravelly Glaswegian, almost childlike Romeo."
The Scotsman
The Scotsman
The Scotsman is a British newspaper, published in Edinburgh.As of August 2011 it had an audited circulation of 38,423, down from about 100,000 in the 1980s....
reports that Madden "is one of the hottest young acting talents in the business but making it on to the Eligibles list is not the only accolade Richard has got recently.
He won Most Stylish Male at the Scottish Style Awards in October and has also been named in Esquire
Esquire (magazine)
Esquire is a men's magazine, published in the U.S. by the Hearst Corporation. Founded in 1932, it flourished during the Great Depression under the guidance of founder and editor Arnold Gingrich.-History:...
s Hottest Stars for 2010 list." They also note that Madden is "tipped for mainstream glory this year, and will be starring in the new film Chatroom and TV series Game of Thrones".
He was named one of Screen International
Screen International
Screen International is a multimedia film magazine covering the international film business. It is published by EMAP, a British b2b media company.The magazine is primarily aimed at those involved in the global movie business...
's Stars of Tomorrow in 2011.
Partial filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2000 | Barmy Aunt Boomerang Barmy Aunt Boomerang Barmy Aunt Boomerang was a children's comedy series which aired on BBC1 in the UK from 16 September 1999 to 14 December 2000. Sebastian's world is turned upside down by the arrival of his unconventional Australian aunt Boomerang... |
Sebastian Simpkins | (6 episodes, 1999–2000) |
| 2000 | Complicity Complicity (film) Complicity is a 2000 film based on the novel Complicity by Iain Banks. The screenplay was written by Bryan Elsley. It was directed by Gavin Millar... |
Young Adam | |
| 2009 | Hope Springs Hope Springs (TV Series) Hope Springs is a British television comedy-drama series following the lives of four female ex-cons in hiding following a multimillion pound robbery. Produced by Shed Productions, the company behind Bad Girls, Footballers' Wives and Waterloo Road, the 8-part series began airing on BBC One on 7 June... |
Dean McKenzie | (8 episodes, 2009) |
| 2010 | Chatroom Chatroom (film) Chatroom is a 2010 British drama thriller film directed by Hideo Nakata about five teenagers who meet on the internet and encourage each other's bad behaviour. The film is based on the play Chatroom by Enda Walsh.-Plot:... |
Ripley | |
| 2010 | Worried About The Boy Worried About The Boy Worried About the Boy is a 2010 television drama centred around the life of George O'Dowd . It starred Douglas Booth as George and Mathew Horne as lover Jon Moss. It was shown on BBC2 as part of 80's season... |
Kirk Brandon | BBC TV Drama centred around the life of Boy George Boy George Boy George is a British singer-songwriter who was part of the English New Romantic movement which emerged in the early 1980s. He helped give androgyny an international stage with the success of Culture Club during the 1980s. His music is often classified as blue-eyed soul, which is influenced by... in the early 1980s |
| 2011 | Strays (Short Film) | Elliot | Main role |
| 2011 - present | Game of Thrones Game of Thrones (TV series) Game of Thrones is an American medieval fantasy television series created for HBO by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. Based on author George R. R. Martin's best-selling A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels, the first of which is called A Game of Thrones, the television series debuted in... |
Robb Stark | Main role |
| 2011 | Sirens Sirens (UK TV series) Sirens is a British comedy-drama about an ambulance service team broadcast on Channel 4. It was first screened on 27 June 2011.The series is based on the book Blood, Sweat & Tea by Brian Kellett. The series is filmed predominantly in Leeds with some filmed in the surrounding areas... |
Ashley | Channel 4 Channel 4 Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel... series 1 |