About

Known credits:
81
Birthday:
1944-11-25
Place of birth:
Denby Dale, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
Website:
Click here

Paul Copley

Overview

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

Acting
2025 Downton Abbey 3 Actor Albert Mason N/A
N/A
2023 Ticker Actor Howard N/A
N/A
2022 Downton Abbey: A New Era Actor Mason 65
Fair
2021 The Infectious Imagination of Henry Bramble Actor Great Uncle Geoffrey N/A
N/A
2020 Enola Holmes Actor Station Master 71
Good
2020 Ropeless Actor Larry Windsor 59
Average
2017 Broken Actor Joe Kerrigan 69
Fair
2016 Reg Actor 58
Average
2016 The Nest Egg Actor 59
Average
2015 Downton Abbey: The Finale Actor Mr. Mason N/A
N/A
2015 The Sound of Music Live! Actor Franz 59
Average
2015 Code of a Killer Actor Sidney Jeffreys 70
Good
2015 The 12 Days of Christine Actor Ernie N/A
N/A
2015 The 12 Days of Christine Actor Ernie N/A
N/A
2013 Carved with Love: The Genius of British Woodwork Actor Narrator N/A
N/A
2012 Last Tango in Halifax Actor Harry 70
Good
2012 First Encounter: King Lear Actor King Lear N/A
N/A
2012 White Heat Actor Alan (present day) 67
Fair
2011 Downton Abbey: Christmas at Downton Abbey Actor Mr. Mason 60
Fair
2007 The Shadow in the North Actor Paton 59
Average
2006 Johnny and the Bomb Actor Sgt. Bourke 69
Fair
2005 Marian, Again Actor Phillip Walsh 59
Average
2005 Dead Man Weds Actor Blind Man 69
Fair
2003 The Key Actor N/A
N/A
2003 How Clean Is Your House? Actor Self - Narrator (voice) 69
Fair
2003 Hornblower: Duty Actor Matthews 59
Average
2003 Hornblower: Loyalty Actor Matthews 59
Average
2002 The Many Lives of Albert Walker Actor Danny Peck N/A
N/A
2001 Hornblower: Retribution Actor Matthews 59
Average
2001 Hornblower: Mutiny Actor Mathews 59
Average
2001 Blow Dry Actor Ken 58
Average
1999 Hornblower: The Frogs and the Lobsters Actor Mathews 59
Average
1999 Hornblower: The Duchess and the Devil Actor Matthews 59
Average
1998 Hornblower: The Examination for Lieutenant Actor Mathews 59
Average
1998 Hornblower: The Even Chance Actor Matthews 60
Fair
1998 Hornblower Actor Matthews 70
Good
1998 Written in Blood Actor Brian Chappel 58
Average
1997 The Lakes Actor Peter Quinlan 70
Good
1996 Jude Actor Mr. Willis 59
Average
1994 Roughnecks Actor Ian 69
Fair
1994 A Pinch of Snuff Actor Charlie Heppelwhite N/A
N/A
1993 The Remains of the Day Actor Harry Smith 69
Fair
1991 How's Business Actor Jack N/A
N/A
1989 Testimony of a Child Actor Gerry N/A
N/A
1986 Theban Plays: Oedipus at Colonus Actor Local Man N/A
N/A
1985 Silas Marner Actor William Dane 58
Average
1985 The Bright Side Actor 69
Fair
1985 Which Side Are You On? Actor Narrator (voice) 59
Average
1985 Bird Fancier Actor Roy Pearson N/A
N/A
1983 Doll’s Eye Actor Social Worker N/A
N/A
1983 Ends and Means Actor N/A
N/A
1982 Ghost in the Water Actor Mr. Reed N/A
N/A
1981 P.Q. 17 Actor PO Jordan N/A
N/A
1981 A Room for the Winter Actor Robert 59
Average
1981 A Brush with Mr. Porter on the Road to El Dorado Actor Tom N/A
N/A
1980 Happy Actor Vernon N/A
N/A
1980 Death of a Princess Actor Steve Jackson 59
Average
1979 Cries from a Watchtower Actor Andy N/A
N/A
1979 Black Jack Actor Narrator 59
Average
1979 Zulu Dawn Actor Cpl. Storey 59
Average
1978 On a Paving Stone Mounted Actor N/A
N/A
1978 Travellers Actor Young William/Middle William/Sales Rep N/A
N/A
1978 Mucking Out Actor Brian Wilson N/A
N/A
1978 The Turkey Who Lives on the Hill Actor Bill N/A
N/A
1978 Destiny Actor Paul McShane N/A
N/A
1978 Some Enchanted Evening Actor Peter N/A
N/A
1977 A Christmas Carol Actor Fred (Scrooge's Nephew) 59
Average
1977 Treasure Island Actor 69
Fair
1977 A Bridge Too Far Actor Pvt. Wicks 67
Fair
1976 Arnhem: The Story of an Escape Actor Finnegan 58
Average
1975 Days of Hope: 1926: General Strike Actor Ben Matthews N/A
N/A
1975 Days of Hope: 1924: A Miracle Actor Ben Matthews N/A
N/A
1975 Days of Hope: 1921: Every Pit In Britain Is Idle Actor Ben Matthews N/A
N/A
1975 Days of Hope: 1916: Joining Up Actor Ben Matthews N/A
N/A
1975 Days of Hope Actor Ben Matthews 69
Fair
1975 Alfie Darling Actor Bakey 58
Average
1975 Diane Actor Jim 58
Average
1973 Father Dear Father Actor Dumbo 58
Average
1973 Speech Day Actor Woodwork Master N/A
N/A
Dangerous Journey Actor Narrator N/A
N/A

Writing
1979 Pillion Writing Writer N/A
N/A