John Hopkins (actor)

Career

Hopkins trained at RADA. He read English at the University of Leeds from 1993–1996 and whilst studying joined the Leeds University Union Theatre Group student society, and performed in a number of plays including Equus, The Importance of Being Earnest and The Crucible. His performance as Nathan in A Short Play about Sex and Death earned him the Best Actor award at the Sunday Times National Student Drama Festival. After graduating, Hopkins joined the RSC.

In 2004, Hopkins starred in the British sci-fi thriller Experiment, directed by first-time feature director Dan Turner. It was shown across the world at film festivals where it won 16 awards.

After leaving the cast of Midsomer Murders after 14 episodes, Hopkins returned to the stage but has also appeared in a TV soap Family Affairs and the independent film Grand Junction, as well as Australian-British co-produced mini-series Tripping Over. He appeared in the American mini-series The Path to 9/11, followed by Robin Hood, Mutual Friends and Wire in the Blood. He appeared in the 2010 Tim Burton film, Alice in Wonderland.

His theatre work includes Antony and Cleopatra and The Tempest, both for the RSC, performing alongside Patrick Stewart. He has also had a role in the 2007 BBC version of "Robin Hood" in the episode "Show Me the Money" as lovelorn knight John of York. He played the role of Richard Hannay for nine months in the West End production of the Patrick Barlow adapted show The 39 Steps.

In 2010, he guest-starred in the ITV crime drama Identity and Secret Diary of a Call Girl with Billie Piper.

Between July–August 2014 he played Richard the Lionheart in David Eldridge's play, Holy Warriors at Shakespeare's Globe.