Peter Wingfield

For the British record producer, see Pete Wingfield

Peter Wingfield
Peter Wingfield at Japan Expo 2010
Born	Peter Wingfield 5 September 1962 (1962-09-05) Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Years active	1990-present
Website
http://www.peterwingfield.com

Peter Wingfield (born 5 September 1962) is a Welsh born television actor, well known for his television roles as Dan Clifford in Holby City, Dr. Robert Helm in Queen of Swords and Inspector Simon Ross in Cold Squad. But he is internationally best known for his role as the 5000-year-old Immortal Methos in the hit syndicated series Highlander: The Series.

Early life

Wingfield was born in Cardiff and grew up in the Grangetown community, a good student, initially educated at The Bishop of Llandaff Church-in-Wales High School, Llandaff he enjoyed athletics, music, outdoor activities, and drama. At the age of fifteen he was the Welsh National Trampoline champion. After his A-levels he entered Brasenose College, Oxford, and in 1982 began medical training at the prestigious St Bartholomew's Hospital in London. His time, however, was not devoted solely to medicine. In 1980 he spent his summer break at the National Youth Theatre of Wales where he discovered the sense of camaraderie and belonging that characterise truly outstanding acting troupes. His four-week stint with this youth theatre changed him in ways he didn’t fully appreciate at the time, but which were to have a lasting impact. He also worked during his college years at the Brasenose Little Theatre, both performing in, and producing, a variety of plays.

Shortly before completing his fifth and final year at St Bartholomew’s in 1987, Wingfield realised that the practice of modern medicine was not for him. One month before he was due to graduate, he made the decision to leave medical school and pursue acting as a full-time career.

Early acting career

Wingfield began his formal acting training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, coincidentally located just across the street from St Bart’s Hospital in London. His training covered the range of an actor’s repertoire, including voice, movement, and the acting skills necessary to be successful in arenas ranging from radio to mime. Peter was chosen in 1990 to compete for the BBC’s Carleton Hobbs Award for radio, which he won.

In 1990, shortly after leaving drama school, he landed his first television acting part as a taxi driver in the film Antonia and Jane. The qualification that led to his selection for the part was that he knew how to drive.

Wingfield appeared regularly on British television, and starred in numerous productions. His last major role in British television was as Tom Kirby in the series Noah’s Ark in 1997. Portraying a vet in the series, Wingfield had to take medication to combat his animal allergies. One positive outcome of this short-lived series is that the constant exposure to animals has apparently reduced his allergic reactions.

In the late 1990s Peter played Simon Pemberton in BBC Radio 4's serial The Archers.

Later and notable work

A large international audience came to know him as Methos, the oldest living Immortal in Highlander: The Series. Since that series ended, Wingfield has appeared in numerous North American television productions for both Canadian and U.S. companies, including the portrayal of Dr Robert Helm in Queen of Swords, Stargate SG-1 as Tanith, and as Lach on Andromeda's fourth season episode "The Others".

In addition to Antonia and Jane, Wingfield has appeared in the feature films X2: X-Men United, Highlander: Endgame (reprising the role of Methos), Edge of Madness, Baby Geniuses 2, Catwoman and Uncovered.

While filming the fifth Highlander movie Highlander: The Source, Wingfield related his love for Methos:

“

And I have to say, the first day of filming was unexpectedly emotional for me. As I put on the long black coat and drove to the set in the pre-dawn gloom, I could feel the presence of an old friend I have not seen for some years now. Really, in a very physical way, I could 'feel' him. And I was overwhelmed, possessed even, by the sense of him, tears welling up in my eyes as I formed the words in my head, over and over again, "Methos is alive."

”

From August 2006 to October 2007, he appeared in the BBC medical drama Holby City, playing General Surgical Consultant Daniel Clifford. Wingfield played the recurring role of David Emerson on Season 7 of 24. He also played Dr. Watson on the science fiction series Sanctuary. In 2010, Wingfield starred in the remake of Riverworld, playing Sir Richard Francis Burton. He has had guest roles in Human Target, NCIS: Los Angeles, CSI: Miami, and Alphas. He has recently appeared in episodes of Caprica. Work in TV movies include Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge and the Syfy original film Stonehenge Apocalypse.

Starting in 2011, Wingfield put his acting career on hold as he attends medical school at the University of Vermont as part of the class of 2015.

Personal life

Although officially retired as a Trampoline National Champion, Wingfield is still a focused athlete. He runs as often as his schedule allows, his most recent major run being the New York City ING Marathon in November, 2009, which he ran in support of UNICEF.

External links

• Peter Wingfield at the Internet Movie Database
• Official site