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John Hopkins (actor)

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For other people named John Hopkins, see John Hopkins (disambiguation).

John Hopkins
Born1975 (age 48–49)
Luton, Bedfordshire, England
NationalityBritish
EducationUniversity of Leeds, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
OccupationActor
Known forMidsomer Murders, Alice in Wonderland
Notable workPoldark, Midsomer Murders
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
AwardsBehind the Voice Actors Awards, Ian Charleson Award

John Hopkins (born 1975) is an English actor. Some of his best-known roles include Sgt. Dan Scott on Midsomer Murders (2004–2005), Lowell in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (2010), and Sir Francis Basset in the British TV series Poldark (2017–2018).[1] In addition to his television and film work, Hopkins also acts on stage and does voiceovers for video games, television and radio.

Early life and education

John Hopkins was born in Luton, England, a town close to London. There is little publicly available information about his family or childhood. He attended secondary school at Manshead CofE Upper School in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, and later studied at the University of Leeds (1993-1996), majoring in English.[2] After this, Hopkins started to show interest in the theatre. He joined a drama group and took part in various productions.[citation needed]

Hopkins received a Sunday Times Short Story Award for student-actors for his role in A Short Play About Sex and Death. After graduation from the University of Leeds, he attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (1997-2000).[3] He was noticed by the Royal Shakespeare Company and had his first repertory season there (2001-2002). That was the beginning of his professional acting career.[citation needed]

Career

In 2002, Hopkins began receiving offers for television roles.[2] Some of the first were minor parts in Trial and Retribution 7 and Love in a Cold Climate.[2] After those, he accepted an offer to play the role of Detective Sergeant Dan Scott in the British television series Midsomer Murders. His involvement with the show continued from the beginning of the 7th series (2004) to the end of the 8th series. Hopkins' character was conceived as a "ladies' man" because of his appearance.[4] During this time, John Nettles was playing the lead role of "Barnaby". Because the actors shared the same first name, Hopkins was assigned the nickname "Hoppers".[4] The two formed a friendship while working together[4] from 2004 to 2005 when Hopkins left the show, returning to the Royal Shakespeare Company to participate in the 2006-2007 London and Stratford-upon-Avon season.[2] At that time, he played Caesar opposite Patrick Stewart in Antony and Cleopatra.[2] He also appeared in Patrick Barlow's comedic version of The 39 Steps as Richard Hannay, as Richard I at the Shakespeare's Globe in the Holy Warriors, and as Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing.[2] He has also continued to work in television; his credits there include Stan Lee's Lucky Man and the BBC drama Poldark as Sir Francis Basset.[2] Billington in 2018 for The Guardian referred to Hopkins as "one of our best Shakespearean actors",[1] and he was named one of "10 best British actors on stage now" in The Times article by Dominic Maxwell.[5]

Interview for the Midsomer Murders Society

Hopkins thinks that the whole concept of the Midsomer Murders series is based on the idea of presenting serenity in an issued society.[6] He considers that show is crucial for almost everyone because it demonstrates how all the problems can be solved, where good wins over evil, and everyone returns to the ordinary life once all is done.[6] Hopkins joined the television show when it already had vast popularity. Therefore, as he states, "a bit more pressure was on me than the other guys".[6] Hopkins describes his character as a person who is unwelcoming towards the countryside. He prefers city life and always looks for the method to escape but never achieves it.[6] The relationship between Sergeant Dan Scott (Hopkins' role) and Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Barnaby (John Nettles' role) was tense at the beginning, but eventually became smoother, despite Barnaby's disapproval of Scott's ways.[6] The character Scott and the actor Hopkins have quite different attitudes towards country life;[6] Hopkins feels delighted about spending time in the country.[6] Midsomer Murders allowed him to get to know other great British actors including Diana Quick and Steve Redgrave.[6] While filming the show, Hopkins got a chance to participate in a movie made by his friends in Prague. His character was a man who woke up in Prague with amnesia. He said he enjoyed playing an "action hero".[6]

Interview on Christmas and The Festive Episode

Hopkins stated that he enjoys getting away on Christmas holidays to the Lake District, Peak District or Wales.[7] He and his friends climb mountains between Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.[7] Those days remind him of childhood.[7] Before the trip, Hopkins visits his family.[7] Together they eat and watch Midsomer Murders, and recount stories from the past.[7] However, one Christmas he had to spend shooting for the TV show.[7] The shooting was in an old abandoned house which was reputed to be haunted. Hopkins recalled wondering what story was behind the house and the atmosphere it created by sudden sounds and changes in temperature.[7] Hopkins mentioned in the interview that he gained some weight during the winter episodes, due to wearing layers of clothing to keep warm.[7]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2001 The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby Lord TV movie (Uncredited)
2001 The Pool Frank Film debut
2005 Experiment Morgan
2010 Dora and Diego’s 4-D Adventure Catch That Robot Butterfly Background cast Short film, animation
2010 Alice in Wonderland Lowell
2011 Scenes of an Adult Nature Tom Short film
2011 Love Me or Else Detective Franks Short film
2012 Hacks Connor Feast TV movie
2014 The Face of an Angel Joe
2015 Baklava Game Short Host Short film
2017 The Child in Time Home Secretary TV movie
2019 Four N/A Short film, writer
2021 Absent Now the Dead Odysseus Voice
2021 The Mezzotint Binks TV movie
2021 Hilda and the Mountain King Erik Ahlberg TV movie
2021 Night and Day Laurence Short film

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2001 Love in a Cold Climate Robert Parker Mini-series
2003 Spooks Anton 1 episode
2003 Trial & Retribution Ian Frogton QC 1 episode
2004–2005 Midsomer Murders Sergeant Dan Scott 14 episodes, series 7 and 8
2005 Family Affairs Rex Randall 15 episodes
2005 All-Star Poker Challenge Self 2 episodes
2006 The Path to 9/11 British Reporter 2 episodes
2006 Tripping Over Nathaniel 1 episode
2007 Robin Hood John of York 1 episode
2008 Mutual Friends Sam Westwood Jones 1 episode
2008 Wire in the Blood DI Andy Hall 2 episodes
2009 The Bill Daniel Pfeiffer 2 episodes
2009 Hotel Babylon Phil McGuiness 1 episode
2010 Identity Justin Curtis 1 episode
2010 Merlin Sir Oswald 1 episode
2011 Dick and Dom’s Funny Business Various 1 episode
2011 Secret Diary of a Call Girl Tom 1 episode
2011 Casualty Tom Russel 1 episode
2013 Dancing on the Edge Prince George 3 episodes
2015 Catastrophe Sandy Laybourne 1 episode
2015 Doctors Matt Flowers 1 episode
2016 Lucky Man Charles Collins 3 episodes
2016 The Lodge Samuel "SJ" James 1 episode
2016 Endeavour Dr. Dean Powell 1 episode
2017–2018 Poldark Sir Francis Basset 8 episodes
2018 Watergate H.R. Bob Haldeman Documentary-series
2019 Jesus: His Life Peter 7 episodes
2020 Agatha Raisin Tom 'Bunchie' Richards 1 episode
2020 Hilda Erik Ahlberg 13 episodes
2021 The Mezzotint Binks Television film
2022 Trying Lawrence Season 3, Episode 5
2023 Funny Women Andrew O'Shea Season 1, Episodes 4 & 5
2023 Masters of the Air Dr. Wendell 'Smokey' Stover Episodes 2, 4, 5, 7, & 8

Theatre

Theatre Performances of John Hopkins[4][8]
Year Title Role Company / Director
2001 King John Dauphin Royal Shakespeare Company / Gregory Doran
Julius Caesar Octavius (Ian Charleston nomination) Royal Shakespeare Company / Edward Hall
Antony and Cleopatra Dolabella Royal Shakespeare Company / Michael Attenborough
Much Ado About Nothing Claudio / Benedick Royal Shakespeare Company / Gregory Doran
Play (Samuel Beckett) Man Natalie Abrahami
Screams from Job Eli Tassos Stevens
Venus and Adonis Narrator Royal Shakespeare Company / Gregory Doran
2006 The Tempest Sebastian Royal Shakespeare Company / Rupert Goold
Holy Warriors Richard I Royal Shakespeare Company
2006 Antony and Cleopatra Caesar Royal Shakespeare Company / Gregory Doran
2007–2008 The Country Wife Harcourt West End / Johathan Kent
Hamlet Cladius / Various Tim Carroll
2009–2010 39 Steps Richard Hannay West End / Maria Aitken
2019–2020 A Christmas Carol Ebenezer Scrooge Bristol Old Vic / Tom Morris
2023 Bleak Expectations Gently Benevolent West End / Caroline Leslie

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Ryse: Son of Rome Marius
2015 Sword Coast Legends Javen Tamikos
2015 Assassin's Creed Syndicate Maxwell Roth
2016 Tom Clancy's The Division Aaron Keener
2016 Hitman The Shadow Client / Lucas Grey
2016 Battlefleet Gothic: Armada Captain Tiberus Solarian / Makefica Arkham
2017 Horizon Zero Dawn Erend
2017 Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III Space Marines
2017 Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age Hendrik
2018 Hitman 2 Lucas Grey
2019 Anthem The Bard
2019 Tom Clancy's The Division 2 Aaron Keener
2021 Hitman 3 Lucas Grey
2021 Last Stop Dan Hughes / 80s Policeman 2
2021 Scarf voice
2022 Horizon Forbidden West Erend
2023 Final Fantasy XVI Elwin Rosfield
2023 Baldur's Gate 3 Arnell Hollowleaf
2023 Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin Iden, Knights Excelsior
2024 Skull & Bones (video game) John Scurlock

Audio

Year Title Type Role Notes
2022- Short History of... (Series 3-) Podcast Presenter / Narrator starting with: The Great Fire of London Noiser Podcasts
2022-2023 Scotland Yard Confidential Podcast Presenter / Narrator starting with: The London Cellar Murder Noiser Podcasts

Awards

Hopkins has been nominated for several awards during his career. He received two nominations for his voice in the video game Horizon Zero Dawn (2017) for the voiceover of "Erend".

Awards[2]
Year Award name Category Status
2001 Ian Charleson Award Additional award
2018 Behind the Voice Actors Awards (BTVA) Video Game Voice Acting Award Best Male Vocal Performance in a Video Game in a Supporting Role Nominated
2018 Behind the Voice Actors Awards (BTVA) Video Game Voice Acting Award Best Vocal Ensemble in a Video Game Nominated
2023 The British Short Film Awards Best Actor, Smile School[9] Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b "Much Ado About Nothing review – Mel Giedroyc blazes through Great Sicilian Bake Off". The Guardian. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "John Hopkins – About | IMDbPro". pro.imdb.com. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  3. ^ Fabrique. "John Hopkins – RADA". rada.ac.uk. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d "Midsomer Murders – John Hopkins". midsomermurders.org. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  5. ^ Maxwell, Dominic. "10 of the best British actors on stage now". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Midsomer Murders – John Hopkins – Interview". midsomermurders.org. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h "Midsomer Murders – John Hopkins – Ghosts of Christmas Past". midsomermurders.org. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  8. ^ "John Hopkins – Filmography | IMDbPro". pro.imdb.com. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  9. ^ "The British Short Film Awards, Longlist 2023". Retrieved 18 January 2024.
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