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Source: Leicester Mercury

18 August 2009

by Gemma Collins

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   In-demand actor Richard Armitage is busily travelling between one location and another as he finishes filming for the latest series of Spooks.

   The Huncote-bred star is shooting the last bits for series eight of the BBC's hit secret service drama before jetting off to South Africa for his next assignment.

   The former Brockington College pupil, who celebrates his 38th birthday on Saturday, joined the cast as agent Lucas North last year.

   He got the invitation during the second season of another popular BBC drama Robin Hood, in which he played Guy of Gisborne.

   He said: "I wasn't an avid follower of Spooks to be honest.

   "But I looked back and realised it was going from strength to strength.

   "Rupert (Penry-Jones) and Hermione (Norris) had taken it to another level, it's really out there. I'm lucky that Lucas is political and quiet, but then gets to go out on the street and kick ass."

   He is flying to South Africa in the next few days for a "military" part which he's currently in training for.

   It is shrouded in secrecy.

   Before joining Robin Hood, Richard was already a well known face on television, playing John Thornton in the BBC's North and South, and Geraldine Grainger's husband in The Vicar of Dibley. He also had parts in Cold Feet and Casualty as well as in films, radio and parts on the stage.

   But his earliest acting memories were school plays and trips to the theatre in Leicester.

   He said: "There was always something going on at Huncote Primary. I remember galloping around the school hall in a cardboard box for a horse.

   "It was great being a youngster in Leicester. I used to love our regular trips to the Phoenix and Haymarket Theatres."

   During his time at Brockington, in Enderby, he turned his attentions to music, playing the cello with the Leicestershire Schools Orchestras, and performing at venues including De Montfort Hall.

   Thanks to a local authority grant he attended Pattison Theatre Arts in Coventry, before studying acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

   He said highlights in his career include his first acting job with the Royal Shakespeare Company, at the Birmingham Rep, and winning the part in North and South.

   Then in 2006, he was cast as dark and brooding love-torn Guy in Saturday night prime time drama Robin Hood, appearing in 36 episodes over three series.

   He said: "It's exhausting being an actor. I like to get home, have a glass of wine and pass out. I make the annual visit to see my parents in Huncote, but I don't really do anything when I come home.

   "I just walk in the door, get fed, go back out and then back up the M1."

   *   Spooks returns this autumn.

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