Andrew Buchan
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Andrew Neil Buchan is an English actor and writer. He is known for his roles as DI James Marsh in the ITV drama '' Code of Silence'' (2025), ITV drama ''
Broadchurch ''Broadchurch'' is a British crime drama television series broadcast on ITV for three series between 2013 and 2017. It was created by Chris Chibnall, who acted as an executive producer and wrote all 24 episodes; it was produced by Kudos in a ...
'' (2013–17), Scott Foster in the
BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...
political drama '' Party Animals'' (2007), John Mercer in ITV drama series '' The Fixer'' (2008–09), and William Garrow in BBC
period drama A historical drama (also period drama, period piece or just period) is a dramatic work set in the past, usually used in the context of film and television, which presents history, historical events and characters with varying degrees of fiction s ...
'' Garrow's Law'' (2009–11).


Early life and education

Andrew Neil Buchan was born in
Stockport Stockport is a town in Greater Manchester, England, south-east of Manchester, south-west of Ashton-under-Lyne and north of Macclesfield. The River Goyt, Rivers Goyt and River Tame, Greater Manchester, Tame merge to create the River Mersey he ...
and brought up in the suburb of Lostock, Bolton. He attended the nearby Rivington and Blackrod High School where he was head boy during sixth form years in Horwich. During
A-Levels The A-level (Advanced Level) is a subject-based qualification conferred as part of the General Certificate of Education, as well as a school leaving qualification offered by the educational bodies in the United Kingdom and the educational ...
, Buchan worked for Granada Studios as a tour guide, using amusing, unconventional methods to keep tourists interested. He also worked as a barman at
Manchester Airport Manchester Airport is an international airport in Ringway, Manchester, England, south-west of Manchester city centre. In 2024, it was the third busiest airport in the United Kingdom in terms of passengers (the busiest outside of London) ...
, and as a concierge at the De Vere Whites hotel in
Reebok Stadium The Toughsheet Community Stadium is a Association football, football stadium in Horwich near Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. It is the home ground of Bolton Wanderers F.C., Bolton Wanderers Football Club, with an all-seated capacity of 28, ...
. In 2001, Buchan graduated from St Cuthbert's Society,
Durham University Durham University (legally the University of Durham) is a collegiate university, collegiate public university, public research university in Durham, England, founded by an Act of Parliament (UK), Act of Parliament in 1832 and incorporated by r ...
with a
Bachelor of Arts A Bachelor of Arts (abbreviated B.A., BA, A.B. or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is the holder of a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the liberal arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts deg ...
in Modern Languages. He then trained at the
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, also known by its abbreviation RADA (), is a drama school in London, England, which provides vocational conservatoire training for theatre, film, television, and radio. It is based in Bloomsbury, Central London ...
.


Career

On stage Buchan has appeared as
Mercutio Mercutio ( , ) is a fictional character in William Shakespeare's 1597 tragedy, ''Romeo and Juliet''. He is a close friend to Romeo and a blood relative to Prince Escalus and Count Paris. As such, Mercutio is one of the named characters in the ...
in ''
Romeo and Juliet ''The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet'', often shortened to ''Romeo and Juliet'', is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare about the romance between two young Italians from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's ...
'' at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester (2005). In 2008, he appeared in
Arthur Miller Arthur Asher Miller (October 17, 1915 – February 10, 2005) was an American playwright, essayist and screenwriter in the 20th-century American theater. Among his most popular plays are '' All My Sons'' (1947), '' Death of a Salesman'' (1 ...
's '' The Man Who Had All the Luck'' at
Donmar Warehouse The Donmar Warehouse is a 251-seat, not-for-profit Off-West End theatre in Covent Garden, London, England. It first opened on 18 July 1977. Sam Mendes, Michael Grandage, Josie Rourke and Michael Longhurst have all served as artistic direc ...
. The play ran for six weeks in
London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
, before going on a short UK tour. Buchan was named Best Actor in a Touring Production by the ''Manchester Evening News'' Theatre Awards. In 2011, he returned to the Donmar to play Bolingbroke in Shakespeare's '' Richard II''. His career in television began in 2006 when he appeared as the vicar, St. John Rivers, in the 2006 ''
Jane Eyre ''Jane Eyre'' ( ; originally published as ''Jane Eyre: An Autobiography'') is a novel by the English writer Charlotte Brontë. It was published under her pen name "Currer Bell" on 19 October 1847 by Smith, Elder & Co. of London. The firs ...
'' and then as the regular character Scott Foster alongside
Matt Smith Matthew Robert Smith (born 28 October 1982) is an English actor. He is known for playing the Eleventh Doctor in the BBC science fiction television series ''Doctor Who'' (2010–2013), Prince Philip in Netflix's historical series ''The Crown ( ...
in the political drama '' Party Animals''. In 2007, he appeared as Jem Hearne in the award-winning '' Cranford'', in a cast that included
Judi Dench Dame Judith Olivia Dench (born 9 December 1934) is an English actress. Widely considered one of Britain's greatest actors, she is noted for her versatility, having appeared in films and television, as well as for her numerous roles on the stage ...
,
Imelda Staunton Dame Imelda Mary Philomena Bernadette Staunton (born 9 January 1956) is an English actress and singer. After training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Staunton began her career in repertory theatre in 1976 and appeared in various theatre pr ...
and
Eileen Atkins Dame Eileen June Atkins (born 15 June 1934) is an English actress. She has worked in the theatre, film, and television consistently since 1953. In 2008, she won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress and the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting ...
. Also in 2007, he appeared as the teacher 'Sean Knowles', with Richard Coyle and
Indira Varma Indira Anne Varma (born 27 September 1973) is a British actress and narrator. Her film debut and first major role was in '' Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love''. She is known for her television roles, such as playing Niobe in the BBC and HBO series ''R ...
in ITV's ''The Whistleblowers''. In 2008, he appeared in Season 4, Episode 1 of '' Bones'' as Dr. Ian Wexler. In 2008 and 2009, he starred in the
ITV1 ITV1 (formerly known as ITV) is a British free-to-air Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom, public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the British media company ITV plc. It provides the ITV (TV network), Channel 3 ...
drama '' The Fixer'' as the lead role, John Mercer, a paid assassin targeting people who have escaped the law. The first season of ''The Fixer'' received a
Royal Television Society The Royal Television Society (RTS) is a British-based educational charity for the discussion, and analysis of television in all its forms, past, present, and future. It is the oldest television society in the world. It currently has fourteen r ...
award for Best Series. In 2009, he appeared as Fishwick in the
John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer-songwriter, musician and activist. He gained global fame as the founder, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles. Lennon's ...
biopic '' Nowhere Boy'' acting opposite Kristin Scott Thomas, and directed by
Sam Taylor-Wood Samantha Louise Taylor-Johnson ( Taylor-Wood; born 1967) is a British filmmaker. Her directorial feature film debut was 2009's '' Nowhere Boy'', a film based on the childhood experiences of the Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock ...
. In the BBC's '' Garrow's Law'', he starred in the leading role as William Garrow. Series 1 started on
BBC One BBC One is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's oldest and flagship channel, and is known for broadcasting mainstream programming, which includes BBC News television b ...
on 1 November 2009, and continued for two more series. In December 2009, he appeared again as the carpenter Jem Hearne in the BBC's two-part '' Cranford Christmas Special''. In 2010, Buchan appeared as journalist and love interest Billy Marshall in the made-for-TV movie ''Abroad'', based in part on the true-life experiences of Toronto's '' Globe and Mail'' columnist and author, Leah McLaren. This movie was broadcast in Canada on CBC TV on 14 March 2010. In 2010, he appeared as Joseph in the BBC's ''The Nativity''. On 6 and 7 January 2011, he appeared in a dramatisation of the Laconia incident on BBC Television. In 2013, he starred in multi-award-winning ITV drama, ''
Broadchurch ''Broadchurch'' is a British crime drama television series broadcast on ITV for three series between 2013 and 2017. It was created by Chris Chibnall, who acted as an executive producer and wrote all 24 episodes; it was produced by Kudos in a ...
'', as Mark Latimer, father of the murdered boy Danny Latimer. For this role he was awarded the best supporting actor "Dagger" at the Crime Thriller Awards 2013. The immediate ratings success of ''Broadchurch'' led to Andrew, with co-star
Jodie Whittaker Jodie Auckland Whittaker (born 17 June 1982) is an English actress. She is best known for her roles on television as Beth Latimer in ''Broadchurch'' (2013–2017) and the Thirteenth Doctor in ''Doctor Who'' (2017–2022, 2025). She came to pro ...
, being invited to present a TV
BAFTA The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA, ) is an independent trade association and charity that supports, develops, and promotes the arts of film, television and video games in the United Kingdom. In addition to its annual awa ...
at the awards ceremony in May 2013. That same month his film, '' Having You'', was premiered on Sky Movies. Buchan played the lead character Jack, alongside Romola Garai as his girlfriend, and Anna Friel as a one-night stand from his past. 2013 also saw the release of multi-award-winning independent film ''
Still Life A still life (: still lifes) is a work of art depicting mostly wikt:inanimate, inanimate subject matter, typically commonplace objects which are either natural (food, flowers, dead animals, plants, rocks, shells, etc.) or artificiality, human-m ...
'', in which Andrew took a cameo role alongside Eddie Marsan. Later the same year, Buchan produced and starred in film short, ''1946'', based on the life of Hollywood actor, Jimmy Stewart. The film won the Award of Distinction at the 2014 Williamsburg Independent Film Festival. In July 2014, Buchan starred alongside
Academy Award The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in film. They are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the United States in recognition of excellence ...
nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal in Hugo Blick's political thriller '' The Honourable Woman''. This was broadcast on both BBC2 in the UK and the Sundance channel in the US. In October 2014, he starred in ITV's '' The Great Fire'', portraying Thomas Farriner, the baker from Pudding Lane. In 2015, it was announced that Buchan was cast as the lead role in TNT drama pilot ''Home'' alongside Bethany Joy Lenz. ''Home'' was not subsequently serialised and remains unaired. Buchan played the wizard, The Great Zambini, the dramatisation of Jasper Fforde's fantasy novel '' The Last Dragonslayer'', which premiered on Sky One on Christmas Day 2016,. The following Christmas saw the release of
Ridley Scott Sir Ridley Scott (born 30 November 1937) is an English film director and producer. He directs films in the Science fiction film, science fiction, Crime film, crime, and historical drama, historical epic genres, with an atmospheric and highly co ...
's '' All the Money in the World'', the story of the kidnap of John Paul Getty III, grandson of billionaire John Paul Getty. Buchan played John Paul Getty II, father of the kidnapped boy, son of JPG. In February 2018, Buchan played a cameo role in James Marsh's '' The Mercy'' – a BBC film about ill-fated 1960s yachtsman Donald Crowhurst, featuring Colin Firth and
Rachel Weisz Rachel Hannah Weisz (; born 7 March 1970) is an English actress. Known for her roles in independent films and blockbusters, she has received List of awards and nominations received by Rachel Weisz, several awards, including an Academy Award, ...
in the lead roles. Later that year he played as
Henri Matisse Henri Émile Benoît Matisse (; 31 December 1869 – 3 November 1954) was a French visual arts, visual artist, known for both his use of colour and his fluid and original draughtsmanship. He was a drawing, draughtsman, printmaking, printmaker, ...
in
National Geographic ''National Geographic'' (formerly ''The National Geographic Magazine'', sometimes branded as ''Nat Geo'') is an American monthly magazine published by National Geographic Partners. The magazine was founded in 1888 as a scholarly journal, nine ...
's 2nd season series ''
Genius Genius is a characteristic of original and exceptional insight in the performance of some art or endeavor that surpasses expectations, sets new standards for the future, establishes better methods of operation, or remains outside the capabiliti ...
: Picasso'', playing alongside
Antonio Banderas José Antonio Domínguez Bandera (born 10 August 1960), known professionally as Antonio Banderas, is a Spanish actor. Known for his work in films of several genres, he has received numerous accolades, including a Cannes Film Festival Award ...
and Clémence Poésy. At Christmas 2018, he starred in
Agatha Christie Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, (; 15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) was an English people, English author known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving ...
's '' The ABC Murders'', as Franklin Clarke, alongside John Malkovich as Hercule Poirot. In 2019, Buchan featured in the third and fourth series of ''
The Crown The Crown is a political concept used in Commonwealth realms. Depending on the context used, it generally refers to the entirety of the State (polity), state (or in federal realms, the relevant level of government in that state), the executive ...
'', as Andrew Parker-Bowles, a friend and a rival of royal family members. He appeared in two films: '' Intrigo: Samaria'' alongside Phoebe Fox and Millie Brady and ''Baghdad in My Shadow'' by Swiss/Iraqi filmmaker Samir, alongside Zahraa Ghandour. In addition to stage, television and film, Buchan has built up an extensive
voice acting Voice acting is the art of performing a character or providing information to an audience with one's voice. Performers are often called voice actors/actresses in addition to other names. Examples of voice work include animated, off-stage, off-sc ...
catalogue. He has appeared in
BBC Radio BBC Radio is an operational business division and service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a royal charter since 1927. The service provides national radio stations cove ...
drama, ''Dickens Confidential'', and radio dramatisations of '' Therese Raquin'' and '' The Great Gatsby''. He has read prose and poetry on BBC Radio for ''Words and Music'': ''Law and Order'' and ''Ave Maria'', as well as featuring in online role-playing games, audio books, advert voice-overs, and narrating TV documentaries and reality-competition shows, such as '' Britain's Best Home Cook''.


Personal life

Buchan married his long-term girlfriend, actress
Amy Nuttall Amy Abigail Nuttall (born 7 June 1982) is an English actress and singer. She is known for her roles as Chloe Atkinson in the ITV soap opera ''Emmerdale'' (2000–2005), housemaid Ethel Parks in the ITV/ PBS period drama ''Downton Abbey'' (201 ...
, on 8 September 2012, not far from their respective childhood homes in Lancashire, England. They have two children, a daughter and a son. In February 2023, it was reported Nuttall and Buchan had split up before Christmas, with Buchan starting a relationship with Leila Farzad.


Filmography


Film


Television


Video games


Stage


Awards and nominations


Notes


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Buchan, Andrew Living people 1979 births 21st-century English male actors Male actors from Bolton Male actors from Stockport Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art Alumni of St Cuthbert's Society, Durham English male stage actors English male television actors English male voice actors