David Morrissey
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David Mark Joseph Morrissey (born 21 June 1964) is an English actor and filmmaker. He had numerous small roles in films and television series throughout the 1990s before achieving wider recognition for playing
Gordon Brown James Gordon Brown (born 20 February 1951) is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party (UK), Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2010. Previously, he was Chancellor of the Ex ...
in '' The Deal'' (2003), Stephen Collins in '' State of Play'' (2003), The Governor in the
third Third or 3rd may refer to: Numbers * 3rd, the ordinal form of the cardinal number 3 * , a fraction of one third * 1⁄60 of a ''second'', i.e., the third in a series of fractional parts in a sexagesimal number system Places * 3rd Street (di ...
, fourth, and fifth seasons of '' The Walking Dead'' (2012–2015), and DCS Ian St Clair in '' Sherwood'' (2022–present). He has also acted extensively on stage with companies such as the
Royal Shakespeare Company The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs over 1,000 staff and opens around 20 productions a year. The RSC plays regularly in London, Stratf ...
and
Royal National Theatre The National Theatre (NT), officially the Royal National Theatre and sometimes referred to in international contexts as the National Theatre of Great Britain, is a performing arts venue and associated theatre company located in London, England, ...
. Morrissey has directed short films and the television dramas '' Sweet Revenge'' (2001) and '' Passer By'' (2004). His feature-length
directorial debut This is a list of film directorial debuts in chronological order. The films and dates referred to are a director's first commercial cinematic release. Many filmmakers have directed works which were not commercially released, for example early work ...
, the television film ''
Don't Worry About Me ''Don't Worry About Me'' is the first album released by Joey Ramone as a solo artist. It was released posthumously on February 19, 2002, by Sanctuary Records, less than a year after his death. The album was produced by Daniel Rey, who also did ...
'' (2010), premiered on
BBC Two BBC Two is a British free-to-air Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom, public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's second flagship channel, and it covers a wide range of subject matte ...
. He was nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor for ''State of Play'' and won a Best Actor award from the
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 ...
for ''The Deal''. He was awarded an
honorary doctorate An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived all of the usual requirements. It is also known by the Latin phrases ''honoris causa'' ("for the sake of the honour") or '' ad hon ...
by
Edge Hill University Edge Hill University is a campus-based public university in Ormskirk, Lancashire, England. The university, which originally opened in 1885 as Edge Hill College, was the first non-denominational teacher training college for women in England, befo ...
in 2016.


Early life

David Mark Joseph Morrissey was born in the
Kensington Kensington is an area of London in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, around west of Central London. The district's commercial heart is Kensington High Street, running on an east–west axis. The north-east is taken up by Kensingt ...
area of Liverpool on 21 June 1964,Galliano, Joseph (3 October 2009).
Cutting it
" ''The Times'' (Times Newspapers): pp. 46–47 (''Saturday Review'' supplement). Retrieved 1 August 2011.
the son of
Littlewoods Littlewoods was a retail and football betting company founded in Liverpool, England, by John Moores in 1923. By the 1980s, it had grown to become the largest private company in Europe but subsequently declined in the face of increased compe ...
employee Joan and cobbler Joe Morrissey.Leith, Sam (2 November 2004).
Deep undercover
". ''The Daily Telegraph'' (Telegraph Media Group). Retrieved 6 November 2008.
Philby, Charlotte (7 June 2008). "My Secret Life: David Morrissey, Actor, age 43". ''The Independent'' (Independent News & Media): p. 9 (''Independent Magazine'' supplement). He has two older brothers named Tony and Paul, and an older sister named Karen.Rudd, Alyson (5 March 2007).
It's Beverly Hills Kop
. ''The Times'' (Times Newspapers): p. 18 (''The Game'' section). Retrieved 17 December 2007.
Jones, Catherine (23 February 2008).
TV actor Morrissey guest of honour
". ''Liverpool Echo'' (Trinity Mirror North West): p. 5. Retrieved 17 December 2008.
The family lived at 45 Seldon Street in Kensington. Decades later, as part of
National Museums Liverpool National Museums Liverpool, formerly National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside, comprises several museums and art galleries in and around Liverpool in Merseyside, England. All the museums and galleries in the group have free admission. The mu ...
's Eight Hundred Lives project, Morrissey wrote that the house had been in his family since at least 1900; his grandmother had been married there and his mother was born there. In 1971, the family moved to a larger and more modern house on the new estates at Knotty Ash, while Seldon Street was later demolished.David Morrissey profile
Eight Hundred Lives (National Museums Liverpool). 15 May 2006. Retrieved 6 November 2008
archived
by WebCite on 5 June 2011).
Morrissey was greatly interested in film, television, and
Gene Kelly Eugene Curran Kelly (August 23, 1912 – February 2, 1996) was an American dancer, actor, singer, director and choreographer. He was known for his energetic and athletic dancing style and sought to create a new form of American dance accessibl ...
musicals as a child.Cavendish, Simon (5 September 1998).
Arts: I wanted to be Gene Kelly
". ''The Independent'' (Newspaper Publishing): p. 12 (features section). Retrieved 5 June 2011.
He decided to become an actor after seeing a broadcast of '' Kes'' on television.Husband, Stuart (24 February 2008).
The incredible disappearing man
". ''The Sunday Telegraph'' (Telegraph Media Group): p. 32. Retrieved 4 November 2008.
At St Margaret Mary's Primary School, he was encouraged by a teacher named Miss Keller, who cast him as the Scarecrow in a school production of '' The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' when he was 11 years old. Keller left the school soon after, leaving him without encouragement.Owens, Paula (11 October 2007).
Liverpool's such a haven for filmmakers, says star
". ''Liverpool Daily Post'' (Trinity Mirror North West): p. 10. Retrieved 4 November 2008.

. British Film Institute. 2 March 2004. Retrieved 30 October 2008

by WebCite on 5 June 2011).
His secondary school, De La Salle School, had no drama classes and made him think that the fear of bullying often dissuaded pupils from participating in lessons.Riley, Joe (4 May 2001).
Morrissey's starring role
". ''Liverpool Echo'' (Trinity Mirror North West): p. 12. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
On the advice of a cousin, he joined the
Everyman Youth Theatre The Everyman and Playhouse Youth Theatre is a Liverpool-based stage and drama company for young people in Merseyside. Located at Liverpool's Everyman Theatre, the Youth Theatre is open to teenagers and provides weekly sessions in a wide variety o ...
. For the first couple of weeks, he was quite shy and did not join in with the workshops. When he eventually participated, he ended up appearing in their production of ''Fighting Chance'', a play about the 1981 riots in Liverpool. By the age of 14, Morrissey was one of two youth theatre members who sat on the board of the Everyman Theatre.Franks, Alan (7 April 2007)
The everyman
. ''The Times'' (Times Newspapers): pp. 44–45 (''Magazine'' supplement). Retrieved 17 December 2008.
His contemporaries included Cathy Tyson, brothers
Mark Mark may refer to: In the Bible * Mark the Evangelist (5–68), traditionally ascribed author of the Gospel of Mark * Gospel of Mark, one of the four canonical gospels and one of the three synoptic gospels Currencies * Mark (currency), a currenc ...
and
Stephen McGann Stephen Vincent McGann (born 2 February 1963) is an English actor, best known for portraying Physician, Dr Patrick Turner in the BBC One medical period drama series ''Call the Midwife''. He is one of a family of acting brothers, the others bei ...
, and Ian Hart, the last being his friend since they were both five years old. He became friends with the McGann brothers and they introduced him to their brother
Paul Paul may refer to: People * Paul (given name), a given name, including a list of people * Paul (surname), a list of people * Paul the Apostle, an apostle who wrote many of the books of the New Testament * Ray Hildebrand, half of the singing duo ...
, who was on a break from his studies 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 ...
(RADA). When he was 15 years old, his father developed a terminal blood disorder, and was ill for some time before dying of a haemorrhage at the age of 54 in the family home. After leaving school at the age of 16, Morrissey moved to
Wolverhampton Wolverhampton ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands (county), West Midlands of England. Located around 12 miles (20 km) north of Birmingham, it forms the northwestern part of the West Midlands conurbation, with the towns of ...
to join a theatre company there, where he worked on sets and costumes.


Career


Acting


1980s

In 1982, Morrissey auditioned for '' One Summer'', a television series by Willy Russell for
Yorkshire Television ITV Yorkshire, previously known as Yorkshire Television and commonly referred to as just YTV, is the British television service provided by ITV Broadcasting Limited for the Yorkshire franchise area on the ITV (TV network), ITV network. Until 19 ...
and
Channel 4 Channel 4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by Channel Four Television Corporation. It is state-owned enterprise, publicly owned but, unlike the BBC, it receives no public funding and is funded en ...
about two Liverpool boys who run away to
Wales Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...
one summer. Russell had been attached to the Everyman for many years, and Morrissey had seen him while he was working behind the bar downstairs from the theatre, though the two had never been introduced. Morrissey went to at least eight auditions, and in one read for the part of Icky opposite
Paul McGann Paul John McGann ( ; born 14 November 1959) is an English actor. He came to prominence for portraying Percy Toplis in the television serial '' The Monocled Mutineer'' (1986), then starred in the dark comedy '' Withnail and I'' (1987), which wa ...
, who was reading for Billy. McGann, five years older than Morrissey, believed that he was too old to be playing the part of 16-year-old Billy and stepped back from the production, leaving the role to go to Morrissey. Spencer Leigh got the part of Icky and Ian Hart played the supporting role of Rabbit. Russell had a professional disagreement with the director
Gordon Flemyng Gordon William Flemyng (7 March 1934 – 12 July 1995) was a Scottish director, producer and writer. He directed six theatrical features, several television movie, television films and numerous episodes of television series, some of which he als ...
and producer Keith Richardson over the casting of 18-year-old Morrissey and Leigh; he believed that the sympathy of 16-year-olds running away was lost by casting older actors. Russell subsequently had his name removed from the credits of the original broadcast. After filming ''One Summer'' for five months, Morrissey went travelling in
Kenya Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the 27th-most-populous country in the world and the 7th most populous in Africa. ...
with his cousins. When he returned to Britain, ''One Summer'' was being broadcast, and he dealt with the new experience of being recognised in public. Morrissey had planned to study at RADA in London, but his colleagues at the Everyman encouraged him not to as he already had his Equity card. His ''One Summer'' co-star James Hazeldine convinced him otherwise, and he went to London for a year. He became homesick while there and did not enjoy the way RADA was turning him into a "bland actor". On a visit back to Liverpool he told
Paul McGann Paul John McGann ( ; born 14 November 1959) is an English actor. He came to prominence for portraying Percy Toplis in the television serial '' The Monocled Mutineer'' (1986), then starred in the dark comedy '' Withnail and I'' (1987), which wa ...
's mother that he was considering leaving the college. Back in London, McGann met with him and reassured him that he had been through the same homesickness phase when he first went to RADA. Morrissey continued his studies at RADA and graduated on 1 December 1985.Rozner, Gina (14 October 2001). "How we met: David Morrissey & Paul McGann". ''The Independent'' (Independent News & Media): pp. 5–6. After a year at RADA, Morrissey went back to Liverpool to perform in ''WCPC'' at the
Liverpool Playhouse The Liverpool Playhouse is a theatre in Williamson Square in the city of Liverpool, England. It originated in 1866 as a music hall, and in 1911 developed into a repertory theatre. As such it nurtured the early careers of many actors and actre ...
. He then did '' Le Cid'' and ''
Twelfth Night ''Twelfth Night, or What You Will'' is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres on the twins Viola an ...
'' with
Cheek by Jowl Cheek by Jowl is an international theatre company founded in the United Kingdom by director Declan Donnellan and designer Nick Ormerod in 1981. Donnellan and Ormerod are Cheek by Jowl's artistic directors and together direct and design all of ...
, and spent two years with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), principally with director
Deborah Warner Deborah Warner (born 12 May 1959) is a British director of theatre and opera, known for her interpretations of the works of Shakespeare, Bertolt Brecht, Benjamin Britten, and Henrik Ibsen, and for her collaborations with Irish actress Fiona ...
for whom he played the Bastard in '' King John'' in 1988. He saw the role as a learning opportunity, as he had often wondered at RADA if he would ever have the chance to act in classical theatre. His performance has been described as "the most contentious characterisation of the production"; he received negative critical reaction from ''
The Daily Telegraph ''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a British daily broadsheet conservative newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed in the United Kingdom and internationally. It was found ...
'' and ''
Independent Independent or Independents may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups * Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in Pennsylvania, United States * Independentes (English: Independents), a Portuguese artist ...
'' critics, but a positive opinion from the ''
Financial Times The ''Financial Times'' (''FT'') is a British daily newspaper printed in broadsheet and also published digitally that focuses on business and economic Current affairs (news format), current affairs. Based in London, the paper is owned by a Jap ...
''. In ''
The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...
'', Nicholas de Jongh wrote, "The Bastard, who has the most complex syntax in early Shakespeare, half defeats David Morrissey. His slurred, sometimes unintelligible diction helps to deflate the Bastard, but his bawling rhetoric strikes as mere sham rather than fierce plain speaking." Morrissey also spent time with the National, where he played the title role in ''
Peer Gynt ''Peer Gynt'' (, ) is a five-Act (drama), act play in verse written in 1867 by the Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen. It is one of Ibsen's best known and most widely performed plays. ''Peer Gynt'' chronicles the journey of its title character fr ...
'' (1990). Michael Billington praised the unkempt energy of his performance. During this time, he lived on the housing estate in White City, where he and his flatmates were the frequent victims of burglars. Morrissey's second television role came in 1987 when he played the 18-year-old chauffeur George Bowman, whose obsession with his employer and lover Alma Rattenbury (
Helen Mirren Dame Helen Mirren (; born Ilyena Lydia Vasilievna Mironov; 26 July 1945) is an English actor. With a career spanning over six decades of Helen Mirren on screen and stage, screen and stage, List of awards and nominations received by Helen Mirre ...
) leads him to murder her husband, in an Anglia Television adaptation of Terence Rattigan's play ''Cause Célèbre''. At the end of the 1980s, Morrissey met director John Madden for the first time. Madden was looking for an actor who could portray an ordinary man who turns out to be a mass murderer, in his film '' The Widowmaker'' (1990). He knew Morrissey was right for the part in his first audition. The next year, Morrissey appeared as
Theseus Theseus (, ; ) was a divine hero in Greek mythology, famous for slaying the Minotaur. The myths surrounding Theseus, his journeys, exploits, and friends, have provided material for storytelling throughout the ages. Theseus is sometimes desc ...
in an episode of '' The Storyteller'' directed by Madden ("Theseus and the Minotaur", 1991), and as Little John in ''
Robin Hood Robin Hood is a legendary noble outlaw, heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently featured in literature, theatre, and cinema. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. In some versions o ...
'' (1991).David Morrissey
. British Film Institute. Retrieved 17 December 2008
archived
by WebCite on 24 January 2012).
''Robin Hood''s cinema release clashed with that of '' Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves'' (1991). The latter, starring
Kevin Costner Kevin Michael Costner (born January 18, 1955) is an American actor and filmmaker. He has received List of awards and nominations received by Kevin Costner, various accolades, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Primeti ...
in the title role, was a box office hit and left Morrissey's version forgotten. Morrissey was out of work in film and television for eight months after it was released. Eventually, he was cast in a leading role as a CID officer in the BBC television drama '' Clubland'' (1991). He almost lost the role a week into rehearsals when his appendix ruptured. In order to keep the part, and a flat in Crouch End he had just bought, Morrissey performed while he still had his stitches in.Garfield, Simon (11 April 2004).
'I genuinely feel the work could all dry up tomorrow'
". ''The Observer'' (Guardian News & Media): p. 3 (''Observer Review'' supplement). Retrieved 6 November 2008.


1990s

His role in ''The Widowmaker'' led to him being offered and taking many obsessive character roles; he played police officers in ''Black and Blue'', ''Framed'', '' Between the Lines'' and '' Out of the Blue'', and soldier
Andy McNab Steven Billy Mitchell (born 28 December 1959), usually known by the pseudonym and pen-name of Andy McNab, is a novelist and former Special Air Service soldier. He came into public prominence in 1993 when he published a book entitled ''Bravo T ...
in '' The One That Got Away'' (1996). Morrissey first met screenwriter
Peter Bowker Peter Bowker (born 5 January 1959) is a British playwright and screenwriter. He is best known for the television serials ''Blackpool (TV series), Blackpool'' (2004), a musical drama about a shady casino owner in the Northern England, north of En ...
when he played Detective Sergeant Jim Llewyn in the second series of Bowker's ''Out of the Blue''.Courtis, Brian (27 November 2005).
Holding all the aces
". ''The Sunday Age'' (Fairfax Media): p. 36 (''Preview'' section). Retrieved 5 November 2008.
In 1994, he played customs officer Gerry Birch in the first series of '' The Knock'', and Stephen Finney in the six-part ITV series '' Finney''. In ''Finney'', Morrissey assumed the role originated by Sting in '' Stormy Monday'' (
Mike Figgis Michael Figgis (born 28 February 1948) is an English film director, screenwriter, and composer. He was nominated for two Academy Awards for his work on '' Leaving Las Vegas'' (1995). Figgis was the founding patron of the independent filmmakers' ...
, 1988). He was the first choice for the part and had to learn to play the
double bass The double bass (), also known as the upright bass, the acoustic bass, the bull fiddle, or simply the bass, is the largest and lowest-pitched string instrument, chordophone in the modern orchestra, symphony orchestra (excluding rare additions ...
. Morrissey made his first appearance in a Tony Marchant drama playing Michael Ride in ''Into the Fire'' (1996), and the following year played the lead role of Shaun Southerns in Marchant's BBC series '' Holding On'' (1997). Southerns, a crooked tax inspector, was the first of many "men in turmoil" roles for Morrissey, and it earned him a nomination for the Royal Television Society (RTS) Programme Award for Best Male Actor the next year.RTS Programme Awards 1997
. Royal Television Society. Retrieved 5 June 2011
archived
by WebCite on 5 June 2011).
In 1998, he appeared in ''
Our Mutual Friend ''Our Mutual Friend'', published in 1864–1865, is the last novel completed by English author Charles Dickens and is one of his most sophisticated works, combining savage satire with social analysis. It centres on, in the words of critic J. ...
'' alongside Paul McGann. As he was a fan of the book, Morrissey asked director Julian Farino if he could play Eugene Wrayburn, but the role went to McGann. Farino had Morrissey in mind to play schoolmaster Bradley Headstone, a part Morrissey was reluctant to take until he read the script. He studied the role and decided to take it on the basis that the character was unloved and that his motivation by social class causes his mental health problems.Hoggard, Liz (20 March 2004).
David Morrissey: The unlikely lad
". ''The Independent'' (Independent News & Media): pp. 10–15. Retrieved 15 November 2008.
His performance was described by a writer for ''The Guardian'' as bringing "unprecedented depth to a character ..who is more commonly portrayed as just another horrible Dickens git."Williams, Zoe (12 November 2005).
Up for the big league
". ''The Guardian'' (Guardian News & Media): p. 26 (''Weekend'' supplement). Retrieved 4 November 2008.
In the same year, he played Christopher "Kiffer" Finzi in
Anand Tucker Anand Tucker (born 24 June 1963) is a film director and producer based in London. He began his career directing factual television programming and adverts. He co-owns the production company Seven Stories. Personal life Tucker was born in Thail ...
's '' Hilary and Jackie''. His roles in ''Our Mutual Friend'' and ''Hilary and Jackie'' were described as his breakthrough roles by Zoe Williams of ''The Guardian''. In 1999, Morrissey returned to the theatre for the first and last time in nine years to play Pip and Theo in '' Three Days of Rain'' ( Robin Lefevre,
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 ...
). He continued to take in offers for stage roles, but turned them down because he did not want to be away from his family for long periods.Staff (6 November 2008).
Brief Encounter With ... David Morrissey
. Whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 6 November 2008
archived
on 5 June 2011).
Writing in '' Time Out'', Jane Edwardes suggested that his role as Kiffer in ''Hilary and Jackie'' had inspired his casting as Pip in ''Three Days of Rain'' as the characters have similarities with each other. Morrissey was attracted to the role because the play began with a long speech and the cast and crew had only two weeks' rehearsal time. Next, he starred in '' Some Voices'' (2000), playing Pete. Morrissey researched the character of Pete, a chef, by shadowing the head chef at the Terrace Restaurant in
Kensington Kensington is an area of London in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, around west of Central London. The district's commercial heart is Kensington High Street, running on an east–west axis. The north-east is taken up by Kensingt ...
, London and chopping vegetables in the kitchen for two hours a day. An ''Independent'' critic called him "an instinctive actor who can use his whole body to convey an inner turbulence".Quinn, Anthony (25 August 2000).
A crazy tale from the naked city
". ''The Independent'' (Independent News & Media): p. 6 (''Film'' section). Retrieved 7 November 2008.
For his next film role as
Nazi Nazism (), formally named National Socialism (NS; , ), is the far-right politics, far-right Totalitarianism, totalitarian socio-political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in Germany. During H ...
Captain Weber in '' Captain Corelli's Mandolin'' (2001), Morrissey researched the
Hitler Youth The Hitler Youth ( , often abbreviated as HJ, ) was the youth wing of the German Nazi Party. Its origins date back to 1922 and it received the name ("Hitler Youth, League of German Worker Youth") in July 1926. From 1936 until 1945, it was th ...
and read
Gitta Sereny Gitta Sereny, CBE (13 March 192114 June 2012) was an Austrian-British biographer, historian, and investigative journalist who became known for her interviews and profiles of infamous figures, including Mary Bell, who was convicted in 1968 of ...
's biography of
Albert Speer Berthold Konrad Hermann Albert Speer (; ; 19 March 1905 – 1 September 1981) was a German architect who served as Reich Ministry of Armaments and War Production, Minister of Armaments and War Production in Nazi Germany during most of W ...
, ''Albert Speer: His Battle with Truth''. As with all of his roles, Morrissey created an extensive back story for Weber to build up the character.


2000s

Morrissey returned to television in 2002 playing Franny Rothwell, a factory canteen worker who wants to adopt his dead sister's son, in an episode of Paul Abbott's '' Clocking Off''. His performance was described as characteristically powerful in ''The Independent''.Viner, Brian (31 January 2002).
The Thursday Interview: David Morrissey
. ''The Independent'' (Independent News & Media): p. 7. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
He also played tabloid journalist Dave Dewston in the four-part BBC serial ''Murder'', and prison officer Mike in the part-improvised single drama '' Out of Control''. He researched the latter part by shadowing prison officers in a young offenders' institution for a week.Williams, Andrew (29 March 2006).
60 Seconds: David Morrissey
. Metro.co.uk (Associated Newspapers). Retrieved 6 November 2008
archived
by WebCite on 5 June 2011).
At the beginning of 2003, he played the role of Richie MacGregor in ''
This Little Life ''This Little Life'' is a 2003 TV film drama starring Kate Ashfield, Peter Mullan and Linda Bassett. The story follows the life of a married couple following the premature birth of their son. The film was produced by Stewart Mackinnon ( He ...
'', a television drama about a mother who has to cope with her 16-week-premature baby. Morrissey researched premature births by speaking to paediatricians at the Royal Free Hospital in
Hampstead Hampstead () is an area in London, England, which lies northwest of Charing Cross, located mainly in the London Borough of Camden, with a small part in the London Borough of Barnet. It borders Highgate and Golders Green to the north, Belsiz ...
. Morrissey's next major leading role was as Member of Parliament (MP) Stephen Collins in Paul Abbott's BBC serial '' State of Play'' (2003). Morrissey received the scripts for the first three episodes and was keen to read the last three. They had not been completed when he originally requested them but Abbott told him how Collins' story concludes. Unsure how to approach the role, Morrissey was advised by his friend, director Paul Greengrass, to get Collins' job as politician right. Morrissey contacted ''State of Play'' producer
Hilary Bevan Jones Hilary Bevan Jones is a British television producer. In 1994 she started Endor Productions, choosing the name from that of the novel ''The Road to Endor'' by E. H. Jones, her grandfather.Kevin Barron Sir Kevin John Barron (born 26 October 1946) is a British Labour Party (UK), Labour Party politician and former coal industry worker. He was the Member of Parliament (UK), Member of Parliament (MP) for Rother Valley (UK Parliament constituency) ...
and
Fabian Hamilton Fabian Uziell-Hamilton (born 12 April 1955) is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Leeds North East since 1997. He served as Shadow Minister for Peace and Disarmament from November 2016 to Septembe ...
. Both politicians educated Morrissey on how difficult it is to commute to London from a constituency outside the capital. Morrissey was also able to shadow
Peter Mandelson Peter Benjamin Mandelson, Baron Mandelson, (born 21 October 1953) is a British politician, lobbyist and diplomat who has served as British Ambassador to the United States since February 2025. A member of the Labour Party, Mandelson serve ...
around the House of Commons for a fortnight. He questioned Mandelson about his job as a cabinet minister but did not ask about his personal life.Wylie, Ian (16 May 2003).
Telly talk: David plays with politics
". ''Manchester Evening News'' (M.E.N. Media). Retrieved 5 November 2008.
Mandelson told him about how politics can quickly "seduce" MPs who have worked hard to get into Parliament. That same year, he played
Gordon Brown James Gordon Brown (born 20 February 1951) is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party (UK), Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2010. Previously, he was Chancellor of the Ex ...
in
Peter Morgan Peter Julian Robin Morgan (born 10 April 1963) is a British screenwriter and playwright. He has written for theatre, films and television, often writing about historical events or figures such as Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth II, whom he has ...
's single drama '' The Deal'' (2003), about a pact made between Brown and
Tony Blair Sir Anthony Charles Lynton Blair (born 6 May 1953) is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party (UK), Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007. He was Leader ...
(
Michael Sheen Michael Christopher Sheen (born 5 February 1969) is a Welsh actor. After training at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), he worked mainly in theatre throughout the 1990s with stage roles in ''Romeo and Juliet'' (1992), ''Don't Fool wi ...
) in 1994. Unlike his research for the fictional ''State of Play'', Morrissey discovered that no politicians wanted to talk to him for this fact-based drama, so he turned to journalists Jon Snow and Simon Hoggart. He also travelled to Brown's hometown of
Kirkcaldy Kirkcaldy ( ; ; ) is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It is about north of Edinburgh and south-southwest of Dundee. The town had a recorded population of 49,460 in 2011, making it Fife's second-largest s ...
and immersed himself in numerous biographies of the man, including Ross Wilson's documentary films on New Labour in the year surrounding the 1997 election.Morrissey, David. Radio interview with Mark Lawson. ''Front Row''. BBC Radio 4. 27 November 2008. When speaking to many of Brown's friends to gain insight into his "private persona", Morrissey discovered that Brown was funny, approachable and charming, which were characteristics he did not see in his "public persona". To look like Brown, Morrissey had his hair dyed and permed, and put on 2 stone (28 lb/13 kg) in body weight in six weeks. The director Stephen Frears originally wanted to cast a Scottish actor as Brown but was persuaded by other production staff to cast Morrissey. His acting in ''State of Play'' and ''The Deal'' won him considerable acclaim; he was nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor for his role as Collins but lost to his co-star Bill Nighy.Television Nominations 2003
. British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Retrieved 4 November 2008
archived
by WebCite on 5 June 2011).
His performance in ''The Deal'' was acclaimed by
Charlie Whelan Charles Alexander James Whelan (born 3 February 1954, north-east Surrey) is former political director of the British trade union Unite. He rose to prominence as spokesman for Labour politician Gordon Brown from 1992 to 1999. He has also worked ...
, Gordon Brown's former spin doctor, and Tim Allan, a deputy press secretary of Tony Blair. A
BBC News Online BBC News Online is the website of BBC News, the division of the BBC responsible for newsgathering and production. It is one of the most popular news websites, with 1.2 billion website visits in April 2021, as well as being used by 60% of the U ...
writer praised Morrissey's grasp of Brown's physical tics in a review that criticised the rest of the film. Morrissey's performance won the RTS Programme Award for Best Male Actor the next year, this time beating Nighy.RTS Programme Awards 2003
. Royal Television Society. Retrieved 4 November 2008
archived
by WebCite on 5 June 2011).
The RTS jury wrote of Morrissey, "The strength of this performance brought to the screen, and to life, all of the characteristics and traits of the man he portrayed in a way that was both credible and convincing." In 2009, Morrissey declined the opportunity to play Brown again in '' The Special Relationship'', Morgan's third Blair film, as he did not want to get into the mindset of playing Brown for just one scene.McLeod, Pauline (4 March 2010).
David Morrissey: Actor-turned-director finds time to help make world a better place
". Express.co.uk (Express Newspapers). Retrieved 10 July 2010.
Morrissey was eager to play a comic role after starring in these dramas. He subsequently reunited with Peter Bowker for the BBC One musical serial ''
Blackpool Blackpool is a seaside town in Lancashire, England. It is located on the Irish Sea coast of the Fylde peninsula, approximately north of Liverpool and west of Preston, Lancashire, Preston. It is the main settlement in the Borough of Blackpool ...
'', in which he plays
Blackpool Blackpool is a seaside town in Lancashire, England. It is located on the Irish Sea coast of the Fylde peninsula, approximately north of Liverpool and west of Preston, Lancashire, Preston. It is the main settlement in the Borough of Blackpool ...
arcade owner Ripley Holden.Maher, Kevin (15 November 2008).
Hurt and soul
. ''The Times'' (Times Newspapers): pp. 15–16 (''The Knowledge'' supplement). Retrieved 15 November 2008.
Bowker remembered Morrissey from ''Out of the Blue'' and wanted to build on the actor's sense of humour and to cast him against type. Before filming began, Morrissey spent four days in Blackpool talking to the locals and finding out how the arcades worked. His performance was described in ''The Daily Telegraph'' as "a powerful mixture of barely suppressed danger and vulnerable, boyish charm."Pile, Stephen (6 November 2004).

. ''The Daily Telegraph'' (Telegraph Media Group): p. 10 (''Review'' section). Retrieved 5 November 2008.
A public poll on
bbc.co.uk BBC Online, formerly known as BBCi, is the BBC's online service. It is a large network of websites including such high-profile sites as BBC News and BBC Sport, Sport, the on-demand video and radio services branded BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, t ...
ranked him the second best actor of 2004. Morrissey reprised the role in 2006 in the one-off sequel ''Viva Blackpool!''. He was pleased to revive Ripley after filming dramatic roles since the original serial. The following years saw Morrissey cast in two high-profile feature films; while filming the
Brian Jones Lewis Brian Hopkin Jones (28 February 1942 – 3 July 1969) was an English musician and founder of the Rolling Stones. Initially a slide guitarist, he went on to sing backing vocals and played a wide variety of instruments on Rolling Stones r ...
biopic '' Stoned'' (2005), he got an audition for psychiatrist Dr. Michael Glass, the male lead in '' Basic Instinct 2'' (2006). He was flown out to
Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
for a one-hour screen test with
Sharon Stone Sharon Vonne Stone (born March 10, 1958) is an American actress and film producer. Known for primarily playing femmes fatales and women of mystery on film and television, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1990s. She is the ...
. Their immediate rapport led to the screen test being extended by another hour and Morrissey's casting in the role. Morrissey had enjoyed the first film and liked the script for the sequel. He read up on psychiatry and worked out in a gym for the nudity scenes. The film was a box office and critical failure. ''
The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'', locally known as ''The'' ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'' or ''WP'', is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C., the national capital. It is the most widely circulated newspaper in the Washington m ...
'' criticised the film's focus on Morrissey's character and called the actor "overmatched by Stone" and "a sad sack", and the ''
Seattle Post-Intelligencer The ''Seattle Post-Intelligencer'' (popularly known as the ''Seattle P-I'', the ''Post-Intelligencer'', or simply the ''P-I'') is an online newspaper and former print newspaper based in Seattle, Washington (state), Washington, United States. Th ...
'' called him "a charisma-challenged non-entity". The same ''Washington Post'' critic later wrote in the ''
Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' is an American Newspaper#Daily, daily newspaper that began publishing in Los Angeles, California, in 1881. Based in the Greater Los Angeles city of El Segundo, California, El Segundo since 2018, it is the List of new ...
'' that because Morrissey was not a film star, the chemistry between him and Stone had been spoiled.
Nathan Rabin Nathan Rabin () is an American film and music critic. Rabin was the first head writer for ''The A.V. Club'', a position he held until he left the ''Onion'' organization in 2013.
of ''
The A.V. Club ''The A.V. Club'' is an online newspaper and entertainment website featuring reviews, interviews, and other articles that examine films, music, television, books, games, and other elements of pop-culture media. ''The A.V. Club'' was created in ...
'' wrote that Morrissey had "the charisma of beige wallpaper" and that "the producers could have replaced him halfway through shooting with a handsome mahogany coat rack and nobody would be able to tell the difference". The bad reviews depressed Morrissey, and he briefly considered giving up acting, but instead saw the role as a chance to learn. Immediately after filming ''Basic Instinct 2'', he began work on '' The Reaping'' (2007) in
Louisiana Louisiana ( ; ; ) is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It borders Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east. Of the 50 U.S. states, it ranks 31st in area and 25 ...
, in which he played science teacher Doug Blackwell opposite Hilary Swank. The role had been offered to him quite late in pre-production, and he flew to
Baton Rouge Baton Rouge ( ; , ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It had a population of 227,470 at the 2020 United States census, making it List of municipalities in Louisiana, Louisiana's second-m ...
the Monday after ''Basic Instinct 2'' wrapped. He took the role because he was a fan of Swank, and Hopkins' film '' The Life and Death of Peter Sellers'' (2004), and he preferred the thriller aspect of the ''Reaping'' script above the horror aspect. After a week of filming, production had to be suspended when
Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina was a powerful, devastating and historic tropical cyclone that caused 1,392 fatalities and damages estimated at $125 billion in late August 2005, particularly in the city of New Orleans and its surrounding area. ...
hit the state. He found the filming schedule quite demanding, particularly the three weeks of night filming and a scene in which his character is attacked by a plague of locusts, most of which were computer-generated in post-production but some were real on camera. ''The Reaping'' was released in 2007 and performed badly in cinemas. Despite the failures of both films, Morrissey was grateful that they opened him up to more film offers from Hollywood. In March 2006, Morrissey filmed a role in '' The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep'' (2007) in
New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...
. While there, he was offered the role of father Danny Brogan in ''
Cape Wrath Cape Wrath (, known as ' in Lewis) is a cape in the Durness parish of the county of Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland. It is the most north-westerly point in Great Britain. The cape is separated from the rest of the mainland by the Ky ...
'', an Ecosse Films series about a family being moved on a
witness protection Witness protection is security provided to a threatened person providing testimonial evidence to the justice system, including defendants and other clients, before, during, and after trials, usually by police. While witnesses may only require p ...
scheme to a mysterious village. He signed on to the seven-part series in September 2006 and filmed the series until the end of the year.Morrissey, David (July 2007).
David Morrissey's Cape Wrath Diary: June to August
",
September to October
",
November to December
". ''Radio Times'' (BBC Magazines). Retrieved 7 November 2008.
He relished working on the character's back story as it confounded the expectations of both him and the audience. The series was broadcast in Britain and America in 2007. The following year, he played the part of Colonel Brandon in Andrew Davies' serial ''
Sense and Sensibility ''Sense and Sensibility'' ( working title; ''Elinor and Marianne'') is the first novel by the English author Jane Austen, published in 1811. It was published anonymously: ''By A Lady'' appears on the title page where the author's name might h ...
''. When he first got the script in 2007, he was unsure if British television needed another Jane Austen adaptation, but he took the role when he saw how Davies had given more screen time to the male characters than they get in Sense and Sensibility (1995 film), the 1995 film adaptation. He also appeared as Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk in ''The Other Boleyn Girl (2008 film), The Other Boleyn Girl'' (2008). He compared Norfolk to bassist Lemmy from Motörhead and researched the role by reading history books and literature from the 16th century. From November 2008 to January 2009, Morrissey returned to the theatre for the first time in nine years to appear in the Almeida Theatre's British premiere of Neil LaBute's ''In a Dark Dark House''. He played Terry, one of two brothers who had been abused as a child, opposite Steven Mackintosh and Kira Sternbach. He took the role because he liked LaBute's previous play, ''The Mercy Seat (play), The Mercy Seat'' (2002). After accepting the part, he researched the character by reading case studies of adults who were abused when they were children. He learned about how they coped with the shame of their abuse, and incorporated those feelings into his acting. He was also able to consult LaBute during rehearsals but avoided asking him exactly how to play Terry.Calvi, Nuala (4 December 2008). "His dark materials". ''The Stage'' (The Stage Newspaper): pp. 22–23. In ''The Daily Telegraph'' review that criticised the play, Charles Spencer (journalist), Charles Spencer wrote that Morrissey's was the best performance "as the blue-collar older brother who reveals extraordinary depths of grief, damage and forgiveness that finally light up this dark, flawed play." Benedict Nightingale of ''The Times'' initially believed that Morrissey's acting was "a bit stiff, almost as if he was waiting for his cues rather than reacting instantaneously to their content" but found him more impressive as the play went on. In December 2008, he appeared alongside his ''Blackpool'' co-star David Tennant in "The Next Doctor", the 2008 Christmas special of ''Doctor Who'', playing Jackson Lake, a man who believes he is Doctor (Doctor Who), the Doctor after his mind is affected by alien technology. Morrissey had been asked to appear in the series before but had to turn down the offers due to other commitments.Cook, Benjamin (6–12 December 2008). "Who's Who?". ''Radio Times'' (BBC Magazines): pp. 8–10. He approached the character like any other dramatic part, and was influenced in his performance by previous Doctor actors William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton and Tom Baker.Bailey, David (December 2008). "Who's Next?" ''Doctor Who Magazine'' (Panini Magazines) (403): pp. 16–20. Secrecy surrounded the exact details of Morrissey's role in the episode; until the day of broadcast his character was referred to only as "the other Doctor". This prompted media speculation that Morrissey would be taking over the lead role after Tennant quit, and in October 2008 he was reported as a favourite of bookmakers. He was pleased that the episode was a "decoy" for the truth that actor Matt Smith (actor), Matt Smith had actually been chosen for the part of the Eleventh Doctor.Williams, Lisa (26 February 2009).
Not another policeman!
". ''The Northern Echo'' (Newsquest). Retrieved 8 March 2009.
In September 2009, he told entertainment website Digital Spy that he would gladly return to the show if asked. In March 2009, Morrissey appeared as corrupt police detective Maurice Jobson in ''Red Riding'', the Channel 4 adaptation of David Peace's ''Red Riding'' novels. Morrissey already knew the directors of the films, enjoyed reading the script and had either worked with his co-stars on other projects, or wanted to work with them. He liked the flaws in the Jobson character and that he differs from typical vigilante police officers portrayed on television. Morrissey said of Jobson, "I think he sets out to be a good cop, he tries to do his job well but he gets involved in some corruption and realises that being a 'bit' corrupt is like being a 'bit' pregnant. You either are or you're not." He received a Best Actor nomination from the Broadcasting Press Guild for the role. At the end of the year, Morrissey played Julia Lennon#John Albert "Bobby" Dykins, Bobby Dykins in the John Lennon biopic ''Nowhere Boy'' (2009). As a self-confessed "Beatles geek", Morrissey relished the opportunity to star in the film about Lennon's childhood.Jones, Catherine (21 December 2009). "I was a Beatles geek even before the film". ''Liverpool Echo'' (Trinity Mirror North West): p. 10. He was described by the British Film Institute as one of the most versatile English actors of his generation.


2010s

Morrissey was active on screen throughout 2010. He starred as Theunis Swanepoel, the interrogator of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, in the BBC single drama ''Mrs Mandela''. His performance was praised by ''The Guardian'' and ''Independent'' critics. The following months saw him star as British Transport Police officer Mal Craig in the second series of BBC One's ''Five Days (TV series), Five Days'', Roman soldier Bothos in Neil Marshall's feature ''Centurion (film), Centurion'', stalking victim Jan Falkowski in ''U Be Dead'', and Colonel John Arbuthnot in the ''Agatha Christie's Poirot'' adaptation of ''Murder on the Orient Express''.Hastings, Sheena (21 June 2010).
'People don't read about my private life much in magazines. I'm happy with that'
". ''Yorkshire Post'' (Yorkshire Post Newspapers). Retrieved 7 June 2011.
Morrissey returned to a weekly television role at the end of 2010 playing police detective Tom Thorne in ''Thorne (TV series), Thorne'', a six-part television series for Sky1 that was adapted from Mark Billingham's novels ''Sleepyhead'' and ''Scaredy Cat''.Rushton, Katherine (8 October 2009).
Sky set to take drama from Morrissey indie
. ''Broadcast'' (Emap Media). Retrieved 8 October 2009
archived
by WebCite on 7 June 2011).
After reading ''Lifeless'' during his time filming ''The Water Horse'' in
New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...
, Morrissey searched the Internet for more information. He found an interview in which Billingham stated his preference for Morrissey to play Thorne should a screen adaptation ever be made. When he returned to the UK, Morrissey arranged a meeting with Billingham and the two began developing the TV series.Staff (4 September 2010). "Thorne". ''Western Mail'' (Western Mail and Echo): p. 4.Stephenson, David (3 October 2010).
David Morrissey: Macho man cops out
". ''Sunday Express'' (Express Newspapers): pp. 68–69. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
Morrissey shadowed officers in the Metropolitan Police's murder unit during their duties to learn about their jobs. He discovered that the officers felt undervalued in their jobs, and he incorporated these feelings into the series. Sky first broadcast the series on 10 October. Morrissey received approval for the role; Andrea Mullaney wrote in ''The Scotsman'', "Morrissey is never less than watchable and he brings a brooding presence to the role of Thorne." and Adam Sweeting for The Arts Desk called him "authentic as the phlegmatic, low-key Thorne." In 2011, Morrissey starred as Robert Carne in ''South Riding (2011 TV series), South Riding'', and played Dunlop in the Lionsgate Films, Lionsgate crime drama feature ''Blitz (2011 film), Blitz''. In May 2011, he returned to the Everyman Theatre to play Macbeth (character), the eponymous king in ''Macbeth''.Jones, Catherine (20 May 2011).
Return of Lady Mac
". ''Liverpool Echo'' (Trinity Mirror North West): p. 2. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
Morrissey talked about the role to criminologists, to draw parallels with real-life serial killers, and focused on Macbeth's status as a war hero and his childless relationship with Lady Macbeth. Morrissey's performance was commended by Laura Davis in the ''Liverpool Daily Post'', who highlighted his delivery of his lines and portrayal of Macbeth "[shifting] from straight-spined statesman to a fervent slayer". Clare Brenan of ''The Observer'' offered similar praise but noted that Morrissey's vocal inflections were sometimes "flat and rushed". Continuing his roles in Shakespeare productions, Morrissey played Northumberland in a BBC Two production of ''Richard II (play), Richard II'', broadcast in July 2012. Morrissey joined the cast of '' The Walking Dead'' for its third season in 2012. He portrayed The Governor, a major villain from The Walking Dead (comics), the graphic novel upon which the series is based. Morrissey read the prequel novel ''The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor, Rise of the Governor'' to gain insight into the character and his motivations.Keck, William (28 May 2012).
Keck's Exclusives: Meet The Walking Dead's Evil Governor
. TV Guide Online. Retrieved 25 August 2012
archived
by WebCite on 25 August 2012).
He also worked with an accent coach and listened to politicians with Southern accents, including Bill Clinton. He returned for the fourth season in 2013, and made a cameo appearance in 2015. In 2014, Morrissey returned to British television in the David Nicholls (writer), David Nicholls drama ''The 7.39'' and the three-part serial ''The Driver (TV series), The Driver'', written by Danny Brocklehurst. Morrissey was made an honorary doctorate, Honorary Doctor of Arts (HonDA) by
Edge Hill University Edge Hill University is a campus-based public university in Ormskirk, Lancashire, England. The university, which originally opened in 1885 as Edge Hill College, was the first non-denominational teacher training college for women in England, befo ...
in 2016. From 10 September to 10 October, he starred in ''Hangmen (play), Hangmen'' by Martin McDonagh, at the Royal Court Theatre. The play followed Harry Wade, a former hangman, after Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965, the abolition of hanging in Great Britain in 1965. In 2017, Morrissey joined the cast of The League of Gentlemen for their 2017 revival. From January 2018, Morrissey appeared as Mark Antony, Mark Anthony in ''Julius Caesar (play), Julius Caesar'' at the new Bridge Theatre. That year, he also starred as Inspector Tyador Borlú in the BBC2 drama ''The City and the City (TV series), The City and the City'', adapted from China Miéville's The City & the City, novel of the same name by screenwriter Tony Grisoni.


2020s

In 2022, he played the main antagonist Gorka in the Italian horror-fantasy film ''Dampyr (film), Dampyr''. He also starred in the 2024 sci-fi film ''Slingshot (upcoming film), Slingshot''.


Filmmaking

In the early 1980s, Morrissey developed a filmmaking craft at the Rathbone Theatre Workshop, a Youth Opportunities Programme that taught school-leavers skills for a year. With the workshop, Morrissey shot short silent films on Super 8 mm film, Super 8, where he was taught by Bert Byron, who introduced him to US Independent and foreign films for the first time. Although the scheme paid £23.50 a week and took young people off unemployment benefits, Morrissey reflected in 2009 that many of the participants were just used as lackeys.Staff (11 November 2009).
Morrissey on other side of camera
(includes audio clip). BBC Liverpool News. Retrieved 8 December 2009
archived
by WebCite on 7 June 2011).
After his acting career escalated, he started directing because he was aware that, as an actor, he was coming into a project quite late into development and then leaving before post-production, and he wanted to see a film through to the end. Morrissey has said that he prefers to keep acting and directing separate, and would not direct anything he is acting in. His first major project was ''Something for the Weekend'' (1996), which he wrote and produced. Initially called ''The Barber Shop'', the title was changed to avoid a clash with another film. His directorial debut, the short ''A Secret Audience'', centres on a meeting between Napoleon Bonaparte and Pope Pius VII. His second short, ''Bring Me Your Love'', was based on the short story by Charles Bukowski, and stars Ian Hart as a journalist bringing flowers to his wife in a mental hospital. It was screened in front of ''Some Voices''. An ''Independent'' critic wrote that ''Bring Me Your Love'' "holds out great promise" for Morrissey and ''The Observer'' reviewer wrote that it was worth seeing but was not as impressive as ''A Secret Audience''. ''Bring Me Your Love'' was produced by Tubedale Films, a studio Morrissey formed with his brother Paul and wife Esther Freud. In 2001, Morrissey directed ''Sweet Revenge (2001 TV film), Sweet Revenge'', a two-part BBC television film starring Paul McGann that got him a BAFTA nomination for Best New Director (Fiction).Television Craft Nominations 2001
. British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Retrieved 4 November 2008
archived
by WebCite on 7 June 2011).
In 2004, Morrissey reunited with Tony Marchant to direct the two-part television film ''Passer By (TV film), Passer By'', about a man (James Nesbitt) who witnesses an attack on a woman (Emily Bruni) but does nothing to stop it. Morrissey was brought onto the project after reading the first draft of Marchant's script. The script went through five more drafts before being filmed over 30 days.Fogg, Tom (July 2001).
Interview with David Morrissey
. Netribution. Retrieved 7 November 2008

by WebCite on 7 June 2011).
Morrissey developed his directing techniques by watching the directors on films and television series that he acted in; he took the minor role of Tom Keylock in ''Stoned'' so that he could watch Stephen Woolley at work. On 20 July 2007, Morrissey was given an Honorary title (academic), Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University for contributions to performing arts.Wilkie, Shonagh (9 October 2007).
Fellowship for David Morrissey
. Liverpool John Moores University. Retrieved 7 November 2008

by WebCite on 7 June 2011).
In the same year, he made his feature debut directing ''
Don't Worry About Me ''Don't Worry About Me'' is the first album released by Joey Ramone as a solo artist. It was released posthumously on February 19, 2002, by Sanctuary Records, less than a year after his death. The album was produced by Daniel Rey, who also did ...
'', a film about a London boy falling in love with a Liverpool girl. The film was shot on a budget of £100,000 on location in Liverpool in September and October 2007 and had its world premiere at the 2009 London Film Festival. Joseph Galliano wrote in ''The Times'' that ''Don't Worry About Me'' is "a very understated film and feels more like European Art Cinema." The film was broadcast on BBC Two on 7 March 2010 and released on DVD the next day.Morrissey, David. Television interview with Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley. ''The One Show''. BBC One. 25 February 2010. In 2009, Morrissey and Mark Billingham launched the production company Sleepyhead, which produced the ''Thorne'' television series. The company was a part of Stagereel, a production house previously set up by Morrissey's brother Paul. The company bought the rights to adapt the ''Thorne'' novels and Morrissey was already developing it to pitch (filmmaking), pitch to television channels when Sky made an offer to broadcast it.Dams, Tim (7 October 2010).
Morrissey on drama producing
. ''Televisual'' (Televisual Media UK). Retrieved 4 June 2011

by WebCite on 5 June 2011).
As of 2010, Morrissey and Tubedale Films were developing two feature films with financing from the UK Film Council. Morrissey criticised the Cameron–Clegg coalition, Cameron–Clegg coalition government's decision to close the UK Film Council, as he believed it was an asset to first-time filmmakers. The organisation's funding role was taken over by the British Film Institute in 2011.


Charity work

In 2009, Morrissey and a team of filmmakers ran a series of drama workshops for Palestinian refugee children in Beirut, in conjunction with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA. On his return to England, he set up the Creative Arts School Trust (CAST), a charity for the purpose of training teachers and continuing the workshops in Lebanon and elsewhere. Morrissey is a patron of The SMA Trust (a charity that funds research into spinal muscular atrophy), Liverpool's Unity Theatre, Liverpool, Unity Theatre, and the human rights organisation Reprieve (organisation), Reprieve.


Personal life

Morrissey was introduced to novelist Esther Freud by actor Danny Webb (actor), Danny Webb, and the two dated for around 13 years before marrying in a ceremony on Southwold Pier on 12 August 2006.Greenstreet, Rosanna (12 July 2008).
Q&A: David Morrissey
". ''The Guardian'' (Guardian News & Media): p. 9 (''Weekend'' supplement). Retrieved 7 November 2008.
They had a daughter and two sons together before separating in 2020. They had split their time between homes in North London and Walberswick. Morrissey is a lifelong supporter of his hometown football team Liverpool F.C., Liverpool FC and the Labour Party (UK), Labour Party. In 2014, he was one of 200 public figures who were signatories to an open letter in ''
The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...
'' expressing their hope that Scotland would vote to remain part of the United Kingdom in 2014 Scottish independence referendum, that year's referendum on the issue.


Filmography


Awards


References


External links

* *
David Morrissey
on Instagram
David Morrissey
on Twitter Video
Webcast with Jason Solomons
''In The Director's Chair''. 19 February 2010. guardian.co.uk (Guardian News & Media). Retrieved 19 February 2010.
Don't Worry About Me + Q&A
. British Film Institute. 24 February 2010 – A question-and-answer session with Morrissey and actress Helen Elizabeth about ''Don't Worry About Me''. {{DEFAULTSORT:Morrissey, David 1964 births Male actors from Liverpool Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art English male film actors English film directors English film producers English male radio actors English screenwriters English male screenwriters English male stage actors English male television actors English television directors English television producers Living people Royal Shakespeare Company members 20th-century English male actors 21st-century English male actors English male Shakespearean actors Labour Party (UK) people People from Knotty Ash Freud family Fellows of the American Physical Society