He played John Proctor in the successful and critically acclaimed production of The Crucible at The Old Vic, and earned an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor. After twelve years away and having earned that name recognition, Armitage returned to the stage in 2014 taking his first leading role in a major production. He turned to film and television roles when he noticed that leading stage roles went to actors with name recognition who could bring in patrons to fill venues. In 2020, he played the lead role in the Netflix miniseries The Stranger.Īfter graduating from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), Armitage initially sought theatre work and was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). He voiced Trevor Belmont in the Netflix adaptation of Castlevania.

Other notable roles include John Proctor in Yaël Farber's stage production of Arthur Miller's The Crucible, Francis Dolarhyde in the American TV series Hannibal, Lucas North in the British TV drama Spooks, John Porter in the British TV drama Strike Back, Daniel Miller in the EPIX spy series Berlin Station and Guy of Gisborne in the British TV drama Robin Hood. His role as dwarf king and leader Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson's film trilogy adaptation of The Hobbit brought him international recognition. He received recognition in the UK with his first leading role as John Thornton in the British television programme North & South (2004). Richard Crispin Armitage ( / ˈ ɑːr m ə t ɪ dʒ/ born 22 August 1971) is an English actor and author.

Our School Garden! by Rick Swann