Christopher Eccleston

Birthday: 16 February 1964, Salford, Lancashire, England, UK

Height: 183 cm

Christopher Eccleston trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama and first came to public attention as Derek Bentley in Let Him Have It (1991). However, it was a regular role in the television series Cracker (1993) that made him a recognizable figure in the United Kingdom. He appeared in the low-budget thriller Shallow Grave (1994), and in the same year, won the part of Nicky Hutchinson in the epic BBC drama serial Our Friends in the North (1996). It was the transmission of the latter series on BBC Two that really made him into a household name in the United Kingdom. In his film career, he has starred as a leading man alongside a number of major actresses, such as Renée Zellweger in A Price Above Rubies (1998), Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth (1998), and Cameron Diaz and Jordana Brewster in The Invisible Circus (2001), and Nicole Kidman in The Others (2001).In addition to his successful film career, he has continued to work in his favourite medium, appearing in some of the most challenging and thought-provoking British television dramas of recent years. These have included Clocking Off (2000) and Flesh and Blood (2002) for the BBC and Hillsborough (1996), the Iago character in a modern adaptation of Shakespeare's "Othello", and the religious epic The Second Coming (2003), playing Steve Baxter, the son of God. His stage career, while not as extensive as his screen credits, has nevertheless shown him to be a formidable actor. He has given intense, focused performances in such plays as "Hamlet", "Electricity" and "Miss Julie", for which he received excellent reviews.A very highly regarded actor, Eccleston has twice been nominated in the Best Actor category at the BAFTA Television Awards, the British premiere television awards ceremony. His first nomination came in 1997 for "Our Friends in the North". Although he didn't win those awards, however, he did triumph in the Best Actor categories at the 1997 Broadcasting Press Guild Awards and the Royal Television Society Awards, winning for "Our Friends in the North". He won the RTS Best Actor award for a second time in 2003, this time for his performance in "Flesh and Blood". In 2005, he received the Most Popular Actor award in the National Television Awards for Doctor Who. Hide

I enjoy American television. I've got three particular favorites: The Larry Sanders Show (1992), Dea Show more I enjoy American television. I've got three particular favorites: The Larry Sanders Show (1992), Deadwood (2004) and NYPD Blue (1993). I admire them all for very different reasons. One's a very broad, naturalistic satiric comedy. Deadwood's a fantastic take on the Western genre, and NYPD Blue, I thought the writing and the acting was extraordinary. Hide

Jacobean plays, before Shakespeare, were particularly visceral. Jacobean plays, before Shakespeare, were particularly visceral.

I've kept my word with the audience and not fed them rubbish. I've done some rubbish elsewhere, thou Show more I've kept my word with the audience and not fed them rubbish. I've done some rubbish elsewhere, though, and I've let myself down in that way. But I think I can hold my head up - I don't think I've ever done it for the money on British telly. I always choose roles with my heart. Hide

[on his accent in Doctor Who (2005) - although he was wrong because Sylvester McCoy clearly had a Sc Show more [on his accent in Doctor Who (2005) - although he was wrong because Sylvester McCoy clearly had a Scottish accent] I'm different from the other Doctors in that I'm northern. All the others spoke with this RP accent [received pronunciation] - maybe it was that that put me off. I think that it's good that we teach kids that people who speak like that can be heroic. Hide

[on Our Friends in the North (1996)] I was standing on the set of Shallow Grave (1994) and Danny Boy Show more [on Our Friends in the North (1996)] I was standing on the set of Shallow Grave (1994) and Danny Boyle said, 'I've read something you'd like.' I got hold of the scripts and read them in one sitting. There's a scene in which Nicky's embittered idealist dad, Felix - played by the wonderful 'Peter Vaughan' - is savaged by a dog on a council estate. He is effectively destroyed by everything he felt he'd failed to create as a socialist. I thought it was an absolutely brilliant piece of writing. I knew it was event television from that single scene. Hide

The money is better in films and television. But in terms of acting, theatre is more rewarding. The money is better in films and television. But in terms of acting, theatre is more rewarding.

I know exactly where I've come from, I know exactly who my mum and dad are. I know exactly where I've come from, I know exactly who my mum and dad are.

I had to help to coax the performances and I really enjoyed that extra responsibility. I had to help to coax the performances and I really enjoyed that extra responsibility.

[on Accused (2010)] Writing of this quality doesn't come along too often. I have great respect and a Show more [on Accused (2010)] Writing of this quality doesn't come along too often. I have great respect and affection for Jimmy (Jimmy McGovern). We go back 17 years now, and this is the sixth time I've worked for him. He's been the spine of my career. Hide

On The Others (2001), very atmospheric and probably mysterious is how I would say it felt to be on t Show more On The Others (2001), very atmospheric and probably mysterious is how I would say it felt to be on the set. It felt just a little uneasy, the atmosphere that we were trying to capture. Hide

I wasn't always such a great fan of Shakespeare, mind you. I can guess we all at one time had it ram Show more I wasn't always such a great fan of Shakespeare, mind you. I can guess we all at one time had it rammed down our necks at school, which tends to take the edge off it. Hide

In all the 20 years I've been acting, I've never enjoyed a response so much as the one I've had from Show more In all the 20 years I've been acting, I've never enjoyed a response so much as the one I've had from children and I'm carrying that in my heart forever. Hide

I only ever worked on interiors, and an interior is an interior. I don't know what they did about ex Show more I only ever worked on interiors, and an interior is an interior. I don't know what they did about exteriors. Hide

I don't see a lot of films. I'm quite choosy, but there's certain films that stick out. I don't see a lot of films. I'm quite choosy, but there's certain films that stick out.

If I had my choice, I would exclusively do theatre, if I could justify it financially. Theatre in my Show more If I had my choice, I would exclusively do theatre, if I could justify it financially. Theatre in my country is by and large very lowly paid, so actors have to supplement it with television and film work, if they're fortunate enough to be able to do that. Hide

Rather than disliking theatre, I've expressed a preference for television because it tends to deal i Show more Rather than disliking theatre, I've expressed a preference for television because it tends to deal in its small way much more with issues and is able to reach a broader church of people than theatre. Hide

I want to direct but I think I'd be bloody awful and I don't want to produce but I think I'd be a ve Show more I want to direct but I think I'd be bloody awful and I don't want to produce but I think I'd be a very good producer because if I believed in something I'd be able to protect it. Hide

My bony face is like a car crash. I haven't got good looks, just weird looks, enough to frighten the Show more My bony face is like a car crash. I haven't got good looks, just weird looks, enough to frighten the fiercest monster. Hide

[why he left Doctor Who (2005)] Myself and three individuals at the very top of the pyramid clashed Show more [why he left Doctor Who (2005)] Myself and three individuals at the very top of the pyramid clashed so off I went. But they're not here to say their side of it so I'm not going into detail." Hide

The best thing about Doctor Who (2005) for me has been the response I've had from children, both in Show more The best thing about Doctor Who (2005) for me has been the response I've had from children, both in the street and the number of letters and drawings of me and Daleks, which are all over my wall at home. In all the 20 years I've been acting, I've never enjoyed a response so much as the one I've had from children and I'm carrying that in my heart forever. Hide

I heard the various terms of abuse at school and probably indulged them in the way you do as a kid. I heard the various terms of abuse at school and probably indulged them in the way you do as a kid.

We all need a firm sense of identity. We all need a firm sense of identity.

The person who gives you your first job is so important in any industry. The person who gives you your first job is so important in any industry.

I came out of school in '79 when unemployment was really starting to bite, went back and redid my O- Show more I came out of school in '79 when unemployment was really starting to bite, went back and redid my O-levels, there was a play going on and I was corralled into it. Hide

I love my accent, I thought it was useful in Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000) because the standard villa Show more I love my accent, I thought it was useful in Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000) because the standard villain is upper class or Cockney. My Northern accent would be an odd clash opposite Nic Cage. Hide

I used my instincts. It's very easy to imagine how you'd feel, actually. I just had to tell the narr Show more I used my instincts. It's very easy to imagine how you'd feel, actually. I just had to tell the narrative. Hide

Often as a child you see someone with a learning disability or Down's Syndrome and my mum and dad we Show more Often as a child you see someone with a learning disability or Down's Syndrome and my mum and dad were always very quick to explain exactly what was going on and to be in their own way inclusive and welcoming. Hide

Theatre is an actor's medium. Film and television is primarily a director's medium. When you act in Show more Theatre is an actor's medium. Film and television is primarily a director's medium. When you act in the theatre you get a four to six week rehearsal period, where you can build a character, and of course each evening when you give a performance, you have the final edit. So theatre acting is my great love. But I've had some very interesting and rewarding experiences in front of the camera. Hide

[a message at a BFI celebration of Doctor Who (1963)'s 50th anniversary] I love the BFI. I love the Show more [a message at a BFI celebration of Doctor Who (1963)'s 50th anniversary] I love the BFI. I love the Doctor and hope you enjoy this presentation. Joe Ahearne directed five of the 13 episodes of the first series. He understood the tone the show needed completely - strong, bold, pacy visuals coupled with wit, warmth and a twinkle in the performances, missus. If Joe agrees to direct the 100th anniversary special, I will bring my sonic and a stair-lift and - providing the Daleks don't bring theirs - I, the ninth Doctor, vow to save the universe and all you apes in it. Hide

I went being unemployed for three years to being the lead in a British feature in the days when we o Show more I went being unemployed for three years to being the lead in a British feature in the days when we only made two a year, 1990. It was ridiculous really. Hide

No matter how big a name you are, how many big series you've been in or how good looking you are, in Show more No matter how big a name you are, how many big series you've been in or how good looking you are, in the end, all actors are secondary to the writer. Hide

Culturally, we've always felt it important to express the life of the country, and working class com Show more Culturally, we've always felt it important to express the life of the country, and working class comes into that. Hide

I think film and television are really a director's medium, whereas theatre is the actor's medium. I think film and television are really a director's medium, whereas theatre is the actor's medium.

I don't like to watch playback. But being on the set, watching the way the camera is being moved and Show more I don't like to watch playback. But being on the set, watching the way the camera is being moved and the way the light is being used, you do get an idea of it. Hide

[on acting] My parents always knew I was hopeless at everything else, I was fortunate in that I was Show more [on acting] My parents always knew I was hopeless at everything else, I was fortunate in that I was backed all the way. I came to it late and only because I thought there'd be loads of women and drinking! Hide

We like to think that our parents made a decision to bring us into the world. We like to think that our parents made a decision to bring us into the world.

Television, although It's in steep decline, still occasionally gives voices to people who don't have Show more Television, although It's in steep decline, still occasionally gives voices to people who don't have voices. Hide

A year later, and I'm average again. A year later, and I'm average again.

It can be very difficult to trace your birth parents. It can be very difficult to trace your birth parents.

[why he left Doctor Who (2005)] I'd had enough. I wanted to do it my way, they wanted something else Show more [why he left Doctor Who (2005)] I'd had enough. I wanted to do it my way, they wanted something else. We were never going to compromise so it was best to be straight about it and just go. It's very easy to stay in one job and make that your comfort zone, and I want to resist that temptation. Hide

I care more about telly because it made me an actor and there's a much more immediate response to TV Show more I care more about telly because it made me an actor and there's a much more immediate response to TV. You can address the political or cultural fabric of your country. Hide

Any horror element is as much psychological as special effects. Any horror element is as much psychological as special effects.

[on Flesh and Blood (2002)] The film is about Joe discovering who his mother and father are and his Show more [on Flesh and Blood (2002)] The film is about Joe discovering who his mother and father are and his relationship with them, and the identity crisis he goes through once he finds out who his parents are. Hide

What goes down on film is different to what you see with the naked eye. What goes down on film is different to what you see with the naked eye.

I think theatre is by far the most rewarding experience for an actor. You get 4 weeks to rehearse yo Show more I think theatre is by far the most rewarding experience for an actor. You get 4 weeks to rehearse your character and then at 7:30 pm you start acting and nobody stops you, acting with your entire soul. Hide

[on Hillsborough (1996)] This will show what television is really for. [on Hillsborough (1996)] This will show what television is really for.

I had bags of energy as a kid. I had bags of energy as a kid.

[on Doctor Who (2005)] I don't think it's important that I left - I think it's important that I did Show more [on Doctor Who (2005)] I don't think it's important that I left - I think it's important that I did it in the first place. I'm still there - I was in David Tennant, I was in Matt Smith, I was in Peter Capaldi. I'm always there in spirit. Hide

I don't really do heroes. Heroes are dangerous because it's very unrealistic to elevate people to he Show more I don't really do heroes. Heroes are dangerous because it's very unrealistic to elevate people to heroic status. Lennon (John Lennon) was somebody I admired but I came to him quite late. And there was no doubt he was somebody who could be quite difficult to love. Hide

[on his portrayal of The Doctor] I think I over-pitched the comedy. If I had my time again, I would Show more [on his portrayal of The Doctor] I think I over-pitched the comedy. If I had my time again, I would do the comedy very different - but I think where I did possibly succeed was in the tortured stuff - surprise surprise! Hide

Twelve years on sets watching directors, I've taken a bit from everybody and rejected a lot. Twelve years on sets watching directors, I've taken a bit from everybody and rejected a lot.

I love Dead Ringers (2002). A democratic set, the work was taken seriously. I love Dead Ringers (2002). A democratic set, the work was taken seriously.

Lots of middle class people are running around pretending to be Cockney. Lots of middle class people are running around pretending to be Cockney.

Did you ever believe that seven o'clock on a Saturday night there'd be a Manc on one side and a Geor Show more Did you ever believe that seven o'clock on a Saturday night there'd be a Manc on one side and a Geordie on the other? When I was growing up, everybody sounded like Tom Baker. Hide

[on Doctor Who (2005)] I was open-minded but I decided after my experience on the first series that Show more [on Doctor Who (2005)] I was open-minded but I decided after my experience on the first series that I didn't want to do any more. I didn't enjoy the environment and the culture that we, the cast and crew, had to work in. I wasn't comfortable. I thought "If I stay in this job, I'm going to have to blind myself to certain things that I thought were wrong." And I think it's more important to be your own man than be successful, so I left. But the most important thing is that I did it, not that I left. I really feel that, because it kind of broke the mold and it helped to reinvent it. I'm very proud of it. Hide

I confess I don't watch much film or television drama but I'm aware of the preponderance of white, m Show more I confess I don't watch much film or television drama but I'm aware of the preponderance of white, male roles. There's not enough writing for women or people of colour. It frustrates me when they insist on doing all-male Shakespearean productions - a wonderful intellectual exercise maybe, but it's outrageous because it's putting a lot of women out of work. Hide

I think the themes of belonging and parentage and love are obviously universal. I think the themes of belonging and parentage and love are obviously universal.

Theatre is expensive to go to. I certainly felt when I was growing up that theatre wasn't for us. Th Show more Theatre is expensive to go to. I certainly felt when I was growing up that theatre wasn't for us. Theatre still has that stigma to it. A lot of people feel intimidated and underrepresented in theatre. Hide

I got a tiny part in a play, auditioned for another one and got that as well. Not only that, the fir Show more I got a tiny part in a play, auditioned for another one and got that as well. Not only that, the first finished on the Saturday and the other started on the Monday which is like an actor's dream! Hide

I've never been up with the times, always been slightly out of step. I've never been up with the times, always been slightly out of step.

Many times I've sat with a camera and another actor and seen all their fears and insecurities and st Show more Many times I've sat with a camera and another actor and seen all their fears and insecurities and struggles. You want to support them and help them as much as you can. Hide

Culturally we've always felt it important to express the life of the country, and working class come Show more Culturally we've always felt it important to express the life of the country, and working class comes into that. Hide

Christopher Eccleston's FILMOGRAPHY - Page 8

All as Actor (194)

Would I Lie to You? - Season 16

Dispatches - Season 37

Doctor Who - Season 9

Poirot - Season 6

Top Gear (UK) - Season 32

Top Gear (UK) - Season 6

Close to Me - Season 1 [Sub: Eng]

Christopher Eccleston'S roles

Destro

Professor Charlie Stoddart

Nipper Read

Matt Jamison

Malekith the Accursed

Claude

Fred Noonan

Raymond Calitri

Duke of Norfolk

Major Henry West