Alun Armstrong

Alun Armstrong

Biography

Alun Armstrong is a prolific English character actor.

Armstrong grew up in County Durham in North East England. He first became interested in acting through Shakespeare productions at his grammar school. Since his career began in the early 1970s, he has played, in his words, "the full spectrum of characters from the grotesque to musicals... I always play very colourful characters, often a bit crazy, despotic, psychotic."

His numerous credits include six different Dickens adaptations and seven series as eccentric ex-detective Brian Lane in New Tricks.

Armstrong is also an accomplished stage actor who spent nine years with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He originated the role of Thénardier in the London production of Les Misérables and he won an Olivier Award for playing the title role in Sweeney Todd.

🎬 Movies Featuring Alun Armstrong

The Choral

The Choral (2025)

as Herbert Trickett
Out of Innocence

Out of Innocence (2019)

as Detective Callaghan
Asunder

Asunder (2016)

as Self - Narrator (voice)
Eragon

Eragon (2006)

as Uncle Garrow
Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist (2005)

as Magistrate Fang
Millions

Millions (2005)

as Saint Peter
Van Helsing

Van Helsing (2004)

as Cardinal Jinette
Carrie's War

Carrie's War (2004)

as Mr. Samuel Evans
Paradise Found

Paradise Found (2003)

as Camille Pissarro
7 Up 2000

7 Up 2000 (2000)

as Himself - Narrator
Onegin

Onegin (1999)

as Zaretsky
Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

as High Constable
Aristocrats

Aristocrats (1999)

as Lord Holland
The Saint

The Saint (1997)

as Inspector Teal
Brazen Hussies

Brazen Hussies (1996)

as Jimmy Hardcastle
Witness Against Hitler

Witness Against Hitler (1996)

as Pastor Harold Poelchau
Doggin' Around

Doggin' Around (1994)

as Charlie Foster
Black Beauty

Black Beauty (1994)

as Reuben Smith
Nineteen96

Nineteen96 (1989)

as Det. Supt. Frank Burroughs
Number 27

Number 27 (1988)

as Murray Lester
Billy the Kid and the Green Baize Vampire

Billy the Kid and the Green Baize Vampire (1985)

as Maxwell Randall, The Green Baize Vampire
Number One

Number One (1985)

as Blackpool Police Sergeant
Krull

Krull (1983)

as Torquil
Liza

Liza (1978)

as Mikhalevich
The Duellists

The Duellists (1977)

as Lieutenant Lacourbe
Risking It

Risking It (1977)

as Richard Clewes
Easy Go

Easy Go (1974)

as First docker