Paul Copley
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- November 25, 1944
- Birthplace
- Denby Dale, West Yorkshire, England, UK
Paul is a long established and much respected British actor and voiceover artist. Born in Denby Dale, West Riding of Yorkshire, on 25th November 1944 he grew up beside a dairy farm. His father, Harold, was involved with local amateur dramatic productions, as were the rest of his family. He went to Penistone Grammar School, then the Northern Counties College of Education in Newcastle upon Tyne, where he received an Associate of the Drama Board (ADB) in Drama. He taught English and Drama in Walthamstow, before he joined the Leeds Playhouse Theatre-in-education Company in 1971. In 1976, Paul won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a New Play for his role in John Wilson's For King and Country. With many and varied roles to follow, Paul soon established himself as one of the UK's leading stage, film, television and radio actors. In 2011-2015 Paul gained worldwide recognition appearing in 16 episodes of the hugely popular television series Downton Abbey playing the popular role of farmer Mr Mason. Paul is married to the actress Natasha Pyne. They married in 1972, after both performing in a Leeds Playhouse production of Frank Wedekind's Lulu, adapted by Peter Barnes, directed by Bill Hays in 1971.
Filmography
Dangerous Journey TBA
as Narrator
Big Winners 2025
as Arthur Thistle
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale 2025
as Albert Mason
Ticker 2023
as Howard
Downton Abbey: A New Era 2022
as Mason
The Infectious Imagination of Henry Bramble 2021
as Great Uncle Geoffrey
Enola Holmes 2020
as Station Master
Ropeless 2020
as Larry Windsor
Reg 2016
as Man 2
The Nest Egg 2016
Actor
The Sound of Music Live! 2015
as Franz
The 12 Days of Christine 2015
as Ernie
First Encounter: King Lear 2012
as King Lear
The Shadow in the North 2007
as Paton
When Kim & Aggie Went To Hospital 2006
as Self - Narrator (voice)
Marian, Again 2005
as Phillip Walsh
The Key 2003
Actor
Hornblower: Duty 2003
as Matthews
Hornblower: Loyalty 2003
as Matthews
The Many Lives of Albert Walker 2002
as Danny Peck
Hornblower: Retribution 2001
as Matthews
Hornblower: Mutiny 2001
as Mathews
Blow Dry 2001
as Ken
Hornblower: The Frogs and the Lobsters 1999
as Mathews
Hornblower: The Duchess and the Devil 1999
as Matthews
Hornblower: The Examination for Lieutenant 1998
as Mathews
Hornblower: The Even Chance 1998
as Matthews
Written in Blood 1998
as Brian Chappel
Jude 1996
as Mr. Willis
A Pinch of Snuff 1994
as Charlie Heppelwhite
The Remains of the Day 1993
as Harry Smith
- How's Business
How's Business 1991
as Jack
Testimony of a Child 1989
as Gerry
Theban Plays: Oedipus at Colonus 1986
as Local Man
Silas Marner 1985
as William Dane
Which Side Are You On? 1985
as Narrator (voice)
Bird Fancier 1985
as Roy Pearson
Doll’s Eye 1983
as Social Worker
- Ends and Means
Ends and Means 1983
Actor
Ghost in the Water 1982
as Mr. Reed
P.Q. 17 1981
as PO Jordan
- A Room for the Winter
A Room for the Winter 1981
as Robert
A Brush with Mr. Porter on the Road to El Dorado 1981
as Tom
Happy 1980
as Vernon
Death of a Princess 1980
as Steve Jackson
Cries from a Watchtower 1979
as Andy
Black Jack 1979
as Narrator
Zulu Dawn 1979
as Cpl. Storey
Pillion 1979
Writer
On a Paving Stone Mounted 1978
Actor
Travellers 1978
as Young William/Middle William/Sales Rep
Mucking Out 1978
as Brian Wilson
The Turkey Who Lives on the Hill 1978
as Bill
Destiny 1978
as Paul McShane
- Some Enchanted Evening
Some Enchanted Evening 1978
as Peter
A Christmas Carol 1977
as Fred (Scrooge's Nephew)
A Bridge Too Far 1977
as Pvt. Wicks
Arnhem: The Story of an Escape 1976
as Finnegan
- Trade Unions: Seven Days that Shook Young Jim
Trade Unions: Seven Days that Shook Young Jim 1976
as Tony
The Chester Mystery Plays 1976
Actor
Alfie Darling 1975
as Bakey
Diane 1975
as Jim
Father Dear Father 1973
as Dumbo
Speech Day 1973
as Woodwork Master
Credits from TMDB.