Paul Copley
Personal Info
Known for
Acting
Gender
Male
Birthday
1944-11-25 (80 years old)
Place of Birth
Denby Dale, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
Paul Copley
Biography
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.
Known For
Acting
Dangerous Journey
as Narrator
(2025)
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
as Albert Mason
(2023)
Ticker
as Howard
(2022)
Downton Abbey: A New Era
as Mason
(2021)
The Infectious Imagination of Henry Bramble
as Great Uncle Geoffrey
(2020)
Enola Holmes
as Station Master
(2020)
Ropeless
as Larry Windsor
(2016)
(2016)
(2015)
The Sound of Music Live!
as Franz
(2015)
The 12 Days of Christine
as Ernie
(2012)
First Encounter: King Lear
as King Lear
(2007)
The Shadow in the North
as Paton
(2005)
Marian, Again
as Phillip Walsh
(2003)
Hornblower: Loyalty
as Matthews
(2003)
Hornblower: Duty
as Matthews
(2003)
(2002)
The Many Lives of Albert Walker
as Danny Peck
(2001)
Blow Dry
as Ken
(2001)
Hornblower: Retribution
as Matthews
(2001)
Hornblower: Mutiny
as Mathews
(1999)
Hornblower: The Duchess and the Devil
as Matthews
(1999)
Hornblower: The Frogs and the Lobsters
as Mathews
(1998)
Hornblower: The Even Chance
as Matthews
(1998)
(1998)
Written in Blood
as Brian Chappel
(1996)
Jude
as Mr. Willis
(1994)
A Pinch of Snuff
as Charlie Heppelwhite
(1993)
The Remains of the Day
as Harry Smith
(1991)
How's Business
as Jack
(1989)
Testimony of a Child
as Gerry
(1986)
Theban Plays: Oedipus at Colonus
as Local Man
(1985)
Silas Marner
as William Dane
(1985)
Which Side Are You On?
as Narrator (voice)
(1985)
Bird Fancier
as Roy Pearson
(1983)
Doll’s Eye
as Social Worker
(1983)
(1982)
Ghost in the Water
as Mr. Reed
(1981)
P.Q. 17
as PO Jordan
(1981)
A Room for the Winter
as Robert
(1981)
(1980)
Death of a Princess
as Steve Jackson
(1980)
Happy
as Vernon
(1979)
Zulu Dawn
as Cpl. Storey
(1979)
Black Jack
as Narrator
(1979)
Cries from a Watchtower
as Andy
(1978)
Destiny
as Paul McShane
(1978)
(1978)
Mucking Out
as Brian Wilson
(1978)
Travellers
as Young William/Middle William/Sales Rep
(1978)
Some Enchanted Evening
as Peter
(1978)
(1977)
A Bridge Too Far
as Pvt. Wicks
(1977)
A Christmas Carol
as Fred (Scrooge's Nephew)
(1976)
Arnhem: The Story of an Escape
as Finnegan
(1975)
Diane
as Jim
(1975)
Alfie Darling
as Bakey
(1973)
Father Dear Father
as Dumbo
(1973)
Speech Day
as Woodwork Master
Crew
(1979)
Pillion
Writer