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Jonas Armstrong

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Jonas Armstrong
Born (1981-01-01) 1 January 1981 (age 43)
Dublin, Ireland
EducationRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art (BA)
OccupationActor
Years active2003–present

Jonas Armstrong (born 1 January 1981)[1] is an Irish-English actor who rose to prominence playing the title character on the BBC's Robin Hood (2006–2009). He has since appeared in miniseries such as Dark Angel (2016), Troy: Fall of a City (2018), The Drowning, Hollington Drive (both 2021), After the Flood and Coma (both 2024), and starred as Sean Meredith on the first season of ITV's The Bay (2019). Armstrong won critical acclaim for his portrayal of Barry Bennell in the 2022 television film Floodlights. His feature film credits include Book of Blood (2009), Twenty8k (2012), and Edge of Tomorrow (2014).

Early life

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Armstrong was born in Dublin, Ireland on New Year's Day, 1981.[2] He spent his early years in Ireland before his family moved to Lytham St Annes when he was six.[2] He attended Arnold School and later won a place at RADA, from where he graduated in 2003 with a BA in acting.[2]

Career

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2003–2008: Early roles and Robin Hood

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Armstrong made his professional debut in 2003, playing rookie schoolteacher Derek Meadle in Quartermaine's Terms at Northampton's Royal Theatre. His performance was roundly praised by critics, who felt that he provided crucial comic relief against the story's more serious elements.[3][4][5] He then appeared as Anthony Millington in several episodes of the Channel 4 comedy-drama series Teachers (2004), and again on Channel 4 in the following year's crime drama The Ghost Squad, where he played a thrill-seeking detective assigned to expose police corruption.

Armstrong's first major television role came in October 2006 when he began playing Robin of Locksley in the BBC One action-adventure series Robin Hood.[6] Though he initially faced criticism for his slight build and "boyband" good looks,[7] his performance later drew praise, with IGN calling it "brilliant".[8] During filming of the second series, Armstrong broke a metatarsal bone in his foot during a staged fight sequence.[9] In August 2008, he confirmed that he would be leaving Robin Hood the following year at the end of its third season, commenting in his statement that he was "looking for new challenges"; the BBC responded by saying that Armstrong would be "desperately missed".[10] The show was subsequently not renewed for a fourth series.[11]

2009–present: Film and television work

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In 2009, Armstrong starred in the lead role of Simon McNeal in the horror film Book of Blood, based on a short story by Clive Barker. Next, he guest-starred in an episode of the BBC drama series The Street, winning praise for his "sterling work" as TA soldier Private Nick Calshaw,[12] who returns from Afghanistan with life-changing injuries. That same year, he read four CBeebies Bedtime Stories for the channel's "Bedtime Hour" segment.

Between 2011 and 2012, Armstrong had roles in a succession of television crime dramas, such as The Field of Blood, Prisoners' Wives, and Hit & Miss. His portrayal of a university student-turned-Nazi impersonator in the 2014 feature film Walking with the Enemy was lauded by critics,[13][14] with Paste Magazine writing, "Armstrong is [Enemy's] moral force, and he gives [the] film a forward-leaning energy; he's the character that a viewer questions whether he or she would have the guts to be. It's a performance rooted in righteousness, but Armstrong also taps into the inner conflict of a swallowed power dynamic—he locates both the lust and queasiness of playing a Gestapo officer, and having to own that guise, and all the action it entails, at inopportune times and at a moment's notice".[15] That same year, he played the supporting role of Skinner in the big-budget action adventure film Edge of Tomorrow, which Variety called a "cleverly crafted and propulsively executed sci-fi thriller".[16] Speaking of the opportunity to work with co-star Tom Cruise, Armstrong said at the time, "If I thought two years ago I'd be working with probably the biggest film star on the planet I would have said 'never', but it was great ... He was really supportive and generous [and] it was an absolute privilege to work with him".[17] In November 2013, Armstrong received a "Stars on Horizon" award at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.[18]

On the fourth and fifth seasons of BBC Two's Ripper Street (both 2016), a fictional dramatisation of the aftermath of the Whitechapel murders, Armstrong played the recurring role of serial killer Nathaniel Croker, with Den of Geek commenting—in their review of the fifth season's third episode—that he played the part "beautifully", adding: "It's an impressive feat for a supporting character to [take over] so completely that the main plot is barely missed".[19]

In 2018, Armstrong earned strong notices for his work in two projects: firstly, his portrayal of a Spartan king in the Netflix historical miniseries Troy: Fall of a City,[20] and then for his "convincingly exasperated" caricature of Bob Geldof in an episode of the Sky Arts anthology series Urban Myths.[21] The following year, he co-starred as Sean Meredith, a fisherman embroiled in the disappearance of his teenage twins, on the first season of the ITV crime mystery series The Bay.[22] Next, he starred in The Drowning, a four-part psychological thriller that aired on Channel 5 in February 2021,[23] and appeared as a grieving father who embarks on an extramarital affair in the ITV miniseries Hollington Drive (also 2021).

Armstrong's portrayal of real-life convicted sex offender Barry Bennell in the 2022 television film Floodlights was particularly well received by critics.[24] Writing for The Daily Telegraph, Benji Wilson said, "Armstrong [has] quietly been turning in performances of subtlety and power since he shot to fame [with] Robin Hood ... Here he was oleaginous and creepy, all simmering, smiling menace";[25] while Dan Einav of the Financial Times felt that "Armstrong's ability to slip between affable mentor and depraved predator is key to his remarkably convincing performance".[26] Speaking to Metro shortly before the film's premiere on BBC Two, Armstrong admitted to having been reluctant to take the part: "It kind of made me feel a bit sick [but] I had a good discussion with my agent and then I decided yeah, I'm going to go for this ... to raise awareness for people who might still be suffering".[27] He added, "I kind of had to take myself back and put the project forward before myself as a performer, as an actor, if that makes sense. I thought, without sounding cliché, but this story needs to be told, and if I can help facilitate that in any way, shape or form, I'm all for it".[27]

In the six-part mystery thriller series After the Flood (2024), Armstrong starred as Lee Ellison, a man whose mysterious past is unveiled when he rescues a baby from the River Tees.[28] His next role was that of a vengeful gangster, which the Yorkshire Evening Post felt he played with "nerve-bulging intensity",[29] in the four-part miniseries Coma, which debuted on Channel 5 in March 2024.[30]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Film Role Notes
2009 Book of Blood Simon McNeal
2011 Rage of the Yeti Bill Television film
Life Outside Daniel Television film
2012 Twenty8k Clint O'Connor
2013 Walking with the Enemy Elek Cohen
The Whale Owen Chase Television film
2014 Edge of Tomorrow Skinner
2019 Boiling Point Freeman Short
2022 Floodlights Barry Bennell Television film
Look the Other Way and Run Lee
Three Day Millionaire Mr. Graham
2023 Hyem 'Little' John Arckle Short
TBA The Enforcer TBA Short

Television

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Year Film Role Notes
2004 Teachers Anthony Millington Recurring (series 4)
2005 The Ghost Squad Pete Maitland Series regular
2006 Losing Gemma Steve Main role
2006–2009 Robin Hood Robin Hood Main role
2009 The Street Nick Calshaw Recurring (series 3)
2010 Agatha Christie's Marple Anthony Cade Episode: "The Secret of Chimneys"
2011 The Field of Blood Terry Hewitt Recurring (series 1)
The Body Farm Nick Warner Episode #1.5
2012 Prisoners' Wives Steve Roscoe Recurring (series 1)
Hit & Miss Ben Main role
2015 The Dovekeepers Yoav Main role
2016 Line of Duty Joe Nash Recurring (series 3)
Dark Angel Joe Nattrass Main role
Ripper Street Nathaniel Croker Recurring (series 4–5)
2018 Troy: Fall of a City Menelaus Main role
Urban Myths Bob Geldof Episode: "Backstage at Live Aid"
2019 Death in Paradise Dylan Shepherd Episode: "Murder Most Animal"
The Bay Sean Meredith Series regular (season 1)
2020 Ghost Seekers Finn Coleman Main role
2021 The Drowning Jason Main role
Hollington Drive Gareth Boyd Main role
2022 Strike Saul Morris Series regular (season 5)
2023 Boat Story Arthur 2 episodes
2024 After the Flood Lee Main role
Coma Paul Main role

Theatre

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Year Film Role Notes
2003 Quartermaine's Terms Derek Meadle Royal Theatre
2004 The Skin of Our Teeth Henry Young Vic
2005 Rutherford and Son Richard Royal Exchange

References

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  1. ^ "The Drowning cast: Who is Jonas Armstrong and what else has he been in?". Heart Radio. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Hughes, Lorna (17 January 2024). "Real life of After the Flood star Jonas Armstrong - growing up in Blackpool, becoming Robin Hood and working with Tom Cruise". MEN. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Review: Quartermaine's Terms". BBC Online. 24 September 2003. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Quartermaine's Terms (Northampton)". WhatsOnStage.com. 1 October 2003. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Theatre review: Quartermaine's Terms at Salisbury Playhouse". British Theatre Guide. 2003. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  6. ^ Osborn, Michael (8 September 2006). "Robin Hood given modern makeover". BBC Online. Retrieved 7 August 2008.
  7. ^ Plunkett, John (7 September 2006). "First review: Robin Hood". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 April 2024. Jonas Armstrong, as the eponymous hero, has the clean-cut aura of Orlando Bloom, say, or a children's TV presenter after a heavy night out.
  8. ^ Burrows, Laura (5 August 2008). "Robin Hood: "We are Robin Hood" Review". IGN. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Talking Shop: Jonas Armstrong". BBC Online. 6 October 2007. Retrieved 7 August 2008.
  10. ^ "Robin Hood star quits BBC remake". BBC Online. 6 August 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2008.
  11. ^ "BBC axes Robin Hood". The Guardian. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  12. ^ Shennan, Paddy (26 December 2009). "TV Review of 2009: The Street (BBC1)". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Walking With the Enemy: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 30 October 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2024. Armstrong believably presents a determination that verges on grim mania.
  14. ^ Wine, Bill (24 April 2014). "Movie Review: 'Walking with the Enemy'". CBS News. Retrieved 2 April 2024. Armstrong, who has movie star written all over him, sells the central charade more forcefully than his director deserves.
  15. ^ Simon, Brent (26 April 2014). "Walking With the Enemy". Paste. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  16. ^ Chang, Justin (22 May 2014). "Film Review: 'Edge of Tomorrow'". Variety. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  17. ^ Marland, Sean (19 December 2023). "Jonas Armstrong: I feared I wouldn't work again after Robin Hood". What's on TV. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  18. ^ "Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Chairman's Award Gala". Eye On South Florida. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  19. ^ Lea, Rebecca (20 October 2016). "Ripper Street series 5 episode 3 review: All The Glittering Blades". Den of Geek. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  20. ^ Butler, Mark (16 February 2018). "Troy: Fall of a City review: a brooding but bloodless beginning for the BBC epic". iNews. Retrieved 2 April 2024. An almost unrecognisable Jonas Armstrong, bushy of beard and burly of presence, makes an instant impression as Spartan King Menelaus. He has enjoyable charisma, swagger and edge.
  21. ^ Fay, Liam (22 April 2018). "TV reviews: National Treasures; Urban Myths; Back to the Joy". The Times. Retrieved 2 April 2024. Armstrong evokes a convincingly exasperated and panicky Bob Geldof.
  22. ^ "Meet the cast of ITV's The Bay". Radio Times. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  23. ^ "ViacomCBS' Channel 5 Preps Thriller 'The Drowning' With Jill Halfpenny & Jonas Armstrong From Noel Clarke & Jason Maza's Unstoppable". Deadline. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  24. ^ Jackson, James (17 May 2022). "Floodlights review — the whistleblower who went to hell and back". The Times. Retrieved 1 April 2024. As Bennell, Jonas Armstrong was queasily believable with his smiley "I'm a star-maker!" charm (and credit to Armstrong for taking on such an unpleasant role).
  25. ^ Wilson, Benji (17 May 2022). "Floodlights, review: Andy Woodward's story makes for a gut-wrenching, if uneven drama". The Telegraph. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  26. ^ Einav, Dan (17 May 2022). "Floodlights is an unmissable and almost unwatchable football-abuse drama". Financial Times. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  27. ^ a b Barr, Sabrina (12 May 2022). "Jonas Armstrong 'felt sick' to play paedophile football coach Barry Bennell in BBC sexual abuse drama Floodlights". Metro. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  28. ^ Naylor, Callum (9 January 2024). "Dramatic Rescue By Lytham's Jonas Armstrong In ITV's 'After The Flood' (10.01.24)". Lytham St. Annes News. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  29. ^ Cunnington, Philip (22 March 2024). "Coma review: A sweatily entertaining drama which takes sadistic delight in putting Jason Watkins through the wringer - shame about the last half-hour". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  30. ^ Simons, Roxy (18 March 2024). "Everything you need to know about Channel 5 drama Coma". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
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