Alec Newman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alec Newman
|
|
|---|---|
Alec Newman in 2017
|
|
| Born |
Mark Alexander Newman
27 November 1974 Glasgow, Scotland
|
| Alma mater | London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Heather Stewart
(m. 2014) |
| Children | 1 |
Mark Alexander Newman (born 27 November 1974), known as Alec Newman, is a Scottish actor. He is famous for playing the hero Paul Atreides in the 2000 TV miniseries Frank Herbert's Dune.
Many people also know him as the voice of the character Adam Smasher in the video game Cyberpunk 2077 and the show Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. In 2024, he won a major award from the British Academy for his leading role as Cameron "Caz" McLeary in the video game Still Wakes the Deep.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Alec Newman was born in Glasgow, Scotland. When he was four, his family moved to Berkshire, England. His father, Sandy Newman, is a member of the Scottish band Marmalade. Alec's brother, John James Newman, was a contestant on the TV show The Voice UK in 2012.
Before becoming an actor, Newman thought about being a professional football player. At age 17, he joined the National Youth Theatre in London. He later trained at the famous London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
Acting Career
Breakthrough with 'Dune'
After finishing his training at LAMDA, Newman appeared in several TV shows and movies. His big break came when he was cast as the main character, Paul Atreides, in the Sci Fi Channel's miniseries Frank Herbert's Dune. A miniseries is a TV show that tells a complete story in just a few episodes. The show was a huge success and won an Emmy award.
This role made him well-known in the United States. He later played Paul Atreides again in the sequel, Frank Herbert's Children of Dune.
Roles in Film and Television
Newman has played many different kinds of characters. In 2004, he starred as Viktor Frankenstein in a TV version of Frankenstein alongside famous actors like William Hurt and Donald Sutherland. He also appeared in movies like Bright Young Things, which was directed by Stephen Fry.
From 2011 to 2013, he played the head teacher Michael Byrne in the popular BBC school drama Waterloo Road. He has also had roles in action-packed shows like Strike Back and historical dramas like The Last Kingdom and Outlander.
Stage and Voice Acting
Besides screen acting, Newman often performs in the theatre. He played the character Edmund in a production of King Lear that was shown in both London and New York. In 2015, he starred in a play called The ... with the Hat at the National Theatre in London.
Newman is also a busy voice actor for video games. He has provided voices for many popular games, including:
- Cyberpunk 2077 (as Adam Smasher)
- Assassin's Creed Valhalla
- Assassin's Creed Syndicate (as Jack the Ripper)
- Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
- Still Wakes the Deep (as Caz McLeary)
Personal Life
In June 2014, Newman married Heather Stewart in Ayrshire, Scotland. He lives with his family in Surrey, England.
Selected Roles
Here are some of Alec Newman's most well-known roles in movies, TV shows, and video games.
Film
- Bright Young Things (2003) - as Tiger
- A Lonely Place to Die (2011) - as Rob
- The Snowman (2017) - as Mould Man
- The Boys in the Boat (2023) - as Harry Rantz
- Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 (2024) - as Alan Robin
Television
- Frank Herbert's Dune (2000) - as Paul Atreides
- Frank Herbert's Children of Dune (2003) - as Paul Atreides
- Frankenstein (2004) - as Viktor Frankenstein
- Star Trek: Enterprise (2004) - as Malik
- Waterloo Road (2011–2013) - as Michael Byrne
- The Last Kingdom (2015) - as King Aethelred
- Outlander (2018) - as Joseph Wemyss
- Strike Back (2019) - as Pavel Kuragin
- Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022) - as Adam Smasher (voice)
Video Games
- Dragon Age II (2011) - as Sebastian Vael
- Star Wars: The Old Republic (2011) - various voices
- Assassin's Creed Syndicate (2015) - as Jack the Ripper
- Divinity: Original Sin II (2017) - as Beast
- Star Wars: Battlefront II (2017) - as Kram Namwen
- Cyberpunk 2077 (2020) - as Adam Smasher
- Assassin's Creed Valhalla (2020) - various voices
- Dying Light 2 (2022) - as Aitor
- Still Wakes the Deep (2024) - as Cameron "Caz" McLeary
- Elden Ring (2024) - as Dane (in Shadow of the Erdtree DLC)
