Matthew Macfadyen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Matthew Macfadyen
Macfadyen in 2019
Born	David Matthew Macfadyen (1974-10-17) 17 October 1974 (age 50) Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England
Education	Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (BA)
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1994–present
Spouse(s)	Keeley Hawes ​ (m. 2004)​
Children	2

Matthew Macfadyen is an English actor born on October 17, 1974. He is famous for his roles in movies and TV shows. He became well-known for playing Mr. Darcy in the 2005 movie Pride & Prejudice.

He also became very famous for his role as Tom Wambsgans in the TV show Succession (2018–2023). For this role, he won several big awards, like two Primetime Emmy Awards, two BAFTA TV Awards, and a Golden Globe Award.

Matthew Macfadyen's first TV role was in 1998, playing Hareton Earnshaw in Wuthering Heights. He played Tom Quinn in the spy series Spooks (2002–2004, 2011) and Inspector Edmund Reid in the mystery show Ripper Street (2012–2016). He won a BAFTA TV Award for his acting in Criminal Justice (2009). He also appeared in mini-series like Howards End (2017), Quiz (2020), and Stonehouse (2023).

In movies, Macfadyen is known for his parts in Death at a Funeral (2007), Frost/Nixon (2008), Anna Karenina (2012), The Assistant (2019), and Operation Mincemeat (2021). In 2024, he played Mr. Paradox in the superhero film Deadpool & Wolverine.

Early Life and Education

Matthew Macfadyen was born in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. His mother, Meinir, was a drama teacher and actress. His father, Martin, was an oil engineer. Because of his father's job, Matthew grew up in many different places. This included Jakarta, Indonesia.

He went to schools in England, Scotland, and Indonesia. He attended Oakham School in Rutland. When he was 17, he was accepted into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). This is a famous acting school in London. He studied there from 1992 to 1995.

Acting Career

A bust from the 2005 film Pride & Prejudice of Matthew Macfadyen's Mr. Darcy.

After finishing at RADA, Matthew Macfadyen started acting in British theatre. He worked with a stage company called Cheek by Jowl. He played roles like Antonio in The Duchess of Malfi and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing. In 2005, he played Prince Hal in Henry IV, Parts One and Two at the Royal National Theatre.

His first big TV role was in 1998 in Wuthering Heights. He then appeared in other TV dramas like Warriors (1999) and The Way We Live Now (2001). In 2001, he was praised for his role in Perfect Strangers. In 2002, he starred in The Project.

Television Success

Matthew Macfadyen became very popular for his role in the spy series Spooks. He played Tom Quinn. He left the show in 2004 but returned for a cameo in 2011. In 2007, he starred in the TV drama Secret Life. He won a Best Actor award for this role. He was also nominated for a BAFTA award.

He appeared in a short comedy sketch for Comic Relief. He played the groom in Mr. Bean's Wedding alongside Rowan Atkinson.

Film Roles

Macfadyen has acted in many films. These include Enigma (2001) and In My Father's Den. For In My Father's Den, he won an award in New Zealand. He played the romantic lead, Fitzwilliam Darcy, in the 2005 movie Pride & Prejudice.

Nicholas Braun and Macfadyen at the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2024

He also starred in Death at a Funeral (2007) and Incendiary (2008). In 2008, he played John Birt in Ron Howard's film Frost/Nixon. In 2010, he played the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood. He was also in The Three Musketeers (2011) as Athos. In 2012, he played Oblonsky in Anna Karenina.

Recent Work

From 2012 to 2016, he played Detective Inspector Edmund Reid in the BBC One series Ripper Street. In 2013–2014, he played Jeeves in the play Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense. This play won an Olivier award in 2014.

From 2018 to 2023, he starred as Tom Wambsgans in the HBO series Succession. For this role, he won two Primetime Emmy Awards in 2022 and 2023. He also won a Golden Globe Award in 2024. In 2020, he appeared as Major Charles Ingram in the ITV drama Quiz. In 2024, Macfadyen played Mr. Paradox in the superhero film Deadpool & Wolverine.

Personal Life

In 2002, Matthew Macfadyen started dating his Spooks co-star Keeley Hawes. They got married in November 2004. They have two children together. Matthew is also a stepfather to Keeley's son from her previous marriage.

Acting Roles

Movies

Television Shows

Theatre Performances

Radio Work

Documentaries

Awards and Nominations

Matthew Macfadyen has won many awards for his acting. Here are some of them:

See also

In Spanish: Matthew Macfadyen para niños

• List of British actors
• List of Primetime Emmy Award winners
• List of Golden Globe winners