Noel Clarke facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Noel Clarke
Clarke in 2023
Born	Noel Anthony Clarke (1975-12-06) 6 December 1975 (age 49) Notting Hill, London, England
Occupation	Actor writer producer director
Years active	1999–present
Spouse(s)	Iris Da-Silva
Children	4

Noel Anthony Clarke (born 6 December 1975) is an English actor, writer, director, and producer. He is famous for playing Mickey Smith in the popular TV show Doctor Who from 2005 to 2010.

Clarke also became well-known for writing, directing, and starring in a series of films about growing up in London: Kidulthood (2006), Adulthood (2008), and Brotherhood (2016). These films were praised for showing what life was like for many young people in Britain.

As an actor, Clarke has appeared in many movies. These include Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), I Kill Giants (2017), and SAS: Red Notice (2021). He also co-created and starred in the action TV series Bulletproof (2018–2021).

Clarke has won several awards for his work, including a Laurence Olivier Award in 2003 and a BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2009. In 2021, he received a special BAFTA award for his contribution to British cinema. However, this award was suspended after serious accusations of misconduct were made against him by several women.

Early Life and Background

Noel Clarke was born in Notting Hill, a part of west London. His parents came to England from the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Grenada. His mother, Gemma, was a nurse, and his father, Alf, was a carpenter.

Clarke grew up with his mother on a council estate in Ladbroke Grove. He studied media at the University of North London and also worked as a personal trainer. To follow his dream of becoming an actor, he took acting classes at London's Actors Centre.

Career Highlights

Success on TV and Stage

Clarke's early career included a role in the TV show Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. His big break came in 2005 when he was cast as Mickey Smith in the new series of Doctor Who. He played the boyfriend of the Doctor's companion, Rose Tyler. His character became a fan favorite, and he even got to travel in the TARDIS. He returned for special episodes in 2008 and 2010.

Besides acting, Clarke also wrote an episode for the Doctor Who spin-off show, Torchwood, called "Combat". He also showed his talent on stage, winning a Laurence Olivier Award in 2003 for his performance in the play Where Do We Live.

Making His Own Films

Clarke on the set of Doctor Who in 2008

Clarke wanted to tell stories about the world he grew up in. He wrote the screenplay for the 2006 film Kidulthood. The movie follows a group of teenagers in West London for two days. It was based on his own experiences and showed a side of London life not often seen in movies.

The film was a big success, which led to a sequel in 2008 called Adulthood. For this film, Clarke not only wrote the script and starred in it, but he also directed it for the first time. In 2009, his hard work was recognized when he won the BAFTA Rising Star Award.

He finished his film series in 2016 with Brotherhood, which he also wrote, directed, and starred in. The series is often called the Hood Trilogy and is seen as an important part of British cinema.

Roles in Big Movies and TV Shows

Noel Clarke at the BAFTA Film Awards in 2015

After his early success, Clarke appeared in many different films. He acted in the science-fiction movie Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), where he played a family man named Thomas Harewood. He also wrote and starred in films like the sports drama Fast Girls (2012) and the sci-fi horror Storage 24 (2012).

In 2018, Clarke teamed up with actor Ashley Walters to create the TV show Bulletproof. They played two police detectives and best friends who chase down dangerous criminals. The show was very popular and ran for three series.

Personal Life and Recent Events

Clarke is married to Iris Da-Silva, and they have four children. They live in London.

In April 2021, The Guardian newspaper published a report where twenty women accused Clarke of misconduct. The accusations included bullying and harassment. Clarke has denied any wrongdoing.

Because of these accusations, BAFTA suspended his membership and his special award. TV channels also stopped showing some of his work. For example, the final episode of his show Viewpoint was not broadcast on TV, and production on a new series of Bulletproof was cancelled.

In March 2022, the Metropolitan Police in London announced that they would not be starting a criminal investigation. Clarke later took legal action against The Guardian for the articles written about him. A trial took place in early 2025, and a decision is expected later.

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Noel Clarke para niños