Paul Copley
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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
Credits
Enola Holmes (2020)
as Station Master
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (2025)
as Albert Mason
Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022)
as Mason
A Bridge Too Far (1977)
as Pvt. Wicks
The Remains of the Day (1993)
as Harry Smith
Jude (1996)
as Mr. Willis
Zulu Dawn (1979)
as Cpl. Storey
Big Winners (2025)
as Arthur Thistle
The 12 Days of Christine (2015)
as Ernie
The Chester Mystery Plays (1976)
Actor
Marian, Again (2005)
as Phillip Walsh
Blow Dry (2001)
as Ken
Hornblower: The Even Chance (1998)
as Matthews
Theban Plays: Oedipus at Colonus (1986)
as Local Man
Hornblower: Mutiny (2001)
as Mathews
Happy (1980)
as Vernon
The Shadow in the North (2007)
as Paton
The Sound of Music Live! (2015)
as Franz
Trade Unions: Seven Days that Shook Young Jim (1976)
as Tony
Hornblower: The Examination for Lieutenant (1998)
as Mathews
Mucking Out (1978)
as Brian Wilson
Reg (2016)
as Man 2
Ticker (2023)
as Howard
Hornblower: The Duchess and the Devil (1999)
as Matthews
Hornblower: The Frogs and the Lobsters (1999)
as Mathews
Travellers (1978)
as Young William/Middle William/Sales Rep
Hornblower: Loyalty (2003)
as Matthews
A Pinch of Snuff (1994)
as Charlie Heppelwhite
The Many Lives of Albert Walker (2002)
as Danny Peck
Black Jack (1979)
as Narrator
Which Side Are You On? (1985)
as Narrator (voice)
Death of a Princess (1980)
as Steve Jackson
Silas Marner (1985)
as William Dane
Ghost in the Water (1982)
as Mr. Reed
Alfie Darling (1975)
as Bakey
Father Dear Father (1973)
as Dumbo
Cries from a Watchtower (1979)
as Andy
Some Enchanted Evening (1978)
as Peter
Hornblower: Duty (2003)
as Matthews
A Christmas Carol (1977)
as Fred (Scrooge's Nephew)
Destiny (1978)
as Paul McShane
A Brush with Mr. Porter on the Road to El Dorado (1981)
as Tom
Testimony of a Child (1989)
as Gerry
The Turkey Who Lives on the Hill (1978)
as Bill
The Key (2003)
Actor
Hornblower: Retribution (2001)
as Matthews
When Kim & Aggie Went To Hospital (2006)
as Self - Narrator (voice)
On a Paving Stone Mounted (1978)
Actor
A Room for the Winter (1981)
as Robert
Diane (1975)
as Jim
How's Business (1991)
as Jack
Written in Blood (1998)
as Brian Chappel
P.Q. 17 (1981)
as PO Jordan
First Encounter: King Lear (2012)
as King Lear
Arnhem: The Story of an Escape (1976)
as Finnegan
The Infectious Imagination of Henry Bramble (2021)
as Great Uncle Geoffrey
Bird Fancier (1985)
as Roy Pearson
Ends and Means (1983)
Actor
Speech Day (1973)
as Woodwork Master
Doll’s Eye (1983)
as Social Worker
Ropeless (2020)
as Larry Windsor
The Nest Egg (2016)
Actor
Dangerous Journey (—)
as Narrator