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