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{{Short description|British actor}}
{{For|the 17th century courtier|Christopher Villiers, 1st Earl of Anglesey}}
{{For|the 17th century courtier|Christopher Villiers, 1st Earl of Anglesey}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
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| occupation = Actor, screenwriter, producer
| occupation = Actor, screenwriter, producer
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1960|9|7|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1960|9|7|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[London]], [[England]], UK}}
| birth_place = [[London]], [[England]], UK
| relatives = [[Villiers family]]}}


'''Christopher Francis Villiers''' (born 7 September 1960) is an English actor, screenwriter and producer.
'''Christopher Francis Villiers''' (born 7 September 1960) is an English actor, screenwriter and producer.


==Biography==
==Biography==


Villiers was born in [[London]], the son of [[Wing commander (rank)|Wing commander]] David Hugh Villiers (1921–1962) by his second wife, Elizabeth Barbara (née Hobbins). He is a descendant of the Right Reverend [[Henry Montagu Villiers]], [[Bishop of Durham]] from 1860-61, brother of [[George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon]], and [[Charles Pelham Villiers]]. He is the brother of Cat Villiers, a film producer, and Jay Villiers, also an actor. Through Henry Montagu Villiers' mother, the brothers descend from [[Oliver Cromwell]].<ref name="thepeerage.com">[http://www.thepeerage.com/p22534.htm#i225334 Christopher Villiers profile], thepeerage.com; accessed 27 May 2014.</ref> He was educated at [[Stowe School]].
Villiers was born in [[London]], the son of [[Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve]] [[Wing commander (rank)|Wing commander]] David Hugh Villiers (1921–1962) and his second wife, Elizabeth Barbara, daughter of Leonard Hobbins. His sister, Cat Villiers, is a film producer; brother Jay Villiers is also an actor. A direct descendant of the politician and diplomat [[Thomas Villiers, 1st Earl of Clarendon]], he is a second great-grandson of the Right Reverend [[Henry Montagu Villiers]], [[Bishop of Durham]] from 1860 to 1861, whose brothers were [[George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon]], and [[Charles Pelham Villiers]].<ref>Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage, 107th edition, vol. 1, ed. Charles Mosley, Burke's Peerage Ltd, 2003, p. 801</ref> Through Henry Montagu Villiers' mother, the brothers descend from [[Oliver Cromwell]]. He was educated at [[Stowe School]].


In 1983 he played Tom Bertram in Jane Austen’s ‘''Mansfield Park’'' the TV Villiers may be best known for his former role on ''[[Emmerdale]]'', in which he played [[Grayson Sinclair]]. He played [[Captain Nigel Croker]] in ''[[Mile High]]'' (2004-05) and appeared in such films as ''[[The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982 film)|The Scarlet Pimpernel]]'' (1982), ''[[Top Secret!]]'' (1984), ''[[A Hazard of Hearts]]'' (1987) and ''[[First Knight]]'' (1995). In 2003 he co-wrote (with actor/playwright/producer Richard Everett) and co-produced (again, with Everett) the critically well-received British feature film, ''[[Two Men Went to War]]'' (2002).<ref name="imdb"/> He also continued to appear in films such as ''[[Sliding Doors]]'' (1998), ''[[Bloody Sunday (film)|Bloody Sunday]]'' (2002), ''[[Kidulthood]]'' (2006) and ''[[Land Gold Women]]'' (2011).
In 1983, he played Tom Bertram in a television serial adaptation of Jane Austen's ''[[Mansfield Park (1983 TV serial)|Mansfield Park]]''. Villiers may be best known for his former role on ''[[Emmerdale]]'', in which he played [[Grayson Sinclair]]. He played [[Captain Nigel Croker]] in ''[[Mile High]]'' (2004–2005) and appeared in such films as ''[[The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982 film)|The Scarlet Pimpernel]]'' (1982), ''[[Top Secret!]]'' (1984), ''[[A Hazard of Hearts]]'' (1987) and ''[[First Knight]]'' (1995). In 2003, he co-wrote (with actor/playwright/producer Richard Everett) and co-produced (again, with Everett) British feature film, ''[[Two Men Went to War]]'' (2002).<ref name="imdb"/> He also continued to appear in films such as ''[[Sliding Doors]]'' (1998), ''[[Bloody Sunday (film)|Bloody Sunday]]'' (2002), ''[[Kidulthood]]'' (2006) and ''[[Land Gold Women]]'' (2011).


In 1983, he starred in ''[[Sweet Sixteen (TV series)|Sweet Sixteen]]'' with [[Penelope Keith]]. In 1996 he had a role in ''[[Sharpe's Siege]]''. He has also appeared in an episode of ''[[Adventure Inc.]]'' when filming transferred to the UK for four episodes.
In 1983, he starred in ''[[Sweet Sixteen (TV series)|Sweet Sixteen]]'' with [[Penelope Keith]]. In 1996, he had a role in ''[[Sharpe's Siege]]''. He has also appeared in an episode of ''[[Adventure Inc.]]'' when filming transferred to the UK for four episodes.


In 1995, Villiers co-founded [[2020 Casting|2020 Casting, Ltd.]],<ref>[http://www.2020casting.com 2020 Casting website]; accessed 27 May 2014.</ref> one of the largest film background (extras) agencies in the country. Company credits include: ''[[Gladiator (2000 film)|Gladiator]]'', ''[[Bridget Jones's Diary (film)|Bridget Jones's Diary]]'', ''[[Shakespeare in Love]]'', ''[[Star Wars]]'', ''[[United 93 (film)|United 93]]''. He appeared in two episodes of ''[[Midsomer Murders]] as David Whitely in both'' ‘The Killings at Badger's Drift’ in 1997 and ‘Death's Shadow’ in 1999. In 2007, he guest-starred in the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' [[audio drama]] ''[[Absolution (Doctor Who)|Absolution]]'' (having previously appeared in the TV two-part serial [[The King's Demons]], back in 1983). In 2009 he was seen in the five-part drama series ''Collision'' for ITV.<ref name="imdb"/> In 2013 he appeared in the ''[[Father Brown (2013 TV series)|Father Brown]]'' episode "The Blue Cross" as Justin De Vey. He appeared in ''[[By Any Means (2013 TV series)|By Any Means]]''.<ref name="imdb">{{IMDb name|id=0898369|name=Christopher Villiers}}</ref> In 2014, Villiers returned to ''[[Doctor Who]]'' when he guest starred as Professor Moorhouse in the story [[Mummy on the Orient Express]].
In 1995, Villiers co-founded 2020 Casting, Ltd.<ref>[http://www.2020casting.com 2020 Casting website]; accessed 27 May 2014,</ref> The company's credits include ''[[Gladiator (2000 film)|Gladiator]]'', ''[[Bridget Jones's Diary (film)|Bridget Jones's Diary]]'', ''[[Shakespeare in Love]]'', ''[[Star Wars]]'', ''[[United 93 (film)|United 93]]''. He appeared in two episodes of ''[[Midsomer Murders]]'' as David Whitely in both "The Killings at Badger's Drift" in 1997 and "Death's Shadow" in 1999. In 2007, he guest-starred in the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' [[audio drama]] ''[[Absolution (Doctor Who)|Absolution]]'' after having previously appeared in the 1983 TV two-part serial ''[[The King's Demons]]''. In 2009, he was seen in the five-part drama series ''Collision'' for ITV.<ref name="imdb"/> In 2013, he appeared in the ''[[Father Brown (2013 TV series)|Father Brown]]'' episode "The Blue Cross" as Justin De Vey. He appeared in ''[[By Any Means (2013 TV series)|By Any Means]]''.<ref name="imdb">{{IMDb name|id=0898369|name=Christopher Villiers}}</ref> In 2014, Villiers returned to ''[[Doctor Who]]'' when he guest starred as Professor Moorhouse in the story "[[Mummy on the Orient Express]]". In 2019, he married journalist [[Caroline Daniel]].<ref> [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/mar/18/bbc-chair-richard-sharp-helped-friend-to-paid-job-advising-corporation Guardian]; accessed 20 July 2024, </ref>


==''Emmerdale''==
==''Emmerdale''==
On 29 March 2008, ITV released a statement saying Villiers would be written out of ''Emmerdale'' as [[Grayson Sinclair]] in a summer storyline. Upon the termination of his contract, Villiers stated; "Grayson has been a great character to play but we’ve agreed that the current storyline is going to provide an exciting exit for him. I've got several projects that I'm looking at but you never know, this might not be the last we see of Gray." {{cn|date=May 2014}}
On 29 March 2008, ITV released a statement saying Villiers would be written out of ''Emmerdale'' as [[Grayson Sinclair]] in a summer storyline. Upon the termination of his contract, Villiers stated; "Grayson has been a great character to play but we've agreed that the current storyline is going to provide an exciting exit for him. I've got several projects that I'm looking at but you never know, this might not be the last we see of Gray." {{citation needed|date=May 2014}}


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*''[[The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982 film)|The Scarlet Pimpernel]]'' (1982) - Lord Anthony Dewhurst
*''[[The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982 film)|The Scarlet Pimpernel]]'' (1982) - Lord Anthony Dewhurst
*''[[Young Sherlock: The Mystery of the Manor House]]'' (1982) - Jasper Moran (8 episodes)
*''[[Top Secret!]]'' (1984) - Nigel "The Torch"
*''[[Top Secret!]]'' (1984) - Nigel "The Torch"
*''[[A Hazard of Hearts]]'' (1987) - Captain Jackson
*''[[A Hazard of Hearts]]'' (1987) - Captain Jackson
*''[[First Knight]]'' (1995) - Sir Kay
*''[[First Knight]]'' (1995) - Sir Kay
*''Princess In Love'' (1996) - [[James Hewitt]], lover of [[Diana, Princess of Wales]]
*''[[Sliding Doors]]'' (1998) - Steve
*''[[Sliding Doors]]'' (1998) - Steve
*''[[Bloody Sunday (film)|Bloody Sunday]]'' (2002) - Major Steele
*''[[Bloody Sunday (film)|Bloody Sunday]]'' (2002) - Major Steele
Line 34: Line 39:
*''[[From Time to Time (film)|From Time to Time]]'' (2009) - Officer
*''[[From Time to Time (film)|From Time to Time]]'' (2009) - Officer
*''The Shouting Men'' (2010) - Christopher
*''The Shouting Men'' (2010) - Christopher
*''[[Triassic Attack]]'' (2010) - Professor Richmond Keller
*''[[Land Gold Women]]'' (2011) - Timothy James
*''[[Land Gold Women]]'' (2011) - Timothy James
*''The Knot'' (2012) - Mr. Giddings
*''The Knot'' (2012) - Mr. Giddings
Line 42: Line 48:
*''[[The Saint (2017 film)|The Saint]]'' (2017) - Arthur Templar
*''[[The Saint (2017 film)|The Saint]]'' (2017) - Arthur Templar
*''[[The ABC Murders (TV series)|The ABC Murders]]'' (2018 TV miniseries) - Sir Carmichael Clarke
*''[[The ABC Murders (TV series)|The ABC Murders]]'' (2018 TV miniseries) - Sir Carmichael Clarke
*''[[Fisherman's Friends (film)|Fisherman’s Friends]]'' (2019 film) - Charles Montague
*''[[Fisherman's Friends (film)|Fisherman's Friends]]'' (2019 film) - Charles Montague
*''[[Magic Mike's Last Dance]]'' (2023) - Robert
{{div col end}}


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{imdb name|0898369}}
*{{IMDb name|0898369}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Writers from London]]
[[Category:Writers from London]]
[[Category:Villiers family|Christopher]]
[[Category:Villiers family|Christopher]]
[[Category:People educated at Stowe School]]

Revision as of 20:21, 20 July 2024

For the 17th century courtier, see Christopher Villiers, 1st Earl of Anglesey.
Christopher Villiers
Born
Christopher Francis Villiers

(1960-09-07) 7 September 1960 (age 64)
London, England, UK
Occupation(s)Actor, screenwriter, producer
RelativesVilliers family

Christopher Francis Villiers (born 7 September 1960) is an English actor, screenwriter and producer.

Biography

Villiers was born in London, the son of Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Wing commander David Hugh Villiers (1921–1962) and his second wife, Elizabeth Barbara, daughter of Leonard Hobbins. His sister, Cat Villiers, is a film producer; brother Jay Villiers is also an actor. A direct descendant of the politician and diplomat Thomas Villiers, 1st Earl of Clarendon, he is a second great-grandson of the Right Reverend Henry Montagu Villiers, Bishop of Durham from 1860 to 1861, whose brothers were George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon, and Charles Pelham Villiers.[1] Through Henry Montagu Villiers' mother, the brothers descend from Oliver Cromwell. He was educated at Stowe School.

In 1983, he played Tom Bertram in a television serial adaptation of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. Villiers may be best known for his former role on Emmerdale, in which he played Grayson Sinclair. He played Captain Nigel Croker in Mile High (2004–2005) and appeared in such films as The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982), Top Secret! (1984), A Hazard of Hearts (1987) and First Knight (1995). In 2003, he co-wrote (with actor/playwright/producer Richard Everett) and co-produced (again, with Everett) British feature film, Two Men Went to War (2002).[2] He also continued to appear in films such as Sliding Doors (1998), Bloody Sunday (2002), Kidulthood (2006) and Land Gold Women (2011).

In 1983, he starred in Sweet Sixteen with Penelope Keith. In 1996, he had a role in Sharpe's Siege. He has also appeared in an episode of Adventure Inc. when filming transferred to the UK for four episodes.

In 1995, Villiers co-founded 2020 Casting, Ltd.[3] The company's credits include Gladiator, Bridget Jones's Diary, Shakespeare in Love, Star Wars, United 93. He appeared in two episodes of Midsomer Murders as David Whitely in both "The Killings at Badger's Drift" in 1997 and "Death's Shadow" in 1999. In 2007, he guest-starred in the Doctor Who audio drama Absolution after having previously appeared in the 1983 TV two-part serial The King's Demons. In 2009, he was seen in the five-part drama series Collision for ITV.[2] In 2013, he appeared in the Father Brown episode "The Blue Cross" as Justin De Vey. He appeared in By Any Means.[2] In 2014, Villiers returned to Doctor Who when he guest starred as Professor Moorhouse in the story "Mummy on the Orient Express". In 2019, he married journalist Caroline Daniel.[4]

Emmerdale

On 29 March 2008, ITV released a statement saying Villiers would be written out of Emmerdale as Grayson Sinclair in a summer storyline. Upon the termination of his contract, Villiers stated; "Grayson has been a great character to play but we've agreed that the current storyline is going to provide an exciting exit for him. I've got several projects that I'm looking at but you never know, this might not be the last we see of Gray." [citation needed]

Filmography

References

  1. ^ Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage, 107th edition, vol. 1, ed. Charles Mosley, Burke's Peerage Ltd, 2003, p. 801
  2. ^ a b c Christopher Villiers at IMDb
  3. ^ 2020 Casting website; accessed 27 May 2014,
  4. ^ Guardian; accessed 20 July 2024,
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