Paul Copley
Born
November 25, 1944 (80 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
Denby Dale, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
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
Rose Ayling-Ellis: Old Hands, New Tricks
Narrator (voice) · (2 episodes)
2025
Ticker
Howard
2023
Downton Abbey: A New Era
Mason
2022
The Infectious Imagination of Henry Bramble
Great Uncle Geoffrey
2021
Reg
2016
First Encounter: King Lear
King Lear
2012
Marian, Again
Phillip Walsh
2005
The Key
2003
Hornblower: Duty
Matthews
2003
Hornblower: Loyalty
Matthews
2003
Hornblower: Mutiny
Mathews
2001
Blow Dry
Ken
2001
Hornblower: The Frogs and the Lobsters
Mathews
1999
Hornblower: The Duchess and the Devil
Matthews
1999
Hornblower: The Examination for Lieutenant
Mathews
1998
Hornblower: The Even Chance
Matthews
1998
Written in Blood
Brian Chappel
1998
Jude
Mr. Willis
1996
The Remains of the Day
Harry Smith
1993
Testimony of a Child
Gerry
1989
Bird Fancier
Roy Pearson
1985
Ends and Means
1983
Ghost in the Water
Mr. Reed
1982
Death of a Princess
Steve Jackson
1980
Black Jack
Narrator
1979
Zulu Dawn
Cpl. Storey
1979
On a Paving Stone Mounted
1978
Mucking Out
Brian Wilson
1978
Destiny
Paul McShane
1978
Some Enchanted Evening
Peter
1978
A Christmas Carol
Fred (Scrooge's Nephew)
1977
Father Dear Father
Dumbo
1973
Dangerous Journey
Narrator
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
Albert Mason
2025
DI Ray
Terry Hunter · (1 episode)
2022
Enola Holmes
Station Master
2020
Ropeless
Larry Windsor
2020
On the Edge
Ray · (1 episode)
2018
Broken
Joe Kerrigan · (6 episodes)
2017
The Nest Egg
2016
The Sound of Music Live!
Franz
2015
The Coroner
John Roxwell · (1 episode)
2015
Code of a Killer
Sidney Jeffreys · (2 episodes)
2015
Inside No. 9
Ernie · (1 episode)
2014
Father Brown
Mr Feste · (1 episode)
2013
Carved with Love: The Genius of British Woodwork
Narrator · (3 episodes)
2013
Last Tango in Halifax
(7 episodes)
2012
Last Tango in Halifax
Harry · (24 episodes)
2012
White Heat
Alan (present day) · (6 episodes)
2012
Call the Midwife
Tommy Smith · (1 episode)
2012
Vera
Malcolm Kenrich · (1 episode)
2011
Downton Abbey
Mr. Mason · (11 episodes)
2010
Moving On
Ronnie · (1 episode)
2009
Survivors
Ted · (1 episode)
2008
Inspector George Gently
(1 episode)
2008
The Shadow in the North
Paton
2007
Kingdom
Vincent Straker · (1 episode)
2007
Torchwood
Clement McDonald · (4 episodes)
2006
When Kim & Aggie Went To Hospital
Self - Narrator (voice)
2006
The Street
(1 episode)
2006
Johnny and the Bomb
Sgt. Bourke · (3 episodes)
2006
Life on Mars
Reg Cole · (1 episode)
2006
Dead Man Weds
Blind Man · (6 episodes)
2005
No Angels
(1 episode)
2004
New Tricks
(1 episode)
2004
How Clean Is Your House?
(0 episode)
2003
How Clean Is Your House?
Self - Narrator (voice) · (74 episodes)
2003
Burn It
Terry Grimshaw · (10 episodes)
2003
The Royal
Nesbitt · (1 episode)
2003
Nice Guy Eddie
(1 episode)
2002
Born and Bred
Hubert Gough · (1 episode)
2002
The Many Lives of Albert Walker
Danny Peck
2002
Waking the Dead
(1 episode)
2001
Waking the Dead
Clifford Day · (1 episode)
2001
Messiah
Ian Fleet · (2 episodes)
2001
Hornblower: Retribution
Matthews
2001
Clocking Off
(1 episode)
2000
Queer as Folk
Roy Maloney · (2 episodes)
1999
The Worst Witch
Algernon Rowan-Webb · (2 episodes)
1998
The Worst Witch
Algernon Rowan Webb · (3 episodes)
1998
Hornblower
Matthews · (8 episodes)
1998
The Lakes
Peter Quinlan · (14 episodes)
1997
Midsomer Murders
Frank Dewar · (1 episode)
1997
This Life
Jerry Cook · (6 episodes)
1996
Dalziel & Pascoe
(1 episode)
1996
Silent Witness
(3 episodes)
1996
Roughnecks
Ian · (13 episodes)
1994
A Pinch of Snuff
Charlie Heppelwhite
1994
Cracker
Pathologist · (5 episodes)
1993
Harry
Thomas Thomas · (1 episode)
1993
Peak Practice
Tim Shardlow · (1 episode)
1993
Peak Practice
DS Patrick Hopkins · (2 episodes)
1993
Heartbeat
Dick Radcliffe · (1 episode)
1992
Heartbeat
Herbie Lloyd · (1 episode)
1992
Heartbeat
Malcolm Stainsby · (1 episode)
1992
How's Business
Jack
1991
Stay Lucky
(1 episode)
1989
The Paradise Club
Mousey Pavitt · (1 episode)
1989
Young Charlie Chaplin
Chimnery Sweep · (1 episode)
1989
Theban Plays: Oedipus at Colonus
Local Man
1986
Casualty
Frederick Chambers · (1 episode)
1986
Casualty
Mick McCarthur · (1 episode)
1986
Casualty
Arthur · (4 episodes)
1986
Silas Marner
William Dane
1985
The Bright Side
(6 episodes)
1985
Which Side Are You On?
Narrator (voice)
1985
The Bill
(1 episode)
1984
Doll’s Eye
Social Worker
1983
P.Q. 17
PO Jordan
1981
A Room for the Winter
Robert
1981
Tenko
POW · (1 episode)
1981
A Brush with Mr. Porter on the Road to El Dorado
Tom
1981
Happy
Vernon
1980
Minder
Palmer · (1 episode)
1979
Cries from a Watchtower
Andy
1979
Travellers
Young William/Middle William/Sales Rep
1978
The Turkey Who Lives on the Hill
Bill
1978
Treasure Island
(4 episodes)
1977
BBC2 Play of the Week
Finnegan · (1 episode)
1977
BBC2 Play of the Week
Bill · (1 episode)
1977
Secret Army
Eric Finch · (1 episode)
1977
A Bridge Too Far
Pvt. Wicks
1977
Arnhem: The Story of an Escape
Finnegan
1976
Days of Hope
Ben Matthews · (4 episodes)
1975
Alfie Darling
Bakey
1975
Diane
Jim
1975
Playhouse
Jim · (1 episode)
1974
Playhouse
Vernon · (1 episode)
1974
Speech Day
Woodwork Master
1973
Play for Today
(2 episodes)
1970
Play for Today
Andy · (1 episode)
1970
BBC Play of the Month
(1 episode)
1965