Reece Shearsmith
Reece Shearsmith | |
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![]() Shearsmith in 2021 | |
Born | Reeson Wayne Shearsmith 27 August 1969 (age 52) |
Nationality | British |
Education | Bretton Hall College |
Occupation |
|
Years active | 1995–present |
Spouse(s) | Jane Shearsmith (m. 2001) |
Children | 2 |
Reeson Wayne "Reece" Shearsmith (born 27 August 1969)[citation needed] is an English actor, writer and comedian. He is perhaps best known for being a member of The League of Gentlemen, alongside Steve Pemberton, Mark Gatiss, and Jeremy Dyson. With Pemberton, he later created, wrote and starred in the sitcom Psychoville, as well as the dark comedy anthology series, Inside No. 9.
He had notable roles in Spaced, The World's End and the Doctor Who episode "Sleep No More", as well as making a small appearance in Shaun of the Dead.
Early life[]
![]() | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (July 2021) |
Shearsmith was born in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire as Reeson Wayne Shearsmith. He attended Andrew Marvell High School and then Bretton Hall College of Education.
Career[]
The League of Gentlemen began as a stage act in 1995, transferred to Radio 4 as On the Town with The League of Gentlemen in 1997 and then arrived on television on BBC Two in 1999.
The latter saw Shearsmith and his colleagues awarded a British Academy Television Award, a Royal Television Society Award and the prestigious Golden Rose of Montreux.
Following The League of Gentlemen, Shearsmith appeared in comedy programmes including Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere as well as playing insane villain Tony in the Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer comedy Catterick.[1]
He appeared in two episodes of the award-winning pop-culture comedy Spaced as Robot Wars obsessed TA soldier Dexter and played neurotic Doctor Flynn in hospital sitcom TLC alongside Alexander Armstrong.
From March 2006 to January 2007, he appeared in the West End as Leo Bloom in The Producers.[2]
In the 2008 English language DVD release of the cult 2006 Norwegian animated film Free Jimmy, Shearsmith voiced the character of "Ante", a heavy-set, bizarrely-dressed biker member of the "Lappish Mafia". In this, his voice is used along with Steve Pemberton and Mark Gatiss.
Psychoville began June 2009 and marked his return to BBC2. The dark comedy series was written by Shearsmith and his League of Gentlemen writing partner Steve Pemberton. Both Shearsmith and Pemberton played numerous characters in the programme, which ran for two series and a Halloween special.
In 2010 Shearsmith appeared in the John Landis black comedy Burke & Hare.[3][4]
In 2011, Cameron Mackintosh's new musical Betty Blue Eyes opened in the West End, in which Shearsmith played downtrodden husband Gilbert Chilvers (a chiropodist) alongside Sarah Lancashire.[5] Also in 2011, he played Harry Wiseman in Eric & Ernie, a feature-length TV drama about Morecambe and Wise.[citation needed]
In 2012, he appeared in Bad Sugar, a comedy pilot written by Sam Bain & Jesse Armstrong, along with Olivia Colman, Julia Davis and Sharon Horgan. A full series order was cancelled due to availability of the writers and cast.[6] He also appeared in comedy pilot The Function Room.[7]
In 2013, he played Patrick Troughton in An Adventure in Space and Time, a docu-drama about the conception and making of Doctor Who, which was written by Mark Gatiss.[8]
He worked with Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer again in the first series of House of Fools as Martin the ghost and in the Christmas special as Santa. He made two guest appearances in Jeremy Dyson's Psychobitches as Old Mother Shipton in series one and Princess Margaret in series two. Also in 2013, he starred in Ben Wheatley's A Field in England as Whitehead and appeared in The World's End.[citation needed]
In 2014, Shearsmith and Pemberton returned to BBC2 with a new dark comedy series called Inside No. 9. Each episode of the anthology series takes place in a different 'No. 9' location. Shearsmith and Pemberton play various characters in the series and have also directed two of the episodes. Also in 2014, he starred as Malcolm Webster in ITV drama series, based on a true story, The Widower.[9]
He starred as Detective Sergeant Stone in Chasing Shadows, an ITV drama series about missing persons.[10]
In 2015, he played Gagan Rassmussen in the Series 9 Doctor Who episode "Sleep No More", Steele in High-Rise directed by Ben Wheatley, Ray in Peter Kay's Car Share and Pastor John in the Christmas specials of Julia Davis's Hunderby.[11][12][13] In February 2015, Shearsmith was interviewed by Adam Buxton on BBC Radio 4's Chain Reaction and he then interviewed Bob Mortimer.[14]
He appeared in Hangmen at the Royal Court Theatre from Thursday 10 September to Saturday 10 October 2015.[15]
In 2016, he appeared in Mid Morning Matters With Alan Partridge, American musical comedy series Galavant and dark comedy thriller Stag.[16][17] He appeared live at Latitude Festival in Southwold, Suffolk.[18]
A Christmas special of Inside No. 9 aired in December 2016 and a third series in 2017.[19]
In 2017, he appeared in the title role in The Dresser at the Chichester Festival Theatre, as well as reuniting with The League of Gentlemen for three television specials, transmitted on BBC2 in December 2017.[citation needed]
Shearsmith appeared as himself in the 2018 short film To Trend on Twitter in aid of young people with cancer charity CLIC Sargent with fellow comedians David Baddiel, Steve Pemberton, Helen Lederer and actor Jason Flemyng.[20]
In 2020, he received a nomination for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance as The President and Jon in A Very Expensive Poison at The Old Vic.[21]
In 2021, he appeared as a contestant in the 4th series of The Great British Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer.[22]
For his performance in Series 5 of Inside No. 9, Shearsmith received a nomination for Best Male Comedy Performance at the 2021 British Academy Television Awards.[23]
In 2022, he will play Peter in Steven Moffat's new play The Unfriend at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester alongside Amanda Abbington and Frances Barber. It will be directed by Mark Gatiss.
Personal life[]
Reece is married to Jane Shearsmith, and they have two children together. His daughter Holly appears in the first episode of Psychoville as the birthday girl who gets a makeover from Mr Jelly the clown, played by Shearsmith.[24]
Works[]
Film[]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1995 | P.R.O.B.E. – The Devil of Winterborne | Andrew Powell | Video |
1996 | P.R.O.B.E. – The Ghosts of Winterborne | Andrew Powell | Video short |
1997 | Auton | Dr Daniel Matthews | Video |
1999 | This Year's Love | Tourist | |
2001 | Birthday Girl | Porter | |
2004 | Shaun of the Dead | Mark | |
2005 | The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy | Additional Vogon voices | |
The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse | Various | Also writer | |
2006 | Free Jimmy | Ante (voice) | English dub |
The League of Gentlemen Are Behind You! | Various | Video | |
2008 | The Cottage | Peter | |
2010 | Burke and Hare | Sergeant Mackenzie | |
Good Boy | Underdog | Short film | |
2012 | Him Indoors | Gregory Brewster | Short film |
2013 | A Field in England | Whitehead | |
The World's End | Collaborator | ||
2015 | High-Rise | Nathan Steele | |
2021 | In the Earth | Zach | |
TBA | See How They Run | John Woolf | Post-production |
Television[]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1995 | Alas Smith and Jones | Unknown | |
London's Burning | Martin | Episode #8.2 | |
1996 | Friday Night Armistice | Performer | |
Mash and Peas | Jerry Berkowi | Episode: "American Sitcoms" | |
1998 | Lenny Goes to Town | Unknown | Episode: "Brighton" |
Alexei Sayle's Merry-Go-Round | Phillip Arthurs | Episode #1.5 | |
In the Red | Broadcast Journalist | 3 episodes | |
1999–2002 | The League of Gentlemen | Various | 19 episodes; also writer |
2000 | Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) | Helium Harry | Episode: "Two Can Play at That Game" |
2001 | Spaced | Dexter | 2 episodes |
2002 | TLC | Dr. Laurence Flynn | 6 episodes |
Robbie the Reindeer: Legend of the Lost Tribe | Viking (voice) | Television film | |
2004 | Catterick | Tony | 6 episodes |
Monkey Trousers | Various | Television film | |
Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere | Bobster | Episode #1.3 | |
2007 | The Abbey | Dr. Darren | Television film |
Agatha Christie's Marple | Inspector Huish | Episode: "Ordeal by Innocence" | |
Modern Men | Actor | ||
Comedy Showcase | Freddie | Episode: "Ladies and Gentlemen" | |
Christmas at the Riviera | Ashley | Television film | |
2008 | New Tricks | Jeremy Kirk | Episode: "A Face for Radio" |
Coming Up | Lickle Bill Um | Episode: "Lickle Bill Um" | |
2009 | Would I Lie to You? | Himself | Episode #3.8 |
Mid Life Christmas | Vicar | Television film | |
2009–2011 | Psychoville | Various | 14 episodes; also writer |
2010 | The First Men in the Moon | Moon | Television film |
The Bear | Luka | Television film | |
2011 | Eric and Ernie | Harry Wiseman | Television film |
2012 | The Hollow Crown | Davy | Episode: "Henry IV, Part II" |
Comedy Showcase | P.C. Bracket | Episode: "The Function Room" | |
Swiftcover SwiftBrothers advertising campaign | Voice actor | ||
Comedy Showcase | Greg | Episode: "Bad Sugar" | |
Silent Night of the Living Dead | Actor | ||
2012–2013 | Horrible Histories | Hollywood Producer #1 | 9 episodes |
2013 | An Adventure in Space and Time | Patrick Troughton | Television film |
2013–2014 | Psychobitches | Various | 2 episodes |
2014 | The Widower | Malcolm Webster | 3 episodes |
Chasing Shadows | DS Sean Stone | 4 episodes | |
House of Fools | Martin / Santa | 2 episodes | |
Dead Funny: Horror Stories by Comedians | Writer | ||
2014–present | Inside No. 9 | Various | Also writer and director |
2015 | Peter Kay's Car Share | Ray the Fishmonger | Episode #1.3 |
Doctor Who | Gagan Rassmussen | Episode: "Sleep No More" | |
Hunderby | Pastor John | 2 episodes | |
2016 | Galavant | Neo of Sporin | Episode: "Love and Death" |
Mid Morning Matters with Alan Partridge | Jasper Jones | Episode: "Jasper + Chef" | |
Stag | Wendy | 2 episodes | |
Diddy TV | Mr. Stockholm | 4 episodes | |
2017 | The League of Gentlemen | Various | 3 episodes |
2019 | Good Omens | William Shakespeare | Episode: "Hard Times" |
2020 | The Adventures of Paddington | Mr. Curry (voice) | Episode: "Paddington Finds a Pigeon/Paddington and the Chores List" |
2021 | The Great British Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer | Himself/contestant | Episode #4.3 |
Stage[]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1995 | The League of Gentlemen | Actor | Stage show; also writer |
2001 | A Local Show for Local People | Performer | Theatre Royal, Drury Lane; also writer |
2002 | 'Art' | Yvan | Whitehall Theatre |
2005 | The League of Gentlemen Are Behind You! | Performer | Various venues; also writer |
2005 | As You Like It | Jacques | Wyndham's Theatre |
2006 | The Producers | Leo Bloom | Theatre Royal, Drury Lane |
2008 | The Common Pursuit | Nick | Menier Chocolate Factory |
2009 | Comedians | Phil Murray | Lyric Hammersmith |
2010 | Ghost Stories | Professor Phillip Goodman | Duke of York's Theatre |
2011 | Betty Blue Eyes | Gilbert Chilvers | Novello Theatre |
2012 | Absent Friends | Colin[25] | Harold Pinter Theatre |
2015 | Hangmen | Syd Armfield[26] | Royal Court Theatre; by Martin McDonagh |
2016 | The Dresser | Norman | Duke of York's Theatre |
2018 | Hangmen | Syd Armfield | Atlantic Theater Company |
2019 | A Very Expensive Poison | The President / Jon | The Old Vic |
2022 | The Unfriend | Peter | Minerva Theatre, Chichester |
Publications[]
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
2000 | A Local Book For Local People | Writer |
Radio[]
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
1997 | On The Town With The League of Gentlemen | Writer/Actor |
References[]
- ^ Bass, George (16 July 2015). "Catterick box set review: 'The most bonkers thing Reeves and Mortimer have ever done'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ^ "Culture". The Telegraph. 8 March 2017. Archived from the original on 18 December 2007.
- ^ "Go Behind-the-Scenes of Transformers: Fall of Cybertron in Latest Video – Dread Central". 3 August 2012.
- ^ "Reece Shearsmith in Ghost Stories from 9 Nov 2010". London Theatre Guide. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ^ "Behind the scenes of 'Betty Blue Eyes'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ^ Guide, British Comedy (22 July 2013). "Channel 4 confirm Bad Sugar series cancellation". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ^ "The Function Room – what time is it on TV? Episode 0 Series 0 cast list and preview". RadioTimes. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ^ "Doctor Who – Reece Shearsmith cast as Patrick Troughton". RadioTimes. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ^ "The Widower, review: Reece Shearsmith is in a league of his own". The Independent. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ^ "Chasing Shadows, ITV, episode 1, review". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ^ "Reece Shearsmith Joins 'Doctor Who' Cast for Season 9". BBC America.
- ^ "Episode 3, Peter Kay's Car Share – BBC One". BBC. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ^ "Hunderby Specials". babycow.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ^ "Reece Shearsmith talks to Bob Mortimer, Series 10, Chain Reaction – BBC Radio 4". BBC. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ^ "Reece Shearsmith cast in Hangmen at the Royal Court Theatre'". LondonTheatre1.com. 17 July 2017.
- ^ "REVIEW: Alan Partridge's Mid Morning Matters S2 Ep4 – The Metropolist". The Metropolist. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
- ^ ""It's a dark season" on Galavant, "and it's been all along"". 24 January 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
- ^ "Reece Shearsmith to appear at Latitude Festival". Giggle Beats. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
- ^ Guide, British Comedy (30 October 2016). "Inside No. 9 returns at Christmas". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ^ "Top Comics Join Short Film". Chortle. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- ^ "Olivier Awards 2020 nominees include & Juliet, Dear Evan Hansen, James McAvoy and Andrew Scott". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
- ^ "A brand new batch of celeb bakers return to the tent". Stand Up To Cancer. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ "BAFTA TV 2021: The Winners and Nominations for the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards". 28 April 2021.
- ^ Guide, British Comedy. "Psychoville trivia – British Comedy Guide". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ^ Billington, Michael (9 February 2012). "Absent Friends – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
- ^ "Hangmen".
External links[]
- 1969 births
- Living people
- 20th-century English male actors
- 21st-century English male actors
- Alumni of Bretton Hall College
- Comedians from Yorkshire
- English male comedians
- English male film actors
- English television writers
- English radio writers
- English male television actors
- Male actors from Kingston upon Hull
- Male actors from Yorkshire
- The League of Gentlemen
- Writers from Kingston upon Hull
- British male television writers