

Paul Copley
Actor · WriterPaul 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.
More details at TMDB
KNOWN FOR
FILMOGRAPHY
ACTOR62

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
2025
Albert Mason

Big Winners
2025
Arthur Thistle

Ticker
2023
Howard

Downton Abbey: A New Era
2022
Mason

The Infectious Imagination of Henry Bramble
2021
Great Uncle Geoffrey

Enola Holmes
2020
Station Master

Ropeless
2020
Larry Windsor

Reg
2016
Man 2

The Nest Egg
2016

The Sound of Music Live!
2015
Franz

The 12 Days of Christine
2015
Ernie

First Encounter: King Lear
2012
King Lear

The Shadow in the North
2007
Paton

When Kim & Aggie Went To Hospital
2006
Self - Narrator (voice)

Marian, Again
2005
Phillip Walsh

Hornblower: Loyalty
2003
Matthews

The Key
2003

Hornblower: Duty
2003
Matthews

The Many Lives of Albert Walker
2002
Danny Peck

Hornblower: Mutiny
2001
Mathews

Blow Dry
2001
Ken

Hornblower: Retribution
2001
Matthews

Hornblower: The Duchess and the Devil
1999
Matthews

Hornblower: The Frogs and the Lobsters
1999
Mathews

Hornblower: The Examination for Lieutenant
1998
Mathews

Hornblower: The Even Chance
1998
Matthews

Written in Blood
1998
Brian Chappel

Jude
1996
Mr. Willis

A Pinch of Snuff
1994
Charlie Heppelwhite

The Remains of the Day
1993
Harry Smith
- How's Business
How's Business
1991
Jack

Testimony of a Child
1989
Gerry

Theban Plays: Oedipus at Colonus
1986
Local Man

Bird Fancier
1985
Roy Pearson

Silas Marner
1985
William Dane

Which Side Are You On?
1985
Narrator (voice)
- Ends and Means
Ends and Means
1983

Doll’s Eye
1983
Social Worker

Ghost in the Water
1982
Mr. Reed

A Brush with Mr. Porter on the Road to El Dorado
1981
Tom
- A Room for the Winter
A Room for the Winter
1981
Robert

P.Q. 17
1981
PO Jordan

Death of a Princess
1980
Steve Jackson

Happy
1980
Vernon

Black Jack
1979
Narrator

Zulu Dawn
1979
Cpl. Storey

Cries from a Watchtower
1979
Andy

Mucking Out
1978
Brian Wilson

Destiny
1978
Paul McShane
- Some Enchanted Evening
Some Enchanted Evening
1978
Peter

On a Paving Stone Mounted
1978

Travellers
1978
Young William/Middle William/Sales Rep

The Turkey Who Lives on the Hill
1978
Bill

A Christmas Carol
1977
Fred (Scrooge's Nephew)

A Bridge Too Far
1977
Pvt. Wicks

Arnhem: The Story of an Escape
1976
Finnegan

The Chester Mystery Plays
1976

Diane
1975
Jim

Alfie Darling
1975
Bakey

Father Dear Father
1973
Dumbo

Speech Day
1973
Woodwork Master

Dangerous Journey
Narrator






