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