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