Born: 21st June 1964 (as David Mark Morrissey)
Episodes Broadcast: 2008

David Morrissey was born in Liverpool, Merseyside and became interested in acting after watching a television broadcast of the 1970 movie Kes. Encouraged by a teacher, he appeared in school plays, and subsequently joined the Everyman Youth Theatre. Leaving school, Morrissey worked backstage for a theatre company in Wolverhampton, West Midlands. But he soon made his television debut in the 1983 serial One Summer, and won a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art with the support of his friend, future Eighth Doctor Paul McGann. After graduating, Morrissey joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and appeared in Peter Greenaway's 1988 film Drowning By Numbers.

During the Nineties, Morrissey's imposing stature and commanding presence helped him secure increasingly high-profile roles. On television, he could be seen in programmes such as The Knock, Finney, Out Of The Blue, and an adaptation of Our Mutual Friend with McGann. Morrissey's performance in the 1998 movie Hilary And Jackie, starring Emily Watson and Rachel Griffiths, was widely praised. The same year, he directed the first of two short films.

Morrissey appeared with Doctor-to-be David Tennant in the music drama Blackpool

After the turn of the century, Morrissey starred in shows like State Of Play, Cape Wrath and a 2008 adaptation of Sense & Sensibility. He also appeared with another Doctor-to-be, David Tennant, in the musical Blackpool. Morrissey continued to direct on occasion, including the mini-series Sweet Revenge. On the silver screen, he took roles in the likes of Captain Corelli's Mandolin, The Other Boleyn Girl and Nowhere Boy. However, Morrissey's starring role in 2006's Basic Instinct 2 earned the dubious honour of a Razzie nomination as Worst Actor.

More happily, 2006 also saw Morrissey marry his longtime girlfriend, Esther Freud. Although principally an author, she acted on occasion as well; her credits included the 1985 serial Attack Of The Cybermen, for which she was unrecognisable under a mask as Threst of the Cryons. The couple would have a daughter, Anna, and sons Albie and Gene. In 2008, it was Morrissey's turn to appear in Doctor Who -- ironically, also in a story featuring the Cybermen -- when he agreed to co-star with Tennant in that year's Christmas special, The Next Doctor. He played Jackson Lake, a man who spent much of the story believing himself to be the Doctor. This prompted widespread speculation in the press that Morrissey was actually Doctor Who's new leading man, since it was known that Tennant was soon giving up the role of the Tenth Doctor.

Morrissey wrapped up the decade with his movie debut as a director. This was Don't Worry About Me, which he also co-wrote. He remained busy during the 2010s, with Five Days, The Walking Dead, The Missing and Britannia numbering amongst a plethora of television appearances. Morrissey's movie roles became less prominent, but still included Centurion with Michael Fassbender, Jason Statham's Blitz, and Welcome To The Punch starring James McAvoy. The Twenties saw Morrissey star in the The Singapore Grip and Sherwood, while making a guest appearance in Inside No. 9.