 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Discover more about the stars of BBC Drama. |
|
|
 |
|
 John Hannah
One of the stars of legal drama New Street Law, John's known for high profile film roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral*, The Mummy, and Sliding Doors. He's also starred in pathologist drama McCallum* and played Ian Rankin's dour detective Rebus*.
Test your knowledge of John Hannah »
| What's he been in? |
|
John plays defence barrister Jack Roper in new legal drama New Street Law. Jack's firm, including fellow lawyer Charlie Darling (John Thomson) are locked in rivalry with those of former mentor Laurence Scammel QC (Paul Freeman*).
Early roles for John included parts in Harbour Beat and Between the Lines, but real fame came with the part of Matthew in Richard Curtis' film Four Weddings and a Funeral*. His character's reading of the WH Auden poem Funeral Blues is one of the film's most memorable moments.
Other film roles followed, including co-starring as Gwyneth Paltrow's love interest James in Sliding Doors, and as Jonathan in action adventures The Mummy and The Mummy Returns.
John has also made quite a mark as crime-investigating Scots. He's played troubled pathologist Dr Iain McCallum in forensic investigation show McCallum*, and also taken on the role of DI John Rebus* in three adaptations of Ian Rankin's best selling crime novels. John reportedly gave up the role because he felt he was too young for it - Ken Stott* taking it on.
He starred as Jake Osbourne in ITV thriller Cold Blood*, alongside Jemma Redgrave*. The drama was noted for the casting of family entertainer and Stars in their Eyes* host Matthew Kelly as a serial killer.
Other TV roles have included Inspector Tom Welch in Miss Marple - 4.50 from Paddington*, as D.S. Mackenzie Stone in two-part psychological thriller Amnesia* and a guest role on Sea of Souls.
On the other side of the pond, he's guested in popular sitcom Frasier*, played Martin Shepherd in two series of cult US spy series Alias*, and appeared on creepy circus drama Carnivalé.
Upcoming projects for John include Ecstacy*, a film about a Scottish drug dealer based on an Irvine Welsh story, and Roman epic The Last Legion*.
|
| Did you know? |
|
Before becoming an actor, John trained as an electrician for four years.
He studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama* in Glasgow.
John got to know his future wife after the two of them crashed cars.
"We went to a picnic, in separate cars. I stopped at some red traffic lights. Her car crashed straight into the back of mine.
She slumped over the steering wheel. Worried she was hurt, I pulled her out and gave her a kiss, reassuring her that everything was fine. It made me feel like a romantic hero."
Whilst on the set of The Last Legion, John was surprised to beat Pride and Prejudice star Colin Firth in a best legs contest, voted for by the film's crew.
|
| Personal Details |
|
John was born on 23 April 1962, in East Kilbride, Scotland.
He is married to fellow actor Joanna Roth*. The couple have two children, twins Gabriel and Astrid.
* The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
From Tudors to WW2 |
|
|
A guide to better living |
|
|
Listen live to 4 now |
|
 |
|
