Vincent Warren Franklin (born 3 November 1966) is an English actor from Haworth. He is best known for his roles in comedy television programmes. He has appeared in a number of feature films including the Mike Leigh films Topsy-Turvy (1999), Vera Drake (2004) and Mr Turner (2014), and the 2006 films Confetti and The Illusionist, as well as The Bourne Identity (2002). In 2018, he played the role of Mike Travis in the BBC television series Bodyguard.
Early life Franklin was born in Haworth and was raised there until the age of nine when his family moved to Kilnsea, East Riding of Yorkshire. A couple of years later they moved back to Bradford when Franklin was 11. Franklin was educated at Bradford Grammar School. Franklin studied from 1988 to 1990 at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Career Franklin has had roles in many TV series including Five Days, Doc Martin, Being Human, Grandma's House, Happy Valley as DSI Andy Shepherd, as Rowan the trainer in The Office, Nick Jowett in Twenty Twelve, PR guru Stewart Pearson in The Thick Of It, Henry Best in Cucumber and Banana as well as Prendergast in the BBC 2017 adaptation of the Evelyn Waugh novel Decline and Fall. He portrayed Christopher Drawlight in the 2015 BBC production of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell.
He is also a founder of the communications consultancy, Quietroom.
Personal life Franklin is married to actress Hilary Greatorex and they have two children. He is a Bradford City A.F.C. fan.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1997 The Woodlanders Stable Lad 1999 Topsy-Turvy Rutland Barrington 2001 From Hell George Lusk 2002 The Bourne Identity Rawlins 2004 Vera Drake Mr Lewis 2006 The Illusionist Loschek 2006 Confetti Archie 2006 Jam Jason 2009 Bright Star Dr Bree 2013 National Theatre Live: This House Michael Cocks 2014 Mr Turner Gentleman Critics 2014 The Riot Club Porter 2018 Peterloo Magistrate Rev Ethelston 2018 Nativity Rocks! Lord Mayor 2019 Yesterday Brian 2021 Censor Fraser
Television Year Title Role Notes 1995–2007 The Bill Merv Patterson / Hotel Manager 2 episodes 1996 Sharman Barman Season 1, Episode 31998 Kavanagh QC Alan Sheedy Episode: "Dead Reckoning" Berkeley Square Reverend Wilkes Episode: "Pretty Maids All in a Row" Alexei Sayle's Merry-Go-Round Various Season 1, Episode 6 2000–2004 Casualty Ken Driscoll/Tony Fleming 2 episodes2001 People Like Us Episode: "The Mother" The Office Rowan Episode: "Training" The Infinite Worlds of H.G. Wells War Minister 6 episodes 2002–2003 Sir Gadabout: The Worst Knight in the Land Sir Rancid 20 episodes2004 Wild West Priggish Man Episode: "Angela Learns to Drive" The Worst Week of My Life Doctor Episode: "Friday" EastEnders Carl 1 episode 2004–2017 Doc Martin Chris Parsons 5 episodes2005 Casanova Nobleman 2 Season 1, Episode 1 Hustle Nigel Henney Episode: "Gold Mine"2006 The Virgin Queen Thomas Phelippes Season 1, Episode 2 Holby City Kevin Gilbert Episode: "Let It Shine"2007 Five Days Rawdon Hull 4 episodes Doctors Pete Thorne Episode: "Out of Control" The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle Graham Season 1, Episode 3 Lead Balloon Barry Episode: "Debacle" Oliver Twist Mr Limbkins 2 episodes 2007–2012 The Thick of It Stewart Pearson 10 episodes2008 Never Better Josh Episode: "God" Fairy Tales Ralf Episode: "The Empress's New Clothes" 2010 Being Human Ross Episode: "Educating Creature" 2011–2012 Twenty Twelve Nick Jowett 12 episodes 2012 Grandma's House Uncle Barry 2 episodes 2013 The Wrong Mans Sergeant Ince Episode: "The Wrong Mans"2015 Banana Henry Best 4 episodes Cucumber Henry Best 8 episodes Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Drawlight 7 episodes2016–2023 Happy Valley Andy Shepherd 12 episodes2016BBC Comedy FeedsMarshallEpisode: "Fail"2017 Urban Myths Alexander Episode: "Hitler the Artist" Decline and Fall Prendergast 3 episodes 2018 Bodyguard Mike Travis 6 episodes 2019 Gentleman Jack Christopher Rawson 5 episodes 2021 Midsomer MurdersArtie BlytheEpisode: "With Baited Breath" 2022 The Witchfinder Topcliffe 2 episodes 2025 The War Between the Land and the Sea Prime Minister Harry Shaw2026Beyond ParadiseJames SmithRecurring role, Series 4, 4 Episodes
Stage credits Year Title Role Notes 2022 The Snail House by Richard Eyre Neil Marriot Hampstead Theatre, London
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