- At 17, joined a circus in Budapest for six weeks to get his Equity card.
- Was named after King Richard III, as he was born on the anniversary of the day the King was killed in battle.
- Was the youngest actor to audition for the role of Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit.
- He plays the cello, guitar, and flute.
- Suffers from aquaphobia (specifically, fear of drowning) stemming from an incident in which his stroller fell into a neighbor's pond when he was a toddler. This has not stopped him from taking aqua aerobics classes to prepare for the role of Lee in Cold Feet, allowing himself to be water-boarded twice (In Spooks and Strike Back), swimming at least 50 laps a day to prepare for the role of Heinz Kruger in Captain America, and allowing himself to be submerged in a well for a considerable length of time while shooting an episode of Robin Hood.
- At age 14, he persuaded his parents to send him to a vocational school in Coventry where he could develop his musical talents.
- He won the Saturn Award 2016 for his role as Francis Dolarhyde in 'Hannibal'.
- Joined the Royal Shakespeare Company at age 28 for 18 months.
- He was among the finalists for the role of Pennywise in It (2017) before Bill Skarsgard was cast.
- Shot the BBC comedy, The Vicar of Dibley Christmas Special 2006 as Harry, Geraldine's love interest. These were the last two episodes of this popular series. (October 2006)
- Previous jobs include packing boxes in a warehouse, worked at a laser gun place and took front-of-house jobs in the theatre but continued to go to drama classes.
- Nominated for an Olivier Best Actor Award for his role in The Crucible.
- He was considered for the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016).
- Nominated for WhatsOnStage Best Actor in a Play Award - for his role in The Crucible.
- His parents are John, an engineer, and Margaret, a secretary. Coincidentally, he played the character John Thornton in 'North & South', and his love interest was Margaret Hale.
- To get into character as Lee, his role in Cold Feet (1997), he took up aqua aerobics.
- Started acting career in musical theatre.
- His role in The Great Red Dragon (2015) is almost entirely silent.
- Filmed the Hobbit - 1 and 2 in New Zealand. (March 2011)
- Filmed the BBC Drama, Robin Hood, in Hungary, where he played Guy of Gisborne, the Sheriff of Nottingham's evil henchman. (May 2006)
- Shot Miss Marple and then returned to shooting Guy of Gisbourne in the second series of Robin Hood. (February 2007)
- Shot Sky1 6-part series "Strike Back" in South Africa. (August 2009)
- Is a fan of Damages (2007).
- Shot the second series of Robin Hood, reprising his role as Guy of Gisbourne. (April 2007)
- His older brother's name is Chris.
- Filmed some scenes of Spooks Series 7 in Moscow. (August 2008)
- Shot the third series of Robin Hood in Hungary. (July 2008)
- Completed filming the first episode of _"Inspector George Gently" (2007)_ qv. In "Gently Go Man" he played the character of Ricky, a Geordie biker. (December 2006)
- Completed filming a two-part series called "Malice Aforethought" set in 1920s, where he played misogynist Bill Chatford. (November 2004)
- Shot the 7th series of Spooks in London. (March 2008)
- Filmed new Jimmy McGovern's project "Moving On" (working title) in Liverpool. (December 2008)
- Shot "Marie Lloyd" in the role of her first husband Percy Courtenay. (February 2007)
- Shot series 8 of Spooks (MI5). (July 2009)
- Shot the 7th series of Spooks in London. (February 2008)
- Shot series 9 of Spooks (MI5). (February 2010)
- Filmed series 8 of "Spooks" in London. (April 2009)
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