Hugh Michael Horace Dancy (born 19 June 1975) is an English actor who rose to prominence for his role as the title character in the television film adaptation of David Copperfield (2000) as well as for roles in feature films as Kurt Schmid in Black Hawk Down (2001) and Prince Charmont in Ella Enchanted (2004). Other film roles include Joe Conner in Shooting Dogs (2005), Grigg Harris in The Jane Austen Book Club (2007), Luke Brandon in Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009), Adam Raki in Adam (2009) and Ted in Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011). On television, he portrayed criminal profiler Will Graham in the NBC television series Hannibal (2013–2015), Cal Roberts in the Hulu original series The Path (2016–2018) and Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, in the Channel 4 miniseries Elizabeth I (2005); the latter role earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. Dancy currently portrays Senior Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price on NBC's revival of the original Law & Order (2022–present).
Hugh Dancy | |
|---|---|
 Dancy at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival | |
| Born | Hugh Michael Horace Dancy 19 June 1975 Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England |
| Alma mater | St Peter's College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Father | Jonathan Dancy |
Early life
editDancy was born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire,[1] and raised in Newcastle-under-Lyme.[2] His mother, Sarah Ann Dancy (née Birley, born 1952),[3] works in academic publishing.[2] His father is philosophy professor Jonathan Dancy (born 1946), who teaches at the University of Reading and at the University of Texas at Austin.[3][4]
Hugh is the oldest of three children, followed by brother Jack Dancy (born 1977), who is co-director of the travel company Trufflepig Travel,[3][5] and sister Katharine Sarah Redman (née Dancy, born 1980), who works for UNESCO. From the age of 5 to the age of 10, Dancy was educated at Edenhurst Preparatory School[6] in Newcastle-under-Lyme. At age 10, Dancy attended boarding school at the Dragon School in Oxford, then, at 13[1] at Winchester College.[2] At age 18, he acted in the Winchester College Players production of Twelfth Night, which was performed in both Winchester and at the Minack Theatre in Cornwall. He went on to study English at St Peter's College, Oxford.[1]
Career
editAfter graduation, Dancy moved to London, where a chance conversation in a cafe led to his meeting casting director Ros Hubbard and agent Dallas Smith, who signed him.[1] In 1999, Dancy appeared in the second series of Cold Feet in the role of Danny, who had a fleeting romance with Rachel, one of the show's main characters. In 2002, Dancy played Daniel Deronda in the BBC's adaptation of George Eliot's novel Daniel Deronda.[7]
Notable roles from film include Dancy's Prince Charmont from the 2004 Disney film Ella Enchanted alongside Anne Hathaway and, from the same year, Galahad in King Arthur alongside later Hannibal co-star Mads Mikkelsen.[8] In 2005, he starred as Adam Raki in Adam, an independent film which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009 and follows the story of a young man with autism.[9] He went on to appear in various other films.
In theatre, Dancy has appeared in MCC Theater's The Pride, written by Alexi Kaye Campbell, at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in New York City. The off-Broadway production was directed by Joe Mantello and co-starred Ben Whishaw and Andrea Riseborough. In 2007, Dancy had a starring role on Broadway as Captain Dennis Stanhope in Journey's End (Belasco Theatre). From 2010 until 2011, he starred in Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway production of Venus in Fur alongside Nina Arianda. His performance was praised by The New York Times theatre critic Charles Isherwood.[10] In August 2018, it was announced he would appear with Stockard Channing in Roundabout Theatre Company's off-Broadway premiere of Apologia, written by Alexi Kay Campbell, in the dual roles of Peter and Simon.[11]
In March 2012, NBC announced that Dancy had been cast as Will Graham in Hannibal, the television adaptation based on the main character of Thomas Harris' 1981 novel Red Dragon.[12] The show received critical acclaim and was nominated for numerous awards. It was cancelled after three seasons and concluded in 2015, though there are hopes for its revival.[13] From 2016 to 2018, he appeared for three seasons as Cal Roberts, a lead character in Hulu's The Path, alongside Aaron Paul and Michelle Monaghan.[14][15] In November 2021 Dancy was announced as one of the leads in NBC's 2022 revival of Law & Order, playing an assistant district attorney.[16]
Personal life
editIn 2006, Dancy met American actress Claire Danes on the set of Evening.[17] They announced their engagement in February 2009 and married in France later that year.[17][18] They have three children: two sons born in 2012 and 2018,[19][20][21] and a daughter born in 2023.[22]
They live in the West Village neighbourhood of New York City.[23]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Black Hawk Down | SFC Kurt Schmid | |
| Young Blades | D'Artagnan | ||
| 2003 | Tempo | Jack Ganzer | |
| The Sleeping Dictionary | John Truscott | ||
| 2004 | King Arthur | Galahad | |
| Ella Enchanted | Prince Charmont | ||
| 2005 | Shooting Dogs | Joe Connor | |
| 2006 | Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addiction | Adam Tower | |
| 2007 | The Jane Austen Book Club | Grigg Harris | |
| Evening | Buddy Wittenborn | ||
| Savage Grace | Sam Green | ||
| Blood & Chocolate | Aiden | ||
| 2009 | Confessions of a Shopaholic | Luke Brandon | |
| Adam | Adam Raki | Nominated–Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama | |
| 2010 | Coach | Nick | Direct-to-DVD |
| The Wildest Dream | Andrew Irvine | Voice Documentary | |
| 2011 | Our Idiot Brother | Christian | |
| Martha Marcy May Marlene | Ted | Nominated–Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Ensemble Performance | |
| Hysteria | Dr. Mortimer Granville | ||
| 2013 | Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return | Marshal Mallow | Voice |
| Poe | Edgar Allan Poe | Voice | |
| 2018 | Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People | Alleyne Ireland | |
| 2019 | Late Night | Charlie Fain | |
| 2022 | Downton Abbey: A New Era | Jack Barber |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Trial & Retribution | Robert Belini | 2 episodes |
| The New Adventures of Robin Hood | Kyle | Episode: "Orphans" | |
| 1998–1999 | Dangerfield | Charlie Paige | 2 episodes |
| 1999 | Cold Feet | Danny | 2 episodes |
| Kavanagh QC | Michael Woodley | Episode: "The More Loving One" | |
| 2000 | Relic Hunter | Michael Previn | Episode: "The Last Knight" |
| David Copperfield | David Copperfield | Television film | |
| Madame Bovary | Leon | Television film | |
| 2002 | Daniel Deronda | Daniel Deronda | 4 episodes |
| 2005 | Elizabeth I | Earl of Essex | 2 episodes Nominated–Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Nominated–Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television |
| 2011 | The Big C | Lee Fallon | 8 episodes |
| 2013–2015 | Hannibal | Will Graham | 38 episodes International Online Cinema Award for Best Actor in Drama Series (2013) Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television (2015) Nominated–Chainsaw Award for Best TV Actor (2015, 2016) Nominated–Critics' Choice TV Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series (2014, 2016) Nominated–Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television (2014) |
| 2015 | Deadline Gallipoli | Ellis Ashmead Bartlett | 2 episodes Nominated–Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Actor (2016) |
| 2016, 2018 | Robot Chicken | Various roles | Voice 2 episodes |
| 2016–2018 | The Path | Cal Roberts | 36 episodes; Also producer |
| 2020 | Homeland | John Zabel | 6 episodes |
| 2020–2021 | The Good Fight | Caleb Garlin | 4 episodes |
| 2021 | The Abominable Snow Baby | Albert | Voice; Television film |
| 2022 | Roar | Detective Bobby Bronson | Episode: "The Woman Who Solved Her Own Murder" |
| 2022–present | Law & Order | Nolan Price | 45 episodes (season 21–) |
| 2024 | Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man | Otto Octavius (voice) | In production |
Theatre
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Billy and the Crab Lady | Fred | Soho Theatre |
| 2000 | To the Green Fields Beyond | Mo | Donmar Warehouse |
| 2007 | Journey's End | Captain Dennis Stanhope | Belasco Theatre |
| 2010 | The Pride | Philip | Lucille Lortel Theatre MCC Theater |
| 2011–2012 | Venus in Fur | Thomas Novachek | Lyceum Theatre Nominated–Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play |
| 2018 | Apologia | Peter / Simon | Laura Pels Theater |
Awards and nominations
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "How Hugh Dancy became a Hollywood hero". The Independent. London, UK. 20 September 2007. Archived from the original on 11 May 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- ^ a b c "Hugh Dancy: 'I don't need to be stinking rich'". The Daily Telegraph. UK. 10 September 2012. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
- ^ a b c "Rev. James Richard Anderson profile at". The Hon. Peter I. Pellew official website. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
- ^ "Jonathan Dancy C.V." Archived from the original on 6 April 2010.
- ^ "Trufflepig Travel Inc". Trufflepig.com. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- ^ "Edenhurst Preparatory School".
- ^ Fox, Chloe (31 December 2001). "High drama". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ "The Cast of 'King Arthur' Is Far More Star-Studded Than You Probably Remember, But What Are They Doing Now?". Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ Catsoulis, Jeannette (28 July 2009). "Starring Hugh Dancy, a Comedy About Desire and Disability". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ Isherwood, Charles (8 November 2011). "Venus in Fur, by David Ives, With Nina Arianda". The New York Times.
- ^ Clement, Oliva (August 2018). "Hugh Dancy, Megalyn Echikunwoke, and More to Join Stockard Channing in Apologia". Playbill.
- ^ Morgan, Jeffrey. "Hannibal Lecter TV series casts Hugh Dancy as Will Graham", digitalspy.com; accessed 23 March 2012.
- ^ "'Hannibal' Cancelled By NBC After 3 Seasons". Deadline. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ "First Look: Hugh Dancy as Cult Leader in Hulu's 'The Path' | BBC America". BBC America. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ Levy, Dani (20 January 2017). "'The Path' Creator Says Hulu Let Her Be 'Really Brave' in Season 2". Variety. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- ^ Ryan, Danielle (24 November 2021). "Hugh Dancy To Investigate Killers, Try Not To Fall In Love With Them, In Law & Order Revival". /Film. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ a b Zuckerman, Blaine (6 February 2009). "Claire Danes & Hugh Dancy Are Engaged!". People. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- ^ "Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy Wed". People. 28 September 2009.
... tied the knot in a quiet ceremony in France a few weeks ago ...
- ^ Garcia, Jennifer; Messer, Lesley (19 December 2012). "Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy Welcome Son Cyrus Michael Christopher". People. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
- ^ "Claire Danes And Hugh Dancy Welcome Baby Boy To Family". HuffPost. Associated Press. 31 August 2018.
- ^ "Claire Danes Stars in the Cover Story of Mastermind Magazine #5 Issue". Design Scene. 4 March 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ "It's a girl! Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy welcome third baby together". Los Angeles Times. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
- ^ David, Mark (24 April 2013). "Claire Danes Snags NYC Townhouse". Variety. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
- ^ Derby, Gold (7 March 2016). "2006 GOLDDERBY TV AWARDS". GoldDerby. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ "Hugh Dancy". Television Academy. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Hugh Dancy". IMDb. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ "Best TV Actor – IGN's Best of 2013 Wiki Guide". IGN. 15 December 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ Sandberg, Bryn (19 June 2014). "Critics' Choice Television Awards 2014: Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ "'Hannibal' Wins At The Saturn Awards". Hidden Remote. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ Hugh Dancy - Saturn Awards 2015 - Best TV Actor, retrieved 6 February 2023
- ^ "Critics' Choice Awards 2016: Fargo and Mr Robot top TV winners' list". Digital Spy. 18 January 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ "Australian Television: 2016 Logie Awards". www.australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
External links
edit
- Hugh Dancy at IMDb