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Adam Gillen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Adam Gillen
Born (1985-09-11) 11 September 1985 (age 39)
Manchester, England
OccupationActor
Employer(s)ITV, BBC, Channel 4
TelevisionBenidorm (2011–2018)
Fresh Meat (2011)
Prisoners Wives (2012)

Adam Gillen (born 11 September 1985) is a British actor, best known for his role as Liam Conroy in the ITV hit series Benidorm, Brian in the Channel 4 comedy Fresh Meat and Gavin in BBC's Prisoners’ Wives. In 2019, Gillen was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Killer Joe.[1]

Early life

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Gillen studied acting at Stockport College, before going on to graduate from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2007.

Career

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In 2000, Gillen was nominated for a TMA Award for Best Supporting Performance in a play for the Royal Exchange Theatre Company's A Taste of Honey. In 2011 he appeared as Moses in The School for Scandal.

Gillen is best known for his role as Liam in Benidorm from 2011 to its conclusion in 2018. Gillen's other television work includes The Gemma Factor, Oliver Twist, Just William and The Sarah Jane Adventures. In 2010, Gillen appeared in Noel Clarke’s 4.3.2.1.. He appeared in Age of Heroes in 2011.

In 2014, Gillen appeared in Lotty's War (written by Giuliano Crispini and directed by Bruce Guthrie) at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford.[2][3]

In October 2016, he appeared as Mozart in the National Theatre production of Peter Shaffer's Amadeus and reprised the role when the production returned from February to April 2018. A filmed performance from the Olivier Theatre[4][5] was later used in 2020 as part of the National Theatre at Home online series.

In 2022, Gillen starred as the title role[6] in William Shakespeare and John Fletcher's Henry VIII, performed at Shakespeare's Globe theatre, London.[7] The production garnered mixed reviews from critics.[8]

Personal life

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In 2023, Gillen became engaged to fellow Benidorm star Laila Zaidi;[9] their relationship had been initially reported on in 2018.[10]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2007 Oliver Twist Noah Claypole
2009 The Sarah Jane Adventures Toby Silverman Story: "The Eternity Trap"
2010 Last Call Pullingswryth Short
4.3.2.1 Geek Brett Supporting Role
Just William Hector
The Gemma Factor' Lee
2011 This is Jinsy Jinsy Player Recurring role
Fresh Meat Brian
2011–2015, 2016–2018 Benidorm Liam Conroy Regular role, 44 episodes
2012 Prisoners' Wives Gavin
Sport Relief 2012 Liam Conroy Benidorm meets Britain's Got Talent
We Are the Freaks Splodger Filming
2013 Way To Go Neil
Love Matters Clive Episode: "Miss Wright"
2017–present Game of Clones Narrator 20 episodes
2018 Vita & Virginia Duncan Grant
2023 Boat Story Vinnie Douglas 3 episodes

Theatre

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Year Title Role Stage Notes
2007 The Five Wives of Maurice Pinder Vincent National Theatre (Cottesloe Stage)
2008 The Lion's Mouth Ben Royal Court Theatre
The Good Soul of Szechuan Wang the Waterseller Young Vic
War and Peace Alex Royal Court Theatre
Proper Clever Matthew Liverpool Playhouse
A Taste of Honey Geoffrey Royal Exchange Manchester
2009 For King and Country Arthur Hamp Plymouth Theatre Royal & national tour
2010 The Door Never Closes Collins Almeida Theatre
2011 The School for Scandal Moses Barbican Theatre
2013 Lee Harvey Oswald Lee Finborough Theatre
2015 Wendy and Peter Pan Martin Royal Shakespeare Company [11]
2016 Amadeus Mozart National Theatre (Olivier Stage) [12]
2018
Killer Joe Chris Trafalgar Studios
2018–2019 Benidorm Live Liam Conroy UK Tour 250 shows
2021 Romeo and Juliet Mercutio Shakespeare's Globe
2022 Henry VIII Henry VIII
2024 Cabaret The Emcee Playhouse Theatre

References

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  1. ^ "Nominees announced for the 2019 Olivier Awards". RADA. 6 March 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  2. ^ Cheesman, Neil (11 August 2014). "LOTTY'S WAR Starring Olivia Hallinan, Mark Letheren and Adam Gillen". londontheatre1.com. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  3. ^ Shryhane, Geoffrey (8 October 2014). "THEATRE REVIEWS - Lotty's War". wigantoday.net. Archived from the original on 7 May 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  4. ^ "Ten questions for… Adam Gillen". National Theatre. 5 December 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  5. ^ Bolton, Gay (16 July 2020). "Benidorm actor Adam Gillen stars in Amadeus screening by National Theatre At Home". Derbyshire Times. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  6. ^ Wolf, Matt (27 May 2022). "'Henry VIII' review — Tudor history and contemporary gender politics collide". London Theatre. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  7. ^ Benson, Dzifa (27 May 2022). "Henry VIII, review: this bawdy take on Shakespeare's final play is pure theatre magic". The Telegraph. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Henry VIII review — there's too much poor acting in this tricky slice of history". The Times. 27 May 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  9. ^ Chase, Stephanie (29 September 2023). "Benidorm co-stars confirm they're engaged". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  10. ^ Deen, Sarah (15 March 2018). "Benidorm stars Adam Gillen and Laila Zaidi 'are secretly dating in real life'". Metro. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Interview with Benidorm's Adam Gillen". Birmingham What’s On. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  12. ^ Dex, Robert (27 October 2016). "Amadeus star Adam Gillen confesses: 'I can't play a single note'". Evening Standard. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
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