Richard Coyle was born and raised in Sheffield, in the UK with his four
brothers. He began his career when, studying languages and the history of art at
York University (1992 - 1995), he got interested in student drama
and traveled to the Edinburgh festival twice.
A decision to raise funds to study at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic
Theatre School resulted in an extra's job on a new film adaptation of
the classic novel Jane Eyre. When director
Franco Zeffirelli heard Richard was
about to start drama school he gave him a line, his first on screen:
"Mr. Rochester, Mr. Rochester, your house sir!"
After graduating drama school he took a number of small roles in television and film before
landing a larger role in the 1998 ITV drama
Episode #1.1 (1998)
and a super cameo turn in Justin Kerrigan's
Human Traffic (1999) as "Andy" - a
party goer engaged in some seriously "deep" debate on Star Wars and
drugs culture with
Danny Dyer's
character "Moff".
In 2000 Richard landed the two roles that would launch him into the
limelight: "Jeff" in BBC2's inspired comedy series
Coupling (2000) and "John Ridd" in
the BBC's Christmas production of
Lorna Doone (2000). Richard
has trodden the boards in the West End, firstly at The Royal Court
Theatre in
Peter Gill's "The York
Realist" and then alongside
Gwyneth Paltrow in "Proof" at the Donmar
Warehouse. Also "Don Carlos" in 2005 and "The Lover/The Collection" in
2008. Polar Bears at the Donmar Warehouse in 2010, Macbeth in New York in 2014, and Ink at the Almeida and West End in 2017/2018.
The Other Bennet Sister(2026)as Mr. Gardiner
Heads of State(2025)as Quincy Harrington
The Gathering(2024)as Jules
Then You Run(2023)as Reagan
Six Four(2023)as Robert Wallace
Coupling(2000)
The Making of 'Pusher'(2012)as Self
W.E. UK Premiere Red Carpet Featurette(2012)as Self
The Big Picture(2011)as Self
Last Day of the Dinosaurs(2010)as Narrator UK
