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Mathew Baynton

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Mathew Baynton
Baynton at the 2011 Glasgow Film Festival
Born
Mathew John Baynton

(1980-11-18) 18 November 1980 (age 43)
Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England[1]
Alma materRose Bruford College
Occupation(s)Actor, comedian, musician, writer
Years active2000s–present
PartnerKelly Robinson
Children2
RelativesDaisy May Cooper (second cousin)
Charlie Cooper (second cousin)

Mathew John Baynton (born 18 November 1980) is an English actor, comedian, musician and writer. He is best known as a member of the Them There collective in which he wrote and starred in shows including Horrible Histories, Yonderland and Ghosts. He was also the co-creator, writer and star of the comedy-drama The Wrong Mans. Other major television roles include Deano in Gavin & Stacey, Chris Pitt-Goddard in Spy, Simon in Peep Show, William Agar in Quacks, and twin brothers Jamie Winton and Ariel Conroy in You, Me and the Apocalypse. He has appeared in several films, including Bill (2015) and Wonka (2023).

Early life

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Baynton grew up in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.[1] He is the youngest of three boys, with two older brothers, Daniel and Andrew. He was educated at Southend High School for Boys. He graduated with first class honours from the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama,[2] and later trained in clowning at École Philippe Gaulier in Paris. Baynton explained his motivation in an interview with Metro: "The performing instinct came from making my family laugh, so I've always been drawn to the funny side of things. Comedy is really rewarding."[3]

Baynton's second cousins Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper are also in the acting profession.[4]

Career

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Acting and writing

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Baynton is one of the performers of the hit children's television series Horrible Histories, appearing in the first five series as an actor, singer, and occasional writer.[5] Baynton and the other five members of the main Horrible Histories cast form the Them There troupe, which has since created other shows.

L-R: Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Mathew Baynton, Laurence Rickard, Ben Willbond and Jim Howick at the 2011 Children's BAFTAs.

Along with the other members of the troupe, Baynton is the creator, writer, and star of Yonderland, a family fantasy comedy series that premiered on Sky1 on 10 November 2013.[6] He starred with the same troupe in Bill, a BBC family comedy film based loosely around the early life of William Shakespeare, who ventures to London to pursue his dream of becoming a playwright.[7][8] The troupe also reunited in 2019 to create the BBC series Ghosts, with Baynton appearing as a romantic poet named Thomas Thorne.

Baynton teamed with friend and fellow Gavin & Stacey alumnus James Corden to create, write, and star in The Wrong Mans, a comedy-thriller for BBC Two that premiered in autumn 2013.[9] The series is co-produced by online television provider Hulu.com in the United States, where it premiered in November 2013.[10] The first six-part series proved a critical and commercial success, and a similarly well-received two-part sequel was broadcast in December 2014.[11]

Other notable TV comedy roles include Deano in Gavin & Stacey; Chris in the Darren Boyd sitcom vehicle Spy; and William in the 2017 black comedy series Quacks.

In 2009, he appeared in a music video for Mercury Prize-nominated band, The Bees.[12]

Baynton appeared at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, starring in the world premiere of Tom Basden's play Holes.[13] He reprised his role of Gus in a London revival of the same play in summer 2014.[14]

In late 2015, Baynton portrayed Jamie Winton and his brother Ariel Conroy in Sky1's science fiction comedy-drama miniseries You, Me and the Apocalypse.

In January 2024, Baynton made his Royal Shakespeare Company debut in Eleanor Rhode's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream as Nick Bottom.

Music

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Baynton is a former member of the band Special Benny as a vocalist and guitarist.[15] Their debut album Toys was released in 2010.

He has also performed as a solo act under the name Dog Ears. His debut solo EP, So It Goes, was released in November 2011.[16] It consists of four self-penned songs.

Radio

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He appeared in 'John Finnemore's Double Acts', and also made an appearance on ‘Button FM’ along with Pat Butcher.

Personal life

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He and his partner Kelly Robinson, a film historian, have two children: a son, Bo, born in 2011, and a daughter, Ida, born in 2016. Baynton and Robinson had a civil partnership ceremony in 2023. [17]

Baynton has commented on his son's skewed view of his father's profession: "He thinks work is putting on a beard. One day his eyes will be opened, but I do find it wonderful that that's his view of work."[18] He commented during the same interview that while many actors do not want their children to become actors as well, he sees no problem with his son following in his footsteps, stating that "if he enjoys it, so why shouldn't I let him?".[18] Bo appeared as the young Mary, Queen of Scots in one episode of Horrible Histories.

Baynton tries to keep Bo and Ida out of the spotlight. However, Baynton raised awareness about breaking gender barriers after Bo was mocked in the park for wearing a pink bicycle helmet.[19] Baynton expressed his belief that he lets his son express his likes and dislikes freely without categorising toys and colours in gendered categories. Baynton stated "I won't be teaching my boy how to be a 'boy'."[19]

Filmography

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Key
† Denotes works that have not yet been released

Film

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Year Film Role Notes
2008 1234 Neil
Telstar Ritchie Blackmore
2009 City Rats Barista
2010 Hereafter College Receptionist
2011 Tooty's Wedding Aiden Short film
You Instead Tyko
2014 The Falling Mr. Hopkins
2015 Bill William "Bill" Shakespeare / Lord Burghley /
English Messenger / Customs Official
2023 Wonka Felix Fickelgruber
†2025 The Wizard at War Hugo De Giffard Also co-executive producer

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2007 Roman's Empire Davvy Episode #1.4
Learners Howard Television film
2008 Ashes to Ashes Tom Robinson Episode #1.8
2008–2009 Gavin & Stacey Deano 3 episodes
2009 Horne & Corden Various roles 6 episodes
Doc Martin Junior Chef Episode: "Do Not Disturb"
Purves & Pekkala Derrin Television film
Brave Young Men Dylan Television film
2009–2010 The Armstrong & Miller Show Various roles 2 episodes
2009–2013 Horrible Histories Various roles 46 episodes
2010 The Stephen K. Amos Show Whale Charity Fundraiser Episode #1.4
2010–2012 Peep Show Simon 4 episodes
2011 Horrible Histories with Stephen Fry Various roles Episode #1.1
BBC Proms Various roles Episode: "Prom 20: Horrible Histories Big Prom Party"
2011–2012 Spy Chris Pitt-Goddard 16 episodes
2013–2014 The Wrong Mans Sam Pinkett 10 episodes
Psychobitches Jesus / Witch of Wookey Hole 2 episodes
2013–2016 Yonderland Various roles 25 episodes
2014 Blandings Pongo Episode: "Throwing Eggs"
2015 You, Me and the Apocalypse Jamie Winton/Ariel Conroy 10 episodes
2015–2017 Bob the Builder Roland Voice role; 5 episodes
2016 Year Friends Reporter Episode: "December"
2016–2017 Drunk History Various roles 4 episodes
2017 Inside No. 9 Ted Episode: "Diddle Diddle Dumpling"
Quacks William 6 episodes
Thunderbirds Are Go Jimmy/Crewman Hooper Episode: "Rigged for Disaster"
2018 Pixies Tatum 1 episode
Vanity Fair Bute Crawley Miniseries; 4 episodes
2018–2020 The Split Rex Pope 5 episodes
2019 Urban Myths Kenny Everett 2 episodes
2019–2023 Ghosts Thomas Thorne 35 episodes
2021 Hitmen Kieran Roberts Episode: "Impersonation"
Death in Paradise Colin Babcock Episode: "Christmas Special"
2022 Ghosts (U.S. version) Actor Pete Episode: "Dumb Deaths"
2023 Murder Is Easy Dr. Thomas Miniseries; 2 episodes[20]
2024 A Good Girl's Guide to Murder Elliot Ward 6 episodes

Stage

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Year Title Role Venue Notes
2003 Loot Meadows & Mrs. McLeavy Derby Playhouse, Derby
2005 The Bubonic Play Minstrel Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh as part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe
2006 Hello Dalai Various Roles Underbelly, Edinburgh as part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe
2007 Office Party Barbican Centre, London
2011 Horrible Histories: BBC Proms 2011 Various Roles Royal Albert Hall, London as part of BBC Proms
2013 Holes Gus Assembly George Square Studios, Edinburgh as part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe
2024 A Midsummer Night's Dream Bottom Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Royal Shakespeare Company debut
2024 White Rabbit Red Rabbit Nassim Soleimanpour @sohoplace One-night only performance
2024–2025 A Midsummer Night's Dream Bottom Barbican Centre, London Transfer of Royal Shakespeare Company production

Radio

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Year Title Role Ref.
2015 Double Acts Mike [21]
2015–2021 Reluctant Persuaders Joe Starling [22]
2016 Forty Weeks Sam [23]
2018 My Boy Jack Reader [24]
2022 The Miser Valère [25]
The World of Simon Rich Various characters [26]
2023 She Stoops to Conquer Marlow [27]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2006 Fringe Report Awards Best Farce (with all crew & cast) The Bubonic Play Won [28]
2010 British Academy Children's Awards Best Writing (with writing team) Horrible Histories - Series 2 Won [29]
2011 British Comedy Awards Best Sketch Show (with writing team) Horrible Histories - Series 2 Won [30]
2012 British Academy Children's Awards Best Performer Horrible Histories Nominated [31]
2014 RTS Programme Awards Best Writer – Comedy (with James Corden & Tom Basden) The Wrong Mans Won [32]
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Writer – Comedy (with James Corden) The Wrong Mans Nominated [33]
British Academy Television Awards Best Male Comedy Performance The Wrong Mans Nominated [34]
Satellite Awards Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy The Wrong Mans Nominated [35]
Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy The Wrong Mans Nominated [35]
British Comedy Awards Best New Comedy Programme (with James Corden) The Wrong Mans Nominated [36]
BANFF World Media Rockie Awards Best Sitcom The Wrong Mans Nominated [37]
2015 British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Writer – Comedy (with James Corden) The Wrong Mans (Episode: "X-Mans") Nominated [38]
British Academy Television Awards Best Scripted Comedy (with Jim Field Smith & James Corden) The Wrong Mans Nominated [39]
2022 National Comedy Awards Outstanding Comedy Actor Ghosts Nominated [40]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Mathew Baynton — the Protagonist". Archived from the original on 3 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Cal McCrystal".
  3. ^ "Mathew Baynton: We couldn't have asked for The Wrong Mans to go any better". Metro. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  4. ^ Grant, Olly (20 February 2018). "This Country creators Charlie and Daisy May Cooper: 'The best storylines are usually things we've lived through'". The Telegraph.
  5. ^ West, Naomi (25 May 2010). "How Horrible Histories grew up to be a hit comedy show". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  6. ^ "Sky1 to visit Yonderland". Sky1 website. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  7. ^ "Stars of Horrible Histories to make Shakespeare film". BBC Media Centre. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  8. ^ "Bill: production details". British Comedy Guide. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  9. ^ "BBC Two announces new comedy, The Wrong Mans". BBC Media Centre. 9 October 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  10. ^ "BBC, Hulu team on James Corden laffer". Variety online. 9 October 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  11. ^ "Corden Hints at Second Series of The Wrong Mans". Digital Spy. 31 October 2013.
  12. ^ The Bees - Listening Man, retrieved 22 November 2022
  13. ^ "Holes announcement". The Invisible Dot Ltd. 26 July 2013. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  14. ^ "Holes announcement". Arcola Theatre, summer 2014 program. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  15. ^ "About". Special Benny.
  16. ^ "Dog Ears". Dog Ears.
  17. ^ Williams, Holly (13 September 2015). "Mathew Baynton interview". The Independent. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022.
  18. ^ a b "Celebrity interview: Mathew Baynton". Yorkshire Evening Post. 11 November 2013.
  19. ^ a b ""Let kids wear what they want," says actor Mathew Baynton". Glamour Magazine. 13 November 2017.
  20. ^ "Casting revealed for Murder is Easy, based on the classic mystery by Agatha Christie". bbc.co.uk/mediacentre. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  21. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - John Finnemore's Double Acts, Series 1, Hot Desk". BBC. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  22. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Reluctant Persuaders". BBC. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  23. ^ "BBC Radio 4 Extra - Katherine Jakeways - Forty Weeks". BBC. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  24. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Short Works, My Boy Jack". BBC. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  25. ^ "Drama on 3 - The Miser - BBC Sounds". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  26. ^ "BBC Sounds - The World of Simon Rich - Available Episodes". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  27. ^ "BBC Radio 3 - Drama on 3, She Stoops to Conquer". BBC. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  28. ^ "Fringe Report Awards Book – 2016". Fringe Report. 15 January 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  29. ^ "Children's in 2010". BAFTA. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  30. ^ "Winners 2010". British Comedy Award. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  31. ^ "Children's Performer in 2012".
  32. ^ "Winners Announced at RTS Programme Awards 2013". Royal Television Society. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  33. ^ "Television Craft Writer - Comedy in 2014".
  34. ^ "Male Performance in a Comedy Programme in 2014".
  35. ^ a b "Satellite Awards (2014)". International Press Academy. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  36. ^ "Winners 2014". British Comedy Awards. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  37. ^ "Nominees for the Banff World Media Festival Rockie Awards Announced". Variety. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  38. ^ "Television Craft in 2015". BAFTA. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  39. ^ "Scripted Comedy in 2015".
  40. ^ "Winners unveiled at National Comedy Awards for Stand Up To Cancer | Channel 4". Channel 4.
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