Allen Leech
Encyclopedia
Allen Leech is an Irish stage, television and film actor, best known for his role as Marcus Agrippa in the 2007 HBO television series Rome
, and his role as chauffeur Tom Branson in ITV
2010 television series Downton Abbey
.
in south Dublin, attended St. Michael's College in Ballsbridge
and graduated in 1999. He then studied Drama and Theatre Studies at Trinity College, Dublin
. While a first-year Trinity student he secured a plum role in Foresight
's production of Conor McPherson
's This Lime Tree Bower
. This student production propelled him out into professional theatre and helped get him his first agent. He appeared as Willi in the Queen and Peacock, at the Garter Lane Arts Centre. The following years, Leech was in Tom Murphy's The Morning After Optimism and then Hugh Leonard
's Da
at the Abbey
. Since then, Leech has moved with ease from plays to films.
Allen's breakthrough film performance was in Cowboys and Angels
, in which he played Vincent, a gay fashion student, followed by the 2004 cross country caper film Man About Dog
, in which Leech plays Mo-Chara, one of three Belfast
scallies who get in way above their heads.
Allen Leech was voted sexiest Irish male in 2005 in U Magazine, beating Colin Farrell
and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. It was voted for by the female readers of Ireland's leading women's magazine.
Leech did not rest on his laurels and followed film success with the role of Shane Kirwan in the Ireland's RTÉ
series Love is the Drug
, in which he received a Best Actor nomination from the Irish Film and Television Awards
. He followed that up with the role of Willy in the television series Legend
which is the story of three very different Irish families, each one struggling to find their place amid the harsh realities of modern Ireland. He received a Best Supporting Actor nomination from Irish Film and Television Awards
for his performance.
In 2007, Allen appeared in the HBO drama series Rome
as Marcus Agrippa
, Octavian's top soldier and friend. He is working on a feature film with the director of the award winning Irish short movie Deep Breaths, a dark, psychological thriller directed by P. J. Dillon in which Allen also starred. The film, Rewind, opened in Ireland on March 25, 2011.
In 2010, he appeared on the small screen in both The Tudors
as the doomed Francis Dereham
, former lover of Catherine Howard
. Leech also appears in ITV
2010 and 2011 television series Downton Abbey
as Chauffeur Tom Branson, whose political ideologies clash with the upper class ruling elite. He play the role as officer Sam Leonard in television series Primeval
in 2011 in series five. Leech is also starring in the 2012 film adaptation The Sweeney
.
, Ballsbridge
and received a Bachelor of Arts and Masters Degrees in Drama and Theatre Studies at the University of Dublin
, Trinity College
.
, in their production of A Streetcar Named Desire
. "I was the gentleman caller to Frances McDormand
's Blanche Dubois
. The Coen brothers
were walking backstage, and me a naive 16-year-old."
. And in 2007, he was nominated for the IFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Television for Legend
.
Rome (TV series)
Rome is a British-American–Italian historical drama television series created by Bruno Heller, John Milius and William J. MacDonald. The show's two seasons premiered in 2005 and 2007, and were later released on DVD. Rome is set in the 1st century BC, during Ancient Rome's transition from Republic...
, and his role as chauffeur Tom Branson in ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
2010 television series Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey is a British television period drama series, produced by NBC Universal-owned British media company Carnival Films for the ITV network. The series is set during the late Edwardian era and the First World War on the fictional estate of Downton Abbey in Yorkshire, and features an...
.
Biography
Allen Leech, from KillineyKilliney
Killiney is a suburb of Dublin in south County Dublin, Ireland. It is within the administrative area of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County. The area is by the coast, south of neighbouring Dalkey, and north to Shankill area in the most southern outskirt of Dublin....
in south Dublin, attended St. Michael's College in Ballsbridge
Ballsbridge
Ballsbridge is a suburb of Dublin, Ireland, named for the bridge spanning the River Dodder on the south side of the city. The sign on the bridge still proclaims it as "Ball's Bridge" in recognition of the fact that the original bridge in this location was built and owned by a Mr...
and graduated in 1999. He then studied Drama and Theatre Studies at Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
. While a first-year Trinity student he secured a plum role in Foresight
Foresight
Foresight or forethought may refer to:* Foresight , ability to predict or plan for the future* Foresight , management planning principle* Foresight , European planning mechanism for public policy...
's production of Conor McPherson
Conor McPherson
Conor McPherson is an Irish playwright and director.-Life and career:McPherson was born in Dublin, . He was educated at University College Dublin, McPherson began writing his first plays there as a member of UCD Dramsoc, the college's dramatic society, and went on to found Fly By Night Theatre...
's This Lime Tree Bower
This Lime Tree Bower
This Lime Tree Bower is an early play by Conor McPherson. The title is taken from the poem of the same name by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Originally produced and directed at the Crypt Theatre Dublin by the author himself, it later transferred to the Bush Theatre London...
. This student production propelled him out into professional theatre and helped get him his first agent. He appeared as Willi in the Queen and Peacock, at the Garter Lane Arts Centre. The following years, Leech was in Tom Murphy's The Morning After Optimism and then Hugh Leonard
Hugh Leonard
Hugh Leonard was an Irish dramatist, television writer and essayist. In a career that spanned 50 years, Leonard wrote more than 18 plays, two volumes of essays and two autobiographies, one novel and numerous screenplays and teleplays, as well as writing a regular newspaper column.-Life and...
's Da
DA
DA, da, or dA may refer to:* Da , a Tony-winning play by Hugh Leonard* Da , a movie adaptation of the play by Hugh Leonard* Adi Da, a spiritual leader once known as Da Free John, and Da Love-Ananda...
at the Abbey
Abbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
. Since then, Leech has moved with ease from plays to films.
Allen's breakthrough film performance was in Cowboys and Angels
Cowboys and Angels (movie)
Cowboys & Angels is an Irish film released on May 14, 2003, at the Cannes Film Market in France. Set in Limerick city, the movie stars Michael Legge as Shane and Allen Leech as Vincent, Shane's gay roommate...
, in which he played Vincent, a gay fashion student, followed by the 2004 cross country caper film Man About Dog
Man About Dog
Man About Dog is a 2004 Irish comedy film starring Allen Leech, Ciaran Nolan and Tom Murphy. The film was distributed by Redbus Film Distribution and directed by Paddy Breathnach.- Plot :...
, in which Leech plays Mo-Chara, one of three Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
scallies who get in way above their heads.
Allen Leech was voted sexiest Irish male in 2005 in U Magazine, beating Colin Farrell
Colin Farrell
Colin James Farrell is an Irish actor, who has appeared in such film as Tigerland, Miami Vice, Minority Report, Phone Booth, The Recruit, Alexander and S.W.A.T....
and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. It was voted for by the female readers of Ireland's leading women's magazine.
Leech did not rest on his laurels and followed film success with the role of Shane Kirwan in the Ireland's RTÉ
RTE
RTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...
series Love is the Drug
Love Is the Drug
"Love Is the Drug" is a 1975 single from Roxy Music . Taken from the album Siren it omits the gravel footstep sound effects at the start...
, in which he received a Best Actor nomination from the Irish Film and Television Awards
Irish Film and Television Awards
The Irish Film and Television Awards were first awarded in 2003. Its sole aim is to celebrate Ireland's notably talented film and television community...
. He followed that up with the role of Willy in the television series Legend
Legend (disambiguation)
A legend is a historical narrative, a symbolic representation of folk belief.Legend may also refer to:-Narrative:* Urban legend, a widely repeated story of dubious truth...
which is the story of three very different Irish families, each one struggling to find their place amid the harsh realities of modern Ireland. He received a Best Supporting Actor nomination from Irish Film and Television Awards
Irish Film and Television Awards
The Irish Film and Television Awards were first awarded in 2003. Its sole aim is to celebrate Ireland's notably talented film and television community...
for his performance.
In 2007, Allen appeared in the HBO drama series Rome
Rome (TV series)
Rome is a British-American–Italian historical drama television series created by Bruno Heller, John Milius and William J. MacDonald. The show's two seasons premiered in 2005 and 2007, and were later released on DVD. Rome is set in the 1st century BC, during Ancient Rome's transition from Republic...
as Marcus Agrippa
Marcus Agrippa (Rome character)
Marcus Agrippa is a character in the HBO/BBC/RAI original television series Rome, played by Allen Leech. He is portrayed as an earnest, loyal and understanding young man who Gaius Octavian values highly despite being so humble...
, Octavian's top soldier and friend. He is working on a feature film with the director of the award winning Irish short movie Deep Breaths, a dark, psychological thriller directed by P. J. Dillon in which Allen also starred. The film, Rewind, opened in Ireland on March 25, 2011.
In 2010, he appeared on the small screen in both The Tudors
The Tudors
The Tudors is a Canadian produced historical fiction television series filmed in Ireland, created by Michael Hirst and produced for the American premium cable television channel Showtime...
as the doomed Francis Dereham
Francis Dereham
Francis Dereham was a Tudor courtier whose involvement with Henry VIII's fifth Queen, Catherine Howard, in her youth was a principal cause of the Queen's execution.-Life:...
, former lover of Catherine Howard
Catherine Howard
Catherine Howard , also spelled Katherine, Katheryn or Kathryn, was the fifth wife of Henry VIII of England, and sometimes known by his reference to her as his "rose without a thorn"....
. Leech also appears in ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
2010 and 2011 television series Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey is a British television period drama series, produced by NBC Universal-owned British media company Carnival Films for the ITV network. The series is set during the late Edwardian era and the First World War on the fictional estate of Downton Abbey in Yorkshire, and features an...
as Chauffeur Tom Branson, whose political ideologies clash with the upper class ruling elite. He play the role as officer Sam Leonard in television series Primeval
Primeval
Primeval or primæval may refer to:* Primeval, a British science fiction television series.* Primeval , a 2007 film* Primeval , a score of music from the BBC TV series Doctor Who...
in 2011 in series five. Leech is also starring in the 2012 film adaptation The Sweeney
The Sweeney
The Sweeney is a 1970s British television police drama focusing on two members of the Flying Squad, a branch of the Metropolitan Police specialising in tackling armed robbery and violent crime in London...
.
Early life and education
Leech graduated from St. Michael's College, DublinSt. Michael's College, Dublin
St Michael's College is a Catholic boys' school, located on Ailesbury Road in Dublin 4, Ireland. It was founded in 1944 by the Holy Ghost Fathers....
, Ballsbridge
Ballsbridge
Ballsbridge is a suburb of Dublin, Ireland, named for the bridge spanning the River Dodder on the south side of the city. The sign on the bridge still proclaims it as "Ball's Bridge" in recognition of the fact that the original bridge in this location was built and owned by a Mr...
and received a Bachelor of Arts and Masters Degrees in Drama and Theatre Studies at the University of Dublin
University of Dublin
The University of Dublin , corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin , located in Dublin, Ireland, was effectively founded when in 1592 Queen Elizabeth I issued a charter for Trinity College, Dublin, as "the mother of a university" – this date making it...
, Trinity College
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
.
Early career
The first time Leech set foot on a professional stage was at the GateThe Gate
is a Japanese novel written in 1910 by Natsume Sōseki, author of I Am a Cat. It was a commercial success when published in Japan and has been translated into English by Francis Mathy....
, in their production of A Streetcar Named Desire
A Streetcar Named Desire (play)
A Streetcar Named Desire is a 1947 play written by American playwright Tennessee Williams for which he received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1948. The play opened on Broadway on December 3, 1947, and closed on December 17, 1949, in the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. The Broadway production was...
. "I was the gentleman caller to Frances McDormand
Frances McDormand
Frances Louise McDormand is an American film and stage actress. She has starred in a number of films, including her Academy Award-winning performance as Marge Gunderson in Fargo, in 1996...
's Blanche Dubois
Blanche DuBois
Blanche DuBois is a fictional character in Tennessee Williams' 1947 Pulitzer Prize-winning play A Streetcar Named Desire...
. The Coen brothers
Coen Brothers
Joel David Coen and Ethan Jesse Coen known together professionally as the Coen brothers, are American filmmakers...
were walking backstage, and me a naive 16-year-old."
Critical success
Allen has been nominated for three IFTA Awards. In 2004, he was nominated for the IFTA Award for Best New Talent for Cowboys & Angels. In 2005, he was nominated for the IFTA Award for Best Actor in Television for Love Is the DrugLove Is the Drug
"Love Is the Drug" is a 1975 single from Roxy Music . Taken from the album Siren it omits the gravel footstep sound effects at the start...
. And in 2007, he was nominated for the IFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Television for Legend
Legend (disambiguation)
A legend is a historical narrative, a symbolic representation of folk belief.Legend may also refer to:-Narrative:* Urban legend, a widely repeated story of dubious truth...
.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Iníon an Fhiaclóra | Rory | Short |
| 2001 | The Escapist | Policeman 1 | |
| 2003 | Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor is a 2003 American television film directed by Mikael Salomon and starring Aidan Quinn, Kelsey Grammer, Flora Montgomery and John Light. It portrays the career of Benedict Arnold in the American Revolutionary War and his dramatic switch in 1780 from fighting for... |
British Officer | TV movie |
| Cowboys and Angels | Vincent Cusack | Nominated – IFTA Award – Best New Talent | |
| 2004 | Battlefield Britain Battlefield Britain Battlefield Britain is a 2004 BBC television documentary series about famous battles in the history of Great Britain. From Boudicca's destructive rebellion against the Romans to the incredible feats of The Few who saw off the Luftwaffe, these battles all had wide-reaching consequences and... |
Jacobite | TV series documentary (1 episode: "Culloden: The Jacobite's Last Stand") |
| Man About Dog Man About Dog Man About Dog is a 2004 Irish comedy film starring Allen Leech, Ciaran Nolan and Tom Murphy. The film was distributed by Redbus Film Distribution and directed by Paddy Breathnach.- Plot :... |
Mo Chara | ||
| Love Is the Drug Love is the Drug (TV series) Love is the Drug was a short lived drama based in Drogheda, Co. Louth and it ran on RTÉ Two for their 2004 season.... |
Shane Kirwen | TV series (4 episodes) Nominated – IFTA Award – Best Actor in Television |
|
| 2006 | Legend | Willy | TV series (6 episodes) Nominated – IFTA Award – Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Television |
| 2007 | Rome Rome (TV series) Rome is a British-American–Italian historical drama television series created by Bruno Heller, John Milius and William J. MacDonald. The show's two seasons premiered in 2005 and 2007, and were later released on DVD. Rome is set in the 1st century BC, during Ancient Rome's transition from Republic... |
Marcus Vipsania Agrippa Marcus Agrippa (Rome character) Marcus Agrippa is a character in the HBO/BBC/RAI original television series Rome, played by Allen Leech. He is portrayed as an earnest, loyal and understanding young man who Gaius Octavian values highly despite being so humble... |
TV series (8 episodes) |
| Deep Breaths | Danny | Short | |
| 2008 | Heroes and Villains Heroes and Villains (TV series) Heroes and Villains was a 2007-2008 BBC Television docudrama series looking at key moments in the lives and reputations of some of the greatest warriors of history. Each hour long episode featured a different historical figure, including Napoleon I of France, Attila the Hun, Spartacus, Hernán... |
Edeco | TV series documentary (1 episode: "Attila the Hun") |
| 2009 | From Time to Time From Time to Time (film) From Time to Time is a 2009 British adventure film directed by Julian Fellowes and starring Maggie Smith, Carice van Houten, Alex Etel, Eliza Bennett, Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh, Dominic West, Hugh Bonneville, Kwayedza Kureya and Pauline Collins. It was adapted from the children's novel The Chimneys of... |
Fred Boggis | |
| 2010 | Rewind | Karl | |
| The Tudors The Tudors The Tudors is a Canadian produced historical fiction television series filmed in Ireland, created by Michael Hirst and produced for the American premium cable television channel Showtime... |
Francis Dereham Francis Dereham Francis Dereham was a Tudor courtier whose involvement with Henry VIII's fifth Queen, Catherine Howard, in her youth was a principal cause of the Queen's execution.-Life:... |
TV series (2 episodes) | |
| Downton Abbey Downton Abbey Downton Abbey is a British television period drama series, produced by NBC Universal-owned British media company Carnival Films for the ITV network. The series is set during the late Edwardian era and the First World War on the fictional estate of Downton Abbey in Yorkshire, and features an... |
Tom Branson | TV series (Series 1,3 Episodes) | |
| 2011 | Primeval Primeval Primeval or primæval may refer to:* Primeval, a British science fiction television series.* Primeval , a 2007 film* Primeval , a score of music from the BBC TV series Doctor Who... |
Officer Sam Leonard | TV series (Series 5 in Episode 2) |
| Downton Abbey Downton Abbey Downton Abbey is a British television period drama series, produced by NBC Universal-owned British media company Carnival Films for the ITV network. The series is set during the late Edwardian era and the First World War on the fictional estate of Downton Abbey in Yorkshire, and features an... |
Tom Branson | TV series (Series 2, 8 Episodes) | |
| 2012 | The Sweeney The Sweeney The Sweeney is a 1970s British television police drama focusing on two members of the Flying Squad, a branch of the Metropolitan Police specialising in tackling armed robbery and violent crime in London... |
Film Adaptation (Filming) |
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Theatre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | A Streetcar Named Desire A Streetcar Named Desire (play) A Streetcar Named Desire is a 1947 play written by American playwright Tennessee Williams for which he received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1948. The play opened on Broadway on December 3, 1947, and closed on December 17, 1949, in the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. The Broadway production was... |
The Gate | |
| 1999 | This Lime Tree Bower This Lime Tree Bower This Lime Tree Bower is an early play by Conor McPherson. The title is taken from the poem of the same name by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Originally produced and directed at the Crypt Theatre Dublin by the author himself, it later transferred to the Bush Theatre London... |
New Theatre | |
| 2000 | Queen and Peacock | Willi | Garter Lane Arts Centre |
| 2001 | The Morning After Optimism | The Abbey Theatre | |
| 2002 | Da DA DA, da, or dA may refer to:* Da , a Tony-winning play by Hugh Leonard* Da , a movie adaptation of the play by Hugh Leonard* Adi Da, a spiritual leader once known as Da Free John, and Da Love-Ananda... |
The Abbey Theatre | |
| 2008 | Everybody Loves Sylvia | The Project Theatre | |
| 2011 | "Ecstasy" | Mick | Hampstead Theatre |
Appearances
| Year | Appearance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | The Panel | TV series (1 episode: "Episode #2.5") |
| 2005 | 3rd Irish Film and Television Awards | TV documentary |
| 2007 | 4th Irish Film and Television Awards | Presenter |
Awards
| Year | Group | Award | Result | Film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | IFTA Awards | Best New Talent | Nominated | Cowboys & Angels |
| 2005 | IFTA Awards | Best Actor in Television | Nominated | Love Is the Drug Love Is the Drug "Love Is the Drug" is a 1975 single from Roxy Music . Taken from the album Siren it omits the gravel footstep sound effects at the start... |
| 2007 | IFTA Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Television | Nominated | Legend Legend A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude... |