David Carlyle

David Carlyle
OccupationActor
Years active2012–present
SpouseJason Carlyle-Mills (2022-present)

David Carlyle (born 1 June 1988) is a Scottish actor. Following a 10 year stage career, Carlyle starred in the multi-award winning 2021 Channel 4 / HBO Max Series It’s a Sin which led to his nomination as Best Supporting Actor in the 2022 British Academy Television Awards (BAFTA) and BAFTA Scotland Audience Award for his performance as Gregory Finch, aka Gloria. Carlyle also appeared in Bodyguard and Lip Service.

In 2019 Carlyle starred in Anthony Neilson’s The Tell-Tale Heart at The Royal National Theatre, London. The two have a long working relationship and also worked together on productions of Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland for The Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh in 2016 and Caledonia for the National Theatre of Scotland/Edinburgh International Festival in 2010. He performed in the award winning To Kill A Mockingbird at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and the Barbican. Other notable credits include playing the lead role of The Mayor in the Olivier Award nominated revival of The Government Inspector for Birmingham Rep Theatre, playing Tusenbach in Anya Reiss’ adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters alongside Paul McGann and Holliday Grainger and the award winning The Monster in the Hall by David Greig for Glasgow’s historic Citizen’s Theatre/National Theatre of Scotland (the cast were awarded Best Ensemble at the 2011 Stage Awards).

Early life

Carlyle was educated at Hamilton Grammar School and Hamilton Youth Theatre. His love of acting began at an early age and was nurtured at youth theatres and by keen teachers who encouraged him to attend drama school. As a child, he worked at the Pavilion Theatre (Glasgow) and King's Theatre (Glasgow) and worked in television from a young age in various STV Pilots.

He trained at Rose Bruford College in Sidcup, graduating in 2010 with a BA (Hons) in Acting. Carlyle trained alongside Hayley Squires, the two remain best friends. Other notable alumni include Gary Oldman, Stephen Graham.

Carlyle previously attended Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) and graduated in 2006 with a Performing Arts Diploma in Acting

Personal life

Carlyle identifies as gay[1] and cares passionately about combating prejudice towards the LGBTQ+ community. In 2021 and 2022, he hosted the Proud Scotland Awards and also won the Artist/Entertainer Award in 2021.

In Interviews Carlyle often talks about growing up gay in Scotland, like in his interview in 'Out with Suzi Ruffell'[2] and his activity in the LGBTQ+ community. Carlyle worked with Virgin Radio to create a two-part documentary called Getting Out exploring LGBTQ+ youth homelessness. He was interviewed by Graham Norton about the show in June 2022.[3]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2012 Lip Service Angus TV series
2018 Bodyguard RASP Officer TV mini series
2020 Casualty Callum Coleman TV series
2021 It's a Sin Gregory Finch TV mini series
2024 Dinosaur Bo [4]

Awards and nominations

Year Nominated Work Award Category Result
2021 It's a Sin British Academy Scotland Awards Audience Award Nominated
2022 British Academy Television Award Best Supporting Actor Nominated
2021 Proud Scotland Awards Artist/Entertainer Award Won

Radio

Title Role Director Format
The Tracks That Take Us Back As himself Anchor FM
Angst! The Teachings of Smart Town Malcolm Nicolas Jackson Afonica for BBC Radio 4
Kitchen Confidential Chef Polly Thomas BBC Radio 4
The Stroma Sessions Nico Paolozzi Nicolas Jackson BBC Radio 3
Chernobyl Reader Jeremy Osborne Sweet Talk / BBC

Theatre

Production Role Director Company
You Stupid Darkness Jon James Grieve Paines Plough
The Tell Tale Heart The Detective (lead) Anthony Neilson Royal National Theatre
The Outsider Boss / Prosecutor Abbey Wright The Print Room
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland White Rabbit / March Hare Anthony Neilson Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh
The Government Inspector The Mayor (lead) Roxanna Silbert Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Tour
To Kill a Mockingbird Nathan Radley / Mr Gilmer Tim Sheader Regents Park Open Air Theatre / UK Tour / Barbican Theatre
Three Sisters Tusenbach Russell Bolam Southwark Playhouse
Carpe Diem Mr Jeffrey Jo McInnes Royal National Theatre
Victoria Oscar / Euan / Young Oscar Philip Howard Dundee Repertory Theatre
Somersaults James Russell Bolam Finborough Theatre
Yellow Moon Stag Lee Guy Hollands National Theatre of Scotland
Hansel and Gretel Hansel Guy Hollands Citizens Theatre
Dead Heavy Fantastic Stevie / Preacher Matt Wilde Everyman Theatre Liverpool
The Monster in the Hall Lawrence Lofthouse Guy Holland Glasgow Citizens / Traverse Theatre
Caledonia Joost / Various Anthony Neilson National Theatre of Scotland
The Wonderful World of Dissocia Goat / Biffer Matt Wilde Unicorn Theatre
The White Devil Flamenio David Zoob Shakspeare's Globe - Sam Wanamaker Festival

References

  1. ^ Jenkins, Carla (17 October 2021). "It's A Sin's David Carlyle on being nominated for a BAFTA and growing up gay in Glasgow". Glasgow Live. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Out with Suzi Ruffell: S4 EP9: David Carlyle on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  3. ^ "The Graham Norton Radio Show Podcast with Waitrose: David Carlyle, Barbara Charone, Katherine Kelly". Acast. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Casting confirmed for BBC comedy series Dinosaur as filming commences". bbc.co.uk/mediacentre. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  • David Carlyle at IMDb
  • David Carlyle Agency Representation & Voice Agency Representation
  • Performance Masterclass, supported by Channel 4, BAFTA Cymru and BAFTA Scotland
  • STV's Unmuted: It’s a Sin star David Carlyle’s life in lockdown