Owen Brenman

Summary

Owen Brenman (born 17 December 1956) is an English actor best known for his role as next-door neighbour Nick Swainey in the multi-award-winning BBC sitcom One Foot in the Grave, which ran for ten years (1990–2000) and was written by David Renwick. He subsequently played Heston Carter in the BBC drama series Doctors from 2008 to 2018.[1]

Owen Brenman
Born17 December 1956 (1956-12-17) (age 67)
EducationUniversity College School, London
Alma materUniversity of Birmingham
Webber Douglas School of Singing and Dramatic Art, London
OccupationActor
TelevisionDoctors
Love Soup
One Foot in the Grave
Woof!
Websiteowenbrenman.com

Education edit

Brenman was educated at University College School, an independent day school for boys in Hampstead in north west London, followed by the University of Birmingham, where he obtained a BA Honours in Drama, and the Webber Douglas School of Singing and Dramatic Art, now known as the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.[2]

Career edit

In addition to One Foot in the Grave Brenman also played Lloyd Drewitt in two series of David Renwick's BBC dramedy Love Soup (2005/8). He also starred in People Like Us, three series of the children's television series Woof!, and three series of Alexei Sayle's Stuff. He played Mark Thatcher opposite John Wells and Angela Thorne in the political sitcom Dunrulin'.[3]

On the London stage Brenman played Theo in the 2006 European premiere of Steve Martin's The Underpants at the Old Red Lion Theatre - a reworking of Carl Sternheim's 1911 satirical comedy, Die Hose.[4] Brenman also played Ian in the football comedy An Evening with Gary Lineker at the Duchess Theatre, and Tariq Ali's and Howard Brenton's New Labour satire Ugly Rumours (Tricycle Theatre), The Ghost Train (Lyric Hammersmith Theatre), C4 Sitcom Festival (Riverside Theatre) which resulted in the C4 comedy series In Exile and a rarely performed Ionesco play, Journeys Among The Dead (Riverside Theatre).

Outside London, Brenman played Felix in Elly Brewer's and Sandi Toksvig’s Shakespeare deconstruction The Pocket Dream (York Theatre Royal), Brian in Terry Johnson's Dead Funny (Nottingham Playhouse), toured with Butterflies Are Free, appeared in The Winslow Boy and The Trial of Lady Chatterley (Nottingham Playhouse) and Richard Hope's black comedy about serial killers and the press, Good Copy, in which he played a paedophile priest opposite Robert Bathurst's prostitute murderer (West Yorkshire Playhouse).

In 2008, Brenman completed a UK tour, with Richard Wilson, of Steve Thompson’s political comedy Whipping It Up [5] and featured in a new series of Doctor Who for BBC Radio 7. He played Heston Carter in BBC television series Doctors from 2008 to 2018.

He was nominated for Best Actor at the 2010, 2011 and 2016 British Soap Awards.[6]

Filmography edit

Films edit

Year Film Role Notes
2001 The Martins Teacher
2000 One of the Hollywood Ten Dalton Trumbo
1984 The Jigsaw Man Policeman

TV edit

Year TV Show Role Notes
2024 Father Brown Lord St John Sprockett 1 episode: The Hermit of Hazelnut Cottage
2023 Sister Boniface Mysteries Captain Pargiter 1 episode : Stage Fright
2008–2018 Doctors Heston Carter 1,234 episodes
2010 Decade of Doctors Himself 3 episodes: Behind the Scenes / Amazing Facts / Storylines
2009 The British Soap Awards Himself - Audience Member
2008 Filthy Rich James Stewart
2005–2008 Love Soup Lloyd Drewitt 8 episodes
2007 Comedy Connections Himself 1 episode : One Foot in the Grave
2005 Bremner, Bird and Fortune Climate Adviser 1 episode : Episode #7.2
Absolute Power Anthony Dewson 1 episode: The Trial
2004 Casualty Brian Wallace 1 episode : Who Cares?
2003 Doctors Adam Cardwell 1 episode : Doppelgänger
My Family Headmaster 1 episode : Loco Parentis
2001–2002 Oscar Charlie Alan Spinner 13 episodes
1990–2000 One Foot in the Grave Nick Swainey 15 episodes
2000 Fat Friends Harvey Lipman 1 episode: When the Fat Lady Sings
The Peter Principle Victor 1 episode: Desperately Seeking Susan
1999 People Like Us Graham Broadbent 1 episode : The Solicitor
1998 Drop the Dead Donkey Sally 1 1 episode: A Bit of an Atmosphere
In Exile Bishop 6 episodes
1997 Heartbeat Lester 1 episode: What the Butler Saw
Underworld Headmaster 3 episodes: Episode #1.1 / Episode #1.3 /Episode #1.4
Sharpe Witherspoon 1 episode: Sharpe's Waterloo
1996 Dangerfield Wills 1 episode: "Eden"
Paul Merton in Galton and Simpson's Englishman/actor (voice) 1 episode: The Radio Ham
1993–1995 Woof! Mr Thomas 24 episodes
1995 Health and Efficiency Mr. Lester 1 episode: Finders Keepers
1992 Mr. Bean Store Clerk 1 episode: Merry Christmas Mr. Bean
Perfect Scoundrels Alan Reynolds 1 episode: Dirty Tricks
1988–1991 Alexei Sayle's Stuff Actor / Various Roles 13 episodes
1991 2point4 Children Yuppy 1 episode: Leader of the Pack
The Les Dennis Laughter Show Actor 1 episode: Episode #5.6
The Bill Dighton 1 episode: With Intent
The Upper Hand Actor 1 episode: And the Winner Is...
About Face Chris 1 episode: Briefcase Encounter
1990 Birds of a Feather The Snatcher 1 episode: Sweet Smell Of Success
1988 The Bill Solicitor 1 episode: The Assassins
1987–1988 'Allo 'Allo! Guard / London Calling (voice) / Kingfisher (voice) / French' Radio Voice (voice) 4 episodes
1987 No Place Like Home Barman 1 episode: Fortyfying the Over
1986 Screen Two Actor 1 episode: "Honest, Decent and True"
1984 Spitting Image Writer (written by) Episode #1.6
1983 Sweet Sixteen Youth 1 episode:Episode #1.3
The Nation's Health Orthopaedic S.H.O 1 episode: Chronic

References edit

  1. ^ BBC – Drama – Doctors – Actors – Owen Brenman
  2. ^ Owen Brenman. "Owen Brenman - Acting CV". Owen Brenman. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  3. ^ "Brenman | Diamond Management | Artist Representation and Management". Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  4. ^ Theatre review: The Underpants at Old Red Lion
  5. ^ Whipping It Up (From Wiltshire Times)
  6. ^ "Owen Brenman Nominated for Best Actor at the Soap Awards | Diamond Management | Artist Representation and Management". Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2014.

External links edit

  • Owen Brenman at IMDb
  • Official Site