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Matthew Tennyson

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Matthew Tennyson
Born
Matthew James Tennyson

1988 (age 37–38)
Stoke Newington, London, England
EducationLondon Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
OccupationActor
FatherJonathan Tennyson
FamilyTennyson

Matthew James Tennyson (born 1988)[1] is an English actor of stage and screen. He won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Outstanding Newcomer in 2012.

Early life and education

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Tennyson was born in Stoke Newington, London. His father, Jonathan Tennyson, is a physics professor, and his mother, Janice Mary Hopson, is a nurse. He is a grandson of the late radio producer Hallam Tennyson, who took him to the theatre as a child.[2] His paternal grandmother, Margot Wallach, was a Jewish refugee who had fled Nazi Germany.[3][4] Tennyson is a great-great-great-grandson of poet laureate Alfred, Lord Tennyson.[1][5][6]

Tennyson was educated at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), from which he graduated in 2011.[5]

Career

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Stage

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Tennyson made his professional stage debut in 2011 under the direction of Trevor Nunn in the role of Percy in Flare Path at the Theatre Royal Haymarket,[7][8] followed by Jamie in Beautiful Thing at The Royal Exchange[9] for which he received the Best Newcomer award at the 2011 Manchester Theatre Awards.[10] The following year he was the recipient of the 2012 Milton Shulman Award for Outstanding Newcomer at the Evening Standard Awards[11] for his performance as Eric in Making Noise Quietly at the Donmar Warehouse.[12] In 2013 he played Puck in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream at Shakespeare's Globe.[13]

In 2017 Tennyson played the title role in the Royal Shakespeare Company's gender-fluid 2017 production of Oscar Wilde's Salomé.[14][15]

He is a frequent collaborator with the playwright Robert Holman since appearing in the Donmar Warehouse production of his play Making Noise Quietly. He went on to star in Holman's A Breakfast of Eels (2015)[16] and The Lodger (2021).[17] A Breakfast of Eels was written specifically for Tennyson and his co-star Andrew Sheridan.[16] It also won Tennyson an Off West End Award for Best Male Actor in 2016.[18]

In 2018, Tennyson was the lead in the Olivier Award winning A Monster Calls at The Old Vic.[19]

In 2023, Tennyson joined the cast of The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh at The Duke of York's Theatre alongside Steve Pemberton, Lily Allen and Paul Kaye.[20]

In 2024 Tennyson played Edgar in King Lear at the Almeida Theatre directed by Yaël Farber.[21] At the end of that year and into 2025 he starred alongside Simon Russell Beale as the younger A. E. Housman "played both gently and intensely" in the Hampstead Theatre's revival of Stoppard's The Invention of Love.[22]

Films and television

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Tennyson's television roles include Clarence in The Hollow Crown (Henry IV Parts I and II),[23] Ottaviano Riario in Borgia, and Lysander in Russell T Davies's television adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream.[24] He has also appeared in the ITV detective dramas Midsomer Murders and Grantchester, and the BBC period drama Father Brown.[25]

Tennyson was featured in the 2014 film Pride, directed by Matthew Warchus.[26] In 2019, he reprised the role of Eric in the film adaptation of Making Noise Quietly directed by Dominic Dromgoole.[27] He played the war poet Wilfred Owen in Terence Davies's 2021 biopic of Siegfried Sassoon, Benediction.[28]

Audioplays

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Tennyson played Jamie Jones, the titular character in the BBC Radio 4 play Jonesy by Tom Wells, broadcast in February 2014.[29] In 2016, he was the voice of Jude in the Amazon Audible drama Romeo and Jude, an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet written by Marty Ross.[30]

Personal life

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Tennyson has spoken openly about being gay.[5]

A descendant of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, in 2025, he took part in a special reading of the poet's work, In Memoriam A. H. H., to mark the 175th anniversary of the poem's publication.[31]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Channel/Network Role Note/Ref
2006 Midsomer Murders ITV Michael Butler Series 9, episode 6 - "Vixen's Run"[32]
2012 The Hollow Crown BBC Two and PBS Clarence Series 1, episodes 4 and 5 - "Henry IV", Part I and Part II[23]
2013 Da Vinci's Demons Starz and Fox Altar Boy Series 1, episode 1 - "The Hanged Man"
2013-2014 Borgia Canal+, ZDF, ORF, and Sky Italia Ottaviano Riario Series 2 and 3, 3 episodes
2014 Babylon Channel 4 Counsellor Series 1, episode 4
2015 Father Brown BBC One Thomas Potts Series 3, episode 6 - "The Upcott Fraternity"[25]
2015 Humans Channel 4 Howard Series 1, episode 4
2016 Grantchester ITV Kit Bartlett Series 2, episode 2[33]
2016 A Midsummer Night's Dream BBC One Lysander Television film[24]
2026 Betrayal ITV Greg Taylor Main role[34]

Films

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Year Title Role Note/Ref
2014 Pride Boy from Printers [26]
2019 Making Noise Quietly Eric Baber [27]
2021 Benediction Wilfred Owen [28]
2025 Hamnet Actor who played Gertrude [35]

Audioplays

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Year Title Station/Network Role Note/Ref
2014 Jonesy BBC Radio 4 Jamie Jones [29]
2014 Close Call BBC Radio 4 Vincent [36]
2014-2015 Home Front BBC Radio 4 Humphrey Grimes [37]
2015 Pilgrim BBC Radio 4 Hartley Series 6, episode 4[38]
2015 The Sea, The Sea BBC Radio 4 Titus Fitch Adaptation of the novel by Iris Murdoch[39]
2016 Romeo and Jude Audible Jude [30]
2017 The Dark Tower BBC Radio 3 Gavin 2017 remake[40]
2018 Tommies BBC Radio 4 Harry de Tullio
2020 Tess of the d'Urbervilles BBC Radio 4 Angel [41]
2021 Don Juan BBC Radio 3 Don Juan Adaptation of the epic poem by Lord Byron[42]
2026 Lonely No More Big Finish Productions TLK Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz[43]

Theatre

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Year Title Role Venue/Production Refs
2011 Flare Path Percy Theatre Royal Haymarket [7]
2011 Beautiful Thing Jamie Royal Exchange, Manchester [9]
2012 Making Noise Quietly (by Robert Holman) Eric Faber Donmar Warehouse [12]
2013 A Midsummer Night's Dream Puck Shakespeare's Globe [13]
2015 A Breakfast of Eels (by Robert Holman) Penrose The Coronet [44]
2015 The Seagull Konstantin Regent's Park Open Air Theatre [45]
2016 Cleansed Robin Dorfman Theatre [46]
2017 Salome Salome Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon [14]
2018 A Monster Calls Conor Bristol Old Vic and The Old Vic, London [47][48]
2021 The Lodger (by Robert Holman) Jude The Coronet [49]
2022 The Misfortune of the English (by Pamela Carter) Lyons Orange Tree Theatre [50]
2023 The Pillowman Michal Duke of York's Theatre [20]
2024 King Lear Edgar Almeida Theatre [21]
2024-2025 The Invention of Love Young A. E. Housman Hampstead Theatre [22]
2026 Sanctuary (by Jacob Sparrow) Michael The Pleasance [51]

Awards

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Year Ceremony Category Nominated work(s) Result Ref.
2012 2011 Manchester Theatre Awards Best Newcomer Beautiful Thing Won [10]
2012 Evening Standard Theatre Awards Milton Shulman Award for Outstanding Newcomer Making Noise Quietly Won [52]
2016 Off West End Theatre Awards Best Male A Breakfast of Eels Won [18]

References

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  1. 1 2 Kidd, Charles; Williamson, David, eds. (2003). "Tennyson, Baron". Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (144th ed.). Pan Macmillan. pp. P1568–P1569.
  2. ↑ "Bright young things". The Standard. 20 November 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  3. ↑ Pleasence, Angela (6 January 2006). "Hallam Tennyson". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  4. ↑ Thwaite, Ann (2 January 2006). "Hallam Tennyson". The Independent. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 Kellaway, Kate (21 May 2017). "Glad to be gay: leading figures on 50 years of liberation". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  6. ↑ Bradley, Jane (19 August 2026). "Edinburgh Festivals Diary: Famous faces and the Fringe's quirkiest venue?". The Scotsman. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  7. 1 2 Vale, Paul (14 March 2011). "Flare Path review at Theatre Royal Haymarket London". The Stage. Archived from the original on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  8. ↑ "Flare Path, Theatre Royal Haymarket, London". Financial Times. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Beautiful Thing, Royal Exchange, Manchester". theartsdesk.com. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  10. 1 2 "2011 Manchester Theatre Awards - the winners revealed". Great British Life. 3 April 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  11. ↑ "London Evening Standard Theatre Awards – the winners". Harper's BAZAAR. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  12. 1 2 "Making Noise Quietly, Donmar Warehouse - review". The Standard. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  13. 1 2 "A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare's Globe - theatre review". The Standard. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  14. 1 2 Longman, Will (14 March 2017). "Male actor to play Salomé in RSC's upcoming production". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  15. ↑ Bowie-Sell, Daisy (15 June 2017). "Matthew Tennyson: 'I hope gender fluid casting is the future of theatre'". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  16. 1 2 Clapp, Susannah (29 March 2015). "A Breakfast of Eels review – a gradual erosion of sibling secrets". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  17. ↑ Akbar, Arifa (22 September 2021). "The Lodger review – fights, forgiveness and midlife reckonings". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  18. 1 2 Cole, Emily (28 February 2016). "Winners of the 2016 Offies announced". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  19. ↑ Billington, Michael (17 July 2018). "A Monster Calls review – adolescent reality meets fairytale fantasy with wit and charm". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  20. 1 2 Popescu, Lily (29 June 2023). "Review: The Pillowman, at Duke of York's Theatre". Westminster Extra. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  21. 1 2 Curtis, Nick (16 February 2024). "King Lear at the Almeida: Danny Sapani's bear-like king reigns supreme". The Standard. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  22. 1 2 Bano, Tim (17 December 2024). "The Invention of Love is plotless, showily clever and wonderfully fun – review". The Independent. Archived from the original on 6 June 2026. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  23. 1 2 "The Hollow Crown: Shakespeare's History Plays ~ Synopsis: Henry IV Part 2 | Great Performances". www.pbs.org. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  24. 1 2 Nussbaum, Abigail (24 June 2016). "A Midsummer Night's Dream adapted by Russell T. Davies". Strange Horizons. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  25. 1 2 "BBC One - Father Brown, Series 3, The Upcott Fraternity". BBC. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  26. 1 2 "Pride cast & crew". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  27. 1 2 Wolf, Matt (20 July 2019). "Making Noise Quietly review - poetic if occasionally precious". www.theartsdesk.com. Archived from the original on 30 April 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  28. 1 2 Downing, Taylor (9 March 2022). "War on Film: Benediction". The Past. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  29. 1 2 "BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Jonesy". BBC. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  30. 1 2 Duffy, Nick (10 February 2016). "Game of Thrones actor puts gay spin on Shakespeare classic in 'Romeo and Jude'". PinkNews. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  31. ↑ "Anniversary of Tennyson poem to be celebrated in Clevedon next month". Great British Life. 24 May 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  32. ↑ "Midsomer Murders: Vixen's Run (2006) - Cast & Crew on MUBI". mubi.com. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  33. ↑ "Grantchester Recap Series 2 Episode 2". Reel Mockery. 10 April 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  34. ↑ Hibbs, James (8 February 2026). "Betrayal cast | Shaun Evans and Romola Garai star in ITV thriller". Radio Times. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  35. ↑ "Hamnet credits". Metacritic. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  36. ↑ "BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Close Call by Sarah Weatherall". BBC. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  37. ↑ "BBC Radio 4 - Home Front - Humphrey Grimes". BBC. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  38. ↑ "BBC Radio 4 - Pilgrim by Sebastian Baczkiewicz, Series 6, Daventree Mansions". BBC. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  39. ↑ "BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Iris Murdoch: The Sea, the Sea, Episode 2". BBC. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  40. ↑ "BBC Radio 3 - Drama on 3, The Dark Tower". BBC. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  41. ↑ "Hardy's Women: Tess Of The D'Urbervilles". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  42. ↑ "BBC Radio 3 - Drama On 3, Don Juan". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  43. ↑ "Lonely No More full-cast audio drama available to buy from Big Finish". Big Finish Productions. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  44. ↑ Billington, Michael (22 March 2015). "A Breakfast of Eels review – a tender tale of thwarted love". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  45. ↑ Billington, Michael (25 June 2015). "The Seagull review – a frenzied and feverish take on Chekhov". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  46. ↑ Billington, Michael (24 February 2016). "Cleansed review – Katie Mitchell plunges us into Sarah Kane's chamber of horrors". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  47. ↑ "A Monster Calls Bristol Old Vic Review". Bristol Theatre News, Reviews & What's On | Backstage Bristol. 16 June 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  48. ↑ Bowie-Sell, Daisy (18 July 2018). "Review: A Monster Calls (Old Vic Theatre)". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  49. ↑ Jenner, Simon (29 September 2021). "The Lodger". FringeReview. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  50. ↑ Gillinson, Miriam (29 April 2022). "The Misfortune of the English review – a stinging exploration of boyhood and patriotism". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  51. ↑ Akbar, Arifa (10 August 2026). "Sanctuary review – tender, uplifting portrait of love in the Aids crisis". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  52. ↑ Trueman, Matt (26 November 2012). "Evening Standard theatre awards honour Danny Boyle's Olympics ceremony". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
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