SCOTLAND’S David Tennant is the hardest-working British actor, according to a new study published today.
Having starred in television shows as diverse as Doctor Who and Broadchurch, and in blockbusters such as Harry Potter, West Lothian-born Tennant has been named as the UK’s most prolific actor on the small and large screen.
Tennant, 48, is in stellar company as Olivia Colman has been named the most prolific actress after her work on TV shows Rev and Peep Show, as well as her Oscar-winning performance as Queen Anne in The Favourite, followed by her latest role as the current queen in The Crown.
The research also confirmed the popular myth that Sean Bean is the actor most likely to have an on-screen death - the characters he plays have a 21% probability of dying according to his body of work, closely followed by those of Idris Elba on 20%.
Other top actors and actresses identified by the study include Cold Feet star James Nesbitt, Doc Martin lead Martin Clunes and perennial favourite of small screen David Jason.
Clunes and Dame Helen Mirren have each appeared in 26 genres across their careers. Mirren also tops the list for most awarded – with 124 awards and a further 125 nominations.
Dame Judi Dench has the longest career to date, spanning 62 years since it began in 1957 – though she doesn’t quite beat Mirren in the awards stakes, having achieved 65 awards and a further 174 nominations.
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Mirren and Sir Derek Jacobi have appeared in the highest number of feature films, having starred in 95 and 86 respectively, while Olivia Colman and Sean Bean have starred in the most TV shows in a leading or supporting role.
Interestingly, although not the most prolific actors, Sean Bean and David Jason are actually the ones with the most star power (based on how many of their appearances give them top billing), highlighting that Sean Bean – due mainly to the Sharpe series – has been the top name in 40 of his 58 appearances, while Only Fools and Horses star Jason has been given star billing in 41% of his TV productions.
The survey marks the start of the Britbox service. Reemah Sakaan of Britbox commented: “The British TV and film industry includes some of the best actors working today, and we’re thrilled to bring so much of this fantastic content together on BritBox.”
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