Ron Donachie

Scottish actor From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ron Donachie

Ronald Eaglesham Porter (born 26 April 1956), known professionally as Ron Donachie, is a Scottish character actor. He has appeared in supporting roles in films The Jungle Book (1994), Titanic and television series Game of Thrones, in which he recurred as Ser Rodrik Cassel. He is however perhaps best known for portraying DI John Rebus in the BBC Radio 4 dramatisations of Sir Ian Rankin's Rebus detective novels, a role he reprised for the stage play Rebus: Long Shadows.

Quick Facts Born, Nationality ...
Ron Donachie
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Donachie in 2013
Born
Ronald Eaglesham Porter

(1956-04-26) 26 April 1956 (age 68)
Dundee, Angus, Scotland
NationalityScottish
EducationMadras College
Alma materGlasgow University
OccupationActor
Years active1980–present
Spouse
Fiona Biggar
(m. 1989)
Children2, including Daniel Portman
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Biography

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Early life and career

Ronald Porter was born in Dundee, Scotland and educated at Madras College, St Andrews [1] where he performed in three school plays: Serjeant Musgrave's Dance [2] in 1972, A Man For All Seasons [3] in 1973 for which the newspaper review said "Ron Porter was impressive from start to finish, handling a mammoth part with apparent ease, giving a sensitive, subtle and well-controlled performance, especially in the second act", and Taming of the Shrew [4] in 1974 for which the newspaper review said "Ron Porter's affability shines out like the proverbial beacon ... as the most experienced member of the cast, he has the confidence to be able to establish an immediate rapport with the audience. ... [He] turned in his usual high standard of performance as the enormously arrogant Petruchio".

His education continued at the University of Glasgow where he was President of the Glasgow University Students' Representative Council (1976–1977) and graduated MA (Hons) in English Literature and Drama in 1979.[5]

He joined John McGrath's 7:84 theatre group for their 1980–1981 touring production, John Burrows' One Big Blow, in which the cast mimicked a traditional colliery band by singing in six part harmony. Following the success of this play members of the cast founded the a cappella vocal group The Flying Pickets in 1982, but Donachie left before their 1983 Christmas number one hit.

Acclaim

Although Donachie has been prolific in television and films, these have all been ensemble or supporting parts. His leading roles on radio and the theatre have achieved acclaim:

"Ron Donachie plays [Rebus] in the BBC radio versions and he's really got the voice"
Ian Rankin, author of the Rebus novels [6]

Ron Donachie plays her father with an authority that makes his role as a sexual predator even more creepy.
Six Characters in Search of an Author – Mark Fisher, The Guardian [7]

When Ron Donachie takes the stage as Deputy Governor Danforth in the second half of Arthur Miller's classic, it's as if this 17th century parable of superstition and intolerance has a new centre of gravity. It's partly that Donachie seems three times bigger than everyone else, a bullish figure, no less fearsome for his legal attire. It's partly that his charismatic stillness commands attention and defies contradiction. But it's also that, in presenting himself as reasonable, considerate and fair, he puts you in mind of every leader who gets his way by masking ruthless force with politeness.
The Crucible review – Mark Fisher, The Guardian [8]

Personal life

Donachie married Fiona Biggar, a complementary therapist,[9] in 1989; the couple have two children: the actor Daniel Portman and Naomi Porter, a linguist. His brother, Stewart Porter, is also an actor and his sister-in-law is Scottish film costume designer Trisha Biggar.

Film

More information Year, Title ...
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Television

More information Year, Title ...
YearTitleRoleNotes
1983Goodnight and God BlessBouncerEpisode: "Ronnie's Wonderful Day"
1983Grey GraniteProvost James SpeightEpisodes: "Duncalm" & "Stone Circle"
1983Those Glory Glory Days1961 Spurs Team MemberTelevision film
1984Sakharov
Play for TodayBig LickEpisode: "It Could Happen to Anybody"
Coronation StreetJoe SchofieldEpisode: 2461
1985BulmanBill AllisonEpisode: "A Man of Conviction"
1986The Monocled MutineerStrachanEpisodes: "Before the Shambles" & "When the Hurly-Burly's Done"
Blood Red RosesCharles Riggins
1987Tutti FruttiDennis SproulAll 6 episodes
TaggartPat ConnollyEpisode: "Funeral Rites"
BustWillie McGrawEpisode: "Family Business"
1988Down Where the Buffalo GoDrunk on ferryTelevision film
The Great Escape II: The Untold StoryAl Hake
City LightsShughie McGlincheyEpisode: "Catch 23"
God's FrontiersmenAllenTelevision dramatised documentary
1989The Justice GameAlex PattersonAll 4 episodes, series 1
Snakes and LaddersMr PymEpisodes 1, 2 & 6
Mornin' SargeStanley the KnifeEpisode: "Stan the Knife"
The Pied Piper
(Crossing to Freedom)
RAF corporalTelevision film
1990The Gravy TrainHatted ManAll 4 episodes
Screen OneBig MacEpisode: "Sweet Nothing"
Stay LuckyJockEpisode: "Burning Your Boats"
Rab C NesbittJames Balloon McSwaggertyEpisode: "Rat"
The BillSgt. WillisEpisode: "Effective Persuaders"
CoastingFrankEpisode: "Another Fine Mess"
1991Jute CityGinger McCrindle
BoonDougieEpisode: "Stamp Duty"
SpecialsSpecial Constable Freddy CalderAll 12 episodes
1992Me, You and HimToddAll 6 episodes
CasualtyPC PewseyEpisode: "Rates of Exchange"
19921993Take the High RoadDuncan StrachanRecurring, 15 episodes
1993TaggartMarco CelliniEpisode: "Death Benefits"
StrathblairBob ScottEpisode: "2.1"
1994Lie Down with LionsKellyTelevision film
1995The Gambling ManAlec McLeanTelevision serial
CrackerBarney, the psychologically damaged war veteranEpisode: "Brotherly Love"
1996The BillWilliam HallEpisode: "Pointing the Finger"
19951996Hamish MacbethZoot McPherrinEpisodes: "West Coast Story" & "A Perfectly Simple Explanation"
The GovernorPrison Officer Russell MorganMain cast, both series
1996CasualtyRalph SutcliffeEpisode: "Mother's Little Helper"
1997IvanhoeFriar TuckEpisodes 3, 4 & 6
Supply & DemandSupt. BrentEpisode: "Supply & Demand"
The BillMike ShearonEpisode: "Strange Meeting"
Ain't Misbehavin'Billy the BookAll 3 episodes
1998Looking After Jo JoDesEpisodes: "Working Week" & "Sink the Belgrano"
Magic with EverythingPolice sergeantEpisode: "Imagine the Unimaginable"
TaggartHamish BairdEpisode: "Dead Reckoning"
The Life and Crimes of William PalmerLeonard BladonTelevision film
1999The Scarlet PimpernelMazarini4 episodes
Rab C NesbittHuggettEpisode: "Commons"
Extremely DangerousGebbertAll 4 episodes
20002001StarhunterMcDuffEpisodes: "The Divinity Cluster" & "Dark and Stormy Night"
2000Too Much SunArnold WyckoffEpisode: "Hollywood Phonies"
2001TaggartPeter JenkinsEpisode: "Falling in Love"
RebusCS WilsonEpisode: "Dead Souls"
Murder Rooms: Mysteries of the Real Sherlock HolmesFergussonEpisode: "The White Knight Stratagem"
'OrribleDI Chris DoddsEpisodes: "Dirty Dozen" & "New Best Friend"
2002ShackletonKeltieTelevision serial / film
NovaChippy McNeishEpisode: "Shackleton's Voyage of Endurance"
The Inspector Lynley MysteriesJohn RossEpisode: "Payment in Blood"
Auf Wiedersehen, PetDan CalhounEpisodes: "Heavy Metal", "Bridge Over Troubled Water" & "A Bridge Too Far"
Silent WitnessDCI Luke TelfordEpisode: "Tell No Tales"
20022004The BillDCI Andrew RossRecurring, 15 episodes
2003The KeyMacKavenyAll 3 episodes
Monarch of the GlenAlec McTavishEpisode: "Series 5, episode 10"
2004The Genius of MozartJoseph HaydnEpisode: "The First Romantic" [11]
2005Uncle AdolfMartin BormannTelevision film
The CommanderGeorge HartEpisodes: "Virus" & "Blackdog"
HeartbeatMr GordonEpisode: "Services Rendered"
Where the Heart IsGavin MorleyEpisode: "Legacy"
The Golden HourDavid TremaineEpisode: "Episode 3"
Summer SolsticeMacgregorTelevision film
2006TaggartHarry SteinEpisode: "Law"
Doctor WhoStewardEpisode: "Tooth and Claw"
The Chatterley AffairMr Allen LaneTelevision film
20012007RebusDCS Wilson/DCS Jack GunnerEpisodes: "Dead Souls", "Let It Bleed", "Resurrection Men" & "The Naming of the Dead"
2007Party AnimalsRoger BrentonEpisode: "Episode 1"
RecoveryLen HamiltonTelevision film
Sea of SoulsMinisterEpisode: "The Prayer Tree: Part 1"
Still GameCameronEpisode: "Fly Society"
HeartbeatKen DekinEpisode: "Where There's Smoke"
2008Love SoupInspector HarbinEpisode: "The Menaced Assassin"
2009No Holds BardPrison OfficerTelevision film
2010LewisProfessor Angus RawboneEpisode: "Falling Darkness"
The DeepSturridgeTelevision serial
2011DoctorsJohn Harold DoricEpisode: "Doric's Column"
Garrow's LawSir Alexander LambEpisode: "Episode 3"
20112012Game of ThronesSer Rodrik CasselRecurring, 13 episodes
Screen Actors Guild Award – nominated
2012Waterloo RoadBilly ByrneRecurring, 7 episodes
SilkAlasdair McKinley QCEpisode: "Wooden Overcoat"
Downton AbbeyMr McCreeEpisode: "A Journey to the Highlands"
2013Bob Servant IndependentMedical DirectorEpisode: "A Local Man"
Shameless'Biddy' BaxterEpisode: "Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang"
The Field of BloodDCI SullivanEpisode: "The Dead Hour"
AtlantisTheosEpisode: "The Earth Bull"
The Beautiful SpyMajor BloombergTelevision film
20132014BlandingsAngus McAllisterEpisodes: "Lord Emsworth and the Girlfriend", "Throwing Eggs", "Sticky Wicket at Blandings" & "Custody of the Pumpkin"
2014Bob ServantMedical DirectorEpisode: "Court"
2015Father BrownJock HamiltonEpisode: "The Owl of Minerva"
CasualtyDI John HartleyEpisode: "The Rita Supremacy" [12]
2016DoctorsJack RayburnEpisode: "Play Date"
Agatha RaisinRon AllenEpisode: "The Wellspring of Death"
2017River CityDr Michael ‘Mikey’ RosenburgRecurring, 4 episodes
The LochIain SutherlandTelevision serial
2018VeraJesse HenningsEpisode: "Blood and Bone"
Starhunter ReduXMcDuffEpisodes: "The Divinity Cluster" & "Dark and Stormy Night"
CasualtyBen LoksleyEpisode: "Episode 39" [13]
2019Holby CityRichard MacDonaghEpisode: "Mothers and Their Daughters"
2020Deadwater FellCallum McKenzieEpisodes: "Episode 1" & "Episode 2"
2022ScrewDon Carpenter12 episodes[14][15]
Karen PirieArchie DuffIn this series his son Daniel Portman plays his character's son Colin Duff.
Granite HarbourClellan Coburn[16]
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Theatre

More information Date, Title ...
DateTitleRoleDirectorCompany / Theatre
Easter 1972Serjeant Musgrave's Dance [2]Pte. AttercliffeAnn & Bob BridgesMadras College
The Byre
Easter 1973A Man For All Seasons [3]Sir Thomas More
Easter 1974Taming of the Shrew [4]Petruchio
19801981One Big Blow John Burrows7:84 theatre group tour
1981CiviliansBill BrydenScottish Theatre Company
Theatre Royal, Glasgow
18 August 198126 September 1981The Threepenny Opera [17]MacHeathAlan J. WandsBorderline Theatre Company
Tour
18–29 AugRoxy Art House, Edinburgh
2–5 SepCraigie College Theatre, Ayr
8–9 SepBonar Hall, Dundee
10–12 SepMagnum Theatre, Irvine
14–15 SepEast Kilbride Village Theatre
16–17 SepPark Mains Theatre, Erskine
18–19 SepStanwix Arts Theatre, Carlisle
22–26 Sep  Mitchell Theatre, Glasgow
Death of a SalesmanWilly LomanGiles HavergalGlasgow Citizens Theatre
'Tis Pity She's a WhoreSoranzoPhilip Prowse
The Merchant of Venice [18]Shylock
January 1989The AlchemistSir Epicure MammonRobert David MacDonald
DouglasLord Randolph
A Tale of Two CitiesEtienne DefargePhilip Prowse
30 August 198422 September 1984Submariners [19]HouseyPhilip PartridgeGateway Theatre, Chester
27 September 198420 October 1984Trafford Tanzi [20]DadNoreen Kershaw
1 November 198424 November 1984Macbeth [21]MacduffPhil Partridge
A View from the BridgeEddie Carbone
26 February 198530 March 1985Scrap [22][23]MulliganChris BondHalf Moon Theatre, London
11 July 198510 August 1985Destiny [24]Major Rolfe
November 198511 January 1986Dracula [25][26]Sir Robert Heward
21 February 198615 March 1986A Streetcar Named Desire [27]Stanley KowalskiIan WooldridgeRoyal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
6 October 19877 November 1987Macbeth [28][29]MacbethChris BondHalf Moon Theatre, London
May 1990Mother CouragePhilip ProwseMermaid Theatre, London
31 October 199024 November 1990The PriceVictor FranzCaroline SmithStephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
11 April 200321 June 2003Scenes from the Big Picture [30]BobbyNicholas HytnerNational Theatre, London
26 October 200717 November 2007Living Quarters [31][32]Commandant Frank ButlerJohn DoveRoyal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
15 February 20088 March 2008Six Characters in Search of an Author [33][7][34]FatherMark Thomson
16 January 200914 February 2009The Man Who Had All the Luck [35][36]Patterson BeevesJohn Dove
4 May 20099 May 2009The Oddest Couple [37]KenEleanor YuleÒran Mór, Glasgow
22 June 20094 July 2009Everything Must Go! [38]VariousLisa Goldman & Esther RichardsonSoho Theatre, London
25 September 201319 October 2013Dark Road [39][40]Black Fergus McLintockMark ThomsonRoyal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
6 April 201511 April 2015Broth [41][42]JimmyAndy McNammeÒran Mór, Glasgow
14 April 201518 April 2015Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
18 February 201619 March 2016The Crucible [43][8]Deputy Governor DanforthJohn DoveRoyal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
20 April 201614 May 2016The Iliad [44][45]Agamemnon / PriamMark Thomson
6 March 201711 March 2017The Beaches of St Valery [46][47][48][49]Callum / McGregor / McLeanStuart HepburnÒran Mór, Glasgow
11 August 201726 August 2017Stand By [50][51]Joe DouglasSummerhall, Edinburgh
12 November 201817 November 2018Oscar Slater – The Trial That Shamed a City [52][53]Arthur Conan DoyleStuart HepburnÒran Mór, Glasgow
29 January 20191 February 2019Rebus: Long Shadows [54][55]Inspector RebusRobin LefevreTheatre Royal, Glasgow
4 February 20199 February 2019New Theatre, Cardiff
11 February 201918 February 2019Cambridge Arts Theatre
25 February 20192 March 2019Theatre Royal, Newcastle
4 March 20199 March 2019Theatre Royal, Bath
12 March 201916 March 2019Rose Theatre, Kingston
16 March 202017 March 2020[Note 1]The Beaches of St Valery [56]Callum / McGregor / McLeanStuart HepburnÒran Mór, Glasgow
Notes:
  1. Closed early because of COVID-19 restrictions
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Radio

More information Date, Title ...
DateTitleRoleDirectorStation
22 December 19878 September 1988Citizens [57]Alec KellyMarilyn ImrieBBC Radio 4
25 January 20031 February 2003The Falls [58]DI RebusBruce YoungBBC Radio 4
The Saturday Play
26 June 20043 July 2004 Resurrection Men [59]
17 April 2006 McLevy: Sins of the Fathers [60]BellamyPatrick RaynerBBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
28 June 20085 July 2008 Black and Blue [61]DI RebusBruce YoungBBC Radio 4
The Saturday Play
28 February 2009Salmonella Men on Planet Porno [62]BBC Radio 3
The Wire
17 February 2010 Fags, Mags and Bags: Mr Majhu Goes to Lenzie [63]Bob Shandy MPBBC Radio 4
7 August 201014 August 2010 Strip Jack [64]DI RebusBruce YoungBBC Radio 4
The Saturday Play
11 November 201218 November 2012 The Black Book [65]BBC Radio 4
Classic Serial
28 September 20145 October 2014 Set in Darkness [66]BBC Radio 4
Classic Serial
13 February 201620 February 2016 A Question of Blood [67]BBC Radio 4
The Saturday Play
12 July 2018 The Trial of Joseph Knight [68]Sir John WedderburnBBC Radio 4
Afternoon Drama
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References

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