Robert Hands is a British actor based in London. He trained at the Bristol Old Vic theatre school. His career has spanned over twenty years during which time he has played leading roles in film, television, and both classical and musical theatre in London's West End. He played Sir Robin in the original London cast of Spamalot.
He is probably best known for his television roles in Sharpe's Battle, Doctor Who and The House of Eliott, as well as the films Charlotte Gray, Anna and the King, and the Shine. He is also a member of Edward Hall's all-male Shakespeare company Propeller.
From 2019 to 2020, Hands was in the UK cast of Come From Away.
Acting credits
Theatre Year Title Role Venue 1989 The Wars of the Roses John of Lancaster Old Vic 1990 Invisible Friends Chuck National Theatre 1991 Walpurgis Night Stasik Gate Theatre 1992 As You Like It Orlando Greenwich Theatre Valentine's Day Philip Clandon Gielgud Theatre 1995 The Importance of Being Earnest Algernon Old Vic 1996 A View from the Bridge Rodolpho Greenwich Theatre 1997 A Midsummer Night's Dream Puck Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park Troilus and Cressida Troilus The Woman in Black Arthur Kipps Fortune Theatre 2002 Rose Rage Queen Margaret Theatre Royal Haymarket Lady Windermere's Fan Cecil Graham 2003 A Midsummer Night's Dream Helena Comedy Theatre 2004 Mamma Mia! Harry Bright Prince Edward Theatre and Prince of Wales Theatre 2005 Chicago Amos Adelphi Theatre 2006 Schumann Plan Bill Bretherton Hampstead Theatre 2007–2008 Spamalot Sir Robin Palace Theatre 2016 Mrs Henderson Presents Lord Cromer Noël Coward Theatre 2018 Her Naked Skin William Cain Salisbury Playhouse 2018–2020, 2022 Come From Away Doug, Nick Marson and Others Phoenix Theatre2025-PresentCabaret at the Kit Kat ClubHerr SchultzPlayhouse Theatre
Television Year Title Role Notes 1990–1991 The Ruth Rendell Mysteries PC Stevens Episodes: "Some Lie and Some Die: Part One", "Achilles Heel" 1992 Grange Hill Piers Coveney Episodes: #15.17 - #15.20 1993 Heartbeat James Lessor Episode: "Going Home" 1993 The Bill Frankie Wade Episode: "#9.9 On The Cards" 1994 The House of Eliott Miles Bannister Episodes: #3.2 - #3.10 1995 Sharpe's Battle Lt. Jenkins The Vet Simon Dunning Episode: "White Lies" 1997 Peak Practice Terry Summerscale Episode: "Fight or Flight" 1999 The Dark Room Miles Kingsley 2003 Killing Hitler Lieutenant Col. Ronald H. Thornley Heartbeat Barry Lee Episode: "Missing in Action" 2005 Doctor Who Algy Episodes: "The Empty Child", "The Doctor Dances" 2010 Casualty Richard Crawley Episodes: "English Beauty" 2015, 2017 EastEnders Mr Colin McWerther 2018Dark HeartNico KashellBerlin StationDiver2019EndeavourEric GidbyBreedersEric2022Noughts + CrossesClem Haines2024Masters of the AirMajor Gustav Simoleit
Film Year Title Role Notes 1993 Foreign Affairs David Hewson 1996 Shine Robert 1999 Anna and the King Captain Blake 2001 Charlotte Gray Borowski 2002 Pure Doctor 2015 The Lesson Mr. Gale
See also List of British actors
References