Robin Laing (born 1976) is a Scottish actor, best known for his portrayal of Edward Heffron in the HBO series Band of Brothers (2001) and as DI Craig Donald in River City (2012–17).
Early life and education Born in Dundee,River City cop Robin Laing goes behind the camera after being inspired by Tom Hanks Laing began acting at a young age, joining an Arbroath theatre company, the Angus Children's Theatre and then later the Carnoustie Theatre Club. While at school he landed his first professional role at Dundee Repertory Theatre, playing Young Steerforth in David Copperfield. After leaving school he studied Drama in Dundee and at Fife College.Robin Laing
Career His first professional, adult role was playing Renton in the UK tour of Trainspotting in 1996. While on tour he was asked to cover the role in London's West End for four shows, during which time John Byrne saw him and asked Laing to screen-test for his upcoming film The Slab Boys. He was cast in the role of Phil McCann, and filming took place later that year in Glasgow.
Laing's participation in Band of Brothers led to a friendship with Heffron, lasting until Heffron's passing in 2013.River City favourite Robin Laing on being at centre of festive whodunnit Laing played Martin Ness in 2004's "Shadowplay", part of Series 4 (episodes 11 and 12) of Waking the Dead.
He joined the cast of River City in 2012 as DCI Craig Donald, and would appear regularly on it until 2017, and also appeared on Waterloo Road in a recurring role. He also appears as Major Donald MacDonald in seasons six and seven of Outlander. Other appearances include in the films Filth (2013) and Outlaw King (2018).Cop calls suit River City star Robin Laing just fine!
Personal life Laing resides in London.Robin Laing
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2000 Borstal Boy Jock Beautiful Creatures Garage Attendant 2005 Joyeux Noël William 2013 Filth Rent Boy 2018 Outlaw King Bishop of St Andrews Only You Private Doctor
Television Year Title Role Notes 1997-1999 The Lakes Joey Main role, 14 episodes 1998 Cadfael Sulien Blount 2 episodes 1998; 2008 Taggart Mark Jackson/Sgt. Sean Mackay 2 episodes 2000 Murder Rooms: Mysteries of the Real Sherlock Holmes Arthur Conan Doyle Miniseries, 1 episode 2001 Band of Brothers Pfc. Edward Heffron Miniseries, 8 episodes 2004 Waking the Dead Martin Ness 1 episode 2005 Born and Bred Albert Tooley 1 episode 2006 Murder City Nathan Wallis 1 episode 2010 Garrow's Law Westminster Clerk 1 episode 2012-2017; 2022-2023 River City DI Craig Donald Main role, 66 episodes 2015 Waterloo Road Ronnie Fairchild Recurring role, 5 episodes 2016 One of Us Constable Hartley Miniseries, 1 episode The Coroner Eddie Landman 1 episode 2017 Casualty Robert Kearns 1 episode 2019 Shetland Gavin Laird Recurring role, 5 episodes The Victim Andy Tait Miniseries, 3 episodes 2021 Vigil Miller 1 episode Guilt Adrian 2 episodes 2022 Outlander Donald MacDonald Recurring role, 6 episodes 2023 Stonehouse Bank Manager Miniseries, 1 episode The Gold Garth Chappell 4 episodes 2024–present Only Child Ian 7 episodes 2025 Lockerbie: A Search for Truth Roland Stephenson 2 episodes 2026 Silo Phil 1 episode
Radio Date Title Role Director Station Sex for VolunteersBBC – Afternoon Play – Sex for Volunteers Douglas Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play Daniel and MaryBBC – BBC Radio Scotland – Daniel and Mary Daniel Kirsty Williams BBC Radio Scotland Drama The Ca'd'oro CafeBBC – Afternoon Play – The Ca'd'oro Cafe Billy Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play La Princesse de ClèvesBBC – Drama on 3 – La Princesse de Clèves Nemours Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 3 Drama on 3 The VanishingBBC – Saturday Play – The Vanishing Jean-Pierre GalloManager Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 4 Saturday Play One Hundred and Forty Characters: SongbirdsBBC – Afternoon Reading – One Hundred and Forty Characters: Songbirds Read by Kirsteen Cameron BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Reading Down and Out in AuchangaishBBC – Afternoon Play – Down and Out in Auchangaish Donnie Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play – The Other OneBBC – Woman's Hour Drama – The Other One Dad Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour Drama Mary StuartBBC – Drama on 3 – Mary Stuart Leicester Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 3 Drama on 3 Albion StreetBBC – BBC Radio Scotland – Albion Street Jamie Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio Scotland Drama – The Truth About HawaiiBBC – 15 Minute Drama – The Truth About Hawaii David Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 4 15 Minute Drama – 4/4BBC – Afternoon Drama – 4/4: Introduction and Allegro Archie Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Drama (After) FearBBC – Drama on 3 – (After) Fear The Pianist Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 3 Drama on 3
References
External links
Robin Laing at the Internet Movie Database