50 Facts About Douglas Henshall

Early Life and Education

Douglas Henshall's journey to becoming a renowned actor began in Glasgow, Scotland. His early life and education played a significant role in shaping his career.

1. Birth and Early Life: Born on November 19, 1965, in Glasgow, Scotland, Henshall grew up as the youngest of three children. His mother was a nurse, and his father was a salesman.

2. Education: He attended Barrhead High School, where he was encouraged to join the Scottish Youth Theatre. This early exposure to theater laid the foundation for his future career.

3. Theater Training: After completing his education, Henshall moved to London to train at Mountview Theatre School. This rigorous training helped him develop his acting skills and prepared him for a career in theater.

Theater Beginnings

Henshall's early career was deeply rooted in theater, where he honed his craft and gained critical acclaim.

4. Early Career: Henshall began his career in theater with the 7:84 theater company in Glasgow. He later returned to London where he received critical acclaim for his roles in productions such as "Life of Stuff" at the Donmar Warehouse (1993) and "American Buffalo" at the Young Vic (1997).

5. Stage Work: In the summer of 2002, Henshall returned to the London stage to perform in Tom Stoppard's trilogy "The Coast of Utopia" at the National Theatre. He continued his stage work by starring as John Proctor in Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" at the Crucible in Sheffield and Thomas Huxley in "Darwin in Malibu" by Crispin Whittell at the Hampstead Theatre.

6. West End Debut: In 2005, Henshall made his West End debut at The Lyric, Shaftesbury Avenue, playing Biff Loman in the critically acclaimed production of Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" alongside Brian Dennehy.

Breakthrough Roles in Film and Television

Transitioning from theater to film and television, Henshall found success in various roles that showcased his versatility.

7. Breakthrough Roles: One of his first successful film roles was as Edgar in "Angels and Insects" (1995). He went on to star in notable films like "Orphans" (1998), "Twice Upon a Yesterday" (1998), "Lawless Heart" (2001), and "It's All About Love" (2003).

8. Television Roles: Henshall has appeared in numerous television series, including "Psychos" (1999), "Kid in the Corner" (1999), "Loving You" (2003), and "Frances Tuesday" (2004). His role as Detective Inspector Jimmy Pérez in the crime drama "Shetland" (2013–2022) is particularly notable.

Radio Performances

Henshall's talent extended to radio, where he performed in several BBC radio plays.

9. BBC Radio Performances: Henshall has performed in several plays for BBC radio, including the role of Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet" (1999), David in "The Long Farewell" (2002), Jack Parlabane in "Bampot Central" (2004), and Richard in "Richard III" (2004).

Awards and Nominations

Throughout his career, Henshall has received recognition for his outstanding performances.

10. Awards and Nominations: Henshall has won one award and been nominated for three. His notable award is the Bafta Scotland best television actor award in 2016 for his work in "Shetland".

Personal Life

Henshall's personal life has also been a topic of interest for many fans.

11. Personal Life: Henshall married his partner, Croatian writer Tena Štivičić, in Las Vegas in February 2010.

Notable Roles and Projects

Henshall's career includes several notable roles and projects that have left a lasting impact.

12. Primeval: Henshall played Professor Nick Cutter in the science fiction series "Primeval" (2007–2011). This role showcased his ability to handle complex, science-based storylines.

13. Outlander: He appeared in season one of "Outlander" as Taran MacQuarrie, an accomplished military leader who was eventually captured by the English and hanged.

14. Shetland: Henshall led the hit detective series "Shetland" since its debut in 2013. He announced in July that the upcoming seventh season would be his last, wrapping up his character's story to a satisfactory end.

15. In Plain Sight: In 2016, he starred in the Scottish three-part television drama series "In Plain Sight" as the detective William Muncie, who pursued serial murderer Peter Manuel to his conviction and ultimate execution by hanging.

16. Iona: Henshall starred in the film "Iona," written and directed by Scott Graham, which opened in March 2016. The film tells the story of a mother who burns her car and takes her teenage son on a ferry to the island she was named after.

17. The Small Hand: In 2019, he appeared as antiquarian book dealer Adam Snow in Susan Hill's ghost story "The Small Hand" on Channel 5 TV.

18. Who Is Erin Carter?: Henshall starred as the villainous Daniel Lang in Netflix's thriller "Who Is Erin Carter?" in 2023, marking his first role since leaving "Shetland".

19. One of Us: Following "Who Is Erin Carter?", Henshall will appear in the mystery horror film "One of Us," which will star Heartstopper's Kit Connor, Love Actually's Sienna Guillory, Derry Girls' Beccy Henderson, and House of the Dragon's David Horovitch.

Reflections on Career and Ageism

Henshall has openly discussed the challenges of finding roles as an older actor.

20. Career Reflections: Henshall has spoken about the challenges of finding roles as an older actor, stating that there aren't many opportunities available for 57-year-old men. He has expressed gratitude for the jobs he has been offered and continues to work actively in the industry.

Social Media and Public Persona

Henshall's presence on social media and his pride in his Scottish heritage are notable aspects of his public persona.

21. Social Media Presence: Henshall is active on Twitter, where he shares witty and well-informed posts, often engaging in political discussions.

22. Proud Scotsman: Henshall is proud of his Scottish heritage and has spoken about popular Glaswegian colloquial terms. He has also recited Robert Burns' poetry, which holds a special place in his heart due to his late mother's love for the poet.

23. Oratory Skills: Henshall is known for his stirring recitals of Scottish poetry, particularly Robert Burns. His performance of "She Says She Loves Me Best Of A" by Burns is particularly notable.

Theater Credits and Collaborations

Henshall's extensive theater credits and collaborations with notable directors and actors highlight his versatility.

24. Theater Credits: Henshall's past stage credits include London productions of "Network" and "Death of a Salesman." He currently appears in "Mary," a new play about Mary, Queen of Scots, at London's Hampstead Theatre.

25. National Theatre Staging: Henshall has performed at the National Theatre, including a notable role in Tom Stoppard's trilogy "The Coast of Utopia" in 2002. He returned to the National Theatre for the stage adaptation of "Network" in 2017.

26. Collaborations: Henshall has collaborated with several notable directors and actors throughout his career. For example, he worked with Ian Rickson on Harold Pinter's "Betrayal" at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End.

27. Critical Acclaim: Henshall has received critical acclaim for his performances in various productions. His role as John Proctor in "The Crucible" and Thomas Huxley in "Darwin in Malibu" were particularly praised by critics.

Television Dramas and Guest Roles

Henshall's work in television dramas and guest roles further showcases his versatility.

28. Television Dramas: Henshall has appeared in several television dramas, including "Collision," where he played an investigating officer of a multiple car crash, and "The Silence," a BBC1 drama.

29. Guest Roles: He has also made guest appearances in popular television shows like "Lewis" and "The Eagle." In "The Eagle," he played Cradoc, a significant character in the series.

Notable Productions and Historical Roles

Henshall's involvement in notable productions and historical roles has added depth to his career.

30. Harold Pinter’s Betrayal: In summer 2011, Henshall starred in Harold Pinter's "Betrayal" at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End. The production was directed by Ian Rickson and featured Kristin Scott Thomas and Ben Miles.

31. Oliver Cromwell: In autumn 2012, Henshall appeared as Oliver Cromwell in the premiere of the new play "55 Days." This role showcased his ability to portray historical figures with depth and nuance.

32. The Secret of Crickley Hall: In 2012, he starred as Augustus Cribben in "The Secret of Crickley Hall." This role further demonstrated his versatility in handling different genres and characters.

33. Doors Open: The same year, he appeared in the ITV television film adaptation of Ian Rankin's novel "Doors Open." This adaptation allowed him to delve into the world of crime fiction once again.

Impact of Shetland

Henshall's portrayal of Detective Inspector Jimmy Pérez in "Shetland" had a significant impact on the show's success.

34. Shetland’s Impact: Henshall's portrayal of Detective Inspector Jimmy Pérez in "Shetland" had a significant impact on the show's success. His character's gentle yet determined nature resonated with audiences worldwide.

35. Bafta Scotland Award: In 2016, Henshall won the Bafta Scotland best television actor award for his work in "Shetland." The show itself also won the best television drama award that year.

36. Shetland’s Conclusion: After series 5 of "Shetland," Henshall and the show's writer, David Kane, decided to complete the story of Jimmy Pérez with two more series. The seventh season marked his final appearance as the character.

37. Shetland’s Legacy: Despite his departure from the show, "Shetland" remains a beloved series, and Henshall's legacy as Jimmy Pérez continues to be celebrated by fans and critics alike.

Cult Following and Genre Versatility

Henshall's roles in cult-followed series and his versatility in different genres highlight his broad appeal.

38. Primeval’s Cult Following: The science fiction series "Primeval" has a dedicated cult following. Henshall's role as Professor Nick Cutter was pivotal in the show's success, showcasing his ability to handle complex scientific storylines.

39. Outlander’s Early Days: When Henshall appeared in season one of "Outlander," the show was still in its early days. His character's capture by the English and subsequent hanging added a significant layer to the story.

40. In Plain Sight’s Historical Drama: The Scottish three-part television drama series "In Plain Sight" allowed Henshall to delve into historical drama. His portrayal of detective William Muncie was particularly notable for its historical accuracy and depth.

41. Iona’s Emotional Storyline: The film "Iona" tells an emotionally charged story about a mother and son. Henshall's performance added depth to the narrative, making it a compelling watch.

42. The Small Hand’s Ghost Story: In "The Small Hand," Henshall played antiquarian book dealer Adam Snow. The ghost story genre allowed him to explore darker themes, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

43. Who Is Erin Carter?’s Villainous Role: Henshall’s role as the villainous Daniel Lang in "Who Is Erin Carter?" marked a departure from his usual heroic characters. He expressed his enjoyment of playing a baddie, finding it fun to pretend to be firing a gun.

44. One of Us’s Mystery Horror: The upcoming mystery horror film "One of Us" will feature Henshall alongside a talented cast. This project will allow him to explore different genres and collaborate with new actors.

Reflections on Age and Career

Henshall's reflections on age and career highlight the challenges and gratitude he feels in his profession.

45. Career Reflections on Ageism: Henshall has spoken about the challenges of finding roles as an older actor. He acknowledged that there aren’t many opportunities available for 57-year-old men, but he remains grateful for the jobs he has been offered.

Social Media Engagement and Heritage

Henshall's engagement on social media and his pride in his Scottish heritage are notable aspects of his public persona.

46. Social Media Engagement: Henshall is active on Twitter, where he engages with fans and shares his thoughts on various topics. His witty and well-informed posts have earned him a significant following.

47. Proud Scotsman’s Heritage: Henshall is proud of his Scottish heritage and often shares insights into Glaswegian colloquial terms. His love for Scottish culture is evident in his performances and public appearances.

48. Oratory Skills in Poetry: Henshall has recited Robert Burns’ poetry, which holds a special place in his heart due to his late mother’s love for the poet. His performances of Burns’ works are stirring and emotionally charged.

Continued Commitment to Theater

Henshall's continued commitment to theater showcases his dedication to his craft.

49. Theater Credits in London Productions: Henshall has appeared in several London productions, including "Network" and "Death of a Salesman." His current role in "Mary," a new play about Mary, Queen of Scots, at London’s Hampstead Theatre, showcases his continued commitment to theater.

50. Legacy in the Entertainment Industry: Douglas Henshall’s legacy in the entertainment industry is marked by his versatility, depth, and commitment to his craft. From his early days in theater to his current roles in television and film, he has left an indelible mark on the world of acting.

Douglas Henshall: A Versatile Talent

Douglas Henshall has carved out a remarkable career in acting, spanning theater, film, and television. From his early days with the 7:84 theater company to his iconic role as Detective Inspector Jimmy Pérez in "Shetland," Henshall's versatility shines through. His performances in "Primeval," "Outlander," and "In Plain Sight" highlight his ability to tackle diverse roles. Not just limited to the screen, his stage work in productions like "Death of a Salesman" and "The Crucible" earned critical acclaim. Henshall's dedication to his craft and his Scottish heritage remains evident in every role he takes on. As he continues to explore new projects, his legacy in the entertainment industry grows stronger. Whether playing a hero or a villain, Henshall's talent and passion make him a standout figure in acting.