Alun Armstrong is a British actor born on 17 July 1946 in Annfield Plain, County Durham. His career began in theatre with the Royal Shakespeare Company, establishing himself as a highly regarded performer. He is particularly known for originating the role of Thénardier in the original London production of *Les Misérables* in 1985. In 1994, he won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his acclaimed performance in the revival of *Sweeney Todd*. On the big screen, he has appeared in numerous films, including *Get Carter*, *Braveheart*, *Sleepy Hollow*, *The Mummy Returns*, and *Van Helsing*, demonstrating remarkable versatility. On television, he gained international popularity playing retired detective Brian Lane in the long-running BBC series *New Tricks* from 2003 to 2013. Considered one of the United Kingdom's most respected character actors, his long career successfully spans film, television, and the stage.