Paul Copley

Paul is a long established and much respected British actor and voiceover artist Born in Denby Dale West Riding of Yorkshire on 25th November 1944 he grew up beside a dairy farm His father Harold was involved with local amateur dramatic productions as were the rest of his family He went to Penistone Grammar School then the Northern Counties College of Education in Newcastle upon Tyne where he received an Associate of the Drama Board ADB in Drama He taught English and Drama in Walthamstow before he joined the Leeds Playhouse Theatreineducation Company in 1971 In 1976 Paul won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a New Play for his role in John Wilsons For King and Country With many and varied roles to follow Paul soon established himself as one of the UKs leading stage film television and radio actors In 20112015 Paul gained worldwide recognition appearing in 16 episodes of the hugely popular television series Downton Abbey playing the popular role of farmer Mr Mason Paul is married to the actress Natasha Pyne They married in 1972 after both performing in a Leeds Playhouse production of Frank Wedekinds Lulu adapted by Peter Barnes directed by Bill Hays in 1971