Steven James Pemberton(born 1 September 1967) is a British actor, comedian, director and writer. He was a writer and actor for BBC'sThe League of GentlemenwithReece Shearsmith,Mark Gatiss,andJeremy Dyson.Pemberton and Shearsmith also co-wrote and starred in the black comedyPsychovilleand the anthology seriesInside No. 9.His other notable television performance credits includeDoctor Who,Benidorm,Blackpool,Shameless,Whitechapel,Happy ValleyandMapp & Lucia.He also appeared in feature films such asLassie,The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse,The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,Mr. Bean's HolidayandBetter Man.
Steve Pemberton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1 September 1967 Blackburn,Lancashire,England |
| Education | Bretton Hall College of Education |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, comedian, director, writer |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Partner | Alison Rowles |
| Children | 3 |
Early life
editSteve Pemberton was born inBlackburn,Lancashireon 1 September 1967[1]and grew up aroundChorley,[2]attending Saint Michael'sChurch of EnglandHigh School in the town.[3]He trained as an actor atBretton Hall College of Educationwhere he met Mark Gatiss and Reece Shearsmith.[2]
Career
editFilm and television
editPemberton's television performance credits includeWhitechapel,Doctor Who,Benidorm,Under the Greenwood Tree,Hotel Babylon,The Last Detective,Randall and Hopkirk,BlackpoolandShameless.In 2004, he portrayed Dr Bessner inDeath on the NileandHarry SecombeinThe Life and Death of Peter Sellers.He also appeared in the filmLassie(2005).
Pemberton is best known as being a member of the sketch comedy teamThe League of Gentlemen,along with fellow performersMark Gatiss,Reece Shearsmith,and co-writerJeremy Dyson,all of whom he met atBretton Hall Collegein his late teens.The League of Gentlemeninitially began as a stage act in 1995, then transferred toBBC Radio 4asOn the Town with the League of Gentlemenin 1997, and finally arrived on television onBBC Twoin 1999. The latter has seen Pemberton and his colleagues awarded a British Academy Television Award, a Royal Television Society Award, and a Golden Rose of Montreux.
From 2007 to 2015, Pemberton appeared asMick GarveyinBenidorm.Pemberton appeared in 43 episodes.
In the 2008 English language DVD re-release of the cult 2006 Norwegian animated filmFree Jimmy,Pemberton voiced Mattis, a heavy-set and bizarrely-dressed biker member of the Lappish Mafia. In June 2009,Psychovilleaired and marked Pemberton's return to BBC Two.[4][5][6][7]It was co-written by Pemberton and his fellow League of Gentlemen member, Reece Shearsmith. Both of them play numerous characters in the series, similar to the format ofThe League of Gentlemen.
Pemberton portrayedRufus Drumknottin 2010'sTerry Pratchett's Going Postal.He appeared as Vice Principal Douglas Panch in the Donmar's 2011 production ofThe 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.In 2014, he played Georgie Pillson in anadaptationofE. F. Benson'sMapp and Lucia.He also wrote theadaptation,which featured hisLeague of Gentlemencolleague Mark Gatiss. It was broadcast during Christmas 2014.[8]Since 2014, he has starred as various characters in thedark comedyanthologyseriesInside No. 9,which he co-created with Shearsmith, airing on BBC Two. The series ran for 10 years ending with series 9 on 12 June 2024 with a documentary aired on 22 December 2024 titled "The Party's Over".[9][10]
Pemberton reunited with hisThe League of Gentlemencolleagues in 2017 for three special episodes, transmitted in December 2017 on BBC2.[11][12][13]He appeared as himself in the 2018 short film To Trend on Twitter in aid of young people with cancer charityCLIC Sargentwith fellow comediansDavid Baddiel,Reece Shearsmith,Helen Ledererand actorJason Flemyng.[14]
In October 2021, Pemberton was nominated for Best Outstanding Comedy Actor at the inaugural National Comedy Awards forStand Up to Cancer[15]for his appearances in series 6 ofInside No. 9.
Pemberton was a contestant on the seventeenth series of theChannel 4showTaskmasterin 2024.[16]
Pemberton portrayed Peter Williams, the father ofRobbie Williamsin the singer'smusicalbiopicfilmBetter Man,directed byMichael Graceywhich was released in late 2024.
Theatre
editPemberton's early work centred mainly aroundfringe theatre;he was a founding member of the 606 Theatre with Gordon Anderson, Tom Hadley, and producer Shane Walter. He has produced, performed in, and directed various stage productions.
In 2020 it was announced that Pemberton would joinAaron Taylor-Johnsonon West End stage inMartin McDonagh'sThe Pillowman,directed byMatthew Dunster.[17]However, due to theCovid-19situation, the run was postponed until 2021. Pemberton said, "It's been a dark time for the performing arts and I can't wait to have the theatres open again. Unfortunately, The Pillowman has to be put to bed for now, but I very much hope that we'll be able to bringMartin's dazzling play to the West End before too long. "[18]The play was staged from 10 June 2023 to 2 September 2023 at the Duke of York's Theatre in London's West End withLily Allen,Paul Kaye, Pemberton, and Matthew Tennison.[19][20]The Guardianpraised Pemberton's performance as "unfailingly excellent",[21]although other reviews of the play were mixed.[22][23]
On 3 May 2024, it was announced that Pemberton and Shearsmith would write and star in a stage adaptation ofInside No. 9calledStage/Frightwhich will open at theWyndham's TheatreinLondon'sWest Endfrom 18 January 2025 for a limited run until 5 April, directed bySimon Evans.Tickets for the 85 shows were released on 8 May 2024.[24][25][26]
Other
editPemberton has written forVarietyand was the assistant editor of theInternational Film Guidefrom 1991 to 1998.
Personal life
editPemberton lives inNorth London,with his partner, Alison Rowles, and their three children.[27][28][29]
He also speaks German and French.[30]
TheUniversity of Huddersfieldawarded Pemberton an Honorary Doctorate of letters in 2003 alongside Mark Gatiss, Reece Shearsmith and Jeremy Dyson.[31]In July 2024 he received two Honorary Fellowships which are from theUniversity of Central LancashireandUniversity of York(alongside with Reece Shearsmith).[32][33]
Pemberton is a football fan and a supporter ofBlackburn Rovers F.C.[34]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Birthday Girl | Duty Sergeant | |
| 2004 | The Life and Death of Peter Sellers | Harry Secombe | |
| Churchill: The Hollywood Years | Chester | ||
| 2005 | The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse | Tubbs / Pauline / Herr Lipp/ Self | Also co-creator and co-writer |
| Lassie | Hynes | ||
| The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy | Mr. Prosser / Additional Vogon voices | Collectively credited as "The League of Gentlemen" | |
| Match Point | Detective Parry | ||
| 2007 | Mr. Bean's Holiday | Vicar | |
| I Could Never Be Your Woman | Censor | ||
| 2008 | Free Jimmy | Mattis (voice) | English version |
| 2011 | Corvus | Vic | Short film |
| 2012 | National Theatre Live: She Stoops to Conquer | Hardcastle | |
| Football Managers | Oliver | Writer | |
| 2018 | Take Rabbit | Man | Short film |
| To Trend on Twitter | Himself | Short film | |
| 2024 | Better Man | Peter Williams |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Alice in Russialand | Various Characters | TV film |
| 1996 | Mash and Peas | Fritz | Episode: "American Sitcoms" |
| 1998 | In the Red | Lawrence Boot-Heath | Mini-series; 2 episodes |
| Lenny Goes to Town | (unknown) | Episode: "Stoke on Trent" | |
| 1999–2002, 2017 | The League of Gentlemen | Various Characters | Series 1–4; 22 episodes. Co-creator and co-writer |
| 1999 | The Comedy Trail: A Shaggy Dog Story | Tubbs Tattsyrup | TV Special |
| 2000 | Gormenghast | Professor Mule | Mini-series; Episode #1.3 |
| Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) | Sergeant Liddel | Episode: "Drop Dead" | |
| 2002 | Legend of the Lost Tribe | Viking (voice) | TV film |
| Spheriks | Kaz (2002) (voice) | ||
| 2004 | Blackpool | Adrian Marr | Mini-series; 6 episodes |
| Agatha Christie's Poirot | Dr. Bessner | Episode: "Death on the Nile" | |
| Shameless | Eddie Jackson | 2 episodes: "Meet the Gallaghers" and "We're Going to the Moon" | |
| 2005 | The Last Detective | Edward Netherton | Episode: "Friends Reunited" |
| Riot at the Rite | Critic | TV film | |
| Under the Greenwood Tree | Mr. Shinar | TV film | |
| 2006 | Hotel Babylon | Mr. Daniels | Episode #1.3 |
| 2007 | The Bad Mother's Handbook | Leo Fairbrother | TV film |
| Kingdom | Jack Thriplow | Episode #1.2 | |
| The Old Curiosity Shop | Mr. Short | TV film | |
| 2007–2015 | Benidorm | Mick Garvey | Regular; 43 episodes (Series 1–7) |
| 2008 | Agatha Christie's Marple | Henry Wake | Episode: "Murder is Easy" |
| Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! | Eric's Drums | Episode: "Jazz" | |
| Doctor Who | Strackman Lux | 2 episodes: "Silence in the Library"and"Forest of the Dead" | |
| 2009 | Minder | Vlad the Imposter | Episode: "A Matter of Life and Debt" |
| 2009–2011 | Psychoville | Various Characters | 14 episodes. Also co-writer |
| 2009–2013 | Whitechapel | Edward Buchan | 18 episodes. Writer of 2 episodes |
| 2010 | Terry Pratchett's Going Postal | Drumknott | Mini-series; 2 episodes |
| The First Men in the Moon | Sun | TV film | |
| 2012 | Mr. Stink | Sir Derek Dimble | TV film |
| Sport Relief 2012 | Mick Garvey | Episode:BenidormmeetsBritain's Got Talent | |
| 2012–2013 | Horrible Histories | Hollywood Producer #3 | 3 episodes |
| 2013 | Heading Out | Jonathan Walters | Episode #1.4 |
| Psychobitches | Dian Fossey | Mini-series; Episode #1.2 | |
| 2014 | Mapp & Lucia | Georgie Pillson | 3 episodes. Also writer |
| Happy Valley | Kevin Weatherill | 6 episodes | |
| Toast of London | Francis Bacon | Episode: "Fool in Love" | |
| 2014–2024 | Inside No. 9 | Various Characters | 51 episodes. Co-writer and director |
| 2015 | Lewis | Ian Tedman | 2 episodes: "One for Sorrow: Parts 1 and 2" |
| Professor Branestawm Returns | Professor Algebrain | TV film | |
| 2016 | Camping | Robin | Mini-series; 6 episodes |
| Tracey Ullman's Show | Colin | Episode #1.2 | |
| 2017 | Midsomer Murders | Timothy Benson | Episode: "Red in Tooth & Claw" |
| 2018 | The Interrogation of Tony Martin | Tony Martin | TV film |
| The League of Gentlemen - Live Again! | Various Characters | TV Special | |
| 2019 | Bounty Hunters | (unknown) | Episode #2.1 |
| Britannia | EmperorClaudius | 2 episodes: "Imperial Visit" and "May the Gods Speak" | |
| 2019–2021 | Worzel Gummidge | Mr. Braithwaite | 6 episodes |
| 2019, 2023 | Good Omens | Mr. Glozier | 2 episodes: "Hard Times" and "Nazi Zombie Flesheaters" |
| 2020 | Death in Paradise | Neil Henderson | Episode: "Switcharoo" |
| Killing Eve | Paul | Recurring role; 5 episodes | |
| 2022 | Ladhood | The Gardener | 2 episodes: "Initiative" and "TV" |
| Brassic | Mr. King | Episode: "Murder Mystery" | |
| 2023 | The Power of Parker | Sandy | 3 episodes |
| 2024 | Taskmaster | Himself - Contestant | Series 17; 10 episodes |
| The Read | Narrator | Episode: "The Remains of the Day" | |
| The Cleaner | Donald | Series 3; Episode 2: "The Baby" | |
| Alma's Not Normal | Uncle Dickie | Series 2; Episodes 3 and 5 | |
| The Party's Over | Himself | BBC2Inside No. 9documentary | |
| 2025 | Missing You | Titus | 4 episodes |
Stage credits
edit| Year | Title | Role | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Art | Mark | Whitehall Theatre |
| 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 | The Rocky Horror Show | Guest narrator | Various |
| 2007 | The Drowsy Chaperone | Man in Chair | Novello Theatre |
| 2009 | The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | Vice Principal Douglas Panch | Donmar Warehouse |
| 2012 | She Stoops to Conquer | Mr Hardcastle | Olivier Theatre,Royal National Theatre |
| 2016 | Dead Funny | Brian | Vaudeville Theatre |
| 2023 | The Pillowman | Tupolski | Duke of York's Theatre |
| 2025 | Inside No. 9 Stage/Fright | Various Characters | Wyndham's Theatre |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Royal Television Society | Best Comedy Performance - Male | ForInside No.9 | Won | |
| 2018 | Writers' Guild of Great Britain | Best TV Situation Comedy | With Reece Shearsmith, For episode 'Zanzibar' | Won | [35] |
| 2019 | Royal Television Society | Best Comedy Performance - Male | ForInside No.9 | Won | |
| 2019 | 2019 British Academy Television Awards | Best Male Comedy Performance | Steve Pemberton | Won | [36] |
| 2021 | National Comedy Awards forStand Up to Cancer | Best Outstanding Comedy Actor | For Inside No. 9 | Nominated | [15] |
References
edit- ^"x.com".
- ^abGuardian Staff (10 February 2001)."Interview with The League of Gentlemen".The Guardian.Retrieved8 December2024.
Born in 1969, Reece Shearsmith grew up in Hull. where he used to decapitate his Action Men.
- ^Townend, Jon (13 June 2021)."Steve Pembertons shows have become cult hits".
- ^Dowell, Ben (9 October 2008)."League of Gentlemen duo back with BBC2 comedy Psychoville".The Guardian.London.Retrieved5 February2009.
- ^"TV Preview: Psychoville + panel discussion".British Film Institute.Archived fromthe originalon 11 May 2009.Retrieved15 May2009.
- ^"Psychoville".BBC.Retrieved21 May2009.
- ^"New show for League of Gentlemen".BBC Online. 9 October 2008.Retrieved5 February2009.
- ^"BBC announces adaptation of EF Benson's Mapp and Lucia".bbc.co.uk.Retrieved3 May2014.
- ^Chase, Stephanie (28 April 2021)."Inside No. 9 confirms series 6 return date".Digital Spy.Retrieved21 October2021.
- ^"TV tonight: Diane Morgan crashes The League of Gentlemen cast reunion".The Guardian.20 April 2022.Retrieved20 April2022.
- ^"'League of Gentlemen' revival and 'Alan Partridge' documentary among BBC highlights for Christmas 2017 ".NME.28 November 2017.Retrieved20 December2017.
- ^Moreland, Alex (13 December 2017)."The League Of Gentlemen: everything you need to know about this cult comedy revival".Metro.Retrieved21 October2021.
- ^Wollaston, Sam (19 December 2017)."The League of Gentlemen review Royston Vasey: just as terrifying as ever".The Guardian.Retrieved21 October2021.
- ^"Top Comics Join Short Film".Chortle.13 August 2018.Retrieved14 August2018.
- ^abMcGee, Sarah (13 October 2021)."Blackburn comedians nominated in Channel 4 comedy awards".Lancashire Telegraph.Retrieved27 October2021.
- ^"Taskmaster season 17: Release date, cast and latest news".Radio Times.Retrieved29 March2024.
- ^Orlova-Alvarez, Tamara (28 February 2020)."West End: Aaron Taylor-Johnson & Steve Pemberton to Star in The Pillowman".Ikon London Magazine.Retrieved28 February2020.
- ^Mayo, Douglas (4 June 2021)."Martin McDonagh's The Pillowman delayed – New dates announced soon".British Theatre.Retrieved20 October2021.
- ^Thomas, Sophie (14 March 2023)."'The Pillowman', starring Steve Pemberton, announces further West End casting ".London Theatre.Retrieved18 March2023.
- ^Putnam, Leah (13 March 2023)."Paul Kaye and Matthew Tennyson Join West End Revival of The Pillowman".Playbill.Retrieved18 March2023.
- ^Akbar, Arifa (22 June 2023)."The Pillowman review – Lily Allen fails to deliver visceral punch".The Guardian.Retrieved22 June2023.
- ^Thompson, Jessie (22 June 2023)."The Pillowman review: A dark, twisted triumph despite lightweight Lily Allen's one-note turn".The Independent.Retrieved22 June2023.
- ^Allfree, Claire (21 June 2023)."The Pillowman, Duke of York's Theatre, review: Lily Allen all at sea in dull revival".The Telegraph.Retrieved22 June2023.
- ^Rook, Olivia (3 May 2024)."Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith's 'Inside No 9' to be adapted for the West End".London Theatre.Retrieved18 May2024.
- ^Garrett, Olivia (10 May 2024)."How to get Inside No.9 Stage/Fright tickets for Pemberton and Shearsmith's West End show".Radio Times.Retrieved18 May2024.
- ^Wiegand, Chris (May 2024)."Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith announce stage version of Inside No 9".The Guardian.Retrieved18 May2024.
- ^Bletchly, Rachael (11 April 2012)."Benidorm's Steve Pemberton: I had a heart attack at 25... but it took me 20 years to scare me into losing two stone ".Daily Mirror.Retrieved17 February2018.
- ^"Lucas James Pemberton".Variety.31 May 2000. Archived fromthe originalon 20 February 2019.Retrieved19 February2019.
- ^"Steve Pemberton's diary".Evening Standard.10 April 2012.
- ^"Actor Steve Pemberton reveals secret heartache".Daily Mirror.20 March 2013.Retrieved29 August2020.
- ^"Honorary Graduates".University of Huddersfield.24 April 2017. Archived fromthe originalon 24 April 2017.Retrieved19 April2023.
- ^"BAFTA award-winner recognised by 'local' university".University of Central Lancashire.Retrieved24 July2024.
- ^York, University of."Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton".University of York.Retrieved8 January2025.
- ^"Steve Pemberton:" It is fantastic the club reaches out to the community "".12 December 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^"Writers' Guild Awards winners 2018".Writers' Guild of Great Britain.15 January 2018.Retrieved16 January2018.
- ^"BAFTA Television 2019: Winners of the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards + British Academy Television Craft Awards".BAFTA.12 May 2019.Archivedfrom the original on 14 February 2020.Retrieved11 February2020.
Sources
edit- "Steve Pemberton".PBJ Management.2006. Archived fromthe originalon 3 May 2008.Retrieved3 June2008.