Arthur Mathews (born c.1959 in Castletown Kilpatrick, Navan, County Meath) is an Irish comedy writer and actor who, often with writing partner Graham Linehan, has either written or contributed to a number of popular television comedies, most notably Father Ted. He is a graduate of the Dublin Institute of Technology. Previously, he attended Castleknock College, a private school run by Vincentian priests.
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Mathews has contributed to many sketch shows, including Harry Enfield and Chums, The All New Alexei Sayle Show and, notably, the Ted & Ralph segments of The Fast Show.
However, it was with Father Ted (3 series, 1995–1998) that Linehan and Mathews made their biggest impression which debuted on Channel 4.[1][2][3]
Both Linehan and Mathews worked on the first series of sketch show Big Train, but Linehan dropped out for the second series. Mathews has also had a hand in other respected British comedies such as Brass Eye, Jam and Black Books.
In 1999 Linehan and Mathews created the sixties-set sitcom Hippies, but the six-part series (which starred Simon Pegg and Sally Phillips) was written by Mathews alone.[4]
In late 2003, the writing duo were named one of the 50 funniest acts to work in television by The Observer.[5]
In 2005, Mathews, with Michael Nugent, Paul Woodfull and Conor Phillips, co-wrote I, Keano, a comedy musical play about footballer Roy Keane leaving the Republic of Ireland national football team before the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
It is presented as a mock-epic melodrama about an ancient Roman legion preparing for war. In its first two years, over half a million people watched it, generating €10m ($13m) in ticket sales.[6][7] In January 2008, it began its fourth year of performances.
Mathews has written two books:
Mathews has had two cartoon series published:
Mathews has made cameo appearances in programmes he has written.
Linehan and Mathews also made a rare appearance in the sitcom I'm Alan Partridge as two Irish men considering Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan) for a contract. In the absence of a picture, Mathews is the fairer haired of the two in the scene mentioned (though according to the episode's commentary, this is a wig).
Mathews also starred in I Am Not An Animal, an animated comedy series about talking animals written by Peter Baynham. He voiced a rabbit called Niall who had had his brain replaced with that of a call centre worker.
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