Sean Biggerstaff

Sean Biggerstaff
Born Sean Biggerstaff
15 March 1983
Glasgow, Scotland
Occupation Actor, musician
Years active 1996–present

Sean Biggerstaff (born 15 March 1983)[1] is a Scottish actor and musician, who portrayed Oliver Wood in the Harry Potter film series.

Early life

Biggerstaff was born in Glasgow, Scotland, growing up with his parents in Maryhill.[2] He went to Parkview Primary School in Summerston and joined the local drama group, the Maryhill Youth Theatre, when he was seven.[2]

Career

Biggerstaff obtained his first professional acting role at ten, playing the son of MacDuff in a Michael Boyd production of Macbeth at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow. He then joined the Scottish Youth Theatre and spent six years with the group.[2] In 1996, at the age of 13, Biggerstaff secured his first major TV role, playing Young Darren in the BBC production of The Crow Road.[3] At 14 he was cast by fellow Harry Potter actor Alan Rickman in his new movie, The Winter Guest, as Tom, a mischievous schoolboy. In a 2002 interview, Biggerstaff recalled: "It was while at the Scottish Youth Theatre that I was chosen for The Winter Guest. Alan Rickman (known to most of the kids as "the bad guy from Die Hard") popped along one day looking for two boys to accompany him to the coldest place on Earth, Fife, for two months to make a film. Myself and the suspicious character that is Douglas Murphy were the lucky ones."[2]

Rickman later recommended Biggerstaff to the London acting agency International Creative Management and Paul Lyon-Maris. Within a week, the Harry Potter castings were being distributed. During auditions, the directors suggested that he look at the part of Oliver Wood, Biggerstaff looked at the script and agreed.[4] Biggerstaff played the role in the first three films, and returned for a brief appearance in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.[5]

Biggerstaff's career since the first two Harry Potter films has included playing Henry, Duke of Gloucester in the 2004 TV mini-series Charles II: The Power and The Passion;[6] Matt in the world premiere of Sharman MacDonald's stageplay The Girl With Red Hair;[7] and Ben Willis in the short film Cashback for which extra scenes were recorded, and the piece was adapted into a feature released in 2006.[8]

In 2007, Biggerstaff played Jeremy Wolfenden in the BBC4 TV movie Consenting Adults which was nominated for BAFTA Scotland's Best Drama Award on 18 November 2007, and won him the BAFTA Scotland's Award for Best Actor – Television.[9]

He appeared in the film Hippie Hippie Shake.[10]

List of credits

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1997 The Winter Guest Tom
2001 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Oliver Wood
2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Oliver Wood
2004 Cashback Ben Willis Short (18 minutes)
2006 Cashback Ben Willis Feature based on the 2004 short
2009 X on a Map Paul Short (13 minutes)
Voices Herb Wallace Short (20 minutes)
2010 Hippie Hippie Shake
2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2[5] Oliver Wood Cameo; uncredited
2013 Mary Queen of Scots

Television

Year Title Role Network Notes
1996 The Crow Road Young Darren BBC Scotland Mini-series
1998 Bright Sparks CBBC
2003 Shada[11] Chris Parsons Voice for webcast animation
2003 Charles II: The Power and The Passion Henry, Duke of Glocester BBC One Mini-series
2007 Consenting Adults Jeremy Wolfenden BBC Four Drama
2009 Agatha Christie's Marple Bobby Attfield ITV Series 4 Episode 3 "Why Didn't They Ask Evans?"
Garrow's Law Tom BBC One Series 1 Episode 3

Radio

Year Title Role Notes
2003 Shada[12] Chris Parsons Big Finish "Doctor Who" audio drama
2008 The Skull of Sobek[13] Snabb BBC "Doctor Who" audio drama
2008 Time Reef[14] The Ruhk Big Finish "Doctor Who" audio drama
2009 In a Land Far Away' Jamie 'Bullet' McQueen BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Drama
2011 Good With People[15] Jack BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play

Theatre

Year Title Role Theatre
1993 Macbeth[11] Macduff's son Tron Theatre, Glasgow
2005 The Girl With Red Hair[11] Matt Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
Hampstead Theatre, London
2012 An Appointment with the Wicker Man[11]Rory Loch Parry Players NTS, Tour

Awards

Year Group Award Result Film
2007 BAFTA Scotland Best Actor – Television[16] Won Consenting Adults

References

  1. ↑ "Sean Biggerstaff – IMDb".
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Sean Biggerstaff – Bio".
  3. ↑ ""The Crow Road" (1996) – Episodes cast".
  4. ↑ Scotland Sunday Times: "Culture: From Hogwarts to Bigger Stuff", Scotland Sunday Times, 18 June 2004
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Dale, Paul (28 February 2010). "Greenberg revealed at The List Surprise Movie at GFF". The List. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  6. ↑ Charlotte Cripps: "Preview: Glasgow Film Festival, Various Venues, Glasgow – Local Hero Joins Global Movie Stars," The Independent Online, 12 February 2007
  7. ↑ "Daily News".
  8. ↑ "Glasgow Film Festival – Cashback – Sean Biggerstaff interview – Money talks". The List.
  9. ↑ "The Llloyds TSB BAFTA Scotland Awards 2007". BAFTA Scotland. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
  10. ↑ Larry Richman: "Sean Biggerstaff in Obscenity Drama, Hippie Hippie Shake", Pro-Networks.org, 20 September 2007
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 "Sean Biggerstaff Official site".
  12. ↑ Shada, Big Finish Productions.
  13. ↑ The Skull of Sobek at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
  14. ↑ Time Reef & A Perfect World, Big Finish Productions.
  15. ↑ , BBC Radio 4
  16. ↑ "The Lloyds TSB BAFTA Scotland Awards 2007 – Winners & Nominations". BAFTA Scotland. Retrieved 27 September 2009.

External links