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Blake Adam Ritson (born 14 January 1978)[1] is an English actor.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Ritson was born on 14 January 1978 in London and attended the Dolphin School in Reading, Berkshire until 1993, before going to St Paul's School in West London on an academic scholarship. He then attended Jesus College, Cambridge,[2] where he studied English and Medieval Italian, graduating in 2000.[3] While a student he acted on both stage and screen,[4] playing Paul Etheridge in White Chameleon, Fleance in Macbeth, and Augustus in Tom Stoppard's Arcadia (1996) at the National Theatre in productions directed by Richard Eyre and Trevor Nunn.[3]

Career

[edit]

Ritson is best known in recent years for playing King Edward III in the TV miniseries World Without End (2012), the Duke of Kent in Upstairs Downstairs (2010–2012), Mr Elton in the 2009 BBC adaptation of Emma, Edmund Bertram in the 2007 ITV adaptation of Mansfield Park,[5] Giles Vicary in the BBC series Red Cap and for portraying sidekick Robert Presley in A Touch of Frost.[6] He also played the part of Justin in The League of Gentlemen, Idek in God on Trial, and the comic lead in For Elsie, which he also co-produced. He also portrayed the main antagonist in David Goyer's Da Vinci's Demons (2013).

In 2013, Ritson appeared as Colonel Brandon in Helen Edmundson's BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility.[7] in 2020, he starred in the Big Finish reboot of cult adventure series Adam Adamant Lives!.[8] He had lent his voice to several other productions for the company.

In 2022, Ritson starred as Oscar Van Rijn in The Gilded Age on HBO.

Ritson writes and directs with his brother, Dylan.[9] The brothers first directed the short film Out of Time. Starring Mark Heap and Raquel Cassidy, the film won the Global Audience Award at the first CON-CAN Movie Festival[10] and was runner up at Minimalen and the Berlin Film Festival. It also screened at the London, São Paulo and Dresden film festivals. Their second short film, More More More, starring The League of Gentlemen's Mark Gatiss, was a runner-up in the Turner Classic Movies Competition. Their third film, shot in 2009, was entitled Love Hate, and starred Ben Whishaw and Hayley Atwell. It was chosen for the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Palm Springs Film Festival, London BFI Film Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival, Foyle, Omaha, Encounters, Berkshire International Film Festival, Sofia Film Fest (Bulgaria), Tofifest International Film Festival (Poland), West Hollywood International, LA Shorts Fest and Short Shorts Film Festival (Japan). It won the Jury Award at Palm Springs International Shortsfest and won the Best International Short award at Cinema St. Louis Film Festival.

The Ritson brothers have also shot a fourth short film, Good Boy, starring Jessica Hynes (née Stevenson), Reece Shearsmith, Nicholas Burns, Joanna Page and Blake Ritson's then-fiancée Hattie Morahan.[11] The Ritson Brothers were selected for the front cover of Screen International's Stars of Tomorrow 2009.

Personal life

[edit]

Ritson is married [12][13] to actress Hattie Morahan, whom he met at university. They have a daughter, born in 2016 and a son born in 2020.

Ritson played the banjolele on Douglas Hodge's 2006 album Cowley Road Songs,[14] which was recorded in four days at the Blue Moon Studios in Banbury. He describes the banjolele as "a hybrid instrument between a ukulele and a banjo; teamed up with the kazoo it's a winning combination."[3]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Film Role Notes
1996 Different for Girls Young Prentice
1999 Titus Mutius
2001 Me Without You Tim
2002 AKA Alexander Gryffoyn
2008 RocknRolla Johnny Sloane
2009 Dead Man Running Jarvis
2011 For Elsie Glenn Short film
2012 Hyde Park on Hudson Butler
2014 Serena Lowenstein
2021 Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard Gunther

Television

[edit]
Year Film Role Notes
1996 No Bananas Pete Episode: "Blitz"
Breaking the Code Christopher Morcom Television film
1997–1998 Knight School Sir Roger de Courcey 3 episodes
1999 Shooting the Past Nick 3 episodes
2000 The League of Gentlemen Justin Smart 2 episodes
2001 London's Burning Dermot 2 episodes
Urban Gothic Dave Matthews Episode: "The End"
Red Cap Lt. Giles Vicary Television film
2003 Adventure Inc. Byron Haycroft Episode: "Angel of St. Edmunds"
2003–2004 Red Cap Giles Vicary 12 episodes
2005 If... Ben Swales Episode: "If...We Stopped Giving Aid to Africa"
Strauss: The Waltz King Older Johann Strauss II Television film
The Bill Gavin Murray Episode: "Honour"
2006 Casualty Daniel Tasker Episode: "Worlds Apart"
The Inspector Lynley Mysteries Graham Marshall Episode: "Chinese Walls"
A Touch of Frost D.C. Robert Presley Episode: "Endangered Species"
2007 Mansfield Park Edmund Bertram Television film
The Commander: The Devil You Know John Littlewood Television film
2008 God on Trial Idek Television film
2009 Emma Mr. Elton 4 episodes
2010–2012 Upstairs Downstairs The Duke of Kent 8 episodes
2011 The Crimson Petal and the White Bodley 3 episodes
The Romantics Percy Bysshe Shelley Episode: "Eternity
Doctor Who: The Lost Stories Instructor Shibac (voice) Episode: "The Foe from the Future"
Garrow's Law Charles Fox Episode #3.4
2012 World Without End King Edward III 8 episodes
2013–2015 Da Vinci's Demons Girolamo Riario 26 episodes
2015 The Embrace Dan 5 episodes
2016 Indian Summers Charlie Havistock 10 episodes
Hooten & the Lady Yannaras Episode: "Egypt"
2018–2019 Krypton Brainiac 20 episodes
2019 Endeavour Gabriel Van Horne Episode: "Apollo"
2022–2025 The Gilded Age Oscar Van Rhijn 25 episodes
The Crown Andrew Gailey 4 episodes
2024 The Count of Monte Cristo Danglars 7 episodes
Interview with the Vampire Morgan Ward Episode: "What Can the Damned Really Say to the Damned"
2025 Foundation Sunmaster-18 Season 3

Stage

[edit]
  • Rope – Brandon (Almeida, dir. Roger Michell)
  • Tender – (Donmar Warehouse, dir. Seth Sklar-Heyn)
  • Violet – Mio (Royal Court, dir. Indu Rubasingham)
  • Love Is Blind – Manolito Trevelez (Royal Court, dir. Nathalie Abrahami)
  • The Importance of Being Earnest – Jack Worthing (ADC Theatre, 1999, dir. Phillip Breen)
  • Arcadia – Septimus (Bristol Old Vic, dir. Rachel Kavanaugh)
  • HappyTime Park – Xavier (Riverside Studios, devised and dir. Dylan Ritson)
  • In Praise of Love – Joey (Theatre Royal Bath, dir. Deborah Bruce)
  • Arcadia – Augustus (Theatre Royal Haymarket, – National Theatre/Michael Codron – dir. Trevor Nunn)
  • Macbeth – Fleance (National Theatre, Olivier, dir. Richard Eyre)
  • White Chameleon – Paul Etheridge (National Theatre, Cottesloe, dir. Richard Eyre)
  • The Luke Files – Bartholomew (RT Productions, dir. Paul McKusker)
  • Romeo and Juliet – Benvolio (Immersive, dir. Mark Rosenblatt)

Radio and audio drama

[edit]
  • The War of the Worlds – Robert (BBC Radio 4, dir. Marc Beeby)
  • Publish and be Damn'd – Argyle (BBC Radio 4, Ellen Dryden)
  • The Go-Between – Hugh Trimingham (BBC Radio 3, Matt Thompson)
  • Gods And Monsters – Hurmzid (Big Finish, Ken Bentley)
  • The Diary of Samuel Pepys – Edward Montagu (BBC Radio 4, Kate McAll)
  • Doctor Who – Foe from the Future – Shibac (Big Finish, Ken Bentley)
  • Freud: The Case Histories: The Wolf Man – Sergei Pankejeff (BBC Radio 4, Nadia Molinari)
  • Richard II – Henry Bolingbroke (BBC Radio 4, Jessica Dromgoole and Jeremy Mortimer)
  • Money – Evelyn (BBC Radio 3, Samuel West)
  • The American Senator – John Morton (BBC Radio 4, Tracey Neale)
  • Poetry Please – Various Roles (BBC Radio 4, Christine Hall)
  • Death in Genoa – Dr. Carlo Bazzani (Independent Drama, written Thomas Wright)
  • The Absolutist – Reader (BBC Book at Bedtime, dir. Heather Larmour)
  • Saint Joan – Charles (BBC Radio 3, dir. Jonquil Panting)
  • Sunk – Bert Selphin (BBC Radio 4, dir. Gemma McMullan)
  • Leverage – David (BBC Radio 4, dir. Sasha Yevtushenko)
  • A Month in the Country – Moon (BBC Radio 4, dir. David Hunter)
  • The Far Pavilions – Ash (BBC Radio 4, dir. Jessica Dromgoole and Marc Beeby)
  • With Great Pleasure – Reader (BBC Radio 4, dir. Christine Hall)
  • The Ordeals of Sherlock Holmes – Christopher Thrale (Big Finish, Ken Bentley)
  • Aunts Aren't Gentlemen – Reader (BBC Radio 4, Mark Beeby & Emma Harding)
  • Billions – Mark (BBC Radio 4, Jonquil Panting)
  • The Barchester Chronicles – Crosbie (BBC Radio 4, Gary Brown)
  • The Shadow of Dorian Gray – John Gray (BBC Radio 4, Abigail Le Fleming)
  • Bonnie Prince Charlie – Charles Edward Stuart (BBC Radio 4, Sasha Yevtushenko)
  • The Trespasser's Guide to the Classics – Dorian Gray (BBC Radio 4, Sasha Yevtushenko)
  • Artist Descending a Staircase – Beauchamp (BBC Radio 3, Gordon House)
  • Two on a Tower – Swithin St.Cleeve (BBC Radio 4, dir. Stefan Escreet)
  • Vincent Price and the Horror of the English Blood Beast – (BBC Radio 4, dir. Sam Hoyle)
  • The Wings of the Dove – (BBC Radio 4, dir. Nadia Molinari)
  • The Killing – (BBC Radio 4, dir. Sasha Yevtushenko)
  • The Man Who Shot the 60s – (BBC4, dir. Linda Brusasco)
  • The Embrace – Dan (BBC Radio 4, dir. Nadia Molinari)
  • Sense and Sensibility – Colonel Brandon – (BBC Radio 4, adapted by Helen Edmundson)
  • Six Windows of the Muslim World – (Crescent Films, dir. Ned Williams)
  • Adam Adamant Lives! Volume 01: A Vintage Year for Scoundrels – Adam Adamant (Big Finish, written by Guy Adams)
  • The Divine Comedy – Dante the Poet (BBC Radio 4, dir. Stephen Wyatt)
  • Enduring Love – Joe (BBC Radio 4, dir. Amber Barnfather)

Video games

[edit]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Association Category Project Result Ref.
2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series The Gilded Age Nominated [15]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Blake Ritson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Blake Adam Ritson (born 14 January 1978) is an English actor and director recognized for his versatile performances across theater, television, and film. He first gained attention for his stage debut at age 13 in the Royal National Theatre production of White Chameleon, directed by Sir , which earned him rave reviews, and has since built a career spanning historical dramas, period pieces, and fantasy series, including lead roles in HBO's as the ambitious Oscar van Rhijn (2022–present) and Syfy's as the villainous Brainiac (2018–2019). Born in London to parents who were antique dealers, Ritson developed an early interest in performance through school productions. Ritson's theater career flourished in his youth, with further collaborations including a role in Eyre's production of Macbeth and the original West End run of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia. Transitioning to screen work, he earned acclaim for television roles such as Edmund Bertram in ITV's Mansfield Park (2007), Mr. Elton in BBC's Emma (2009), the Duke of Kent in Upstairs, Downstairs (2010), and King Edward III in the miniseries World Without End (2012). His film credits include supporting parts as Johnson in Hyde Park on Hudson (2012), Jarvis in Dead Man Running (2009), and roles in RocknRolla (2008) and Serena (2014). Ritson has also ventured into directing and voice acting, notably providing voices for Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward (2015), for which he received a Behind The Voice Actors Award nomination, co-directing theater productions, and in 2025 voicing a role in the video game Lies of P: Overture as well as co-writing the sci-fi script P.O.V., which topped the Brit List. In 2009, he was named one of Screen International's "Stars of Tomorrow" and won the Jury Award at the Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films. Recent projects include roles in AMC's Interview with the Vampire (2022–present) as Morgan Ward and Apple TV+'s Foundation (2025) as Sunmaster-18.

Early life

Upbringing

Blake Ritson was born on 14 January 1978 in , . He is the son of antique dealers, whose profession surrounded him with eclectic historical artifacts and influenced his early exposure to diverse aesthetics. Ritson has an older brother, Dylan Ritson, who later became his collaborator on various film projects. Ritson attended the Dolphin School in , until 1993, where he first engaged with the through school productions. These experiences led to his professional debut at age 13 as Paul Etheridge in the Royal National Theatre production of White Chameleon, directed by Sir , which introduced him to professional stages in . In 1993, Ritson earned an academic scholarship to St Paul's School in , continuing his education there until completing his secondary schooling. His interest in acting emerged early, as he began performing around age 12, including appearances at the National Theatre through opportunities stemming from his school involvement.

Education and training

Ritson attended Jesus College at the in the late 1990s, where he studied English and Medieval Italian, graduating in 2000. During his undergraduate years, he actively participated in student theatre, performing in productions staged by the and the Amateur Dramatic Club (ADC) at the university's ADC Theatre, which helped hone his early acting skills. It was while studying at that Ritson met actress , his long-term partner and wife. After completing his degree, Ritson undertook postgraduate training in physical theatre at the École in , focusing on techniques in clowning and that influenced his approach to performance. This specialized instruction provided a foundation for his transition into professional , building on the encouragement he had received from notable directors during his initial experiences.

Career

Early roles

Ritson began his professional acting career at the age of 13 with his debut in the play White Chameleon at the Royal National Theatre's Cottesloe auditorium, where he portrayed Paul Etheridge under the direction of . This early role earned him critical acclaim, marking a promising start as a child performer on one of London's premier stages. Throughout the 1990s, Ritson built on this foundation with several notable stage appearances, including Fleance in Richard Eyre's production of Shakespeare's Macbeth at the National Theatre's Olivier Theatre. He also took on the role of Augustus in the 1996 revival of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia at the National Theatre, directed by Richard Eyre, a performance that received excellent reviews and highlighted his versatility in intellectually demanding ensemble works. These productions at prestigious venues solidified his presence in British theatre during his teenage years. As Ritson matured into young adulthood in the early , he shifted toward roles suited to his growing experience, such as Joey in a revival of Rattigan's In Praise of Love during its tour. Concurrently, he ventured into television with minor supporting parts, including the character Justin Smart in two episodes of the comedy series in 2000. These initial forays across and screen laid the groundwork for his evolving career, blending youthful energy with emerging depth.

Television

Ritson began his television career with guest appearances in British series during the late and early , progressing to leading roles in period dramas and international productions.
YearTitleRoleNotes
1999Nick; 3 episodes, supporting role.
2000Justin SmartSeries; guest role in 1 episode.
2001DermotSeries; guest role in 2 episodes.
2001Series; guest role in 1 episode ("The End").
2001, 2003Red CapLt. Giles VicaryPilot (2001) and series (2003); recurring role across 7 episodes.
2005Gavin MurraySeries; guest role in 1 episode.
2006Graham Marshall; guest role in 1 episode ("Chinese Walls").
2007TV film; lead role.
2008IdekTV film; supporting role.
2009EmmaMr. Elton; recurring role in 4 episodes.
2010–2012Upstairs DownstairsThe Series; recurring guest role in 5 episodes.
2011The Crimson Petal and the WhiteBodley; recurring role in 3 episodes.
2012World Without EndEdward III; recurring role in 6 episodes.
2013–2015Series; recurring antagonist role in 26 episodes across 3 seasons.
2016Charlie HavistockSeries; recurring role in 10 episodes (season 2).
2016Dr. YannarasSeries; guest role in 1 episode ("").
2018–2019Brainiac / Voice of RaoSeries; recurring role in 20 episodes.
2022–2025Oscar van RhijnSeries; recurring role in 25 episodes across 3 seasons.
2024Morgan WardSeries; guest role in 1 episode (season 2).
2024Baron Danglars; role details TBD.
2025FoundationSunmaster-18Series; recurring role in 3 episodes (season 3).

Film

YearTitleRoleDirectorCitation
1996Crossing the BorderYoung PrenticeRichard Spence
1999Mutius
2001Me Without YouTimSandra Goldbacher
2002AKAAlexander GryffoynDuncan Roy
2008Johnny Sloane
2009Jarvis
2011St. John Rivers
2011The Deep Blue SeaFreddie Page
2014SerenaLowenstein
2021The Hitman's Wife's BodyguardGuntherPatrick Hughes
2025P.O.V.LeadTBA (upcoming)

Theatre

Ritson's theatre career began in his youth with an early debut at the National Theatre. At age 13, he played Paul Etheridge in the premiere of White Chameleon by Rona Munro at the Cottesloe Theatre, directed by Richard Eyre. While a student at the University of Cambridge, Ritson appeared as Augustus in the 1996 revival of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia at the National Theatre, produced by the National Theatre and Michael Codron Productions, directed by Richard Eyre. In 1999, he returned to the National Theatre's Olivier stage as Fleance in William Shakespeare's , again under Richard Eyre's direction. Ritson's subsequent stage work included Joey Cruttwell in Terence Rattigan's In Praise of Love at the Theatre Royal Bath in 2001, directed by Deborah Bruce. That same year, he performed in Abi Morgan's Tender at the , directed by Seth Sklar-Heyn. In 2002, Ritson starred as Xavier in the devised production HappyTime Park at , directed by his brother Dylan Ritson. He took on the role of Septimus Hodge in a revival of Arcadia at the Bristol in 2004, directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, which later toured including stops at the and the in Bristol. During the Royal Court Theatre's International Season in 2007, Ritson played Mio in Violet, directed by . Also in 2007 at the Royal Court, he portrayed Manolito Trevelez in Love Is Blind, directed by Nathalie Armah (billed as Nathalie Abrahami). Ritson's most prominent recent stage role was Wyndham Brandon in Patrick Hamilton's at the from December 2009 to February 2010, directed by .

Voice and other media

Ritson has lent his voice to numerous video games, showcasing his versatility in animated and narrative-driven roles. Notable performances include Alvis in the series, where he voiced the enigmatic android across multiple entries starting with the 2010 original, Aymeric in , and Angelo in Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (2004). His work extends to other titles such as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), Colonel Cobar in Killzone: Liberation (2008), and more recent roles like Alpha in (2022) and Hawkwood the Deserter in (2016). In radio and audio drama, Ritson has been a prominent figure in BBC productions, often featuring in adaptations of classic literature. He portrayed in the 2013 BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Jane Austen's , directed by . Other credits include Young Dante in the 2014 BBC Radio 4 dramatization of Dante's The Divine Comedy, alongside as Old Dante, and Robert in ' The War of the Worlds for BBC Radio 4 in 2019. He has also narrated and performed in audiobooks, such as the full-cast BBC Radio 4 dramatization of Neil Gaiman's Stardust and Rudyard Kipling's The Man Who Would Be King. Ritson has contributed extensively to , voicing characters in their audio dramas, including several stories. In the Doctor Who: Dalek Universe series, he played Major McLinn in "The Trojan " (2021), and Elmore, a scientist on Kembel, in Adventures: The False Guardian/Time's Assassin (2020). Additional roles include Shibac in Doctor Who: Foe from the Future (2022) and Octavian Caesar in Adventures: The Last Queen of the Nile (2025). Beyond Doctor Who, he starred as in Adam Adamant Lives! (2020) and narrated classics like ' in Big Finish's audio collection. Alongside his acting career, Ritson has co-written and co-directed several award-winning short films with his brother Dylan Ritson. Their debut, Out of Time (2005), starring and , won Best Short at the Con-Can Movie Festival in . Subsequent collaborations include Inside/Out, which earned Best Short at the Barcelona Short Film Festival, and Love Hate (2009), featuring and , awarded Best International Short at the International Film Festival. The Voice (2012) also secured Best Short at the International Film Festival, highlighting the brothers' collaborative filmmaking style. Ritson and his brother are expanding into feature films with P.O.V., an elevated sci-fi script that topped the 2025 Brit List of unproduced screenplays. Set in a dystopian future, the project marks their first feature-length endeavor, with the Ritsons serving as writers and envisioning roles for themselves as actors, directors, and producers, though collaborators are still being attached.

Personal life

Family

Blake Ritson is married to actress , whom he met while they were both students at the in the late 1990s. The couple welcomed a daughter named Amity in 2016 and a son in 2020, and they maintain a private family life while residing primarily in . Ritson collaborates professionally with his brother, Dylan Ritson, on writing and directing short films, including award-winning works such as Out of Time and Inside/Out, as well as their upcoming feature P.O.V..

Residence and interests

Blake Ritson primarily resides in with his family, while dividing his time between there and New York for professional reasons. Ritson has shared that his home reflects an interest in eclectic , influenced by his parents' background as dealers. He describes his living space as "very eclectic," incorporating a mix of personal and vintage elements. His academic pursuits at , where he studied English and Medieval Italian. Ritson balances family life in London with frequent international travel for acting projects, such as filming The Gilded Age in New York.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleDirectorCitation
1996Crossing the BorderYoung PrenticeRichard Spence
1999TitusMutiusJulie Taymor
2001Me Without YouTimSandra Goldbacher
2002AKAAlexander GryffoynDuncan Roy
2008RocknRollaDrowned SloaneGuy Ritchie
2009Dead Man RunningJarvisAlex De Rakoff
2014SerenaLowensteinSusanne Bier
2021The Hitman's Wife's BodyguardGuntherPatrick Hughes
2025P.O.V.LeadTBA

Television

Ritson began his television career with guest appearances in British series during the late 1990s and early 2000s, progressing to leading roles in period dramas and international productions.
YearTitleRoleNotes
1999Shooting the PastNickMiniseries; 3 episodes, supporting role.
2000The League of GentlemenJustin SmartSeries; guest role in 1 episode.
2001London's BurningDermotSeries; guest role in 2 episodes.
2001Urban GothicDave MatthewsSeries; guest role in 1 episode ("The End").
2001, 2003Red CapLt. Giles VicaryPilot (2001) and series (2003); recurring role across 7 episodes.
2005The BillGavin MurraySeries; guest role in 1 episode.
2006The Inspector Lynley MysteriesGraham MarshallMiniseries; guest role in 1 episode ("Chinese Walls").
2007Mansfield ParkEdmund BertramTV film; lead role.
2008God on TrialIdekTV film; supporting role.
2009EmmaMr. EltonMiniseries; recurring role in 4 episodes.
2010–2012Upstairs DownstairsThe Duke of KentSeries; recurring guest role in 5 episodes.
2011The Crimson Petal and the WhiteBodleyMiniseries; recurring role in 3 episodes.
2012World Without EndEdward IIIMiniseries; recurring role in 6 episodes.
2013–2015Da Vinci's DemonsGirolamo RiarioSeries; recurring antagonist role in 20 episodes across 3 seasons.
2016Indian SummersCharlie HavistockSeries; recurring role in 10 episodes (season 2).
2016Hooten & the LadyDr. YannarasSeries; guest role in 1 episode ("Egypt").
2018–2019KryptonBrainiac / Voice of RaoSeries; recurring role in 20 episodes.
2022–2023The CrownAndrew GaileySeries; guest role in 3 episodes across seasons 5–6.
2022–2025The Gilded AgeOscar van RhijnSeries; recurring role in 18 episodes across 3 seasons.
2024Interview with the VampireMorgan WardSeries; guest role in 1 episode (season 2).
2024The Count of Monte CristoAbbé FariaMiniseries; supporting role.
2025FoundationSunmaster-18Series; recurring role in season 3.

Theatre

Ritson's theatre career began in his youth with an early debut at the National Theatre. At age 13, he played Paul Etheridge in the premiere of White Chameleon by Rona Munro at the Cottesloe Theatre, directed by Richard Eyre. While a student at the University of Cambridge, Ritson appeared as Augustus in Tom Stoppard's Arcadia during its West End transfer at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, produced by the National Theatre and Michael Codron Productions, initially directed by Richard Eyre and later by Trevor Nunn in 1996. In 1999, he returned to the National Theatre's Olivier stage as Fleance in William Shakespeare's , again under Richard Eyre's direction. Ritson's subsequent stage work included Joey Cruttwell in Terence Rattigan's In Praise of Love at the Theatre Royal Bath in 2001, directed by Deborah Bruce. That same year, he performed in Abi Morgan's Tender at the , directed by Seth Sklar-Heyn. In 2002, Ritson starred as Xavier in the devised production HappyTime Park at , directed by his brother Dylan Ritson. He took on the role of Septimus Hodge in a revival of Arcadia at the Bristol in 2004, directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, which later toured including stops at the and the in . During the Royal Court Theatre's International Season in 2007, Ritson played Mio in Violet, directed by . Also in 2007 at the Royal Court, he portrayed Manolito Trevelez in Love Is Blind, directed by Nathalie Armah (billed as Nathalie Abrahami). Ritson's most prominent recent stage role was Wyndham Brandon in Patrick Hamilton's at the from December 2009 to February 2010, directed by .

Radio and audio drama

Blake Ritson has contributed to numerous radio plays and audio dramas, particularly through productions and Big Finish audio series, where he has portrayed a range of characters in adaptations of classic literature and original stories. His voice work often features in full-cast dramatizations, showcasing his versatility in historical, dramatic, and genres. In BBC Radio adaptations, Ritson has taken on prominent roles in literary classics. For instance, he played in the 2013 BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Jane Austen's , directed by . He led the 2017 BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatization of H.G. Wells's as Robert, the protagonist navigating the Martian invasion. Other notable performances include Hugh Trimingham in the 2012 BBC Radio 3 production of L.P. Hartley's , adapted by Frances Burns and directed by Matt Thompson, Father Ford in the 2018 BBC Radio 4 drama Flood Minimum by Sonali Bhattacharyya, directed by Gordon House, and in the 2020 BBC Radio 4 historical drama Sunk by Mike Walker. Additionally, Ritson narrated John Boyne's novel The Absolutist in a 2011 abridged BBC Radio 4 production, abridged by Doreen Estall and produced by Heather Larmour. Ritson has also been active in audio drama series produced by , voicing multiple characters across their range. He portrayed Shibac in : The Lost Stories – The Foe from the Future (2009), an original story featuring the . In 2019, he voiced Elmore in : The Fourth Doctor Adventures – Time's Assassin. More recently, in 2021, Ritson played Major McLinn in : Dalek Universe 2 – The Trojan Dalek, written by John Dorney. These roles highlight his involvement in expansive audio narratives extending the universe. In 2020, he starred as the lead in Big Finish's of the adventure series Adam Adamant Lives!.
TitleYearRoleProduction
2013
The Absolutist2011Narrator
2012Hugh Trimingham
2017Robert
Flood Minimum2018Father Ford
Sunk2020
: The Foe from the Future2009Shibac
: Time's Assassin2019Elmore
: The Trojan Dalek2021Major McLinn
Adam Adamant Lives!2020Adam Adamant

Video games

Blake Ritson is a prolific voice actor in the , specializing in nuanced performances for fantasy, action, and titles, often bringing depth to enigmatic or antagonistic characters. His contributions span multiple franchises, including the critically acclaimed series, the expansive MMORPG, and the RPGs, where he has reprised roles across sequels and expansions. Ritson's voice work typically involves full without motion capture, enhancing immersive storytelling in these interactive mediums. The following table enumerates select notable video game roles performed by Ritson, highlighting his versatility across genres:
YearTitleCharacterNotes
2005Harry Potter and the Goblet of FireCedric DiggoryVoice role in the action-adventure game adaptation.
2006Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed KingAngeloVoiced the monk character in the JRPG.
2006Killzone: LiberationColonel CobarAntagonistic Helghast officer in the shooter spin-off.
2010Xenoblade ChroniclesAlvisMonolithic entity and key supporting character; reprised in later entries.
2011Dark SoulsGriggs of VinheimSorcerer NPC in the action RPG.
2014Dark Souls IIRoyal Sorcerer NavlaanCursed sorcerer with multiple quest interactions.
2015–presentFinal Fantasy XIV (expansions including Heavensward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers)AymericRecurring ally and leader of the Temple Knights in the MMORPG.
2016Dark Souls IIIHawkwood the DeserterUndead Legion deserter providing lore and quests.
2017Dragon Quest Heroes IIAngeloReprised role from Dragon Quest VIII in the action RPG.
2022Xenoblade Chronicles 3AlphaAntagonist entity connected to the series' lore.
2023Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future RedeemedAlvis / ZReprised and expanded role in the DLC prequel.
2025Lies of P: OvertureThe TrackerVoice role in the soulslike DLC expansion.

Awards and nominations

Wins

Blake Ritson has received recognition for his work as an and filmmaker, particularly through awards for short films in which he starred or co-directed with his brother Dylan Ritson. For the 2004 short Out of Time, also co-written and co-directed by the brothers and starring and , they earned the Global Audience Award at the first CON-CAN Movie Festival in . In 2009, their short Love Hate, featuring and , secured the Jury Award at the Palm Springs International ShortFest and Best International Short at the International Film Festival. Ritson starred as the lead in the 2011 short For Elsie, directed by David Winstone, which won the Gold Medal for Foreign Film at the 2012 and the Best Fiction category at the 2012 Royal Television Society Student Television Awards in the UK. In 2025, Ritson and his brother Dylan's sci-fi feature script P.O.V., described as an elevated sci-fi story set in a dystopian future, placed second on The Brit List with 20 industry recommendations, highlighting unproduced British screenplays.

Nominations

Blake Ritson has garnered seven award nominations across his career, highlighting his contributions to short films and television performances. These recognitions span various festivals and organizations, underscoring his versatility in both leading and ensemble roles. In 2012, Ritson received a for the Jury Prize in the Best UK Short category at the for his starring role as the lead in the short film For Elsie, directed by David Winstone. The film, which explores themes of memory and loss through a poignant narrative, was selected among top entries alongside films like Achele Bird, Mapmaker, and A Thousand Empty Glasses, though The Pub ultimately won the prize. Ritson's television work has also earned acclaim, including a 2024 nomination for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for his role as Oscar van Rhijn in HBO's The Gilded Age. Shared with the full cast, including co-stars like Carrie Coon, Cynthia Nixon, and Taissa Farmiga, the nod celebrated the series' depiction of Gilded Age New York society and its intricate character dynamics. Several of Ritson's other nominations stem from his collaborations on short films, where he served as actor, co-director, or co-writer alongside his brother Dylan Ritson, including entries such as runner-up at the Minimalen Short Film Festival and International Directors Lounge for Out of Time. These reflect the critical attention their projects received early in his career.

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