Hubbry Logo
Martin Savage (actor)Martin Savage (actor)Main
Open search
Martin Savage (actor)
Community hub
Martin Savage (actor)
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Martin Savage (actor)
Martin Savage (actor)
Martin Savage (actor)
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Martin Savage is an English film, stage and television actor.

He appeared in both series of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's television series Extras as camp scriptwriter Damon Beesley and in The Thick of It television series specials as Nick Hanway. Savage's film credits include a major role as a Victorian actor in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, George Grossmith, in the Mike Leigh film Topsy-Turvy (1999). He has also appeared in Leigh's films All or Nothing (2002), Another Year (2010), Mr. Turner (2014) and Peterloo (2018). Other major film appearances include V for Vendetta (2006), Rush (2013), and as Warden Hodges in Dad's Army (2016). He appeared in a small cameo as the performer Dan Leno in a BBC drama about music hall star Marie Lloyd and in the final Masterpiece Mystery Foyle's War. In the United States, he appeared in three episodes of Family Guy from 2006 to 2009.

His theatre credits include For King and Country (2009), A Respectable Wedding at the Young Vic (2007), Rupert Goold's Faustus (2004), an RSC production of A Midsummer Night's Dream (2002), Svejk at the Gate Theatre, London (1999), and Two (1997).

Savage is married to actress Dorothy Atkinson; the couple have one son.[1]

References

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

Martin Savage (actor)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Martin Savage is a British actor renowned for his versatile performances in film, television, and theatre, with a career spanning more than two decades marked by frequent collaborations with acclaimed director and memorable supporting roles in British comedy and drama. Savage's screen breakthrough came in the late 1990s with a prominent role as Victorian performer George Grossmith in 's Topsy-Turvy (1999), earning praise for his energetic portrayal of the collaborator. He continued his association with Leigh across multiple projects, including All or Nothing (2002), Another Year (2010), (2014)—his fifth film with the director—and Peterloo (2018), where he embodied working-class characters with understated authenticity. Other notable film appearances include the motorsport drama Rush (2013), the comedy remake (2016), the biographical musical Judy (2019), and a role in F1 (2025), showcasing his range in ensemble casts. On television, Savage gained wider recognition for playing the hapless aspiring actor in both seasons of and Stephen Merchant's comedy Extras (2005–2007). His extensive small-screen credits also feature guest roles in acclaimed series such as , , Sherlock, Vera, Pennyworth (2019), Soulmates (2020), Intergalactic (2021), and Suspicion (2022), often portraying figures with sharp or quiet intensity. In theatre, Savage has been active in prominent British productions, including the Royal Shakespeare Company's (2002), Rupert Goold's Faustus (2004), Bertolt Brecht's at the Young Vic (2007), and (2009), demonstrating his grounding in classical and contemporary stage work.

Acting career

Theatre work

Martin Savage began his theatre career with notable stage appearances in the late 1990s. He took the title role of the affable everyman Švejk in a production of Svejk at the Gate Theatre in in 1999, delivering a performance marked by unwavering comic resilience amid absurdity and wartime chaos. In 2002, Savage portrayed the weaver in the Royal Shakespeare Company's revival of William Shakespeare's , directed by Sean Holmes, where his physical comedy and earthy characterization contributed to the production's energetic ensemble dynamic during its tour and Stratford run. Savage's versatility shone in Rupert Goold's bold 2004 adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus at the Theatre Royal , in which he played Jake Chapman—one of the contemporary artist brothers framing the classic tale—infusing the role with swaggering cynicism and provocative intensity alongside a modern narrative of artistic defiance. He continued building his profile in ensemble works with the role of the Husband in Bertolt Brecht's satirical A Respectable Wedding at the in 2007, part of a double bill exploring bourgeois dysfunction, where his portrayal underscored the play's biting on and class. In 2009, Savage appeared as the stern court-martial prosecutor in For at the Park Theatre, a drama examining a soldier's trial for , highlighting themes of duty and moral ambiguity in a compact, character-driven . These performances across intimate venues and major institutions established Savage as a reliable presence in British theatre, particularly in roles demanding nuanced physicality and depth within collaborative, text-focused ensembles.

Film roles

Martin Savage made his film debut portraying the Victorian entertainer George Grossmith in Mike Leigh's (1999), a biographical comedy-drama about the creation of Gilbert and Sullivan's . His performance as the charismatic yet troubled actor was praised for capturing Grossmith's flamboyant stage presence and personal struggles. Savage continued his collaboration with Leigh in All or Nothing (2002), appearing as a silent passenger in the ensemble drama depicting working-class life in modern . This marked the beginning of several supporting roles in Leigh's films, known for their improvisational development process that draws on actors' backgrounds to create authentic characters. In Another Year (2010), Leigh's Palme d'Or-nominated comedy-drama exploring familial and social relationships, Savage played Carl Hepple, a friend grappling with personal discontent. The film highlighted his ability to convey understated emotional depth within Leigh's ensemble dynamics. Savage portrayed the historical figure Benjamin Robert Haydon, a struggling artist and friend to J.M.W. Turner, in Leigh's biographical drama Mr. Turner (2014), which chronicles the painter's later years. His depiction emphasized Haydon's passionate yet tragic pursuit of recognition in the art world. Furthering his work with Leigh, Savage appeared as Magistrate Norris in the historical epic Peterloo (2018), which reconstructs the 1819 Manchester massacre and its political aftermath. In this role, he embodied the authority and detachment of the ruling class amid social unrest. Beyond Leigh's projects, Savage had a small role as Denis, a bureaucrat, in the dystopian thriller V for Vendetta (2005), directed by James McTeigue. He also played a McLaren mechanic in Ron Howard's racing drama Rush (2013), contributing to the film's depiction of Formula One rivalries. Additionally, Savage delivered a cameo as the irascible ARP Warden Hodges in the 2016 comedy remake Dad's Army, recreating the character from the classic British sitcom. He appeared as Mr. Horowitz in the biographical musical Judy (2019). Savage took on the role of Las Vegas FIA Race Director in the motorsport drama F1 (2025). Savage's recurring roles in Mike Leigh's films often feature ordinary or historical figures navigating personal and societal tensions, aligning with Leigh's improvisational method that fosters naturalistic performances rooted in character backstory. These parts, such as the everyday passenger in All or Nothing or the frustrated artist in , exemplify his portrayal of working-class everymen or authority figures under strain, enhanced by his theatre-honed improvisation skills.

Television appearances

Martin Savage's television career spans a range of British productions, showcasing his ability to portray complex characters in both and genres. His early notable role came in the political satire The Thick of It, where he appeared as the spin doctor Nick Hanway in the 2007 special "Spinners and Losers." This guest spot highlighted his knack for sharp, cynical supporting characters in ensemble casts. Savage gained wider recognition for his recurring role as the flamboyant scriptwriter Damon Beesley in Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's Extras, appearing across both series from 2005 to 2007. In the show, Beesley is a campy, ambitious writer who clashes with the protagonist, adding comedic tension to the behind-the-scenes Hollywood satire. He also provided assorted character voices in three episodes of the animated series Family Guy between 2006 and 2009, including minor roles like a London Silly Nannies player in "Patriot Games" (2006), a Nazi guard in "Road to Germany" (2008), and additional voices in "Peter's Progress" (2009). In period dramas, Savage portrayed Mark Griffiths, a troubled hotel owner, in the 2008 episode "All Clear" of ITV's Foyle's War. That same year, he made a cameo as the music hall performer Dan Leno in the BBC Four drama Miss Marie Lloyd: Queen of the Music Hall, a biopic centered on the life of the Edwardian entertainer. His television work often built on his earlier collaborations with director Mike Leigh in films, allowing him to bring nuanced emotional depth to supporting roles in ensemble narratives. Later projects demonstrated Savage's range in contemporary miniseries and genre series. He played Ian, a community figure, in the 2017 BBC One true-crime drama The Moorside, which dramatized the disappearance of a child in . He appeared as Ivan in the 2017 episode "The Lying Detective" of BBC's Sherlock. In 2018, he guest-starred as Chris Harwen in the episode "Yn Mor" of ITV's Vera. In 2019, he appeared as the butler Parslow in the DC Universe series Pennyworth, a exploring Alfred Pennyworth's origins. Savage took on a guest role as Captain Macleod, a , in the episode of Sky One's sci-fi series Intergalactic in 2021. Most recently, he portrayed Carson, a senior official, in four episodes of the 2022 Apple TV+ thriller Suspicion. Throughout his television appearances, Savage has exhibited versatility, seamlessly transitioning between comedic timing in satirical works like Extras and dramatic intensity in procedurals such as and Suspicion, often in roles that support larger ensemble dynamics.

Personal life

Spouse

Martin Savage has been married to fellow actress since 2000. Both Savage and Atkinson are established performers in British theatre and film, particularly noted for their frequent collaborations with director . The couple met in the late 1990s through their shared professional circles in British theatre and film, specifically while working together on Leigh's 1999 historical comedy , where Atkinson portrayed Jessie Bond and Savage played actor George Grossmith. Their partnership has extended into subsequent joint appearances in Leigh's films, including All or Nothing (2002), though they have not always shared direct on-screen scenes. As of 2025, Savage and Atkinson's marriage has endured for over two decades, during which they have maintained a notably low-profile away from the public eye.

Children

Martin Savage and his wife, Dorothy Atkinson, are parents to one son, born following their marriage in 2000. The couple has chosen to keep details about their son private, with no public information available regarding his name or birth year. This emphasis on family privacy reflects their preference to shield from media attention.

References

  1. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/martin-savage
  2. https://www.fandango.com/people/martin-savage-596373
  3. https://tv.apple.com/us/person/martin-savage/umc.cpc.51zmqlup5jaba62bvfajqc7gs
  4. https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/492987/without-sin-dorothy-atkinson-famous-husband-martin-savage/
  5. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0767340/
  6. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/30328-martin-savage
  7. https://www.cix.co.uk/~shutters/reviews/99042.htm
  8. https://variety.com/2002/legit/reviews/a-midsummer-night-s-dream-26-1200547533/
  9. https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2004/nov/12/theatre1
  10. https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2007/apr/05/theatre1
  11. https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/the-big-brecht-fest-i---the-jewish-wifea-respectable-wedding-review-at-young-vic-london
  12. https://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/news/king-and-country-launches-tour-new-wos-website_17656.html/
  13. https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/4176577.king-country-everyman-theatre-cheltenham-touring/
  14. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0151568/characters/nm0767340/
  15. https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/6512-pleasure-in-the-process-a-rehearsal-scene-in-topsy-turvy
  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0286261/fullcredits/
  17. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/feb/18/mikeleigh
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1431181/awards/
  19. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/may/17/cannesfilmfestival-mikeleigh
  20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2473794/characters/nm0767340/
  21. https://www.criticsatlarge.ca/2015/01/styles-and-stylists-mike-leighs-turner.html
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4614612/characters/nm0767340/
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0434409/characters/nm0767340/
  24. https://www.avclub.com/mike-leigh-1798208086
  25. https://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/client/martin-savage
  26. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1062832/
  27. https://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/client/martin-savage/work/extras-1
  28. https://familyguy.fandom.com/wiki/Martin_Savage
  29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1189618/
  30. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007qcxg
  31. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08fp7l3
  32. https://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/client/martin-savage/work/pennyworth
  33. https://www.tvmaze.com/people/54086/martin-savage
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12026710/
  35. https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/martin_savage/
  36. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0040709/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.