Andrew Knott
Andrew Knott (born 22 November 1979) is an English actor best known for his role as Dickon Sowerby in the 1993 film adaptation of The Secret Garden.[1] Born in Salford, Greater Manchester, he began his acting career at a young age and trained at the Oldham Theatre Workshop.[1] Knott's early breakthrough came with The Secret Garden, directed by Agnieszka Holland, where he portrayed the kind-hearted moor boy who befriends the protagonist, marking his first major film role at age 13.[2] He followed this with a supporting part as Joe Green in the 1994 family drama Black Beauty, adapted from Anna Sewell's novel and starring Sean Bean.[3] Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Knott appeared in various British television series, including guest appearances in shows like Coronation Street.[2] In 2004, Knott returned to the stage in Alan Bennett's acclaimed play The History Boys at the National Theatre, playing the character Lockwood; he reprised the role in the 2006 film adaptation directed by Nicholas Hytner, which earned multiple awards including a BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay.[1] His subsequent film work includes the horror thriller The Sickhouse (2007), the indie drama In Our Name (2010) about a soldier's PTSD, Spike Island (2012) inspired by the Stone Roses, and the period drama My Cousin Rachel (2017) opposite Rachel Weisz.[3] More recently, he has balanced film and television, appearing in Swimming with Men (2018), a comedy about middle-aged men learning synchronized swimming, and The Lady in the Van (2015) with Maggie Smith.[4] On television, Knott has maintained a steady presence with roles in high-profile series such as an episode of Black Mirror (2011), the spy drama Spooks: Code 9 (2008), and more contemporary projects including Mammals (2022) with James Corden, The Long Shadow (2023) a true-crime miniseries about the Yorkshire Ripper, MaryLand (2023) with Suranne Jones, Protection (2024), a thriller about a family in witness protection, and What It Feels Like for a Girl (2025).[5][6] With over 47 acting credits across film and television, Knott has established himself as a versatile supporting actor in British media, often portraying relatable, working-class characters.[1]Early life and education
Childhood and family background
Andrew Knott was born on 22 November 1979 in Salford, Greater Manchester, England.[7] Raised in Salford, a town in Northern England with a rich industrial heritage, Knott grew up in this environment during his early years.[8] He developed an early interest in acting, beginning his involvement in performing arts at a young age through local opportunities.[7] This led to his transition to formal training at the Oldham Theatre Workshop during his younger years.[7] As a child, Knott attended Birchwood High School while pursuing acting.[9]Acting training and early influences
Andrew Knott began his formal acting training in childhood at the Oldham Theatre Workshop, a prominent youth drama program in Greater Manchester, England, where he enrolled around the age of 10.[7] The workshop offered year-round training in acting, devising, and performance skills, providing young participants with structured classes and opportunities for creative development in a supportive environment. Growing up in Salford, the short distance from home facilitated his regular attendance at the sessions. The program's integration with local theatre traditions further exposed him to the Northern acting scene, characterized by its focus on authentic, regionally rooted storytelling influenced by Manchester's vibrant cultural heritage.[10] Knott's initial stage experiences at the workshop included non-professional productions that built his confidence and skills, such as a 1990 staging of Lord of the Flies, where he performed at age 10 alongside peers like future actor William Ash.[11] These early gigs, along with auditions for workshop-led pieces, allowed him to experiment with roles in a low-stakes setting, drawing from British theatre's emphasis on naturalistic performance styles prevalent in the North West.[12] By age 12, Knott had committed fully to acting, participating in minor ensemble parts and rehearsals that prepared him for broader opportunities without venturing into paid work.[13]Professional career
Breakthrough role and early television work
Andrew Knott's breakthrough came at the age of 13 with his casting as Dickon Sowerby in the 1993 film adaptation of The Secret Garden, directed by Agnieszka Holland. Selected from the Oldham Theatre Workshop alongside co-star Laura Crossley, who played Dickon's sister Martha, Knott was chosen after an extensive casting process involving hundreds of interviews with child actors across the UK.[14] In the role of the kind-hearted, nature-attuned moor boy who befriends the orphaned Mary Lennox and helps revive a neglected garden, Knott portrayed a character central to the story's themes of healing and renewal, bringing a natural authenticity to Dickon's affinity for animals and the outdoors.[15] The film, shot primarily at Allerton Castle in North Yorkshire, marked Knott's feature debut opposite established actors like Maggie Smith, and he later reflected on the experience as a formative one in his early career, emphasizing the importance of professionalism instilled by his family and mentors.[7] Critics praised the performances of the young cast, with Roger Ebert noting in his four-star review that the children, including Knott as Dickon, delivered "natural" and engaging portrayals that enhanced the film's emotional depth and visual poetry.[16] The film's success, grossing over $31 million worldwide and earning two Academy Award nominations for cinematography and original music, helped establish Knott as a promising child actor in British cinema. Following his film debut, Knott built his early career through ensemble roles in prominent British television series during the 1990s and early 2000s, including a recurring role as Henry Green in the family drama Where the Heart Is (1997–2006). He appeared in episodes of Coronation Street in the 1990s, playing characters such as Darren Featherstone in 1990 and Liam Shepherd in 1997, contributing to the soap's dramatic storylines involving family dynamics and community conflicts.[17] Similarly, Knott made guest appearances in Casualty, including roles in 1998 and 2003, where he depicted young patients or supporting figures in high-stakes medical emergencies, showcasing his versatility in dramatic scenarios.[18] These television outings, often in long-running series, provided steady exposure and honed his skills in fast-paced ensemble environments. Transitioning from child to young adult roles presented challenges for Knott, as he navigated physical changes like voice breaks and growth spurts around age 14, a period when many young actors face typecasting or career lulls.[13] However, supported by a strong network from his workshop training, Knott maintained momentum through consistent television work, gradually earning recognition for his reliable presence in British drama. By the early 2000s, these roles had solidified his reputation as an adaptable performer in the competitive landscape of UK television.[19]Film and theatre contributions
Andrew Knott's film debut came in the 1994 adaptation of Anna Sewell's novel Black Beauty, directed by Caroline Thompson and produced by Warner Bros., where he portrayed the young stable boy Joe Green, a compassionate character who forms a bond with the titular horse during its early idyllic life on an English farm.[20] The film, narrated from the horse's perspective by Alan Cumming, emphasized themes of animal welfare and Victorian-era social constraints on horses and their human companions, marking a significant live-action retelling of the 1877 classic that highlighted Knott's ability to convey youthful empathy and emotional depth in a supporting role alongside stars like Sean Bean and David Thewlis.[21] In 2004, Knott returned to the stage as James Lockwood in Alan Bennett's The History Boys at London's National Theatre, directed by Nicholas Hytner, portraying one of the ensemble of gifted students navigating academic pressures, personal awakenings, and eccentric teaching methods in a 1980s Sheffield grammar school.[22] The production's rehearsal process, led by Hytner, involved intensive script readings and improvisational exercises to capture the play's blend of humor, intellect, and homoerotic tension among the boys, with Bennett refining drafts during early workshops to sharpen the dialogue's wit and historical allusions.[23] Following its premiere, the show enjoyed a sold-out run, embarked on national and international tours—including stops in Australia and the United States—and transferred to Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre in 2006, where Knott made his debut; the production generated significant awards buzz, ultimately securing the 2005 Olivier Award for Best New Play and the 2006 Tony Award for Best Play.[24][25] Knott reprised his role as Lockwood in the 2006 film adaptation of The History Boys, again directed by Hytner, which reunited nearly the entire original stage cast to translate the play's intimate classroom dynamics to screen with minimal alterations, preserving the ensemble's chemistry while expanding visual motifs like archival footage to underscore themes of education and sexuality.[26] This seamless transition from stage to cinema allowed Knott to deepen Lockwood's portrayal as the group's confident, sharp-witted leader, contributing to the film's critical acclaim for maintaining the production's emotional authenticity and intellectual rigor despite the challenges of adapting live theater's immediacy.[27] Knott took on the role of John Lennon in the musical Backbeat, which premiered in the West End at the Duke of York's Theatre in October 2011 before transferring to Broadway's Music Box Theatre in March 2013, portraying the iconic musician in a narrative centered on his close friendship with original Beatles bassist Stuart Sutcliffe, played by Nick Blood.[28] The production, inspired by the 1994 film of the same name, focused on Sutcliffe's historical arc as a promising painter who joined the early Beatles for their 1960s Hamburg residencies, his romance with photographer Astrid Kirchherr, and his tragic departure from the band to pursue art, with Knott's Lennon embodying the raw, rebellious energy that drove their bond amid the group's rise.[29] Musical elements were integral, featuring a live band performing high-energy renditions of early Beatles tracks like "Twist and Shout" and original compositions to evoke the gritty club scene, highlighting Knott's vocal and stage presence in capturing Lennon's charisma and inner conflicts.[30] His subsequent film work includes the horror thriller The Sickhouse (2007), the indie drama In Our Name (2010) about a soldier's PTSD, Spike Island (2012) inspired by the Stone Roses, The Lady in the Van (2015) with Maggie Smith, My Cousin Rachel (2017) opposite Rachel Weisz, and the comedy Swimming with Men (2018) about middle-aged men learning synchronized swimming.[3]Recent television and stage appearances
In the 2010s and beyond, Andrew Knott maintained a steady presence in British television, often taking on supporting roles that showcased his versatility in dramatic and comedic formats, including Rob in the spy drama Spooks: Code 9 (2008), Jamie in Mammals (2022) with James Corden, and David in the true-crime miniseries The Long Shadow (2023) about the Yorkshire Ripper. His recurring portrayal of Dirtbox, one of Smithy's mates in the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey, spanned from its initial run in 2007 through the 2019 Christmas special and culminated in the 2024 finale, appearing in five episodes across the series and highlighting his ability to embody working-class camaraderie amid the show's blend of humor and heartfelt family dynamics. Knott's appearance in the first episode of Black Mirror, titled "The National Anthem" (2011), saw him play Brian, a hospital worker whose mundane routine is interrupted by the unfolding media frenzy surrounding a bizarre political scandal, fitting the anthology's early exploration of technology's distorting influence on public life and personal detachment. More recently, he guest-starred as DI Richard Bewley in the ITV miniseries Protection (2024), a six-episode crime drama centered on witness protection breaches, where his character navigates ethical dilemmas in a high-stakes law enforcement environment.[31] Knott also appeared as Jim in the three-part BBC drama MaryLand (2023), portraying a family member entangled in themes of grief and reconciliation following a mother's death, and as Corin Belling in the 2025 episode "Need You Dead" of ITV's Grace, investigating a psychiatrist's murder amid personal entanglements. On stage, Knott portrayed John Lennon in Backbeat (2011), a West End production at the Duke of York's Theatre that later toured to Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre (2013) and Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre, delivering live performances of rock 'n' roll standards to capture the raw energy of the band's formative years.[32] This role demonstrated his adaptability to musical theatre and historical drama, bridging his screen work with live performance in an era increasingly dominated by streaming episodic content. No further major stage projects for Knott have been announced through 2025.[33]Filmography
Television roles
Andrew Knott's breakthrough performance as Dickon in the 1993 film adaptation of The Secret Garden marked his entry into acting and soon led to television opportunities in British dramas and soaps during the 1990s.[19] The following is a chronological overview of his television credits:| Year(s) | Series | Character | Episodes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Coronation Street | Darren Featherstone | 1 | Guest role[34] |
| 1995 | Cracker | Joe Harvey | 2 | Guest role in "Brotherly Love" |
| 1996 | Emmerdale | Darryl | 3 | Guest role[34] |
| 1996 | Children's Ward | Steve | Multiple | Recurring role[34] |
| 1997 | Police 2020 | Scully | 1 | Guest role[35] |
| 1997–2001 | Where the Heart Is | Henry Green | Multiple (approx. 50 across 5 series) | Recurring role[36] |
| 1998 | Heartbeat | Billy Fawsley | 1 | Guest role in "Fall Out"[37] |
| 1998 | Casualty | Garth | 1 | Guest role |
| 2000 | Peak Practice | Steve | 1 | Guest role in "Ghosts"[38] |
| 2003 | Casualty | Ed | 1 | Guest role |
| 2003 | The Bill | Colin McGuire | 1 | Guest role[34] |
| 2006 | Life on Mars | Derek Bannister | 1 | Guest role in episode 3[39] |
| 2007 | Drop Dead Gorgeous | Ben McIntyre | 4 | Recurring role[40] |
| 2007–2009, 2024 | Gavin & Stacey | Dirtbox | 5 | Guest role across series 1–3 and finale[41] |
| 2008 | Spooks: Code 9 | Rob | 6 | Recurring role (full series)[42] |
| 2011 | Black Mirror | Brian | 1 | Guest role in "The National Anthem" |
| 2014 | Casualty | John Cunningham | 1 | Guest role in "Keeping Schtum"[43] |
| 2016 | Casualty | Vince Callaghan | 2 | Guest role[18] |
| 2016 | Grantchester | Sam Milburn | 1 | Guest role[34] |
| 2017 | No Offence | Freddie Dobson | 1 | Guest role[44] |
| 2017–2020 | Tin Star | DI Francis Vine | 2 | Guest role |
| 2018 | Strangers | Conrad Davies | 4 | Guest role (mini-series)[45] |
| 2018–2025 | Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators | Preston Shrewsbury | Multiple | Recurring guest role |
| 2019 | Midsomer Murders | Mostyn Cartwright | 1 | Guest role[35] |
| 2019 | Silent Witness | Nick Marlow | 2 | Guest role[35] |
| 2021 | Time | Alexander Doyle | 1 | Guest role[46] |
| 2022 | Ackley Bridge | Dean Dobson | 7 | Recurring role |
| 2022 | The Walk-In | Kevin | 1 | Guest role (mini-series)[47] |
| 2022 | Mammals | Daren | 1 | Guest role[48] |
| 2023 | The Long Shadow | Angus Brownley | 1 | Guest role (mini-series)[49] |
| 2023 | MaryLand | Jim | 3 | Recurring role (mini-series) |
| 2024–2025 | The Marlow Murder Club | Dean Butler | Multiple | Guest role across seasons 1–2[50] |
| 2024 | Protection | DI Richard Bewley | 6 | Recurring role (mini-series)[19] |
| 2025 | Grace | Corin Belling | 1 | Guest role[51] |
| 2025 | What It Feels Like for a Girl | Paul | 1 | Guest role[6] |
Film roles
Andrew Knott made his film debut as a child actor and has appeared in a variety of feature films, often in supporting roles, spanning dramas, comedies, and adaptations.| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | The Secret Garden | Dickon Sowerby, the moor boy who befriends the protagonist | Agnieszka Holland | Adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel, co-starring Kate Maberly and Maggie Smith. [52] |
| 1994 | Black Beauty | Joe Green, a stable boy | Caroline Thompson | Adaptation of Anna Sewell's novel, co-starring Sean Bean and David Thewlis. [53] |
| 2006 | The History Boys | Lockwood, one of the gifted students | Nicholas Hytner | Film adaptation of the stage play in which Knott originated the role. [54] |
| 2007 | The Sick House | Steve, a member of the group exploring an abandoned orphanage | Curtis Radclyffe | Horror film co-starring Gina Philips. [55] |
| 2010 | In Our Name | Paul | Brian Welsh | Drama about a soldier's return from war, co-starring Joanne Froggatt. [56] |
| 2010 | Ollie Kepler's Expanding Purple World | Tom Hines, the best friend of the astronomy-obsessed protagonist | Viv Fongenie | Indie drama co-starring Edward Hogg and Jodie Whittaker. [57] |
| 2011 | Seamonsters | Geoffrey | Julian Kerridge | Coming-of-age drama set on the Yorkshire coast. [58] |
| 2012 | Spike Island | Voodoo Ray, a band member | Mat Whitecross | Comedy-drama about aspiring musicians, co-starring Christopher Eccleston. [59] |
| 2013 | Underdogs | Beville (voice) | Juan José Campanella | Animated sports comedy, UK English dub. [60] |
| 2015 | The Lady in the Van | Ambulance Man | Nicholas Hytner | Biographical comedy-drama co-starring Maggie Smith. [61] |
| 2017 | My Cousin Rachel | Joshua | Roger Michell | Period drama adaptation, co-starring Sam Claflin and Rachel Weisz. [62] |
| 2018 | The Bind | Jamie | Caroline Bartleet | Short drama co-starring Lorraine Ashbourne. [63] |
| 2018 | Swimming with Men | Alan, a team member in the synchronized swimming group | Oliver Parker | Comedy about middle-aged men forming a swim team, co-starring Rob Brydon. [64] |
Theatre credits
Andrew Knott began his stage career during his training at the Oldham Theatre Workshop, where he appeared in productions including The Ruling Passion and A Tale of Two Cities.[7] His breakthrough in professional theatre came with the role of Lockwood in Alan Bennett's The History Boys, directed by Nicholas Hytner at the Royal National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre in London, which premiered on 18 May 2004 and ran until 26 April 2005.[65] Knott shared the stage with an acclaimed ensemble including Richard Griffiths as Hector, Stephen Campbell Moore as Irwin, Frances de la Tour as Mrs. Lintott, Dominic Cooper as Dakin, James Corden as Timms, Samuel Anderson as Crowther, Jamie Parker as Scripps, Russell Tovey as Posner, and Sacha Dhawan as Akhtar.[66] The production transferred to Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre on 23 April 2006, running for 185 performances until 1 October 2006, with Knott reprising his role alongside much of the original cast.[25] Between 2004 and 2006, Knott also participated in international tours of the play, including stops at the Lyric Theatre in Hong Kong (2006), the Sydney Theatre in Australia (2006), and a UK tour.[67] In 2010, Knott took on the lead role of John Lennon in the world premiere of Backbeat, a musical adaptation of the early days of The Beatles directed by Iain Softley, at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow from 9 February to 6 March.[68] Co-starring with Alex Robertson as Paul McCartney, Daniel Healy as George Harrison, and Howard Charles as Stuart Sutcliffe, the production highlighted Knott's musical abilities alongside live rock performances.[69] It later moved to London's West End at the Duke of York's Theatre on 10 October 2011, under the direction of David Leveaux, running for approximately four months with Knott joined by Nick Blood as Stuart Sutcliffe, Leanne Best as Astrid Kirchherr, and Daniel Healy reprising George Harrison.[70] The show concluded its major run at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles from 20 January to 1 March 2013, preserving the core cast including Knott, Blood, and Best.[29] No further major stage productions featuring Knott have been announced as of 2025.[71]Radio appearances
Andrew Knott has made a handful of appearances in BBC radio productions, showcasing his versatility in comedy and drama formats early in his career. These roles highlight his ability to portray youthful characters in ensemble casts, often in family-oriented or coming-of-age narratives.[72] His radio debut came in the comedy series Stockport... So Good They Named It Once, where he played Jason Conroy in Series 2, alongside Beverley Callard as his on-screen mother Maureen; the six-episode run aired on BBC Radio 4 from October 2000, focusing on the chaotic lives of the working-class Conroy family in Stockport.[72][73] In 2002, Knott starred as Josh in the single-episode radio comedy Fat Camp on BBC Radio 4, a witty play by John Spurling about an overweight teenager sent to a summer weight-loss camp, where he forms an unexpected friendship; the broadcast aired on 15 April 2002 and co-starred Danny Burns as Dan.[74] Knott returned to radio in 2013 for the one-off drama Sorry, Boys, You Failed the Audition on BBC Radio 4, portraying John Lennon in a reimagined origin story of The Beatles as told through the perspective of an aspiring female manager, Freda Kelly; written by Ray Connolly, it aired on 14 November 2013 and featured Stephen Fletcher as Paul McCartney, Luke Broughton as George Harrison, and Daniel Crossley as Ringo Starr.[75]| Year | Title | Role | Station | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Stockport... So Good They Named It Once (Series 2) | Jason Conroy | BBC Radio 4 | 6 episodes, October 2000; family comedy-drama.[72] |
| 2002 | Fat Camp | Josh | BBC Radio 4 | Single episode, 15 April 2002; comedy about teen weight-loss camp.[74] |
| 2013 | Sorry, Boys, You Failed the Audition | John Lennon | BBC Radio 4 | Single episode, 14 November 2013; Beatles origin drama.[75] |