Tom Hopper Biography

Thomas Edward Hopper (born 28 January 1985) is an English actor who has appeared in several television programmes and films including Merlin, Doctor Who, Casualty and Tormented. He is best known for playing Sir Percival in the BBC series Merlin.

His current screen role is in the Neil Marshall drama series Black Sails. Set twenty years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic Treasure Island, Tom plays the role of Billy Bones.

Early life

Hopper was born in Coalville, Leicestershire. He went to Ashby School, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He studied acting at Rose Bruford College, graduating with an honours degree in 2006. His theatre roles while at Rose Bruford included The Tempest, The Way of the World, Colliers Friday Night, and Festen. Since graduating, he gained roles in which he was nominated for the Michael Powell Award for Best New British Feature and Initiation (Max Q Film) in 2007.

Career

Hopper was cast in As You Like It at the Watford Palace Theatre and has appeared in various television programmes and films such as Saxon, Casualty, Kingdom and Doctors. Hopper portrayed Marcus in a comedy-horror film, Tormented about a bullied teenager who comes back from the dead to take revenge on his classmates. The film was made by BBC Films, Slingshot & Forward Films and was released internationally by Pathe, on 22 May 2009 in the UK. Hopper played Sir Percival in the BBC series Merlin. On 3 June 2012, he appeared as himself on the game show Deal or No Deal, opening a box for a celebrity special involving his friends, pop band McFly. He stars in the feature film "Cold". filmed in Ireland in 2012 and due to be released at festivals in 2013. Hopper has become the first actor to join new Starz series Black Sails. The pirate drama - exec produced by Michael Bay - serves as a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island.

Charity work

Tom has provided his image to causes supporting awareness of colon cancer screenings and treatment, as well as other cancers that are male specific such as testicular and penile cancer. At the same time he affirms his heterosexuality but embraces his gay friends and fan base.

Honours

Hopper was voted Expert Choice by The Stage at the Rose Bruford Acting Showcase June 2006.

Personal life

Hopper married British actress Laura Hopper (ne Higgins) on 7 June 2014. On 1 June 2015, the couple had their first child, their son Freddie Douglas Hopper.

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2007	Saxon	Fishmonger
2009	Tormented	Marcus
2013	Cold	Tom
2014	Northmen: A Viking Saga	Asbjrn
2016	Kill Ratio	James Henderson

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2007	Casualty	Hugh "Chewy" Mullen	Episode: "Stitch"
2008	Kingdom	Soldier	1 episode
2008	Doctors	Josh Mullen	Episode: "Don't Try This at Home"
2010	Doctor Who	Jeff	Episode: "The Eleventh Hour"
2010-12	Merlin	Sir Percival	27 episodes
2012	Good Cop	Andy Stockwell	2 episodes
2014-present	Black Sails	William "Billy Bones" Manderly	Main role
2016	Barbarians Rising	Arminius	Episode: "Rebellion"
2017	Game of Thrones	Dickon Tarly	Season 7