Nicholas Burns (born 1977) is an English actor, best known for his comic performance as the title character in Nathan Barley (2005). He played Martin Weedon in Benidorm (2007–2009, 2014) and Alex in No Heroics (2008). His other credits include The Mighty Boosh (2005), The IT Crowd (2007), Doctor Who, The Crown, (both 2017), Manhunt (2019), Strike (2020), The Serpent Queen (2022–present), A Small Light and Black Mirror (both 2023).

Early life

Burns was born in Derbyshire, and educated at Repton School. He trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).

Career

In 2005, Burns played the titular leading role in the Channel 4 comedy Nathan Barley. Burns has had recurring roles in the TV series Absolute Power, Roman's Empire, and the sketch show Man Stroke Woman. Burns also made an appearance in The Mighty Boosh as the ruler of the planet Xooberon; in The IT Crowd as Jerome, the director of a musical called Gay!; and in episode "At Bertram's Hotel" of Agatha Christie's Marple as Jack and Joel Britten. He had the role of an Australian tennis coach in The McClintock Factor, a mockumentary chronicling the rise and fall of the former media tycoon and internet blogger Jeremy McClintock. Burns played a main role as Martin Weedon in the first three series of the ITV holiday comedy Benidorm, alongside a cast that included Abigail Cruttenden, who played his wife, Sheridan Smith and Johnny Vegas. Burns' stage credits include Much Ado About Nothing at the Sheffield Crucible Theatre, the satire The Madness of George Dubya and Ghost Stories, both of which transferred to London's West End, Penelope Skinner's The Village Bike at the Royal Court, The Recruiting Officer at the Donmar Warehouse and Pinero's The Magistrate at the Royal National Theatre, a production included in season 4 of National Theatre Live. In April 2013, he returned to Benidorm as Martin Weedon, for series 6 of the show in 2014. In 2020, Burns appeared in series four of Strike and in Small Axe. In 2022, he played the role of Antoine de Bourbon in Starz's The Serpent Queen, alongside Samantha Morton and Liv Hill. In 2023, he starred as Keith Holligan in the series 6 episode "Demon 79" of Netflix's Black Mirror, alongside Anjana Vasan and in A Small Light as Victor Kugler.

Personal life

Burns is a lifelong supporter of Derby County Football Club. He has three sons.

Filmography

Film

Television