# Adrian Scarborough
**Adrian Scarborough** (born Adrian Philip Scarborough, 1968) is an English actor known for playing Pete Sutcliffe in the BBC sitcom *Gavin & Stacey* and Detective Inspector Max Arnold, the lead of the [Acorn TV](https://www.edgepedia.org/acorn-tv) crime series *The Chelsea Detective*, and for winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role twice, for *After the Dance* (2011) and [Tom Stoppard](https://www.edgepedia.org/tom-stoppard)'s *Leopoldstadt* (2020)[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0769083/bio/) • [2](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/adrian_scarborough/).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1968, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England, as Adrian Philip Scarborough[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0769083/bio/) |
| Training | Bristol Old Vic Theatre School; won the Chesterton Award for Best Actor for school graduates[2](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/adrian_scarborough/) |
| Olivier Awards | Winner, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, *After the Dance*, 2011; winner for *Leopoldstadt*, 2020; nominee for *Hedda Gabler*, 2013[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0769083/bio/) |
| Signature TV roles | Pete Sutcliffe in *Gavin & Stacey* (2007–2024); Mr Warwick Pritchard in *Upstairs Downstairs* (2010); DI Max Arnold in *The Chelsea Detective* (2022– )[2](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/adrian_scarborough/) • [3](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/38026/adrian-scarborough) |
| Known films | *The Madness of King George* (1994), *Gosford Park* (2001), *Vera Drake* (2004), *The History Boys* (2006), *The King's Speech* (2010), *Les Misérables* (2012), *1917* (2019)[4](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Adrian-Scarborough/) |
| Family | Married to Rose Blackshaw; two children[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0769083/bio/) |
## Early life and training
Scarborough was born and raised in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, and was educated at Brooksby Melton College before training at the [Bristol Old Vic Theatre School](https://www.edgepedia.org/bristol-old-vic-theatre-school), where he won the Chesterton Award for Best Actor given to school graduates[2](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/adrian_scarborough/). After finishing drama school he began his career on stage as a member of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre, performing in six shows in one year[5](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/adrian-scarborough/bio/3000559174/).
He has described school as an unhappy period. In his own words, "Acting was really the only thing I was good at… Then, it was regarded as a bit left-field – the kind of things drop-outs did, which suited me"[5](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/adrian-scarborough/bio/3000559174/).
## Theatre and the Olivier Awards
Much of Scarborough's reputation rests on character work in the theater. He played George Tesman in the Old Vic production of *Hedda Gabler* (2012) and Wormold in the original London production of *Betty Blue Eyes* (2011), and appeared in the West End premieres of *Don Juan in Soho* (2017, as Stan) and *Leopoldstadt* (2021)[4](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Adrian-Scarborough/). BroadwayWorld counts his West End appearances at four shows, with *Betty Blue Eyes* (2011) as his first[4](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Adrian-Scarborough/).
**Olivier recognition came twice.** In March 2011 he won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for a revival of Terence Rattigan's *After the Dance* at the National Theatre's Lyttelton auditorium[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0769083/bio/). The character he played was described as "fat, hurtling towards 40 and somebody who has really let himself go, a leech essentially"; [Scarborough](https://www.edgepedia.org/scarborough) said reading the play was a "Damascun moment" and that he put himself forward for the role of John[6](https://officiallondontheatre.com/news/adrian-scarborough-115750/). In March 2013 he was nominated for the same award for *Hedda Gabler* at the Old Vic, and in October 2020 he won a second Olivier for his performance in Tom Stoppard's *Leopoldstadt* at Wyndham's Theatre[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0769083/bio/). In 2014 he appeared in [Sam Mendes](https://www.edgepedia.org/sam-mendes)'s National Theatre production of *King Lear*[7](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/edge_of_heaven/interviews/adrian_scarborough/).
His stated ambitions in the theater are characteristically self-effacing: "I would like to play Uncle Vanya, King Lear and a panto Dame. The icing on that cake would be if they were all in the same season"[5](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/adrian-scarborough/bio/3000559174/). He has said he is happier not bearing the full weight of a show, describing himself as "sort of happier not bearing the full weight of the show" and noting that he does not respond well to pressure[6](https://officiallondontheatre.com/news/adrian-scarborough-115750/).
## Film
Scarborough made his film debut in *The Madness of King George* (1994)[8](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/feb/12/adrian-scarborough-how-often-have-sex-every-third-thursday-3pm). He subsequently appeared in *Gosford Park* (2001, as Barnes), *Dirty Pretty Things* (2002), *Vera Drake* (2004), *Notes on a Scandal* (2006), *[The History Boys](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-history-boys)* (2006), *Elizabeth: The Golden Age* (2007), *The King's Speech* (2010, as a [BBC Radio](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-radio) announcer), *Les Misérables* (2012, as Toothman), *On Chesil Beach* (2018), Disney's *Christopher Robin* (2018), *The Last Vermeer* (2019), *Artemis Fowl* (2020, as the Goblin Chief), and Sam Mendes's *1917* (2019, as Major Hepburn)[9](https://technosports.co.in/entertainment/person/adrian-scarborough/) • [3](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/38026/adrian-scarborough). Period films became something of a specialism; he has suggested that "there's maybe a look you have as an actor that dictates where you're placed in the profession"[10](https://leftlion.co.uk/features/2022/09/adrian-scarborough/). As of 2014 he had appeared in three films nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, *Gosford Park*, *The King's Speech*, and *Les Misérables*, of which only *The King's Speech* won the category[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0769083/bio/).
## Television
Scarborough's television career began with guest parts in long-running series including *The Bill* (1991), *Midsomer Murders*, and *New Tricks*, before recurring roles in the costume drama *Cranford* (2007, as Mr Johnson) and the sitcom *Gavin & Stacey* (2007)[3](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/38026/adrian-scarborough). His best-known role is Peter "Pete" Sutcliffe in *Gavin & Stacey*, the henpecked husband of Dawn Sutcliffe ([Julia Davis](https://www.edgepedia.org/julia-davis)); the two are friends of Pam and Mick whose marriage is constantly strained, and they regularly insult each other vehemently in public[2](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/adrian_scarborough/). He returned as Pete in the 2019 Christmas special and the 2024 finale[2](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/adrian_scarborough/).
Other recurring roles include Bouffant in *Let Them Eat Cake*, Charlie ("Dreamboat Charlie") in all series of *Miranda*, Mr Warwick Pritchard in the 2010 revival of *[Upstairs Downstairs](https://www.edgepedia.org/upstairs-downstairs-2010-tv-series)*, Claudius in *Plebs*, Frank in *Up The Women*, Harry Chandler in the US series *Blunt Talk* (2015–2016, 19 episodes), and the surreal clown Mr Jolly in *Psychoville*[2](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/adrian_scarborough/) • [3](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/38026/adrian-scarborough). He played Kahler-Jex in *Doctor Who* (2012), Raymond in *Killing Eve* (2018), George Carman Q.C. in *A Very English Scandal* (2018), Dr Fuchs in *Sanditon* (2019–2023), Gary in the Sky comedy *Bloods* (2021–2022), [Winston Churchill](https://www.edgepedia.org/winston-churchill) in *The Great War: The People's Story* (2014), and Gary Taylor in ITV's *Edge of Heaven* (2014)[3](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/38026/adrian-scarborough) • [8](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/feb/12/adrian-scarborough-how-often-have-sex-every-third-thursday-3pm).
**The Chelsea Detective gave him a lead.** Since 2022 he has starred as Detective Inspector Max Arnold in *The Chelsea Detective*, created by longtime BBC and ITV executive Peter Fincham, with four feature-length (90-minute) episodes per season on Acorn TV[11](https://www.thebanner.org/mixed-media/2024/07/the-chelsea-detective) • [12](https://www.whattowatch.com/features/the-chelsea-detective-gavin-and-stacey-star-adrian-scarborough-on-his-exciting-new-role). Max is a Chelsea-born inspector who lives on a houseboat on the Thames while going through a separation from his wife Astrid ([Anamaria Marinca](https://www.edgepedia.org/anamaria-marinca)); his father ran a bookshop in Chelsea[12](https://www.whattowatch.com/features/the-chelsea-detective-gavin-and-stacey-star-adrian-scarborough-on-his-exciting-new-role). Scarborough has called the part "a dream for most character actors" and prepared by speaking to detectives, learning about the "Golden Hour", the critical first hour after a crime when evidence and witnesses are most accessible[12](https://www.whattowatch.com/features/the-chelsea-detective-gavin-and-stacey-star-adrian-scarborough-on-his-exciting-new-role). More recently he has played Ian in *[Mr. Bigstuff](https://www.edgepedia.org/mr-bigstuff)* (2024– ) and Francis in the series *Falling* (2026)[3](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/38026/adrian-scarborough).
## Radio, writing, and other work
Scarborough has worked extensively in radio. He played both Ronnie and Ollie in the [BBC Radio 4](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-radio-4) sitcom *Me and My Shadow* (2019) about a comic double-act, narrated the radio serial *Candide* (2019), and has done voice-over work for BBC radio plays including adaptations of *The Wind in the Willows* and *His Dark Materials: The Amber Spyglass*; he was the voice of Mole's nephew in *The Willows in Winter* and played Mole in [Alan Bennett](https://www.edgepedia.org/alan-bennett)'s radio dramatisation of *The Wind in the Willows*[2](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/adrian_scarborough/) • [5](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/adrian-scarborough/bio/3000559174/). A piece of advice from an older actor shaped his range: "be a jack of all trades and the master of none. Because that way you'll stay in work"[10](https://leftlion.co.uk/features/2022/09/adrian-scarborough/).
In 2022 he wrote and starred in his first play, an adaptation of Alan Bennett's novella *The Clothes They Stood Up In*, staged at Nottingham Playhouse from 9 September to 1 October that year[10](https://leftlion.co.uk/features/2022/09/adrian-scarborough/). He is also a patron of DENS, a charity supporting vulnerable people across the community, having first supported it as a guest speaker at its 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner in early 2024; to mark the patronage he donated the signed call sheet from *Gavin & Stacey*'s final scene as a charity raffle prize[13](https://www.dens.org.uk/support-us/supporters/patrons-ambassadors/adrian-scarborough/).
## References
1. [Adrian Scarborough – Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0769083/bio/)
2. [Adrian Scarborough, British Comedy Guide](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/adrian_scarborough/)
3. [Adrian Scarborough, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/38026/adrian-scarborough)
4. [Adrian Scarborough – Broadway & Theatre Credits, BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Adrian-Scarborough/)
5. [Adrian Scarborough Biography, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/adrian-scarborough/bio/3000559174/)
6. [Adrian Scarborough, Official London Theatre](https://officiallondontheatre.com/news/adrian-scarborough-115750/)
7. [Adrian Scarborough interview – Edge Of Heaven, British Comedy Guide](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/edge_of_heaven/interviews/adrian_scarborough/)
8. [Adrian Scarborough: 'How often do I have sex? Every third Thursday at 3pm', The Guardian (2022)](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/feb/12/adrian-scarborough-how-often-have-sex-every-third-thursday-3pm)
9. [Adrian Scarborough: Movies & Web Series on OTT, TechnoSports](https://technosports.co.in/entertainment/person/adrian-scarborough/)
10. [Gavin and Stacey Star Adrian Scarborough Sits Down With LeftLion, LeftLion (2022)](https://leftlion.co.uk/features/2022/09/adrian-scarborough/)
11. [The Chelsea Detective, The Banner (2024)](https://www.thebanner.org/mixed-media/2024/07/the-chelsea-detective)
12. ['The Chelsea Detective' — Adrian Scarborough on his exciting new role, What to Watch (2022)](https://www.whattowatch.com/features/the-chelsea-detective-gavin-and-stacey-star-adrian-scarborough-on-his-exciting-new-role)
13. [Adrian Scarborough – Patron, DENS](https://www.dens.org.uk/support-us/supporters/patrons-ambassadors/adrian-scarborough/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › English actors: 2000s onward › Surnames Q to Se*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license