# Daniel Rigby
**Daniel Rigby** (born 1982) is an English actor and comedian who won the 2011 BAFTA Television Award for Leading Actor for his portrayal of [Eric Morecambe](https://www.edgepedia.org/eric-morecambe) in the [BBC Two](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-two) television film *Eric and Ernie*, and who has since worked across television, film, and stage, including a National Theatre, West End, and Broadway run of *One Man, Two Guvnors* and a 2023 West End *Accidental Death of an Anarchist* that made him, in *Time Out*'s phrase, "UK theatre's greatest comic performer".[1](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/interview-daniel-rigby) • [2](https://anthearepresents.com/artist/Daniel-Rigby)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1982, Cheadle Hulme, England; 1982 per TMDB[3](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2017108231.html) • [4](https://www.themoviedb.org/person/211368-daniel-rigby) |
| Training | Performing Arts at Stockport College, then RADA, BA in Acting, graduated 2004[5](https://www.westendtheatre.com/148408/star-watch/daniel-rigby/) • [6](https://www.rada.ac.uk/profiles/daniel-rigby/) |
| BAFTA | Best Actor (Leading Actor category), 2011, as Eric Morecambe in *Eric and Ernie*[1](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/interview-daniel-rigby) • [7](https://www.hamiltonhodell.co.uk/talent/daniel-rigby/cv/television-78/) |
| Signature stage role | "The Maniac" in *Accidental Death of an Anarchist*, 2023, Sheffield Crucible, Lyric Hammersmith, and a sell-out 12-week run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket[2](https://anthearepresents.com/artist/Daniel-Rigby) |
| Other awards | UK Theatre Award, Best Performance in a Play, 2023; Laughing Horse New Act of the Year, 2007[8](https://comedy.co.uk/people/daniel_rigby) • [1](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/interview-daniel-rigby) |
| Recent work | *Summerwater* (Channel 4, 2025) as Steve Tindall; *I, Jack Wright* (BBC One, 2026); Donmar's *A House in the Country* (2026)[2](https://anthearepresents.com/artist/Daniel-Rigby) |
## Early life and training
Rigby was born in Manchester, England in 1982; the Library of Congress authority record gives his birthplace as [Cheadle Hulme](https://www.edgepedia.org/cheadle-hulme).[5](https://www.westendtheatre.com/148408/star-watch/daniel-rigby/) • [3](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2017108231.html) He studied Performing Arts at Stockport College and then trained at RADA, graduating from its BA in Acting degree course in 2004.[5](https://www.westendtheatre.com/148408/star-watch/daniel-rigby/) • [6](https://www.rada.ac.uk/profiles/daniel-rigby/)
## Comedy beginnings
Before his screen career took off, Rigby worked the stand-up circuit. He won the 2007 Laughing Horse New Act of the Year Award and was a finalist in the So You Think You're Funny? competition the same year.[1](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/interview-daniel-rigby) In 2009 he performed at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal and took two solo shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, including *The Mothwokfantastic*.[1](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/interview-daniel-rigby)
## Eric and Ernie and the BAFTA
The role that changed his profile was Eric Morecambe in BBC Two's *Eric and Ernie* (2011), a television film about the early partnership of [Morecambe](https://www.edgepedia.org/morecambe) and [Ernie Wise](https://www.edgepedia.org/ernie-wise). In 2011 he won the Leading Actor BAFTA for the performance.[1](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/interview-daniel-rigby) The win was a surprise: he beat [Matt Smith](https://www.edgepedia.org/matt-smith) and Benedict Cumberbatch, nominated for playing the Doctor and Sherlock Holmes respectively.[9](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/features/daniel-rigby-accidental-death-of-an-anarchist-b2361363.html) At the time of the ceremony he had just started in the run of *One Man, Two Guvnors* at the National Theatre, and he stayed with that show through its West End and Broadway transfers for another year.[10](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/daniel-rigby-interview-black-mirror)
## Television and film career
Rigby's television credits since 2010 span comedy and drama: *Eric and Ernie*, *The Ballad of Renegade Nell*, *Tom Jones*, *Landscapers*, *The Witchfinder*, *Defending the Guilty*, *Gameface*, *Timewasters*, *Flowers*, *Plebs*, *Sick Note*, and *Gap Year*.[11](https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/artists/daniel-rigby/) He played music teacher Mr Martin in both series of [BBC One](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-one)'s *Big School* (2013–2014).[2](https://anthearepresents.com/artist/Daniel-Rigby) He took the lead in *Black Mirror: The Waldo Moment* ([Channel 4](https://www.edgepedia.org/channel-4)), which came soon after the New York run of *One Man, Two Guvnors* ended, and he starred in Dave's first original comedy series, *Undercover*.[1](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/interview-daniel-rigby) • [10](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/daniel-rigby-interview-black-mirror) On film, TMDB credits him as Bendigo in *The Electrical Life of Louis Wain* (2021).[4](https://www.themoviedb.org/person/211368-daniel-rigby)
## Stage work
**One Man, Two Guvnors.** Rigby played Alan Dangle in Richard Bean's comedy from its 2011 premiere at the National Theatre, through the West End run at the [Adelphi Theatre](https://www.edgepedia.org/adelphi-theatre), to the Music Box Theatre in New York in 2012, where the production received 7 Tony nominations.[1](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/interview-daniel-rigby) • [2](https://anthearepresents.com/artist/Daniel-Rigby) • [5](https://www.westendtheatre.com/148408/star-watch/daniel-rigby/)
**National Theatre and beyond.** For the National Theatre he has appeared in *Twelfth Night* and [Roald Dahl](https://www.edgepedia.org/roald-dahl)'s *The Witches*, in addition to *One Man, Two Guvnors*.[11](https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/artists/daniel-rigby/) Elsewhere he has played [David Frost](https://www.edgepedia.org/david-frost) in *Frost/Nixon* and [Alan Turing](https://www.edgepedia.org/alan-turing) in *Breaking the Code*, both at the Royal Exchange, Manchester; *A Midsummer Night's Dream* at Sheffield Crucible; *Noises Off* and *Holes* at the Lyric Hammersmith and Arcola Theatre respectively.[11](https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/artists/daniel-rigby/) • [5](https://www.westendtheatre.com/148408/star-watch/daniel-rigby/)
**Accidental Death of an Anarchist.** In 2023 he starred as "The Maniac" in [Dario Fo](https://www.edgepedia.org/dario-fo)'s play, which ran at the Sheffield Crucible, the Lyric Hammersmith, and then a sell-out 12-week run at the [Theatre Royal Haymarket](https://www.edgepedia.org/theatre-royal-haymarket) in the West End.[2](https://anthearepresents.com/artist/Daniel-Rigby) The same year he took his first musical role, as Stringer, owner of the Hotel Magnificent, in Lucy Kirkwood's adaptation of Roald Dahl's *The Witches*.[9](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/features/daniel-rigby-accidental-death-of-an-anarchist-b2361363.html)
## Voice and audiobook work
Rigby was the narrator on CBeebies' *Teletubbies* from 2015 to 2018 and voiced Dandelion in the BBC's 2018 animated adaptation of *Watership Down*.[2](https://anthearepresents.com/artist/Daniel-Rigby) His audiobook work includes *Isaac Steele and the Forever Man*.[11](https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/artists/daniel-rigby/)
## Reception and critical assessment
The 2023 *Accidental Death of an Anarchist* drew praise from across the British political press, with critics from *The Guardian* to the *Mail* rooting for a West End transfer; Rigby said he was shocked by the breadth of the praise.[9](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/features/daniel-rigby-accidental-death-of-an-anarchist-b2361363.html) The role is physically demanding: he leaves the stage only once in the breakneck two-hour show, and at one point wears roughly six layers of clothing.[9](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/features/daniel-rigby-accidental-death-of-an-anarchist-b2361363.html) In *Time Out*'s 2023 theater review of the year he was singled out as one of their top two performers of the year and proclaimed "UK theatre's greatest comic performer".[2](https://anthearepresents.com/artist/Daniel-Rigby)
## What has changed since 2023
Rigby's screen work has moved toward drama. He starred as Steve Tindall, alongside [Dougray Scott](https://www.edgepedia.org/dougray-scott), in the 2025 Channel 4 drama series *Summerwater*.[2](https://anthearepresents.com/artist/Daniel-Rigby) *I, Jack Wright*, an Alibi psychological thriller in which he co-starred with John Simm, was shown on BBC One in 2026, and a second series has been commissioned.[2](https://anthearepresents.com/artist/Daniel-Rigby) In 2026 he also stars in the Donmar's production of Turgenev's *A House in the Country*.[2](https://anthearepresents.com/artist/Daniel-Rigby)
## Awards and honors
Rigby's award record runs from stand-up to stage. He won the 2007 Laughing Horse New Act of the Year Award; the 2011 BAFTA Television Award for Best Leading Actor; the 2023 UK Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Play for *Accidental Death of an Anarchist*; and he was nominated for Best Actor (Male) at the 2012 Royal Television Society Awards and Best Actor at the 2012 Broadcasting Press Guild Awards.[8](https://comedy.co.uk/people/daniel_rigby) • [7](https://www.hamiltonhodell.co.uk/talent/daniel-rigby/cv/television-78/) • [11](https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/artists/daniel-rigby/)
## References
1. [Interview with Daniel Rigby, Channel 4 Press](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/interview-daniel-rigby)
2. [Daniel Rigby, Anthea Represents](https://anthearepresents.com/artist/Daniel-Rigby)
3. [Rigby, Daniel, Library of Congress authority record](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2017108231.html)
4. [Daniel Rigby, The Movie Database](https://www.themoviedb.org/person/211368-daniel-rigby)
5. [Daniel Rigby, West End Theatre Star Watch](https://www.westendtheatre.com/148408/star-watch/daniel-rigby/)
6. [Daniel Rigby, RADA graduate profile](https://www.rada.ac.uk/profiles/daniel-rigby/)
7. [Daniel Rigby television CV, Hamilton Hodell](https://www.hamiltonhodell.co.uk/talent/daniel-rigby/cv/television-78/)
8. [Daniel Rigby, British Comedy Guide](https://comedy.co.uk/people/daniel_rigby)
9. [Daniel Rigby: 'Victoria Wood and I would watch MasterChef and heckle Gregg Wallace', The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/features/daniel-rigby-accidental-death-of-an-anarchist-b2361363.html)
10. [Daniel Rigby interview for Black Mirror, Channel 4 Press](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/daniel-rigby-interview-black-mirror)
11. [Daniel Rigby, National Theatre artist page](https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/artists/daniel-rigby/)
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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: 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