March 21st: Today’s Feature

March

Colin Andrew Ignatius Peter McFarlane (born 15 September 1961) is a black British actor, narrator and voice actor. He is known for his roles in film and television including Gillian B. Loeb in two films of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy and Ulysses in the STARZ television drama series Outlander. McFarlane's voice roles include JJ in Bob the Builder, Bulgy in Thomas & Friends and PC Malcolm Williams in Fireman Sam. He was the voice of The Cube in the ITV game show.

Early life

McFarlane was born on 15 September 1961 in Upper Clapton, London, to Jamaican parents. His father, Sidney McFarlane, MBE, served in the RAF and his mother, Gwendolyn McFarlane, worked in the NHS. His father was appointed an MBE in 1999 for voluntary service to the community and for service with the Ministry of Defence. The family subsequently moved several times before settling in Lincoln in the East Midlands, where McFarlane grew up. He attended the Perse School, Cambridge, and later read drama at Loughborough University, graduating in 1983.

Career: Television & Film

McFarlane's career in television began in 1985 with a three-episode guest role as Detective Sergeant Watson in ITV's popular police procedural Dempsey and Makepeace. Following this, he appeared in London Weekend Television's made-for-TV film Dutch Girls, sharing the screen with actors like Colin Firth and Bill Paterson from Outlander. The next year, he featured in an episode of London Weekend Television's maternity mini-series To Have and To Hold, which centred around a surrogate mother carrying a child for her sister. In 1988, McFarlane made a guest appearance in a season two episode of ITV's drama Bust, which explored the life of a man dealing with bankruptcy.

Moving forward to 1992, McFarlane took on the role of Lieutenant Parkinson in CITV's children's series Tales From the Poop Deck, set on HMS Intrepid. He also made a guest appearance in several episodes of Channel 4's sitcom Sean's Show. That same year, he appeared in an episode of the mystery series Virtual Murder, BBC's anthology series Screen One titled Black and Blue, and the made-for-TV film Lenny Henry: In Dreams. In 1993, he guest-starred in children's series Runaway Bay and ITV's comedy Jeeves and Wooster, focusing on the characters Wooster and Jeeves played by Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry. Two years later, he had guest roles in ITV's Class Act and BBC's police procedural Backup.

In 1996, McFarlane continued to expand his television credits by featuring in an episode of BBC's police comedy The Thin Blue Line led by Rowan Atkinson. He also appeared in Channel 4's made-for-TV film The Final Passage and concluded the year with the finale of ITV's four-part thriller series Circles of Deceit. Throughout his successful career, McFarlane has consistently demonstrated his versatility as an actor by embracing a wide range of roles across various genres in the television industry. His exceptional talent and ability to adapt to different characters have made him a sought-after actor in a variety of fields.

McFarlane's extensive television credits include notable shows such as Judge John Deed, Jonathan Creek, Casualty, Death in Paradise, Father Brown, and Holby City. These diverse roles have allowed him to showcase his acting prowess and demonstrate his ability to immerse himself in different characters, captivating audiences with his performances.

In addition to his impressive repertoire, McFarlane has also made appearances in two of the UK's most-watched soap operas. He portrayed the character of Mr. Jordan, a consultant neurosurgeon, in five episodes of Coronation Street from August to September 2010. Furthermore, he played the role of DCI Irving in an episode of EastEnders in April 2014, contributing to the gripping "Who Killed Lucy Beale?" storyline.

Moreover, McFarlane has made notable contributions to British TV comedy, showcasing his versatility in this genre as well. He has appeared in popular shows such as The Fast Show, Randall & Hopkirk, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Harry and Paul, and The Thin Blue Line. Notably, he portrayed Inspector Norris in the Black Books episode titled "The Blackout," Inspector Terrence Brown in the first episode of Dirk Gently, and lent his voice to the character of the Judge in the 2016 revival of the beloved sitcom Porridge.

Furthermore, McFarlane has also left his mark in children's television, featuring in CBBC shows such as M.I. High and Hounded. In these shows, he portrayed the villainous character of Dr. Muhahahaha, further highlighting his versatility as an actor who can captivate audiences of all ages.

Overall, McFarlane's career is a testament to his exceptional talent and range as an actor. His ability to seamlessly transition between different genres and embody a diverse array of characters has solidified his reputation as a versatile and highly skilled performer in the television, film and voice-over industry.

Video Games

McFarlane's involvement in the world of video games extends beyond just lending his voice to various characters. One of his earliest video game appearances was in the 1996 game Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars. This marked the beginning of his journey into the gaming industry, where he would go on to voice characters in other notable titles such as G-Police, Codename: Tenka, and The City of Lost Children in 1997. His versatility as a voice actor is evident in the range of characters he has portrayed, from quiz game series like Buzz! to the 2011 game LittleBigPlanet 2, where he voiced the character Avalon Centrifuge.

McFarlane's talent also extends to providing additional dialogue for games like Batman: Arkham Knight and playing the central villain, "The Forgotten One," in the downloadable content packs for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. Additionally, he lent his voice to the character Thunder in the first Fable video game.

Theatre

Apart from his contributions to the gaming world, McFarlane has also made a name for himself in the theatre industry. In 2013, he appeared alongside Lenny Henry in a highly acclaimed revival of August Wilson's Fences at the Duchess Theatre in London's West End. This performance showcased McFarlane's versatility as an actor, as he seamlessly transitioned from the world of video games to the stage. His portrayal in Fences received critical acclaim, further solidifying his reputation as a talented and versatile performer.

Personal Life

Outside of his professional endeavours, McFarlane leads a fulfilling personal life. He has been married to his wife, Kate, since June 30, 1991, and together they have three children. McFarlane's commitment to family is evident as he divides his time between homes in Lincoln and North London, ensuring that he remains present in the lives of his loved ones. Additionally, McFarlane is an avid supporter of Lincoln City F.C., showcasing his passion for football and his dedication to his local community.

Despite his success in the entertainment industry, McFarlane remains grounded and values the importance of personal relationships and supporting causes close to his heart.