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Go back to the most recent Updates Page or the Updates Archives.

 

DECEMBER

24th December, 2010

Richard has written a Christmas message to all his fans. You can read it on our Richard Armitage Messages page or at RichardArmitageOnline.

22nd December, 2010

James Nesbitt tells moviefone.co.uk that he and his dwarf co-stars (including Richard) in The Hobbit will be heading to New Zealand in January for "Dwarf Training." He also says they'll have off in June, July and August and then return to finish filming the 2 movies.

American Consumer News announces that the Naxos audiobook of Georgette Heyer's, Venetia, has been released by Audible.com and gives it an average rating of 4.19. It also notes that the audiobook is in Audible.com's top 2000 for November and gives details on how to obtain it through Audible.com. You can hear excerpts of the audiobook (as well as all Richard's other audiobooks) on our Career Audiobooks and Performances page where you will also find details on where else to obtain copies. You can download those excerpts from our Media Downloads & Links page.

Tiger Aspects has released a 5 minute Youtube video, "21 Years of Tiger Aspects Productions" which shows a few moments of Richard in his roles as Sir Guy of Gisborne (Robin Hood) and the dream sequence Harry Kennedy (Vicar of Dibley).

20th December, 2010

TVOntario will be airing the 5- part series, The Story of the Costume Drama, from Sunday 19th December at 8:01pm with the first episode repeated on Thursday, December 23 at 1:00 am. Richard Armitage talks about North & South in episode 3, Affairs of the Heart. There is no airdate for this episode yet. (Thanks to Leslieg)

15th December, 2010

Suite101 has listed its 5 best British shows for 2010. Listing Spooks series 9 as #4, Steven Cookson says, " ... in its ninth series Spooks (maybe the best so far) proved without a doubt why more episodes are commissioned every year. … However, this year was all about Lucas North (Richard Armitage) … . Fifty words can’t do this arc any justice so it’s best to watch it in full. Armitage’s star has risen and it’s a shame for him to leave Spooks after developing an enigmatic character full of mystery."

Amazon.com is now selling, Moving On: Drowning Not Waving, in which Richard stars as John Mulligan, as a download for US$1.99.

14th December, 2010

Richard Armitage Central proudly presents our 2011 Calendars! We have a Lucas North Black & White Calendar to print, and a Character Desktop Calendar for use as a desktop wallpaper (or to print and use!) Made by the wonderful artists on our Forum, we hope you enjoy them!

12th December, 2010

Darkroom Challenge - Reading & Writing - results now in the RAC Gallery.

Icon Challenge 136 results for Down With Love now in the Gallery.

8th December, 2010

Richard's 3 Georgette Heyer novels for Naxos audibooks, Sylvester, Venetia and The Convenient Marriage, are on the top of UK Amazon's Romance Best Seller list. (Thanks to Alice) You can listen to excerpts and find details of how to purchase a copy - a terrific Christmas present - on our Career Audio page. You can also download the excerpts from our Media page.

7th December, 2010

Variety reports that New Line Productions and MGM have confirmed that Cate Blanchett will reprise her role as Galadriel for the forthcoming The Hobbit, which stars Richard as Thorin Oakenshield and Martin Freeman as Bilbo. Other actors confirmed are Ken Stott (Balin), Sylvester McCoy (Radagast the Brown) and Mikael Persbrandt (Beorn) as well as Ryan Gage, Jed Brophy and William Kircher. Although, as reported on 27th November, Ian McKellen's website shows The Hobbit as a future project, the latest information is that the 'arduous' negotiations with Sir Ian, Andy Serkis (Gollum) and Hugo Weaving (Elrond) are ongoing.

As we posted on 5th November (and thanks to Monetsmum for that information), Richard's character, John Porter, will be written out of Strike Back 2. It is rumoured that 2 new characters have been brought in and, now, a recent tweet has provided further confirmation. There is, as yet, no information on how many episodes he will be in. (Thanks Sandrac and RichardArmitageNet).

5th December, 2010

Over sixty downloadable RA Character Bookmarks made by members of the RAC Forum HERE! They make fantastic little gifts or keep for yourself!

Bookmark Challenge 135 results for RA Characters now in the Gallery.

3rd December, 2010

Richard, as Lucas North (Spooks), features in a 41 second advertisement for the BBC's iPlayer. You can view the advertisement on YouTube. (Thanks to Lady Gisborne)

1st December, 2010

Richard has done a voiceover for ActionAidUK. You can view the advertisement on YouTube. (Thanks to RichardArmitageNet).

Naxos Audiobooks has updated their Blog today with a comment about Richard: "Richard Armitage has been, without a doubt, the single most popular reader on Naxos AudioBooks this year. Listeners on both sides of the Atlantic, Australia and elsewhere too, have been homing in on his recordings of Georgette Heyer. We hope that more will come next year… but it is dependent upon his availability as he is about to disappear to New Zealand for months on end to film The Hobbit. Nevertheless, we at the Naxos AudioBooks office would like to thank the kind anonymous person who, every time we release a new Armitage/Heyer audiobook, sends us a rather fine box of Belgian chocolates as a gesture of gratitude. We appreciate it!" (Thanks to Maz).

NOVEMBER

29th November, 2010

English Touring Theatre (@ETTtweet) tweeted again today: No final casting/tour dates for The Rover yet, it’s still in the early stages of development. We’ll keep you posted as and when it firms up!

27th November, 2010

In her very favourable review for Pressplus1 of the Robin Hood DVD Complete Set (released in September), Kindah Mardam Bey says of Richard's performance as Sir Guy of Gisborne, "Another equal adversary to Robin is Guy of Gisborne, played by Richard Armitage, who is more than an equal to Robin. Seeing the development of Gisborne and Hood’s complex relationship unfold is intricate and exquisite in many ways." The complete set can be ordered from Amazon.co.uk for (currently) £14.93 and from Amazon for (currently) $71.99.

Ian McKellen's website has included The Hobbit in his 2010 projects:

"THE HOBBIT's, two films, start shooting in New Zealand in February 2011. Filming will take over a year. Casting in Los Angeles, New York City and London has started. The script too proceeds. The first draft is crammed with old and new friends, again on a quest in Middle Earth.

201? THE HOBBIT
Director: Peter Jackson
Role: Gandalf"

MovieWeb has pictures of The Hobbit set published in Total Film. It looks like you might need Facebook or register with either of those sites to see the expanded thumbnail.

26th November, 2010

The English Touring Theatre tweeted today: Great read-through of The Rover with Richard Armitage yesterday! Positive feed back and things are looking good! According to their website, "ETT is England's leading touring theatre company." No word yet on any locations or touring dates.

A trailer for the Spooks season 9 dvd extras, and featuring Richard Armitage as well as the rest of the cast, has been uploaded to Youtube. The dvds, due for release on February 28th 2011, can be pre-ordered from Amazon.co.uk. (Thanks to Maike and Monetsmum)

25th November, 2010

The Culture Show showed a behind the scenes clip from the Old Vic's 24 Hour Plays Celebrity Gala tonight on BBC2. The clip can be downloaded from our media - tv page.

24th November, 2010

"As he clearly distinguishes one voice from another, it’s obvious that Armitage has a firm grasp on what makes each character unique as the listener comprehends much of the character’s background simply through the hearing.", writes Lea Hensley in her review of Georgette Heyer's, Sylvester (abridged, Naxos Audiobooks) for All About Romance.

ABC1 in Australia is repeating Robin Hood Season 2 on Thursdays at 12.30. (Thanks to Theeyeshaveit)

Smartandcleverlass has uploaded a short video of Richard leaving the Old Vic after the 24 Hour Plays Celebrity Gala. (Thanks to Altomiron and Sandrac)

22nd November, 2010

On November 21, Richard took part in the 24 Hour Plays Celebrity Gala at the Old Vic in London. Thanks to theatre blogger/tweeter Feigned Mischief for a report and review of Richard's play, The Three Wishes. In this comedic play, Dennis (played by Richard) is a middle-aged, balding man who wishes to become - Richard Armitage! Feigned Mischief was also able to meet Richard at the after show party and posts a photo of the two of them. There are also three photos of Richard arriving at the Gala on the Getty Images website (1, 2, 3).

21st November, 2010

Darkroom Challenge - Vegetables - results now in the Gallery.

Icon & Signature Challenge 134 results for Pride and Prejudice now in the Gallery.

19th November, 2010

Michelle Collins (BestWeekEver.Tv) has included Richard Armitage in her list of The Smart Girl’s Guide To The Sexiest Men Alive. "... This British actor is quickly becoming THE IT ACTOR in England ... Also I’ve seen him in person and he is staggeringly handsome. Let’s all try to make him super famous."

On Thursday, 25th November, The Culture Show will drop in at the Old Vic, where actors, directors and writers join forces to make six short plays in just 24 hours. Richard is rumoured to be appearing at this Gala. It airs on BBC 2 at 7pm. (BBC Two Programmes) (Thanks Sandrac)

18th November, 2010

"Richard Armitage will tomorrow lead the tributes at a service to celebrate the life of legendary Coventry drama and dance teacher Betty Pattinson," says the Coventry Telegraph. "The 39-year-old actor has recorded a moving eulogy to his former mentor which will be played during the memorial service." Betty Pattison, founder of Pattison College died aged 90, after having a stroke at Coventry’s University Hospital in September.

15th November, 2010

"Spooks star to swap MI5 for Middle Earth after landing role in The Hobbit," in today's This is Leicestershire. (Thanks to Sandrac)

14th November, 2010

Icon Challenge 133 results for Tony Curtis now in the Gallery.

12th November, 2010

The November 19, 2010 issue of Entertainment Weekly includes a letter to the editor. The letter writer from California states that Richard is not just "hunky" as the magazine depicted him, but also a gifted actor.
RAC Library

11th November, 2010

In an interview with the Spanish website, elpais.com, Martin Freeman says he's "ready to be Bilbo" and gives some interesting insight into the casting process and filming schedule. (TheOneRing.net and g4tv.com)

9th November, 2010

The site comicbookmovie.com has exclusive comments from Captain America director, Joe Johnston, on the Entertainment Weekly pictures printed last week. Under the picture of Richard, he says the submarine "...has a watertight compartment for the actor, Richard Armitage, who plays a very convincingly evil spy, Heinz Kruger."

"It'd be a crime not to commission another series of Spooks", writes the Metro reviewing the last episode of series 9. (Thanks to Sandrac & RichardArmitageNet)
RAC Library

Unpopcult reviews the last episode of Spooks series 9. (Thanks to Sandrac & RichardArmitageNet)
RAC Library

The first official trailer of Captain America has been released on Youtube. However, it doesn't show any of Richard's scenes. You can find information on his role as Heinz Kruger on our Forthcoming Attractions page. (Thanks to Jonia)

Spooks series 9 finale gains 5.4 million viewers reports ATV Network Today.
RAC Library

Den of Geek reviews Spooks 9, episode 8 - "... we are left with a great, if flawed finale ..."

Vicky Frost of The Guardian's TV & Radio Blog reviews Spooks 9, episode 8.

7th November, 2010

The media ringtones page has been updated with ringtones from Spooks 9, episode 6.

Icon Challenge 132 results for The Nightmare Before Christmas now in the Gallery.

6th November, 2010

The BBCAmerica Shop Blog announced they will be releasing the Spooks/MI-5 series 8 region 1 dvd set on January 25, 2011 and instead of waiting until the following January, the series 9 region 1 dvds will be release in the summer of 2011. The blog states, "We were cheered last year when Richard Armitage joined the cast of MI-5 for Series Seven, but as we’ve seen over and over again at MI5, spying is a very dangerous business (who knew?), often ending in the expiration of our favorite characters. Now that we’ve examined the production dossiers from Season Eight, we can make one guarantee: Richard Armitage appears in all eight episodes." Also posted on tvshowsondvd.com. (Thanks to Yellow Rose)

5th November, 2010

Tim Oglethorpe talks with Richard about his future with Spooks and tattoos for Mail Online.
RAC Library (this is a 4-page article, you can navigate through it using the Library's thumbnails).

There have been uncomfirmed reports that, in response to an email, Elaine Pyke has said that Richard will be written out of Strike Back 2. (Thanks to Monetsmum)

3rd November, 2010

Fictional Frontiers with Sohaib interviews Larry Curtis, senior contributor to TheOneRing.net about The Hobbit and it's casting. Discussion about The Hobbit starts at around 20 minutes, casting starts at around 30 minutes and they start to talk about the casting of Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield at about 38 minutes. They make the point that Peter Jackson has looked to talented actors for casting and that the script shows that Thorin will be the driving force of the film's story. (Thanks to Myelsmerelda and Sandrac)

2nd November, 2010

The first promotion pictures for Captain America: The First Avenger (which will air on July 22nd, 2011), are now being published, reports Simon Reynolds in "First Look: Captain America" for Digital Spy. If you click to pic 4 there's one of Richard Armitage (Heinz Kruger) in his mini-submarine. You can also see it on our Updates Forthcoming page.

TheOneRing.net reports that James Nesbitt will be playing the dwarf, Bofur and Adam Brown will play Ori.

Metro.co.uk reviews Spooks 9 episode 7. "Spooks slows down but remains compelling drama."

Den of Geek reviews Spooks 9 episode 7. "Full on, the best hour of telly this week and by far the best episode of Spooks all season."

Vicky Frost of The Guardian's TV & Radio Blog reviews Spooks 9 episode 7.

1st November, 2010

Krystal Clark at Screencrave has posted a clearer version of the Captain America mini-sub picture.

The London Evening Standard says that Richard will perform in the 24 Hour Play Celebrity Gala at the Old Vic on 21st November. "The fundraiser, now in its seventh year, sees actors, writers and directors create, rehearse and present six short new plays in a day... The event, which has a top ticket price of £250, helps support the venue's work with young people, new audiences and emerging talent." (Thanks to Sandrac and Orpheus11!) (Old Vic Theatre Official Site)

OCTOBER

31st October, 2010

The Radio Times has an article claiming that 'Richard Armitage is no leading man.'

TheOneRing.net has a video of a helicopter flying over the Hobbit set in New Zealand.

Book Cover Art Challenge 130 results for Spy Thrillers now in the Gallery.

Darkroom Challenge - Public Transport - now in the RAC Gallery.

28th October, 2010

There is a pic of Richard as Heinz Kruger in the film Captain America in the November 5 issue of Entertainment Weekly.
RAC Library

Peter Jackson talks up his Hobbit cast in the November 5 issue of Entertainment Weekly.
RAC Library

27th October, 2010

Josh Rottenburg spoke with Peter Jackson for EW.com about choosing Richard Armitage for the role of a dwarf. "Thorin Oakenshield is a tough, heroic character, and he certainly should give Leggie and Aragorn a run for their money in the heartthrob stakes — despite being four feet tall ...", Peter Jackson explained.
RAC Library

TheOneRing reports that The Hobbit will be filmed in New Zealand!

According to TVNZ, an announcement on the location for The Hobbit is expected this evening at a press conference to be held at 7.20 pm (NZ time).

26th October, 2010

Vicky Frost of The Guardian's TV & Radio Blog reviews Spooks episode 6. She says about Lucas: "...when it comes to Vaughn and Maya, he's acting like a first-time internet user confronted with a Nigerian phishing scam."

Den of Geek reviews Spooks episode 6. "For the first time this series everything seems to be tying together."

The Digital Spy reports that the Hobbit film will shatter budget records. The two-part adaptation is said to be budgeted at $500 million (£315 million).
RAC Library

Doug Lambert in ATV Media & Network news reports that Spooks episode 6 "... edged ahead of Whitechapel as the spy-drama had a new ratings victory ... The BBC One drama starring Richard Armitage and Max Brown pulled in 5.1 million viewers."
RAC Library

Mark Sainsbury of Close Up interviews Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh about the Hobbit labor dispute in New Zealand. (Youtube)

25th October, 2010

The Guardian reports on the rally in New Zealand, and adds near the end that Ian McKellan is returning as Gandalf, though it hasn't been confirmed by Peter Jackson.

The Hobbit will be shot back-to-back and in 3-D reports The Day.
RAC Library

For Australian fans, the English Women's Weekly with the 2-page spread interview with Richard is now on sale in Australia. (Thanks to Theeyeshavit)

The media ringtones page has been updated with ringtones from Spooks 9, episode 5.

The One Ring website has first news from the Auckland rally, which has just ended, to keep The Hobbit location in NZ.

Radio NZ reports on the Hobbit rallies in Auckland and Wellington.

The Waikato Times reports on the Hobbit rallies in, "Hobbit rally fights battle of the beach".
RAC Library

Sir Richard Taylor, Managing Director of the Weta workshop, spoke at the Wellington rally urging Warner Bros to keep the Hobbit location in New Zealand, reports Stuff.co.nz.
RAC Library

The New Zealand Herald also reports on the Hobbit rallies.
RAC Library

24th October, 2010

The Stuff.co.nz reports on the unionist at the heart of the industrial conflict which has led to Warner Bros reconsidering New Zealand as the location for The Hobbit, "The Hobbits' whipping boy talks".
RAC Library

Party Invites Challenge 130 results for Halloween now in the Gallery.

23rd October, 2010

And the announcements on The Hobbit casting continue. They're all pretty much repeating the same information but there are occasionally some interesting bits added.

On casting:

The Sun (RAC Library)

On the possible location shift and industrial action:

Canberra Times (RAC Library) (Thanks to Caroline)
Google news (RAC Library)
NZ Herald

22nd October, 2010

News reports and announcements from lots of sources are being published about the casting of The Hobbit as well as information about the recent industrial dispute between New Zealand Actors Equity and Sir Peter Jackson which may mean that filming will move from New Zealand:

For information on casting (our thanks to Sandrac and Lady Gisborne):

United Agents (Richard's agents)

Filmonic
TheOneRing.net (for the cast) (RAC Library)
TheOneRing.net (for an idea on how Richard might look)
www.MusicOfLOTR.com
First Showing.net
Hollywood Reporter.com
RopeOfSilicon
Herald Sun
Perth Now
EW.com
Guardian.co.uk
The Independent
BBC.co.uk
Sydney Morning Herald
LA Times
sfx.co.uk
Cinemablend
Coventry Telegraph
The Wrap
Mail Online (also reports on possible location shift from NZ)
Gossip Jackal (which also refers to Richard's role in Captain America: The First Avenger as 'co-starring')
MonstersAndCritics
EmpireOnline
The Indian
MTV.com

For information on the industrial dispute and possible filming sites (our thanks to Sandrac and Lady Gisborne):

Stuff.co.nz
Watford Observer
Ninemsn.com.au
NZ Herald
Sky News

Vulture reports that Richard Armitage will play 'the heroic dwarf leader Thorin Oakenshield'.
RAC Library

Further to the Deadline New York, release, Christian Tobin in Digital Spy, "Warner Bros confirms 'Hobbit' cast, reports that the film will be split into two.
RAC Library

Strike Back, in which Richard stars as John Porter, has been scheduled for airing on Showcase Canada. (Thanks Leslieg). Airing dates for episodes 1 & 2 are:

Episode 1 - Friday, October 22, 2010 11:00 AM ET/PT
Episode 1 - Friday, October 22, 2010 5:00 PM ET/PT
Episode 1 - Friday, October 22, 2010 10:00 PM ET/PT
Episode 1 - Saturday, October 23, 2010 2:00 PM ET/PT
Episode 2 - Friday, October 29, 2010 11:00 AM ET/PT
Episode 2 - Friday, October 29, 2010 5:00 PM ET/PT
Episode 2 - Friday, October 29, 2010 10:00 PM ET/PT
Episode 2 - Saturday, October 30, 2010 2:00 PM ET/PT

21st October, 2010

TheOneRing.net has provided detailed bios for the main Hobbit cast members. (Thanks Monetsmum)
RAC Library (The link takes you to the first of a 6-page article. You can navigate through the rest of the article by clicking on the Library's thumbnails.)

Peter Jackson, director of The Hobbit film, announced that Richard has been cast as Thorin Oakenshield, leader of the Company of Dwarves which sets off to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from a thieving dragon. Of Armtage, Jackson said: "Richard is one of the most exciting and dynamic actors working on screen today and we know he is going to make an amazing Thorin Oakenshield. We cannot wait to start this adventure with him and feel very lucky that one of the most beloved characters in Middle Earth is in such good hands." (Deadline New York)
RAC Library

Kevin Wicks in an article in Anglophenia reports that Richard has been cast as Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit. Martin Freeman will play Bilbo Baggins.
RAC Library

19th October, 2010

The media ringtones page has been updated with ringtones from Spooks 9, episode 4 and an audio excerpt from the same episode has been added to the media tv page.

17th October, 2010

Icon Challenge 129 results for Romeo + Juliet now in the Gallery.

16th October, 2010

Richard talks with Susan Griffiths of the Leicestershire Mercury about playing Lucas North in Spooks and his fans. (Thanks to Sandrac and Agnoria)
RAC Library

11th October, 2010

The Detroit PBS station, DPTV, is now airing Spooks (MI-5) series 7 on Sunday nights at 10:30 pm. (Thanks to suzi12sq)

The media ringtones page has been updated with ringtones from Spooks 9, episode 3 and 2 audio excerpts from the same episode has been added to the media tv page (scroll down near the bottom of the page).

10th October, 2010

In this interview by Kevin Bridges for the the Sunday Post, Richard talks about filming Spooks in London, his tattoos as Lucas North, and the Spooks storylines. (Thanks to Scotiagirl)
RAC Library

Darkroom Challenge - Treasure - results now in the RAC Gallery.

Icon Challenge 128 results for My Best Friend's Wedding now in the Gallery.

8th October, 2010

Lost Land of the Tiger, narrated by Richard Armitage, which first aired in September, is being repeated on Sunday nights on BBC1. The 3 episodes will be aired over 2 weeks and please note the odd scheduling. We'll keep an eye on this and let you know if there's a change (Thanks to Monetsmum):

Episode 1: Sunday, 10th October at 5.05 pm
Episode 2: Sunday, 17th October at 11.25 pm
Episode 3: Sunday, 10th October at 5:10 pm

Richard discusses what he would do with £1m and financial planning in "My First Million," an interview with The Financial Times.
RAC Library (2-page article)

7th, October 2010

Women's Own Magazine talked with Richard Armitage (Lucas), Max Brown (Dimitri), Sophia Myles (Beth) and Laila Rouass (Maya) on "a secret location near the Thames". (Thanks to Lady Juliana for the scan)

6th October, 2010

*ComicBookMovie.com has added some set photos from the Captain America shoot (they do not show Richard). And, with thanks to Rivengal there is a comment from an extra:

"The fight scene with Kruger looked amazing, and both actors (Evans and Richard Armitage) were drenched to the skin on a freezing dockside. It was an honour to be in the same scenes." (Thanks also to Sandrac)

According to The Sun, Fox Television has bought the rights to Spooks and will air it in Russia and the Baltic States, beginning with Series 7, when Lucas North (Richard Armitage) joins The Grid. Richard said, "I hope the Russians enjoy Spooks as their country has been integral to the storylines, particularly for my character Lucas. ... I look forward to hearing what they say."
RAC Library

Reviewing the series for The Independent, in "Spooks: The drama with more ghosts than most", Ben Walsh calls "the pace of these episodes ... audacious, relentless, unhinged."
RAC Library

*Rob Carnevale interviews Max Walsh (Dimitri, Spooks series 9) for the IndieLondon. When asked what it was like working with Richard Armitage, Max Walsh replied, "His head is always in the game and he always knows what’s going on. When you have someone like that with you it instils confidence ...". (Thanks to Lady Gisborne)
RAC Library

5th October, 2010

Doug Lambert for ATV Network reports that Spooks ratings for episode 3 series 9 reached 5 million.

Screencaps from Spooks 9, episode 3 have been added to the RAC Gallery.

The media ringtones page has been updated with ringtones from Spooks 9, episode 2 and an audio excerpt from the same episode has been added to the media tv page.

4th October, 2010

Amazon.co.uk is offering Spooks Series 8 dvds for the discounted price of £24.97.

David Stephenson (@TheTellyRocket) has confirmed on twitter that the BBC has commissioned Spooks for a 10th series. (Twitter)

3rd October, 2010

Poetry Cards Challenge 127 results for Poison now in the Gallery.