John Hopkins (born 1975) is an English-American actor. Some of his best-known roles include Sgt. Dan Scott on Midsomer Murders (2004–2005), Lowell in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (2010), and Sir Francis Basset in the British TV series Poldark (2017–2018). In addition to his television and film work, Hopkins also acts on stage and does voiceovers for video games, television and radio.
Early life and education Hopkins was born in Luton, Bedfordshire. There is little publicly available information about his family or childhood. He attended secondary school at Manshead CofE Upper School in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, and later studied at the University of Leeds (1993–1996), majoring in English. Hopkins received a Sunday Times Short Story Award for student-actors for his role in A Short Play About Sex and Death. After graduation from the University of Leeds, he attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (1997–2000). He was noticed by the Royal Shakespeare Company and had his first repertory season there (2001–2002).
Career In 2002, Hopkins began receiving offers for television roles. Some of the first were minor parts in Trial and Retribution 7 and Love in a Cold Climate. His breakthrough role came when he was offered the role of Detective Sergeant Dan Scott in the hit British television series Midsomer Murders. His involvement with the show continued from the beginning of the 7th series (2004) to the end of the 8th series. Hopkins' character was conceived as a "ladies' man" because of his appearance. During this time, John Nettles was playing the lead role of "Barnaby". Because the actors shared the same first name, Hopkins was assigned the nickname "Hoppers". The two formed a friendship while working together from 2004 to 2005 when Hopkins left the show, returning to the Royal Shakespeare Company to participate in the 2006-2007 London and Stratford-upon-Avon season. At that time, he played Caesar opposite Patrick Stewart in Antony and Cleopatra. He also appeared in Patrick Barlow's comedic version of The 39 Steps as Richard Hannay, as Richard I at the Shakespeare's Globe in the Holy Warriors, and as Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing. He has also continued to work in television; his credits there include Stan Lee's Lucky Man and the BBC drama Poldark as Sir Francis Basset. Billington in 2018 for The Guardian referred to Hopkins as "one of our best Shakespearean actors", and he was named one of "10 best British actors on stage now" in The Times article by Dominic Maxwell.
Interview for the Midsomer Murders Society Hopkins thinks that the whole concept of the Midsomer Murders series is based on the idea of presenting serenity in an issued society. He considers that show is crucial for almost everyone because it demonstrates how all the problems can be solved, where good wins over evil, and everyone returns to the ordinary life once all is done. Hopkins joined the television show when it already had vast popularity. Therefore, as he states, "a bit more pressure was on me than the other guys". Hopkins describes his character as a person who is unwelcoming towards the countryside. He prefers city life and always looks for the method to escape but never achieves it. The relationship between Sergeant Dan Scott (Hopkins' role) and Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Barnaby (John Nettles' role) was tense at the beginning, but eventually became smoother, despite Barnaby's disapproval of Scott's ways. The character Scott and the actor Hopkins have quite different attitudes towards country life; Hopkins feels delighted about spending time in the country. Midsomer Murders allowed him to get to know other great British performers, including the actor Diana Quick and the rower Sir Steve Redgrave. While filming the show, Hopkins got a chance to participate in a movie made by his friends in Prague. His character was a man who woke up in Prague with amnesia. He said he enjoyed playing an "action hero".
Interview on Christmas and The Festive Episode Hopkins stated that he enjoys getting away on Christmas holidays to the Lake District, Peak District or Wales. He and his friends climb mountains between Boxing Day and New Year's Eve. Those days remind him of childhood. Before the trip, Hopkins visits his family. Together they eat and watch Midsomer Murders, and recount stories from the past. However, one Christmas he had to spend shooting for the TV show. The shooting was in an old abandoned house which was reputed to be haunted. Hopkins recalled wondering what story was behind the house and the atmosphere it created by sudden sounds and changes in temperature. Hopkins mentioned in the interview that he gained some weight during the winter episodes, due to wearing layers of clothing to keep warm.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes2001The Life and Adventures of Nicholas NicklebyLordTV movie (Uncredited)2001The PoolFrank 2005ExperimentMorgan2010Dora and Diego’s 4-D Adventure Catch That Robot ButterflyExtraShort filmAlice in WonderlandLowell2011Scenes of an Adult NatureTom Short filmLove Me or ElseDetective Franks2012Hacks Connor FeastTV movie2014The Face of an AngelJoe 2015BaklavaGame Short HostShort film2017The Child in TimeHome SecretaryTV movie2019FourN/AShort film, writer2021Absent Now the DeadOdysseusVoice2021 The MezzotintBinksTV movie2021Hilda and the Mountain KingErik AhlbergTV movie2021Night and DayLaurenceShort film2026Toy Story 5Mr. Pricklepants Voice, replaces Timothy Dalton and Robin Atkin Downes
Television Year Title Role Notes2001Love in a Cold ClimateRobert Parker1 episode2003SpooksAntonTrial & RetributionIan Frogton QC2004–2005Midsomer MurdersSergeant Dan ScottMain role (season 7–8)2005Family AffairsRex Randall15 episodesAll-Star Poker ChallengeSelf2 episodes2006The Path to 9/11British Reporter2 episodesTripping OverNathaniel1 episode2007Robin HoodJohn of York1 episode2008Mutual FriendsSam Westwood Jones1 episodeWire in the BloodDI Andy Hall2 episodes2009The BillDaniel Pfeiffer2 episodesHotel BabylonPhil McGuiness1 episode2010Identity Justin Curtis1 episodeMerlin Sir Oswald1 episode2011Dick and Dom's Funny BusinessVarious1 episodeSecret Diary of a Call GirlTom1 episodeCasualty Tom Russel1 episode2013Dancing on the EdgePrince George3 episodes2015CatastropheSandy Laybourne1 episodeDoctorsMatt Flowers1 episode2016Lucky ManCharles Collins3 episodesThe LodgeSamuel "SJ" James1 episodeEndeavourDr. Dean Powell1 episode2017–2018PoldarkSir Francis Basset8 episodes2018WatergateH.R. Bob HaldemanDocumentary-series2019Jesus: His LifePeter Main role2020Agatha RaisinTom 'Bunchie' Richards1 episodeHildaErik Ahlberg (voice)Main role (season 2)2022TryingLawrenceEpisode: "Pick a Side"2023Funny WomanAndrew O'SheaRecurring role (season 1)Masters of the AirDr. Wendell 'Smokey' StoverRecurring role2024A Very Royal ScandalJeffrey EpsteinParis Has FallenRichard2025Father BrownSherman QuinnSeason 12, Episode 8
Theatre +Theatre Performances of John Hopkins Year Title Role Company / Director2001King JohnDauphinRoyal Shakespeare Company / Gregory DoranJulius CaesarOctavius Royal Shakespeare Company / Edward Hall, (Ian Charleston nomination)Antony and CleopatraDolabella Royal Shakespeare Company / Michael AttenboroughMuch Ado About NothingClaudio / BenedickRoyal Shakespeare Company / Gregory DoranPlayMan Natalie AbrahamiScreams from JobEli Tassos StevensVenus and AdonisNarrator Royal Shakespeare Company / Gregory Doran2006The TempestSebastian Royal Shakespeare Company / Rupert GooldHoly WarriorsRichard IRoyal Shakespeare CompanyAntony and CleopatraCaesarRoyal Shakespeare Company / Gregory Doran2007–2008The Country WifeHarcourt West End / Jonathan KentHamletClaudius / Various Tim Carroll2009–201039 StepsRichard HannayWest End / Maria Aitken2019–2020A Christmas CarolEbenezer ScroogeBristol Old Vic / Tom Morris2023Bleak ExpectationsGently BenevolentWest End / Caroline Leslie2024My Fair LadyHenry HigginsLeeds Playhouse & Opera North / James Brining2024–2025Dr. StrangeloveGeneral RipperNoël Coward Theatre / Armando Iannucci
Video games Year Title Role Notes2013Ryse: Son of RomeMarius2015Sword Coast LegendsJaven Tamikos2015Assassin's Creed SyndicateMaxwell Roth2016Tom Clancy's The DivisionAaron Keener2016Hitman Lucas Grey / The Shadow Client2016Battlefleet Gothic: ArmadaCaptain Tiberius Solarian / Malefica Arkham2017Horizon Zero DawnErend2017Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IIISpace Marines2017Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive AgeHendrik2018Hitman 2Lucas Grey2019Anthem The Bard2019Tom Clancy's The Division 2Aaron Keener2020Total War: Warhammer IIEltharion The Grim(DLC)2021Hitman 3Lucas Grey2021Last StopDan Hughes / 80s Policeman 22021Scarfvoice2022Horizon Forbidden WestErend2023Final Fantasy XVI Elwin Rosfield2023Baldur's Gate 3Arnell Hallowleaf2023Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin Iden, Knights Excelsior2024Skull & Bones John Scurlock2024Rise of the Ronin Commodore Matthew Perry2024Stellar Blade Clyde2024Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered Erend2024Lego Horizon Adventures Erend2026Nioh 3 Hattori HanzoEnglish VO
Audio Year Title Type Role Notes2022–presentShort History of... (Series 3-)PodcastPresenter / Narratorstarting with: The Great Fire of London Noiser Podcasts2022–2023Scotland Yard ConfidentialPodcastPresenter / Narratorstarting with: The London Cellar Murder Noiser Podcasts2023–presentReal Survival StoriesPodcastPresenter / Narratorstarting with: Paragliding Disaster: Sucked Towards the Stratosphere Noiser Podcasts
Awards Hopkins has been nominated for several awards during his career. He received two nominations for his voice in the video game Horizon Zero Dawn (2017) for the voiceover of "Erend". +AwardsYearAward nameCategoryStatus2001Ian Charleson AwardAdditional award2018Behind the Voice Actors Awards (BTVA) Video Game Voice Acting AwardBest Male Vocal Performance in a Video Game in a Supporting RoleNominated2018Behind the Voice Actors Awards (BTVA) Video Game Voice Acting AwardBest Vocal Ensemble in a Video GameNominated2023The British Short Film AwardsBest Actor, Smile SchoolNominated2024UK Theatre AwardsBest Performance in a Musical, My Fair LadyNominated
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