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Last updated on the 30 June 2024 by Maeve
Mini Biography
Born: 16 September 1974, London, England.Â
Ed Stoppard inherited a creative spark from his lineage. His father, the legendary playwright Sir Tom Stoppard and his mother, Dr. Miriam Stoppard (née Stern), an author and physician, instilled a love for learning and self-expression in their son. Though raised in a secular household, Ed’s heritage is demonstrably Jewish, a fact reflected in some of his acting choices later in life.
Ed Stoppard’s early years were a blend of academic pursuits and a burgeoning interest in the arts. He attended Caldicott School, followed by Stowe School, a prestigious boarding institution. While excelling in his studies, Stoppard harboured a secret desire for the stage. Initially, his father, perhaps wary of the profession’s uncertainties, was not entirely supportive of this aspiration.
Undeterred, Stoppard continued his education at the University of Edinburgh, graduating in 1997 with a degree in French. This seemingly non-theatrical path masked a deeper plan. After Edinburgh, Stoppard enrolled at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), a renowned institution that has nurtured countless acting talents.
Ed’s professional journey began in the early 2000s. A significant early role came in Roman Polanski’s harrowing Holocaust drama, “The Pianist” (2002). Playing a Jewish victim caught in the horrors of World War II resonated deeply with Stoppard, perhaps due to his own family background.
Throughout the following years, Stoppard carved a niche for himself in both film and television. He appeared in diverse projects like the biopic “Tchaikovsky” (2007), the miniseries adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s classic novel “Brideshead Revisited” (2008), and historical documentaries such as “Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire” (2006). Stoppard’s ability to seamlessly transition between historical dramas and contemporary pieces like the British political drama “The Politician’s Husband” (2013) solidified his reputation as a dependable and talented actor.
Television offered Ed Stoppard a platform for extended character development. He portrayed Sir Daniel Hervey in the chilling period thriller “The Frankenstein Chronicles” (2015-2017), and later embodied Lemay, the court physician, in the swashbuckling adventure series “The Musketeers” (2014). More recently, Stoppard’s credits include appearances in the dystopian drama “Brave New World” (2020) and the historical miniseries “The Princess” (2022).
He is married to Amie Stoppard and the couple have three daughters: Evie, Esm and Maggie.
Suggested viewing
Tchaikovsky (2007)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.1
In this docudrama, a conductor travels to Russia, the homeland of the enigmatic composer Tchaikovsky. He delves into the musician’s life, shrouded in mystery, seeking to understand the man behind the timeless symphonies and ballets.
Top cast: Ed Stoppard, Charles Hazlewood, William Mannering, Gyuri Sarossy, Alice Glover Sam Marks, Martin Parr.
The Man Who Crossed Hitler (2011)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 6.6
A young Jewish lawyer in 1930s Germany takes a daring stand against the rising Nazi party by subpoenaing Hitler himself to expose the violent core of the ideology behind the charismatic leader’s mask of legitimacy.
Top cast: Ed Stoppard, Ian Hart, Bill Paterson, Sarah Smart, Anton Lesser, John Hollingworth, Ronan Vibert, Ruth McCabe, Will Keen.
The Frankenstein Chronicles (2015)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.2
In foggy 19th century London, a haunted police inspector investigates a series of gruesome murders, uncovering a conspiracy that links stolen body parts, scientific advancements and a possible attempt to cheat death itself.
Top cast: Sean Bean, Richie Campbell, Tom Ward, Ed Stoppard, Vanessa Kirby, Samuel West, Robbie Gee, Eloise Smyth.
Upstairs Downstairs (2010)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.4
In 1936 London, a former servant returns to a grand townhouse to manage a new family and their staff, facing the changing social tides against the backdrop of rising fascism and a nation on the brink of war.
Top cast: Keeley Hawes, Ed Stoppard, Adrian Scarborough, Neil Jackson, Anne Reid, Claire Foy, Art Malik, Ellie Kendrick.
