Matthew Barber (born 26 March 1983) is an English actor.
Early life and education Born in Hammersmith, London, he grew up in Hampshire, training classically as a chorister at Winchester Cathedral before receiving academic and music scholarships to Bradfield College, where he was head boy.
Barber read Classical Studies and Philosophy at St Cuthbert's Society, Durham, and graduated there in 2005.
He trained as an actor at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and finished in 2007.
Career He is best known for his role as Atticus Aldridge in Downton Abbey. His previous roles include Freddie Eynsford-Hill in Peter Hall's Pygmalion, opposite Michelle Dockery at the Old Vic, and internationally as Lysander in Jonathan Kent's The Fairy-Queen at Glyndebourne.
In 2011, he acted in Edward II, as the main character. Stet Journal said: "Barber is an excellent Edward – naive, excitable, and ultimately pitiable... mesmerising".
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 2024 Dagr Matt 2018 The Sonata James 2014-2015 Downton Abbey Atticus Aldridge Season 5, 6 episodes 2014 Deadly Virtues: Love. Honour. Obey Tom 2013 Dracula Campbell 2 episodes 2013 Plastic Dave 2012 The Other Wife Ben 2011 Bert and Dickie Merv Wood 2009 Being Human Young Kemp Season 2, episode 6 The Alchemistic Suitcase Youth Short Film 2008 Vivaldi, The Red Priest Francois 2007 The Heart of Thomas Hardy Alec D'Urberville
Theatre Year Title Role Notes 2016 Breakfast at Tiffany’s Fred directed by Nikolai Foster (Curve, Leicester on 3 March 2016, UK & Ireland Tour, at the Haymarket Theatre in London’s West End from 30 June to 17 September 2016) 2013 Savage Beauty, Paris (mythology)/Orestes/Jason/Oedipus directed by James Albrecht (St James's Theatre)2012The Fairy-QueenLysanderdirected by Jonathan Kent (director) (Glyndebourne)2011PortraitsJoedirected by Alex Marker (Finborough Theatre)2011Edward IIEdward IIdirected by Peter Darney (The Rose (theatre), Bankside) 2011The MisanthropeAcastedirected by Andrew Hilton (Bristol Old Vic, 2011),2009Twelfth NightOrsino (Twelfth Night)directed by Andrew Normington (Birmingham Old Rep Theatre and International Tour)2009Human By DefaultSimondirected by Louisa Fitzgerald (Old Red Lion)2008-2009PygmalionFreddie Eynsford-Hilldirected by Peter Hall (director) (Old Vic, Bath Theatre Royal, 2008, and International Tour, 2009 2008)2007You Can't Take It with You,Tonydirected by Gavin McAlinden (Southwark Playhouse, 2007)?Much Ado About NothingClaudio and Vergesdirected by John Hartoch (RSC and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School)
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