David Carlyle (born 1988) is a Scottish actor. Following a 10-year stage career, Carlyle starred in 2021 Channel 4 / HBO Max series It’s a Sin which led to his nomination as Best Supporting Actor in the 2022 British Academy Television Awards (BAFTA) and BAFTA Scotland Audience Award for his performance as Gregory Finch, aka Gloria. Carlyle also appeared in Bodyguard and Lip Service.
In 2019 Carlyle starred in Anthony Neilson’s The Tell-Tale Heart at The Royal National Theatre, London. The two have a long working relationship and also worked together on productions of Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland for The Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh in 2016 and Caledonia for the National Theatre of Scotland/Edinburgh International Festival in 2010. He performed in the award winning To Kill A Mockingbird at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and the Barbican. Other notable credits include playing the lead role of The Mayor in the Olivier Award nominated revival of The Government Inspector for Birmingham Rep Theatre, playing Tusenbach in Anya Reiss’ adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters alongside Paul McGann and Holliday Grainger and the award-winning The Monster in the Hall by David Greig for Glasgow’s historic Citizen’s Theatre/National Theatre of Scotland, the cast being awarded Best Ensemble at the 2011 Stage Awards.
Personal life Carlyle is gay. In interviews, Carlyle often talks about growing up gay in Scotland, such as in his interview on Out with Suzi Ruffell as well about his activity in the LGBTQ+ community. Carlyle worked with Virgin Radio to create a two-part documentary called Getting Out, exploring LGBTQ+ youth homelessness. He was interviewed by Graham Norton about the show in June 2022.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 2012 Lip Service Angus TV series 2018 Bodyguard RASP Officer TV mini series 2020 Casualty Callum Coleman TV series 2021 It's a Sin Gregory Finch TV mini series 2024 Dinosaur Bo TV series 2025 I Swear Chris Achenbach Feature film 2026 Mint Tom TV series
Awards and nominations Year Nominated Work Award Category Result 2011The Monster in the HallStage Awards for Acting ExcellenceBest Ensemble2021Proud Scotland AwardsArtist/Entertainer Award 2021 It's a Sin British Academy Scotland Awards Audience Award 2022 British Academy Television Award Best Supporting Actor
Radio +TitleRoleDirectorFormatThe Tracks That Take Us BackAs himselfAnchor FMAngst! The Teachings of Smart TownMalcolmNicolas JacksonAfonica for BBC Radio 4Kitchen ConfidentialChefPolly ThomasBBC Radio 4The Stroma SessionsNico PaolozziNicolas JacksonBBC Radio 3ChernobylReaderJeremy OsborneSweet Talk / BBC
Theatre +ProductionRoleDirectorCompanyYou Stupid DarknessJonJames GrievePaines PloughThe Tell Tale HeartThe Detective (lead)Anthony NeilsonRoyal National TheatreThe OutsiderBoss / ProsecutorAbbey WrightThe Print RoomAlice's Adventures in WonderlandWhite Rabbit / March HareAnthony NeilsonRoyal Lyceum, EdinburghThe Government InspectorThe Mayor (lead)Roxanna SilbertBirmingham Repertory Theatre and TourTo Kill a MockingbirdNathan Radley / Mr GilmerTim SheaderRegents Park Open Air Theatre / UK Tour / Barbican TheatreThree SistersTusenbachRussell BolamSouthwark PlayhouseCarpe DiemMr JeffreyJo McInnesRoyal National TheatreVictoriaOscar / Euan / Young OscarPhilip HowardDundee Repertory TheatreSomersaultsJamesRussell BolamFinborough TheatreYellow MoonStag LeeGuy HollandsNational Theatre of ScotlandHansel and GretelHanselGuy HollandsCitizens TheatreDead Heavy FantasticStevie / PreacherMatt WildeEveryman Theatre LiverpoolThe Monster in the HallLawrence LofthouseGuy HollandGlasgow Citizens / Traverse TheatreCaledoniaJoost / VariousAnthony NeilsonNational Theatre of ScotlandThe Wonderful World of DissociaGoat / BifferMatt WildeUnicorn TheatreThe White DevilFlamenioDavid ZoobShakspeare's Globe - Sam Wanamaker Festival
References
External links
David Carlyle Agency Representation & Voice Agency Representation Performance Masterclass, supported by Channel 4, BAFTA Cymru and BAFTA Scotland STV's Unmuted: It’s a Sin star David Carlyle’s life in lockdown