Hugh Bonneville is returning to our TV screens in the new series of BBC's The Gold, with the actor having reprised his role as Brian Boyce for a second time. Hugh, 61, stars alongside the likes of Tom Cullen, Charlotte Spencer and Jack Lowden in the crime drama, which will launch on BBC One on Sunday, 8 June. All six episodes will also land on BBC iPlayer for fans to binge-watch.

Away from The Gold, the actor is best-known for starring in the likes of Downton Abbey and the Paddington films, having become a regular fixture on our screens over the years. Here, we take a look into Hugh's life, including his career and marriage split...

Hugh was born on 10 November 1963 in Paddington, London. His full name is Hugh Richard Bonniwell Williams.

Hugh's mother was a nurse and his father was a urological surgeon. The actor was educated at Dulwich College School in London, as well as Sherborne School.

After this, he attended Corpus Christi College at Cambridge, graduating with a 2:2 in theology. Hugh then studied at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He was also a member of the National Youth Theatre.

When he began acting, Hugh chose to be known as Richard Bonneville, a combination of his middle names. This was because there was already a playwright called Hugh Williams.

He later changed Richard to Hugh, with Hugh Bonneville becoming his stage name.

Hugh kicked off his acting career in theatre, with his first professional stage appearance being at the Open Air Theatre. He then joined the National Theatre in 1987, before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1991.

In 1994, Hugh appeared in an episode of The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, before making his film debut later that same year in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. He then starred in James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies in 1997.

Hugh has appeared in TV series such as Take a Girl Like You, Armadillo, The Commander and Midsomer Murders. He starred in Iris alongside Kate Winslet, earning himself a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

In 2010, Hugh began starring in Downton Abbey, as Robert, Earl of Grantham. He appeared in the series before 2015 and also starred in the 2019 movie.

Fans will also recognise Hugh as Mr Brown in the Paddington films.

Hugh married Lucinda Williams in 1998. The pair share a son, Felix.

In September 2023, Hugh and Lucinda, known as Lulu, announced they had decided to part ways after 25 years together.

Earlier this year, it was reported that Lucinda had kept the family home in West Sussex while Hugh had moved into a bachelor pad located in Soho.

Since the end of his marriage, the Downton Abbey star has been linked to Canadian actress Claire Rankin as well as vegan influencer Heidi Kadlecova.

Hugh's current relationship status is not known.

Hugh has spoken openly about his weight over the years, with the actor having undergone some big transformations.

He has previously recalled losing weight for auditions, most notably his audition for the part of Bernie in 1999 film Notting Hill. When he auditioned for the role, he had recently shed 9kg.

In an interview with , he revealed the director called him to discuss his weight, as Bernie was supposed to be bigger than him. However, Hugh insisted he was "not going back".

But when he auditioned for the part of Bernie the dim stockbroker in Notting Hill, he had just lost 9kg. The director phoned him after the audition saying, "We need to have a conversation about your weight."

After appearing in 2008's Bonekickers, Hugh went on to overhaul his lifestyle and shed 16 pounds, even participating in a 52-mile walking competition. He's also completed the 100km South Downs walk.

The Gold will begin airing on Sunday, 8 June at 9pm on BBC One. Series one is currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer.