Richard Madden SuccessStory

In 2000 at 11 years old, Madden gained his first-ever role in the film adaptation of Ian Banks’ 1993 novel “Complicity”. A few years later while at the conservatoire, Madden performed in numerous plays including Frank Kroetz’s “Tom Fool” and William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”. In “Romeo and Juliet”, he was cast as Romeo and performed in the play in the modern Globe Theatre in London followed by a tour in summer 2007. 

Early Career

After graduating from the conservatoire, Madden performed in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Malorie Blackman’s “Noughts & Crosses”. He was cast as one of the production’s leads Callum McGregor. In 2009, he starred as Mark McNulty in the Scottish play “Be Near Me” wherein his performance earned rave reviews. In the same year, he starred in the BBC comedy series “Hope Springs” and also played supporting roles in the films “Chatroom” and “Worried About a Boy”.  

Breakout Roles

In 2011, Madden starred in his first breakout role in HBO’s “Game of Thrones”. The television series is based on George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” novels. Before being cast, Madden had contemplated moving back to his parent’s home as he was struggling to get significant roles. Thankfully, “Game of Thrones” became an overnight hit with critics praising Madden for his performance as the young and charismatic Robb Stark.  

Madden portrayed the role for the three seasons wherein the show would garner multiple Screen Actors Guild nominations. “Game of Thrones” finished its television run in 2019 and would end up as one of the most successful televisions of all time, winning nearly 300 awards. It currently holds the record for most Emmy wins for a scripted television series and Emmy nominations for a drama series.  

In 2015, Madden portrayed Prince Kit in the live film adaptation of “Cinderella”. Co-starring Lily James as Cinderella and Cate Blanchett as Lady Tremaine (Stepmother), the film was a critical and commercial success and grossed $542 million in the global box office. Shortly after “Cinderella”, he starred in two British films “Bastille Day” and “Lady Chatterley’s Lover”.   

2018 was a big year for Madden as he starred in another iconic role; Sergeant David Budd in the 2018 BBC action-drama series “Bodyguard”. In the show, he portrays a police officer tasked to protect Home Secretary Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes). “Bodyguard” became one of the biggest shows of 2018 and grabbed multiple awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama for Madden. The award was also Madden’s first individual nomination.

In 2019, Madden played supporting roles in two award-winning films: the Elton John biopic “Rocketman” and World War I movie “1917”. Both films garnered rave reviews, particularly “1917” which won 72 awards including three Oscars.        

“Eternals” and Future Projects

Madden is set to star in the upcoming Marvel film “Eternals” based on the comic book series written by Jack Kirby in 1976. The film revolves around a group of superheroes called the “Eternals” as they fend off a cosmic foe threatening to destroy Earth. Madden will be portraying Ikaris, one of the leaders of the Eternals who has the ability and fly and launch cosmic energy beams.   

“Eternals” is directed by Chloe Zhao and also stars Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan, Kumail Nanjiani, Salma Hayek, and Kit Harrington. Zhao is the director of the award-winning drama “Nomadland”, the film that won her Best Director in the 2021 Oscars.

Madden will soon star in the Amazon series “Citadel” co-starring Priyanka Chopra and helmed by “Avengers: Endgame” directors Anthony and Joseph Russo. Madden will be also be collaborating with Golden Globe winner Brian Cox to produce a sci-fi podcast called “From Now”. 

Personal Life

Madden is known to strongly advocate against workplace inequality, citing that working-class individuals need to be given more and better opportunities from large corporations. In 2019, he was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. 

Madden previously dated “Emmerdale” actress Jenna Louise Coleman and “Les Miserables” star Ellie Bamber. He is close friends with “Eternals” co-stars Gemma Chan and Kit Harrington with the latter he previously worked with in “Game of Thrones”.  

In Closing

Already a recipient of the prestigious Golden Globes to pair with an impressive resume, the path has been laid for Richard Madden to achieve superstar status. And at this rate, there seems to be no stopping the Scottish actor.