Christopher Ravenscroft.

Christopher Ravenscroft at Theatre Royal Bath

Article by Flicky Harrison • Swindon Advertiser • Jul 18, 2008

Christopher Ravenscroft, best known as Wexford"s right-hand man in the Ruth Rendell detective TV series, has also made a name for himself on stage and the big screen. He starred in Shakespeare"s Henry V in the theatre and on screen with Kenneth Branagh.

“I was Mountjoy in the stage production with Ken, and when he began the Henry V film, he grabbed me for the same part,” said Christopher. “I have been lucky working with some great people.”

Christopher is currently working in a repertory season in Bath. Four plays are running consecutively until the end of August. Christopher is in Henry James’ The Portrait of A Lady with Niamh Cusack and Catherine McCormack. “I read Henry James a lot when I was a student, but I have not read any since then,” he said.

The actor is also starring in A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen again with Catherine and Finbar Lynch. “It is a treat to work with Peter Hall, a great theatre director of our age.”

The actor looks fondly on his time in the Ruth Rendell Mysteries for ITV and says that he and George Baker, who played Inspector Wexford, were great mates. “We got on terribly well and developed a good friendship and working relationship. We had good chemistry.”

But it was law, rather than psychiatry or acting, that Christopher was destined for. His grandfather had a law firm, and he was to follow in his footsteps. He even notched up a law degree from London University. “I spent more time on amateur drama at college than law, and I knew I had to give it a go,” he said. His own son Jack has followed his father into the entertainment world as he is in the film industry.

Christopher Ravenscroft Factfile