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Martin Freeman, actor

Martin Freeman, actor, shares the eight tracks, book and luxury he would take with him if cast away on a desert island. With Lauren Laverne

Martin Freeman is a multi-award winning actor, best known for his roles as the lovable Tim in 成人快手 Two鈥檚 The Office and as Dr Watson to Benedict Cumberbatch鈥檚 Sherlock Holmes. He also played Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson鈥檚 Hobbit trilogy, Lester Nygaard in the US drama series Fargo and Everett K Ross in the film Black Panther.

Born in Hampshire in 1971, he grew up in Teddington in south-west London. The youngest of five children, he was just 10 when his father died of a heart attack. As a teenager, he played competitive squash, making the national squad, until he realised he lacked the necessary killer instinct required and switched to youth theatre.

He studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama and left in his third year to work at the National Theatre, playing minor roles. He first reached a wider audience when he was cast as Tim in The Office, which was broadcast from 2001 to 2003 and became the first British sitcom to win a Golden Globe. More screen roles followed, including playing Arthur Dent in the film of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. In 2010 he first appeared as Dr Watson opposite Benedict Cumberbatch鈥檚 Sherlock and went on to win both a BAFTA and an Emmy as Best Supporting Actor. He has continued to work in films, TV and on stage.

He appeared in Sherlock with his ex-partner Amanda Abbington. They have two children.

BOOK CHOICE: Animal Farm by George Orwell
LUXURY: Tea-making Facilities
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles

Presenter: Lauren Laverne
Producer: Cathy Drysdale

Available now

54 minutes

Last on

Fri 5 Apr 2019 09:00

Music Played

  • The Clash

    Janie Jones

    • The Story Of The Clash.
    • Sony.
  • Madness

    Baggy Trousers

    • Total Madness.
    • Union Square Music.
    • 4.
  • Bob Marley & The Wailers

    Natty Dread

    • Songs Of Freedom.
    • Universal-Island Records.
    • 17.
  • Leonard Bernstein

    Dance At The Gym

    • West Side Story (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
    • Sony Classical.
    • 4.
  • The Beatles

    Strawberry Fields Forever

    • Magical Mystery Tour.
    • Parlophone.
    • 8.
  • Henry Purcell

    When I Am Laid In Earth

    Orchestra: Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Singer: Lynne Dawson. Conductor: Ren茅 Jacobs.
    • Purcell: Dido and Aeneas.
    • EMI.
    • 38.
  • The Style Council

    Walls Come Tumbling Down

    • Our Favourite Shop.
    • Polydor.
    • 14.
  • Stevie Wonder

    Jesus Children Of America

    • Innervisions.
    • Universal-Island Records.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 31 Mar 2019 11:15
  • Fri 5 Apr 2019 09:00

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