Richard Madden

Biography

Richard Madden was born on 18 June 1986 in Elderslie, a village near Glasgow, Scotland. He grew up alongside his two sisters in a working-class family; his mother was a primary school teacher, and his father served as a firefighter.

As a child, Madden was shy and struggled with body insecurities. To help build his confidence, he joined PACE Youth Theatre at the age of 11. That same year, he landed his first acting role as young Andy in the film adaptation of Complicity, which was released in 2000. He later revealed that his early exposure to acting also led to bullying during his high school years.

Early Career

Before his film debut was released, Madden had already taken on a leading role in the children’s television series Barmy Aunt Boomerang, where he played Sebastian from 1999 to 2000.

After completing his schooling, he studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he honed his craft and developed a strong foundation in classical theatre. In 2007, he toured with Shakespeare's Globe as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, a role he later reprised in London’s West End in 2016.

Breakthrough and International Fame

Madden rose to international prominence with his portrayal of Robb Stark in Game of Thrones (2011–2013). His performance as the honorable yet tragic King in the North earned him global recognition and established him as a rising star in television drama.

He transitioned successfully into film, playing Prince Kit in Cinderella (2015). In 2016, he starred as Cosimo de’ Medici in the historical drama series Medici, further showcasing his versatility.

Critical Acclaim and Major Roles

In 2018, Madden delivered a critically acclaimed performance as a troubled police protection officer in the BBC thriller Bodyguard. His portrayal earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama.

The following year, he appeared in supporting roles as music manager John Reid in Rocketman and as a soldier in 1917. In 2019, he was also named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world.

Madden later joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ikaris in Eternals (2021). Continuing his work in action-driven roles, he starred as a spy in the global thriller series Citadel (2023).