Who is Line Of Duty star Nigel Boyle? How an Aston Villa-loving barman defied the odds to become the nation’s biggest TV villain (and welcomed his third child just three weeks ago!)
- WARNING: SPOILERS FOR LINE OF DUTY’S SERIES SIX FINALE
- Ex-barman Nigel – who portrayed Buckells throughout the show’s first, fourth and sixth series – started his career with minor roles in Corrie and Peaky Blinders
- The youngest in his family of six, he was born in Moseley, Birmingham, before he relocated to the city’s Bartley Green suburb as a child
- His parents came to the West Midlands from Ireland in the 50s and would often ‘move around’ as they were involved in the pub trade
- ‘I was always hanging round with my dad and pulling pints and working with him’, he previously said
- The actor is a life-long supporter of Aston Villa F.C. and raises sons Finnian, five, and Decan Sonny, two, and daughter Cora Rose, three weeks, with wife Lainy
Line Of Duty viewers were left shocked to discover DSI Ian Buckells was criminal H during Sunday’s finale of series six, but who is the man behind the elusive character?
Ex-barman Nigel Boyle – who portrayed Buckells throughout the BBC show’s first, fourth and sixth series – started his career with minor roles in programmes such as Coronation Street and Peaky Blinders, before landing his biggest job to date in 2012.
Aside from his profession, the actor is a life-long supporter of Aston Villa F.C. and raises sons Finnian, five, and Decan Sonny, two, and daughter Cora Rose, three weeks, with wife Lainy.
Shocking end: Line Of Duty viewers were left shocked to discover DSI Ian Buckells was criminal H during Sunday’s finale of series six, but who is the man behind the character?
The youngest in his family of six, Nigel was born in Moseley, Birmingham, before he relocated to the city’s Bartley Green suburb as a child.
His parents came to the West Midlands from Ireland in the 50s and would often ‘move around’ as they were involved in the pub trade.
On his humble beginnings, the screen star said in an interview with Birmingham Mail in March: ‘We had the Monarch in Quinton and a pub in Bartley Green called the Bale of Hay. My old man ran The Monarch for 13 years.
‘I was always hanging round with my dad and pulling pints and working with him. In Perry Barr it’s a stone’s throw away from Villa Park and one of his mates took me to a game and I absolutely loved it.’
Father-of-three: Ex-barman Nigel Boyle is a life-long supporter of Aston Villa F.C. and raises Finnian, five, Decan Sonny, two, Cora Rose, three weeks, with wife Lainy
Rising: The actor started his career with minor roles (pictured as solicitor Joe with co-star on Coronation Street set – a role he played from 2012 until 2015)
Nigel went on to graduate from the Birmingham School of Acting in 2002 and took part in regular short term work in adverts for brands including Ladbrokes, WKD and McCoy’s.
The TV star’s career started to pick up when he had a recurring role as a solicitor called Joe in ITV’s Corrie from 2012 until 2015, and also played Rickie in Channel 4 sci-fi drama Humans.
Elsewhere, the father-of-three portrayed a policeman in an episode of gangster hit Peaky Blinders in 2017, as well as strict teacher Mr. Hamley in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe – which has received a BAFTA TV nomination in the Best Mini-Series category.
While he’s set to become one of the nation’s most in-demand stars, the thespian juggles his life on the screen with parenthood.
Brief stint: The screen star – who previously worked as a barman with his pub owner father – portrayed a policeman in an episode of gangster hit Peaky Blinders in 2017
Acclaimed: The TV star stepped into the role of strict teacher Mr. Hamley in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe last year – which has received a BAFTA TV nom in the Best Mini-Series category
Rise to fame: Nigel pictured with fellow actor Tommy McDonnell in drama series The Enfield Haunting in 2015
Just last month, Nigel and his actress spouse Lainy – who are now based in London – welcomed their third child, a girl, 11 days early.
The Alleycats star announced on Instagram at the time: ‘Welcome to the world Cora Rose Boyle. #gooner @lainyboyle is a #hero and Cora looks sooo good in #claretandblue #utv.’ (sic)
It is unclear when the couple – who recently starred in a short lockdown-based film called Unmasked – tied the knot.
Lainy has previously appeared in EastEnders as a surgery nurse in 2017, England’s Forgotten Queen: The Life and Death of Lady Jane Grey as Mary Tudor three years ago and an 2019 episode of Doctors as Hayley Grant.
On getting his role in Line Of Duty, the performer previously gushed: ‘It’s an actor’s dream to play someone as petty and petulant and annoying as Buckells.
Interests: The performer pictured recently with an Aston Villa-themed face mask on the set of Line Of Duty
‘As Vicky McClure would say, LINES OF DUTY!’ The Birmingham native also took an image of his script two weeks ago
‘When I was researching for Line of Duty me and my wife did the whole two series in two days or something like that. Binged it properly. I got the script through and said to my wife – who was my girlfriend at the time – I’ve got to get this.’
Seasoned fans took to social media in their droves to share their frustrations as officers from the police anti-corruption unit AC-12 discovered the identity of the elusive ‘fourth man’, who had been colluding with the organised crime group (OCG), was none other than DSU Ian.
The detective was first introduced to viewers in series one when he was appointed as SIO in the case of murdered businesswoman Jackie Laverty by then chief superintendent Derek Hilton.
However, the episode’s end failed to offer any resolution on whether the fan-favourite team of DI Steve Arnott, DI Kate Fleming and Superintendent Ted Hastings would return, ending on the revelation that the team has ‘never been weaker.’
Full house! Just last month, Nigel and his actress spouse Lainy (pictured together in 2019) – who are now based in London – welcomed their third child, a girl, 11 days early
The mystery surrounding the identity of ‘H’ has been up for speculation since the show was first released in 2012 and detectives at the anti-corruption unit discovered there were four officers working within the force who had links to the underground criminal network.
During Sunday’s finale episode , superintendent Ted Hastings, played by actor Adrian Dunbar, was seen asking his colleague Chloe to run checks on the constant misspelling of the word ‘definately’ which had become synonymous with the ‘fourth man’ in previous episodes.
A number of checks traced the word back to Buckells who used the misspelling when messaging former undercover officer John Corbett, played by Stephen Graham, in series five.
When confronted with the revelation Hastings was left astounded, asking his colleague: ‘Are you sure Chloe?’
Co-stars: It is unclear when the couple – who recently starred in a short lockdown-based film called Unmasked (pictured) – tied the knot
After being confronted by Hastings and his team Buckells declared: ‘I’m only the one whose made total mugs out of you lot!’.
He also revealed that they would have to offer him immunity or Witness Protection if they wanted him to co-operate.
Pointing out that H did not officially exist as the investigation into corruption had been quashed, he insisted Tommy Hunter, the organised crime kingpin who was a sinister character during the drama’s early series, was the leader of the OCG.
Long-running: The thespian portrayed Buckells throughout the BBC show’s first, fourth and sixth series
Although several viewers were shocked that Buckells turned out to be the Fourth Man, he previously hinted at being H way back in 2017.
Speaking to Digital Spy during series four, Nigel said: ‘There’s definitely more to Buckells than meets the eye!
‘He’s very competent, very good at what he does, he’s the go-to guy, but he’s certainly not a popular guy – he’s petulant, and a bit of a jobsworth I think.
‘I don’t think people give him enough credit, just because of his personality!’
Best-kept secret: The mystery surrounding the identity of ‘H’ has been up for speculation since the show was first released in 2012
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