Craig Parkinson is an English actor and podcaster born on 11 March 1976 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England. He is best known for playing Shaun in “Misfits”, the twins Jimmy and Johnny Kray in “Whitechapel”, and DI Matthew ‘Dot’ Cottan in “Line of Duty”. His work across television, film, and audio spans more than two decades.
Parkinson first drew wider attention as Tony Wilson in the 2007 film “Control”, with his film credits later expanding to include “Soulboy”, “The Unloved”, and “Four Lions”. On television, he has appeared in “The Secret of Crickley Hall”, “Indian Summers”, “Prey”, “The Mill”, and “Mrs Sidhu Investigates”. In 2024, he joined the cast of “Renegade Nell” on Disney+. His IMDb page lists the full set of those credits.
Alongside acting, Parkinson has developed a second career in podcasting. He hosted the film-interviews podcast “The Two Shot Podcast” and later presented “Obsessed with Line of Duty” for BBC Sounds, a companion podcast tied to the police drama.
What Are Craig Parkinson’s Most Notable Film and TV Roles?
Craig Parkinson’s career spans more than two decades of British television and film. His TV Insider profile lists appearances across drama, comedy, and crime series. The essential details of his career and public profile are consistent across the main reference sources.
| Full Name | Craig Parkinson |
| Born | 11 March 1976 |
| Place of Birth | Blackpool, England |
| Known For | “Line of Duty”, “Misfits”, “Four Lions” |
| Occupation | Actor and Podcaster |
| Notable Works | “Line of Duty”, “Misfits”, “Four Lions”, “Renegade Nell” |
Several details stand out when looking at his profile as a whole:
- Craig Parkinson is best known for playing multiple roles in “Line of Duty” and the comedy film “Four Lions”.
- His podcast work includes hosting “The Two Shot Podcast” and “Obsessed with Line of Duty” for BBC Sounds.
- His personal life, including marital status and children, is not extensively documented in public sources.
- Health rumors about an “illness” are unconfirmed and should be treated with caution.
- He trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts after growing up in Blackpool.
- His television credits include “Whitechapel”, “The Secret of Crickley Hall”, and “Indian Summers”.
- Reports suggest he was married to actress Susan Lynch, with whom he has a son.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age (2025) | 49 |
| Height | Approximately 1.95 m (6 ft 4½ in) |
| Spouse | Not publicly confirmed; previously married to Susan Lynch |
| Children | One son (name not public) |
| First Major Role | Shaun in “Misfits” (2009) |
| Instagram Followers | 38.4K |
| Born | 11 March 1976 |
| Place of Birth | Blackpool, Lancashire, England |
| Occupation | Actor and Podcaster |
| Notable TV Shows | “Line of Duty”, “Misfits”, “Whitechapel”, “The Mill” |
| Notable Films | “Control”, “Four Lions”, “Soulboy”, “The Unloved” |
| Podcasts | “The Two Shot Podcast”, “Obsessed with Line of Duty” |
His performance as DI Matthew ‘Dot’ Cottan in “Line of Duty” is among his most discussed television roles. His Comedy.co.uk profile highlights his work in “Four Lions”, and his full list of credits is available through The Movie Database.
Who Are Craig Parkinson’s Wife, Son, and New Partner?
Craig Parkinson generally keeps his private life out of the spotlight. Public records indicate that he was married to actress Susan Lynch, and some sources say the couple have one son and separated in 2019.
What Is Known About Craig Parkinson’s Relationship History?
The most commonly cited relationship in Parkinson’s public history is his marriage to actress Susan Lynch. Whether he has remarried or is currently partnered is not confirmed in any reliable public source. His current marital status is therefore best described as private.
What Is Known About Craig Parkinson’s Son?
Multiple sources, including his OFDb profile, indicate that Parkinson has one son. The boy’s name and further family details have not been made public.
Who Is Craig Parkinson’s New Partner?
No reliable public source confirms a new partner for Craig Parkinson. Online searches on this topic tend to generate speculation rather than verified reporting. As with much of his personal life, this detail appears to be intentionally private.
Craig Parkinson’s current relationship status is not documented in reliable sources. The known facts are limited to a previous marriage to actress Susan Lynch and a reported separation in 2019.
What Are Craig Parkinson’s Personal Background and Physical Stats?
Where Was Craig Parkinson Born and Raised?
Craig Parkinson was born on 11 March 1976 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England. He was brought up in Blackpool and later moved to London to study acting at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts after attending Blackpool and Fylde College.
What Is Craig Parkinson’s Height in Feet and Metres?
Most sources list his height at approximately 1.95 m (6 ft 4½ in). A few references give figures between 1.94 m and 1.96 m, or about 6 ft 5 in, according to Vokrug TV. The differences are minor and appear to stem from rounding.
Published heights for Craig Parkinson range from about 1.94 m to 1.96 m depending on the source. The most commonly cited figure is 1.95 m (6 ft 4½ in).
Has Craig Parkinson’s Health Been Publicly Questioned?
No reliable information indicates that Craig Parkinson has a publicly reported illness. The topic appears to have spread online as an unverified rumor, and no official statement from Parkinson or his representatives supports any health-related claim.
Claims about Craig Parkinson’s health are not supported by official statements or reliable reporting. No verified evidence has been made public.
How Did Craig Parkinson’s Career Develop Over Time?
The main milestones in his working life show a steady path from stage training to television fame and podcasting.
- – Born in Blackpool, England.
- – Gained wider attention as Tony Wilson in “Control”.
- – Played Shaun in the E4 series “Misfits”.
- – Appeared in “Four Lions” as a terrorist cell member.
- – Portrayed multiple roles in BBC’s “Line of Duty”, including DI Matthew ‘Dot’ Cottan.
- – Launched “The Two Shot Podcast” with fellow actors.
- – Hosted BBC Sounds podcast “Obsessed with Line of Duty”.
- – Appeared in “Renegade Nell” on Disney+.
The dates correspond to the publicly documented career record across the main reference sources.
Which Facts About Craig Parkinson Are Confirmed and Which Are Not?
Looking at Craig Parkinson’s public records, a clear pattern emerges. The core biographical facts are consistent across sources, while some personal details remain unresolved or private.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Birth date and place | Craig Parkinson’s new partner – no reliable public source |
| Filmography | Wife – his marital status is not widely reported |
| Podcast hosting roles | Illness – no official statement; likely a rumor |
A few details, such as his exact height and the precise timing of his marriage, vary slightly from one source to another. However, the central facts about his career and acting background are consistent from one source to the next.
Why Is Craig Parkinson a Recognisable Name in British Drama?
Craig Parkinson’s acting career spans more than two decades, with a string of notable supporting roles in British television and film. He is often described as a performer who can move between comedy, crime, and period drama without repeating himself.
His role as DI Matthew ‘Dot’ Cottan in “Line of Duty” made him a favorite among viewers of the show, while his appearance in “Four Lions” showed a very different side of his range. That combination of serious drama and dark comedy helps explain why he keeps appearing in high-profile projects.
His podcast work has also extended his reach beyond acting. By hosting conversations with fellow actors and breaking down “Line of Duty” episodes, he has built an audience that follows him across formats, not just on screen.
Where Can Information About Craig Parkinson Be Verified?
Most reliable information about Craig Parkinson comes from standard industry and reference sources, including Wikipedia, IMDb, TV Insider, and professional talent databases. His official Instagram account provides direct updates from the actor, and his SaysO Voices profile documents his professional voiceover work.
“Craig Parkinson (born 11 March 1976) is an English actor and podcaster.”
— Wikipedia
“Actor, podcaster”
— Craig Parkinson’s Instagram bio
What Is the Takeaway on Craig Parkinson’s Career and Personal Life?
Craig Parkinson remains a respected and busy figure in British entertainment, with memorable roles in “Line of Duty”, “Misfits”, and “Four Lions”, plus a growing body of podcast work. His private life is far less documented, and the most reliable picture is the professional one: an actor with range, a podcaster with a dedicated following, and a performer who continues to take on varied projects.
Frequently Asked Questions About Craig Parkinson
Is Craig Parkinson married?
His marital status is not publicly confirmed. Information about a wife or partner is limited, and his current relationship status appears to be private.
Does Craig Parkinson have a son?
Yes, he is known to have a son, but the son’s name and other details are not publicly available.
What is Craig Parkinson’s illness?
There is no verified information about any illness. This appears to be an unsubstantiated rumor.
How tall is Craig Parkinson?
His height is listed at approximately 1.95 m (6 ft 4½ in), though some sources round it to between 1.94 m and 1.96 m.
What role did Craig Parkinson play in Four Lions?
He appeared in “Four Lions” (2010) as a member of a terrorist cell.
What character did Craig Parkinson play in Line of Duty?
He played DI Matthew ‘Dot’ Cottan in “Line of Duty”, appearing across multiple series of the BBC police corruption drama.
What is Craig Parkinson’s age?
Craig Parkinson was born on 11 March 1976, which makes him 49 years old in 2025.
Sophie Kendall is Celebrity News Editor at ShowbizUK.co.uk, covering celebrity news, public appearances, interviews, red carpet coverage, social media updates and audience-focused showbiz stories.