Claim: The Hobbit films starred an actor.
Evidence: The films take place in the fictional world of Middle-earth sixty years before the beginning of The Lord of the Rings , and follow hobbit Bilbo Baggins -LRB- Martin Freeman -RRB- , who is convinced by the wizard Gandalf the Grey -LRB- Ian McKellen -RRB- to accompany thirteen dwarves , led by Thorin Oakenshield -LRB- Richard Armitage -RRB- , on a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug -LRB- voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch -RRB-.
Martin John Christopher Freeman -LRB- born 8 September 1971 -RRB- is an English actor , who became known for portraying Tim Canterbury in the original UK version of sitcom mockumentary The Office , Dr. John Watson in the British crime drama Sherlock , Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson 's The Hobbit film trilogy , and Lester Nygaard in the dark comedy-crime drama TV series Fargo.