# Adam Gillen

Adam Gillen (born 11 September 1985) is a British actor, best known for his role as Liam Conroy in the ITV hit series Benidorm, Brian in the Channel 4 comedy Fresh Meat and Gavin in BBC's Prisoners’ Wives. In 2019, Gillen was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Killer Joe.

## Early life

Gillen studied acting at Stockport College, before going on to graduate from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2007.

## Career

In 2000, Gillen was nominated for a TMA Award for Best Supporting Performance in a play for the Royal Exchange Theatre Company's A Taste of Honey. In 2011 he appeared as Moses in The School for Scandal.
Gillen is best known for his role as Liam in Benidorm from 2011 to its conclusion in 2018. Gillen's other television work includes The Gemma Factor, Oliver Twist, Just William and The Sarah Jane Adventures. In 2010, Gillen appeared in Noel Clarke’s 4.3.2.1.. He appeared in Age of Heroes in 2011.
In 2014, Gillen appeared in Lotty's War (written by Giuliano Crispini and directed by Bruce Guthrie) at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford.
In October 2016, he appeared as Mozart in the National Theatre production of Peter Shaffer's Amadeus and reprised the role when the production returned from February to April 2018. A filmed performance from the Olivier Theatre was later used in 2020 as part of the National Theatre at Home online series.
In 2022, Gillen starred as the title role in William Shakespeare and John Fletcher's Henry VIII, performed at Shakespeare's Globe theatre, London. The production garnered mixed reviews from critics.

## Personal life

In 2023, Gillen became engaged to fellow Benidorm star Laila Zaidi; their relationship had been initially reported on in 2018.

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2007 | Oliver Twist | Noah Claypole | |
| 2009 | The Sarah Jane Adventures | Toby Silverman | Story: "The Eternity Trap" |
| 2010 | Last Call | Pullingswryth | Short |
| 2010 | 4.3.2.1 | Geek Brett | Supporting Role |
| 2010 | Just William | Hector | |
| 2010 | The Gemma Factor' | Lee | |
| 2011 | This is Jinsy | Jinsy Player | Recurring role |
| 2011 | Fresh Meat | Brian | Recurring role |
| 2011–2015, 2016–2018 | Benidorm | Liam Conroy | Regular role, 44 episodes |
| 2012 | Prisoners' Wives | Gavin | |
| 2012 | Sport Relief 2012 | Liam Conroy | Benidorm meets Britain's Got Talent |
| 2012 | We Are the Freaks | Splodger | Filming |
| 2013 | Way To Go | Neil | |
| 2013 | Love Matters | Clive | Episode: "Miss Wright" |
| 2017–present | Game of Clones | Narrator | 20 episodes |
| 2018 | Vita & Virginia | Duncan Grant | |
| 2023 | Boat Story | Vinnie Douglas | 3 episodes |

## Theatre

| Year | Title | Role | Stage | Notes |
| 2007 | The Five Wives of Maurice Pinder | Vincent | National Theatre (Cottesloe Stage) | |
| 2008 | The Lion's Mouth | Ben | Royal Court Theatre | |
| 2008 | The Good Soul of Szechuan | Wang the Waterseller | Young Vic | |
| 2008 | War and Peace | Alex | Royal Court Theatre | |
| 2008 | Proper Clever | Matthew | Liverpool Playhouse | |
| 2008 | A Taste of Honey | Geoffrey | Royal Exchange Manchester | |
| 2009 | For King and Country | Arthur Hamp | Plymouth Theatre Royal & national tour | |
| 2010 | The Door Never Closes | Collins | Almeida Theatre | |
| 2011 | The School for Scandal | Moses | Barbican Theatre | |
| 2013 | Lee Harvey Oswald | Lee | Finborough Theatre | |
| 2015 | Wendy and Peter Pan | Martin | Royal Shakespeare Company | |
| 2016 | Amadeus | Mozart | National Theatre (Olivier Stage) | |
| 2018 | Amadeus | Mozart | National Theatre (Olivier Stage) |
| 2018 | Killer Joe | Chris | Trafalgar Studios | |
| 2018–2019 | Benidorm Live | Liam Conroy | UK Tour | 250 shows |
| 2021 | Romeo and Juliet | Mercutio | Shakespeare's Globe | |
| 2022 | Henry VIII | Henry VIII | Shakespeare's Globe | |
| 2024 | Cabaret | The Emcee | Playhouse Theatre | |