# Gareth Thomas (actor)

Gareth Daniel Noake Thomas (12 February 1945 – 13 April 2016) was a British actor. He rose to national prominence playing the role of Roj Blake in the BBC science fiction television series Blake's 7 (1978–1981).

## Early life

Thomas was born on 12 February 1945 in Brentford, England, and grew up in Aberystwyth, Wales. He was the younger of two sons of Kenneth Thomas, a barrister who had been a junior at the Nuremberg trials, and his wife, Olga (née Noake). Thomas attended the King's School, Canterbury. He then trained at RADA and later became an Associate Member. He was a member of the National Youth Theatre, appearing with them in the 1967 production of Zigger Zagger.

## Career

Thomas made many television appearances, including The Avengers, Coronation Street, Z-Cars, Special Branch, Sutherland's Law, Public Eye, Who Pays the Ferryman?, Bergerac, By the Sword Divided, The Citadel, Knights of God, Boon, London's Burning, Casualty, Taggart, Heartbeat, Sherlock Holmes, How Green Was My Valley, Torchwood, Children of the Stones, Star Maidens, and Midsomer Murders.
He appeared on stage in many productions. His appearances include RSC productions of Twelfth Night, Othello and Anna Christie; English Shakespeare Company productions of Henry IV, Part 1 and Part 2 and Henry V; and King Lear, Educating Rita, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Crucible, Equus and Déjà Vu. In 2000, Thomas was the first subject of MJTV's interview/drama CD series The Actor Speaks. In one of the interviews he spoke about his character Roj Blake, leader of the crew of the Liberator in Blake's 7. From 1999 to 2005, he took part in 12 out of 14 CD episodes of MJTV's original audio comedy sci-fi drama series Soldiers of Love, in which he played camp Welsh TV host Hywel Hammond and villain of the piece Aaron Arkenstein. In 2010, Thomas gave an acclaimed performance as Ephraim Cabot in Desire Under the Elms at the New Vic Theatre.
In 2001, he appeared in Storm Warning, an audio drama by Big Finish Productions, based on Doctor Who. He also played the part of Kalendorf in the Big Finish Productions Dalek Empire series. In 2006 he appeared as a guest star in the Doctor Who spin-off series Torchwood, in the episode "Ghost Machine". Thomas returned to the role of Roj Blake in 2012, in Big Finish Productions' Blake's 7: The Liberator Chronicles, a series of dramatic readings which take place during Series One before the death of Olag Gan. Thomas starred as Blake in Counterfeit by Peter Anghelides and False Positive by Eddie Robson. In 2013 he appeared as Brother Cadfael in Middle Ground Theatre Company's adaption of The Virgin in the Ice by Ellis Peters. He was twice nominated for a BAFTA, for his performances in Stocker's Copper (BBC Play for Today, 1972) and Morgan's Boy (1984).
Morgan's Boy was his favourite television role, but Blake's 7 won bigger audiences.

## Personal life

Thomas had two children with his first wife, Annie; this marriage ended in divorce. His second wife, Sheelagh Wells, was a make-up artist who had worked on Blakes 7; this marriage also ended in divorce. His third wife was Linda. After many years living in the Scottish Borders, he moved to Surrey in 2009.

## Death

Thomas died in Surrey on 13 April 2016 of heart failure, aged 71. His Blake's 7 co-star Stephen Greif paid tribute, saying he was "very sad to hear of the death of my good friend Gareth Thomas. We were at RADA then Blake's 7 and onwards. He was a proud Welshman."

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1967 | Quatermass and the Pit | Workman | British science fiction horror film directed by Roy Ward Baker. |
| 1972 | The Ragman's Daughter | Tom | Crime–drama romantic film directed by Harold Becker. |
| 1973 | Super Bitch | Trenchcoated Detective | (Italian: Si può essere più bastardi dell'ispettore Cliff?, lit. Can anyone be more bastard than Inspector Cliff?) Italian directed by Massimo Dallamano. |
| 1974 | Juggernaut | Liverpool Joiner | Crime suspense film directed by Richard Lester. |
| 1992 | Waterland | Publican | American-British drama film directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal |
| 1993 | Sparrow | Corrado | (Italian: Storia di una capinera) Italian drama film directed by Franco Zeffirelli. |
| 2008 | Imaginary Summer | Starring role | Drama film directed by Rebecca Coley. |
| 2010 | Made in Romania | Gary Devane | Comedy film directed, produced, and written by Guy J. Louthan. |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1965 | Romeo and Juliet | Benvolio | Made-for-TV-Movie |
| 1967 | The Avengers | Assassin | Episode: "Murdersville" (S 5:Ep 23) |
| 1969 | The Wednesday Play | Doorman | Episode: "The Apprentices" (Ep 137) |
| 1969 | Parkin's Patch | Ron Radley | Recurring from 1969 to 1970 |
| 1971 | Coronation Street | Mel Ryan | Episode: "Wed 2 Jun, 1971" |
| 1971 | Z-Cars | Tim Ward | Episode: "The Taker" (S 5:Ep 410) |
| 1971 | Public Eye | Briggs | Episode: "The Man Who Didn't Eat Sweets: (S 5:9) |
| 1972 | Play for Today | Herbert Griffith | Episode: "Stocker's Copper" (S 2:Ep 12) |
| 1972 | No Exit | Matthew | Episode: "A Man's Fair Share Of Days" (S 1:Ep 3) |
| 1972 | Drama Playhouse | Alec Duthie | Episode: "Sutherland's Law: Man Overboard" (S 3:Ep 1) |
| 1972 | Z-Cars | Ken Knowles | Episode: "Public Relations" (S 7:Ep 83) |
| 1972 | Public Eye | Tom Lewis | Episode: "The Bankrupt" (S 6:Ep 1) |
| 1972 | Man at the Top | Dave Croxley | Episode: "You Will Never Understand Women" (S 2:Ep 1) |
| 1972 | Harriet's Back in Town | Chauffeur | Recurring |
| 1973 | Sutherland's Law | Alec Duthie | Main |
| 1974 | David Copperfield | Mr. Murdstone | Miniseries |
| 1974 | Special Branch | Steve Ryman | Episode: "Alien" (S 4:Ep 11) |
| 1975 | Play for Today | Guest | Episode: "Breath" (S 5:Ep 10) |
| 1975 | Edward the Seventh | Lord Charles Beresford | Episodes: "Dearest Prince" (S 1:Ep 7) "Scandal" (S 1:Ep 10) |
| 1975 | How Green Was My Valley | Rev. Mr. Gruffyd | Recurring from 1975 to 1976 |
| 1976 | Jackanory | Narrator | Recurring |
| 1976 | Star Maidens | Shem | Recurring |
| 1977 | Children of the Stones | Adam Brake | Recurring |
| 1977 | Who Pays the Ferryman? | Tony Viglis | Miniseries |
| 1978–1981 | Blake's 7 | Roj Blake | Main |
| 1980 | Hammer House of Horror | Constable | Episode: "Visitor from the Grave" (S 1:Ep 11) |
| 1981 | Peter and Paul | Julius | Miniseries directed by Robert Day. |
| 1982 | The Bell | James Tayper Pace | Recurring |
| 1983 | Bergerac | Towers | Episode: "Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie" (S 2:Ep 3) |
| The Citadel | Philip Denny | Miniseries directed by Peter Jefferies and Mike Vardy. |
| Shades of Darkness | Owen Bosworth | Episode: "Bewitched" (S 1:Ep 7) |
| 1984 | Love and Marriage | Stephen | Episode: "Dearly Beloved" (S 1:Ep 2) |
| 1984 | The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes | Joseph Harrison | Episode: "The Naval Treaty" (S 1:Ep 3) |
| 1984 | Strangers and Brothers | Arthur Mounteney | Episodes: "Episode #1.8" (S 1:Ep 8) "Episode #1.9" (S 1:Ep 10) |
| 1984 | Morgan's Boy | Morgan Thomas | Recurring |
| 1985 | By the Sword Divided | Major General Horton | Recurring |
| 1985 | Dramarama | Long John Silver | Episode: Silver" (S 3:Ep 11) |
| 1985 | Duel with An Teallach | Charles Handley | Made-for-TV-Movie |
| 1987 | Knights of God | Owen Edwards | Recurring |
| 1988 | Tales of the Unexpected | Telfer | Episode: "The Colonel's Lady" (S 9:Ep 2) |
| 1989 | Boon | Bill Stone | Episode: "Walking off Air" (S 5:Ep 1) |
| 1989 | London's Burning | ACO William Bulstrode | Recurring from 1989 to 1994 |
| 1989 | After the War | Guy Falcon | Miniseries |
| 1989 | Chelworth | Peter Thornton | Miniseries |
| 1990 | Emlyn's Moon | Mr. Llewelyn | Recurring |
| 1991 | We Are Seven | Big Bill Caradog | |
| 1991 | The Chestnut Soldier | Idris Llewelyn | Recurring |
| 1992 | Maigret | Gautier | Episode: "Maigret on Home Ground" (S 1:Ep 5) |
| 1994 | Medics | Guest | Episode: "Going West" (S 4:Ep 10) |
| 1994 | Crown Prosecutor | Harry Thomsen | Episode: "Episode 3" (S 1:Ep 3) |
| 1995 | Crown Prosecutor | Harry Thomsen | Episode: "Episode 4" (S 1:Ep 4) |
| 1995 | Casualty | Tom Arnold | Episode: "Bringing It All Back Home" (S 10:Ep 12) |
| 1995 | Wales Playhouse | Flann | Episode: "Archangel Night Out" S(#:Ep 5) |
| 1996 | The Witch's Daughter | Dan Mackay | Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Alan Macmillan. |
| 1998 | Merlin: The Quest Begins | Blaze | Made-for-TV-Movie directed by David Winning. |
| 1998 | The Creatives | Policeman | Episode: "Pocy Pola" (S 1:Ep 3) |
| 1998 | Animal Ark | Mr. Matthews | Episode: "Calf in the Cottage" (S 2:Ep 5) |
| 1998 | Heartbeat | Nathaniel Clegghorn | Recurring from 1998 to 2004 |
| 2000 | The Strangerers | Police Sergeant | Episode: "Space Cadets" (S 1:Ep 1–Pilot) |
| 2000 | Randall and Hopkirk | Dickie Bechard | Episode: (S 1:Ep 6) |
| 2001 | Baddiel's Syndrome | David's Dad | Episode: "Dream Home" (S 1:Ep 10) |
| 2001 | Baddiel's Syndrome | Colin | Episodes: "Dead Grandma" (S 1:Ep 2) "Religious Uncertainty" (S 1:Ep 13) |
| 2001 | Doctors | Les Simms | Episode: "Chip Off The Old Block" (S 4:Ep 18) |
| 2002 | Shipman | Rev Denis Thomas | Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Roger Bamford. |
| 2002 | Casualty | Jim Bailey | Episode: "Up To Your Neck In It" (S 17:Ep 11) |
| 2003–2010 | Raven | Voice of Wisdom Tree | |
| 2004 | Taggart | Lord Falkland | Episode: "Saints and Sinners" (S 20:Ep 4) |
| 2005 | Distant Shores | Charles McCallister | Recurring from 2005 to 2008 |
| 2006 | Torchwood | Ed Morgan | Episode: "Ghost Machine" (S 1:Ep 3) |
| 2007 | Midsomer Murders | Huw Mostyn | Episode: "Death and Dust" (S 10:Ep 5) |
| 2008 | M.I. High | Patrick Houston | Episode: "Moontaker" (S 3:Ep 13) |
| 2009 | Personal Affairs | Leo Hartmann | Episode: (S 1:Ep 5) |
| 2011 | Holby City | Gareth Harper | Episode: "Shame" (S 14:Ep 3) |

## Theatre

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1968 | King Lear | Messenger 1 | Royal Shakespeare Theatre |
| 1968 | As You Like It | | Royal Shakespeare Theatre |
| 1968 | Doctor Faustus | Scholar 2 / Vintner | Royal Shakespeare Theatre |
| 1968 | Troilus and Cressida | Margarelon / Prologue (alt) | Royal Shakespeare Theatre |
| 1968 | Much Ado About Nothing | | Royal Shakespeare Theatre |
| 1968-9 | Much Ado About Nothing | | Royal Shakespeare Theatre |
| 1968-9 | King Lear | | Royal Shakespeare Company |
| 1969 | Much Ado About Nothing | | Tour – Royal Shakespeare Company |
| 1969 | Doctor Faustus | Scholar 2 / Vintner | Tour – Royal Shakespeare Company |
| 1979 | Twelfth Night | Orsino | Royal Shakespeare Theatre |
| 1979 | Othello | Montano | Royal Shakespeare Theatre |
| 1979 | Anna Christie | Mat Burke | The Other Place |
| 1979–80 | Anna Christie | Mat Burke | Royal Shakespeare Company |
| 1980 | Othello | Cassio | Theatre Royal |
| 1980 | Anna Christie | Mat Burke | Gulbenkian Studio, Newcastle-upon-Tyne |
| 1980 | Twelfth Night | Orsino | Theatre Royal |
| 1980 | Twelfth Night | Orsino | Aldwych Theatre |
| 1980 | Anna Christie | Mat Burke | Warehouse Theatre |
| 1980 | Othello | Cassio | Aldwych Theatre |
| 1983 | Educating Rita | Frank | Theatre Royal |
| 1985 | Beside the Sea | Arnold | Theatre Royal |
| 1985-6 | Benefactors | Colin | Theatre Royal |
| 1986 | Benefactors | Colin | Redgrave Theatre |
| 1986-7 | Henry IV | | Theatre Royal |
| 1986-7 | Henry V | Lord Chief Justice/Fluellen | Tour – UK & Europe, The Old Vic and other locations |
| 1986-7 | Henry IV, Parts I & II | Owen Glendower/Lord Chief Justice | Tour – UK & Europe, The Old Vic and other locations |
| 1988 | Dangerous Corner | Charles Stanton | Theatre Royal |
| 1989 | Inside Job | Alex | Theatre Royal |
| 1991-2 | Dij`vu | | Comedy Theatre |
| 1998 | The Crucible | Deputy Governor Danforth | Festival Theatre, Marlowe Theatre and other locations |
| 2002 | Three Sisters | Doctor Chebutykin | Nuffield Theatre |
| 2008 | Of Mice and Men | Curly | Perth Theatre |