(Born Apr. 26, 1945) Richard Armitage is an English actor. His first major role was in the BBC drama Sparkhouse (2002). After a variety of supporting roles in the TV productions of Between The Sheets, Cold Feet (series 5), and Ultimate Force (Series 2), he landed his first leading role, that of John Thornton in the BBC drama North and South based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell.