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{{Short description | British actor, playwright, and activist}}
{{BLP sources|date=November 2020}}
{{BLP sources|date=November 2020}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| image = Danny Lee Wynter.jpg
| image = Danny Lee Wynter.jpg
| imagesize = 150px
| imagesize = 150px
| name = Danny Lee Wynter
| name = Danny Wynter
| birth_name =
| birth_name = Danny Lee Wynter
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1982|5|25}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1982|5|25}}
| birth_place = [[Barking, London|Barking]], [[London]], England
| birth_place = [[Barking, London|Barking]], London, England
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| othername =
| occupation = Actor
| occupation = [[Actor]]
| years_active = 2006–present
| years_active = 2006–present
| spouse =
| spouse =
}}
}}
⚫
'''Danny Wynter''' (born 25 May 1982), known professionally as '''Danny Lee Wynter,''' is a British actor, playwright, and activist.


⚫
'''Danny Lee Wynter''' (born 25 May 1982) is a British actor, playwright, and activist.
He is best known for playing the lead in [[Stephen Poliakoff]]'s BBC films [[Joe's Palace]] and [[Capturing Mary]], alongside [[Sir Michael Gambon]] and [[Dame Maggie Smith]], and also for appearing in [[Dominic Cooke]]’s 2021 [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]] revival of [[The Normal Heart]], for which he was nominated for an [[Olivier Award]] for Best Supporting Actor.


Mainly recognised for his stage work, Lee Wynter began his professional training while ushering at The [[Royal Court Theatre]].
He is best known for playing the lead in [[Stephen Poliakoff]]'s BBC films ''[[Joe's Palace]]'' and ''[[Capturing Mary]]'', and also for appearing in [[Dominic Cooke]]'s 2021 [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]] revival of ''[[The Normal Heart]]'', for which he was nominated for an [[Olivier Award]] for Best Supporting Actor. Mainly recognised for his stage work, he began his professional training while ushering at the [[Royal Court Theatre]].


Primarily through an actors perspective, Lee Wynter has written many articles on the topic of diversity, addressing issues of race, class, disability and gender within TV, theatre, art, history, sexuality and mass media. His writing has appeared in numerous publications including [[The Stage|The Stage Newspaper]], [[The Huffington Post]], [[The Guardian]] and [[The Evening Standard]]. Between 2017 and 2018 he was a columnist for the gay publication [[Attitude (magazine)]].
His writing has appeared in numerous publications including [[The Stage|The Stage Newspaper]], [[The Huffington Post]], [[The Guardian]] and [[The Evening Standard]]. Between 2017 and 2018 he was a columnist for the gay publication ''[[Attitude (magazine)|Attitude]]''.


His debut play, ''Black Superhero'', opened at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, the main space at the [[Royal Court Theatre]] in March 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Black Superhero |url=https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/black-superhero/ |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=Royal Court |language=en-US}}</ref>
He is founder of the [http://www.act-for-change.com Act For Change Project], the campaigning group and charitable organisation which helped contribute to the large shift in diversity and representation in the U.K live and recorded arts from the mid twenty-tens onwards.


==Personal life==
His debut play, BLACK SUPERHERO, opened on the main stage of the [[Royal Court Theatre]] in March 2023, with Lee Wynter appearing as the lead character, David. Shortly after opening, and receiving mostly favourable reviews for his writing, it was announced Lee Wynter was to withdraw from performing in the play due to personal circumstances. The play, revolving around David, an out of work London actor in love with his married friend (the star of a Hollywood superhero franchise), was described by [[The Guardian]] as a "Robust and seductive debut," while [[The Independent]] called it "A radical, exciting, funny and unflinching exploration of black masculinity."


⚫
Danny Lee Wynter was born in [[Barking, London|Barking]], [[East London]] and grew up in a single parent family in [[Essex]]. His mother, a train attendant, is of Romany Gypsy and Italian ancestry, and his father, a local businessman, is of Jamaican descent. He has been open about his sexuality since the beginning of his career identifying as gay.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://attitude.co.uk/interview-actor-danny-lee-wynter-talks-deathwatch-revival-and-lack-of-media-diversity/|title=Interview &#124; Actor Danny Lee Wynter talks 'Deathwatch' revival and lack of media diversity|date=14 April 2016|access-date=14 April 2016|archive-date=17 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417140813/http://attitude.co.uk/interview-actor-danny-lee-wynter-talks-deathwatch-revival-and-lack-of-media-diversity/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Biography==


In 2000, he studied performing arts at [[Middlesex University]], where he trained in clown under John Wright, founder of Trestle Theatre Company and As Told by an Idiot. In 2003, he gained a place at the [[London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art]] to train in classical acting.
⚫
Lee Wynter was born in [[Barking, London|Barking]], [[East London]] and grew up in a single parent family in [[Essex]]. His mother, a train attendant, is of Romany Gypsy and Italian ancestry, and his father, a local businessman, is of Jamaican descent. He has been open about his sexuality since the beginning of his career identifying as gay.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://attitude.co.uk/interview-actor-danny-lee-wynter-talks-deathwatch-revival-and-lack-of-media-diversity/|title=Interview &#124; Actor Danny Lee Wynter talks 'Deathwatch' revival and lack of media diversity|date=14 April 2016}}</ref>


== Career ==
In 2000, Lee Wynter studied performing arts at [[Middlesex University]], where he trained in clown under John Wright, founder of Trestle Theatre Company and As Told By An Idiot. In 2003, he gained a place at the [[London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art]] to train in classical acting. During this period he ushered at [[Royal Court Theatre|The Royal Court]] theatre, a job which he left to make his professional debut in<ref name=bbcpress>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/10_october/02/joe_leewynter.shtml|title=Danny Lee Wynter plays Joe Dix|publisher=BBC|access-date=2008-12-19}}</ref> [[Stephen Poliakoff]]'s 2007 [[BBC]]/[[HBO]] films ''[[Joe's Palace]]'' and ''[[Capturing Mary]].''


After receiving acclaim for his performance in the Poliakoff films Lee Wynter was cast by [[Dominic Dromgoole]] as the [[Shakespearian fool|Fool]] to [[David Calder (actor)|David Calder]]'s ''[[King Lear]]'' for [[Shakespeare's Globe]]. His other work for the company includes<ref name="stage">{{cite web|url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/feature.php/22134/fools-gold-danny-lee-wynter-on-lears-fool|title=Fool's gold: Danny Lee Wynter on Lear's Fool|publisher=The Stage |access-date=2008-12-20}}</ref> [[Henry IV, Part I|Henry IV Part I and II]], opposite [[Roger Allam]], and new plays The Frontline by Che Walker and Bedlam by Nell Leyshon. He also appeared as the titular character in [[John Milton|Milton]]'s ''[[Comus]]'' in the [[Wanamaker Playhouse]].
While at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Wynter ushered at the Royal Court theatre, a job which he left to make his professional debut in<ref name=bbcpress>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/10_october/02/joe_leewynter.shtml|title=Danny Lee Wynter plays Joe Dix|publisher=BBC|access-date=19 December 2008}}</ref> [[Stephen Poliakoff]]'s 2007 [[BBC]]/[[HBO]] films ''[[Joe's Palace]]'' and ''[[Capturing Mary]]''.


After receiving acclaim for his performance in the Poliakoff films, Wynter was cast by [[Dominic Dromgoole]] as the [[Shakespearian fool|Fool]] to [[David Calder (actor)|David Calder]]'s ''[[King Lear]]'' for [[Shakespeare's Globe]]. His other work for the company includes<ref name="stage">{{cite web|url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/feature.php/22134/fools-gold-danny-lee-wynter-on-lears-fool|title=Fool's gold: Danny Lee Wynter on Lear's Fool|work=The Stage |access-date=20 December 2008}}</ref> ''[[Henry IV, Part I|Henry IV Part I and II]]'', opposite [[Roger Allam]], and new plays ''The Frontline'' by Che Walker and ''Bedlam'' by Nell Leyshon. He also appeared as the titular character in [[John Milton|Milton]]'s ''[[Comus]]'' in the [[Wanamaker Playhouse]].
⚫
Theatre work includes [[The Glass Menagerie]] for the [[Nuffield Theatre, Southampton]], [[Deathwatch (play)|Deathwatch]] for [[The Print Room]] at The Coronet Theatre, Notting Hill, [[The Maids]] for HOME Theatre, Manchester, [[Forty Years On (play)|Forty Years On]]'' for [[Chichester Festival Theatre]], [[Cell Mates (play)|Cell Mates]] for [[Hampstead Theatre]], Faustus: That Damned Woman for [[Headlong Theatre]], The Living Newspaper and [[The Changing Room]] for [[The Royal Court]], [[The Miser]] for [[The Royal Exchange Theatre|The Royal Exchange Manchester]], St. John’s Night for [[Jermyn Street Theatre]], [[Much Ado About Nothing]] for [[The Old Vic Theatre| The Old Vic Theatre Company]] (directed by Sir [[Mark Rylance]]), and the [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]]’s revival of [[The Normal Heart]], for which he was nominated for an [[Olivier Award]].


⚫
Theatre work includes ''[[The Glass Menagerie]]'' for the [[Nuffield Theatre, Southampton]], ''[[Deathwatch (play)|Deathwatch]]'' for [[The Print Room]] at The Coronet Theatre, Notting Hill, ''[[The Maids]]'' for HOME Theatre, Manchester, ''[[Forty Years On (play)|Forty Years On]]'' for [[Chichester Festival Theatre]], ''[[Cell Mates (play)|Cell Mates]]'' for [[Hampstead Theatre]], ''[[The Changing Room]]'' for the Royal Court, ''[[The Miser]]'' for [[The Royal Exchange Theatre|The Royal Exchange Manchester]], ''[[Much Ado About Nothing]]'' for [[The Old Vic Theatre|The Old Vic Theatre Company]] (directed by Sir [[Mark Rylance]]), and the [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]]'s revival of ''[[The Normal Heart]]'', for which he was nominated for an [[Olivier Award]].
On screen he has appeared in ''[[Hot Fuzz]]'', ''[[Trial & Retribution]]'', ''[[Luther (TV series)|Luther]]'', [[Holby City]], [[Episodes (TV series)|Episodes]], [[Mr Stink]], [[Beat Girl]], [[Partners in Crime (short story collection)|Partners In Crime]] , [[Walliams and Friend]] and [[Censor (2021 film)|Censor]].


His debut play, ''Black Superhero'', opened on the main stage of the Royal Court Theatre in March 2023, with Wynter appearing as the lead character.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Akbar |first=Arifa |date=22 March 2023 |title=Black Superhero review – original queer drama with plenty of kapow |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/mar/22/black-superhero-royal-court-theatre-review |access-date=30 January 2024 |website=The Guardian |language=en-GB}}</ref> The play, revolving around an out of work London actor in love with his married friend, the star of a Hollywood superhero franchise, was described by ''[[The Independent]]'' as a "funny and unflinching exploration of black masculinity".<ref>{{cite news |title=Black Superhero is a funny and bold exploration of Black masculinity – review |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/black-superhero-review-royal-court-b2306648.html |access-date=6 May 2024 |work=The Independent |date=23 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
In January 2014, after responding to a trailer for a new season of TV drama which failed to include a single BAME artist, Lee Wynter brought together a group of friends and colleagues, actresses [[Ruth Wilson]] and Stephanie Street, actor and director [[Daniel Evans (actor)|Daniel Evans]], casting director Andy Pryor and actors [[Malcolm Sinclair (actor)|Malcolm Sinclair]] and [[Kobna Holdbrook-Smith]] to send out the message that the UK arts must reflect everyone regardless of race, gender, class, sexual orientation or disability. What started as a handful of voices soon became the Act for Change project. The organisations first public event was a sold out debate chaired by Baroness [[Shami Chakrabarti]], then of the human rights group, Liberty. Held at London's [[Young Vic Theatre]], the pilot debate was attended by various leading industry figures, including the Head of ITV Drama. Unprecedented public support followed and Act For Change was formed as a way of "drawing attention to the lack of equality that exists within the UK live and recorded arts." In 2015 The Act For Change Project became a registered charity.


⚫
In January 2014, after responding to a trailer for a new season of TV drama which failed to include a single BAME artist, Wynter brought together a group of friends and colleagues, actresses [[Ruth Wilson]] and Stephanie Street, actor and director [[Daniel Evans (actor)|Daniel Evans]], casting director Andy Pryor and actors [[Malcolm Sinclair (actor)|Malcolm Sinclair]] and [[Kobna Holdbrook-Smith]], to send out the message that the UK arts must reflect everyone regardless of race, gender, class, sexual orientation or disability. What started as a handful of voices soon became the Act for Change project. The organisations first public event was a sold out debate chaired by Baroness [[Shami Chakrabarti]], then of the human rights group, Liberty. Held at London's [[Young Vic Theatre]], the pilot debate was attended by various leading industry figures.


==Stage and film performances==
==Selected performances==
* ''[[Hot Fuzz (film)|Hot Fuzz]]'' 2006 (Film)
* ''[[Hot Fuzz]]'' 2006 (Film){{CN|date=January 2024}}
* ''Trial & Retribution'' 2006 (TV Series)
* ''[[The Changing Room]]'' 2006 (Stage Play){{CN|date=January 2024}}
* ''[[The Changing Room]]'' 2006 (Stage Play)
* ''[[Joe's Palace]]'' 2007 (Film)
* ''[[Joe's Palace]]'' 2007 (Film)
* ''[[Capturing Mary]]'' 2007 (Film)
* ''[[Capturing Mary]]'' 2007 (Film)
Line 52: Line 52:
* ''[[King Lear]]'' 2008 (Stage Play)
* ''[[King Lear]]'' 2008 (Stage Play)
* ''[[The Frontline]]'' 2008 (Stage Play)
* ''[[The Frontline]]'' 2008 (Stage Play)
* 4 4.68 2008 (Radio Play)
* ''[[A Doll's House]]'' 2008 (Stage Play)
* ''[[A Doll's House]]'' 2008 (Stage Play)
* [[Holby City]] ([[2009 in British television|2009]]) (TV Series)
* ''[[Holby City]]'' ([[2009 in British television|2009]]) (TV Series)
* Certain Young Men 2009 (Stage Play)
* ''[[The Miser]]'' 2009 (Stage Play)
* ''[[The Miser]]'' 2009 (Stage Play)
* Gone 2010 (Radio Play)
* ''[[Luther (TV series)|Luther]]'' 2010 (TV series)
* ''[[Luther (TV series)|Luther]]'' 2010 (TV series)
* [[Henry IV Part I]] 2010 (Stage Play)
* ''[[Henry IV Part I]]'' 2010 (Stage Play)
* [[Henry IV Part II]] 2010 (Stage Play)
* ''[[Henry IV Part II]]'' 2010 (Stage Play)
* ''Bedlam'' 2010 (Stage Play)
* ''[[Beat Girl]]'' 2012 (Film)
* [[Beat Girl]] 2012 (Film)
* ''[[St. John's Night]]'' 2012 (Stage Play)
* [[St. John's Night]] 2012 (Stage Play)
* ''[[Mr Stink]]'' 2012 (TV Drama)
⚫
* ''[[Partners in Crime (British TV series)|Partners in Crime]]'' 2015 (TV Series)
* [[Mr Stink]] 2012 (TV Drama)
⚫
* [[Partners in Crime (British TV series)|Partners in Crime]] 2015 (TV Series)
* ''[[Censor (2021 film)|Censor]]'' 2021 (Film)
* ''[[Censor (2021 film)|Censor]]'' 2021 (Film)
*[[Black Superhero]] 2023 (Stage Play)


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{IMDb name|2416731}}
* {{IMDb name|2416731}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Wynter, Danny Lee}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wynter, Danny Lee}}
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:1982 births]]
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[[Category:21st-century English LGBT people]]
[[Category:Actors from the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham]]
[[Category:Alumni of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art]]
[[Category:Alumni of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art]]
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[[Category:Black British LGBT people]]
[[Category:Black British male actors]]
[[Category:Black British male actors]]
[[Category:English people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:British LGBT writers]]
[[Category:English people of Jamaican descent]]
[[Category:English gay actors]]
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[[Category:English male Shakespearean actors]]
[[Category:English male stage actors]]
[[Category:English male stage actors]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:English male Shakespearean actors]]
[[Category:English people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:English people of Jamaican descent]]
[[Category:English Romani people]]
[[Category:LGBT people from London]]
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Male actors from Essex]]
[[Category:People from Barking, London]]
[[Category:People from Barking, London]]
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[[Category:LGBT Black British people]]
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[[Category:British LGBT writers]]
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[[Category:English gay actors]]
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[[Category:21st-century English LGBT people]]

Latest revision as of 03:17, 24 June 2024

Danny Wynter
Born
Danny Lee Wynter

(1982-05-25) 25 May 1982 (age 42)
Barking, London, England
OccupationActor
Years active2006–present

Danny Lee Wynter (born 25 May 1982) is a British actor, playwright, and activist.

He is best known for playing the lead in Stephen Poliakoff's BBC films Joe's Palace and Capturing Mary, and also for appearing in Dominic Cooke's 2021 National Theatre revival of The Normal Heart, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor. Mainly recognised for his stage work, he began his professional training while ushering at the Royal Court Theatre.

His writing has appeared in numerous publications including The Stage Newspaper, The Huffington Post, The Guardian and The Evening Standard. Between 2017 and 2018 he was a columnist for the gay publication Attitude.

His debut play, Black Superhero, opened at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, the main space at the Royal Court Theatre in March 2023.[1]

Personal life

[edit]

Danny Lee Wynter was born in Barking, East London and grew up in a single parent family in Essex. His mother, a train attendant, is of Romany Gypsy and Italian ancestry, and his father, a local businessman, is of Jamaican descent. He has been open about his sexuality since the beginning of his career identifying as gay.[2]

In 2000, he studied performing arts at Middlesex University, where he trained in clown under John Wright, founder of Trestle Theatre Company and As Told by an Idiot. In 2003, he gained a place at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art to train in classical acting.

Career

[edit]

While at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Wynter ushered at the Royal Court theatre, a job which he left to make his professional debut in[3] Stephen Poliakoff's 2007 BBC/HBO films Joe's Palace and Capturing Mary.

After receiving acclaim for his performance in the Poliakoff films, Wynter was cast by Dominic Dromgoole as the Fool to David Calder's King Lear for Shakespeare's Globe. His other work for the company includes[4] Henry IV Part I and II, opposite Roger Allam, and new plays The Frontline by Che Walker and Bedlam by Nell Leyshon. He also appeared as the titular character in Milton's Comus in the Wanamaker Playhouse.

Theatre work includes The Glass Menagerie for the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton, Deathwatch for The Print Room at The Coronet Theatre, Notting Hill, The Maids for HOME Theatre, Manchester, Forty Years On for Chichester Festival Theatre, Cell Mates for Hampstead Theatre, The Changing Room for the Royal Court, The Miser for The Royal Exchange Manchester, Much Ado About Nothing for The Old Vic Theatre Company (directed by Sir Mark Rylance), and the National Theatre's revival of The Normal Heart, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award.

His debut play, Black Superhero, opened on the main stage of the Royal Court Theatre in March 2023, with Wynter appearing as the lead character.[5] The play, revolving around an out of work London actor in love with his married friend, the star of a Hollywood superhero franchise, was described by The Independent as a "funny and unflinching exploration of black masculinity".[6]

In January 2014, after responding to a trailer for a new season of TV drama which failed to include a single BAME artist, Wynter brought together a group of friends and colleagues, actresses Ruth Wilson and Stephanie Street, actor and director Daniel Evans, casting director Andy Pryor and actors Malcolm Sinclair and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, to send out the message that the UK arts must reflect everyone regardless of race, gender, class, sexual orientation or disability. What started as a handful of voices soon became the Act for Change project. The organisations first public event was a sold out debate chaired by Baroness Shami Chakrabarti, then of the human rights group, Liberty. Held at London's Young Vic Theatre, the pilot debate was attended by various leading industry figures.

Selected performances

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Black Superhero". Royal Court. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Interview | Actor Danny Lee Wynter talks 'Deathwatch' revival and lack of media diversity". 14 April 2016. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  3. ^ "Danny Lee Wynter plays Joe Dix". BBC. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  4. ^ "Fool's gold: Danny Lee Wynter on Lear's Fool". The Stage. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  5. ^ Akbar, Arifa (22 March 2023). "Black Superhero review – original queer drama with plenty of kapow". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Black Superhero is a funny and bold exploration of Black masculinity – review". The Independent. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
[edit]
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