John Hopkins was born in Luton and pursued his passion for the English language by majoring in the subject at the University of Leeds from 1993 to 1996. During his undergraduate years, he joined the university's drama group and took the stage in several plays, ultimately earning the esteemed "Sunday Times" student-actor award for his captivating performance in "A Short Play About Sex and Death." This notable achievement paved the way for his admission to the prestigious London Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, from which he graduated in 2000.
Following his graduation, John's impressive thespian credentials caught the attention of the renowned Royal Shakespeare Company, which recruited him for his first repertory season from 2001 to 2002. Around this time, his captivating on-screen presence led to television offers, and he appeared in minor roles in "Love in a Cold Climate" and "Trial and Retribution 7." However, it was his iconic role as Sergeant Scott in the popular British whodunit television series Midsomer Murders (1997) that catapulted him to fame among non-theater enthusiasts.
In 2005, John returned to the Royal Shakespeare Company for its 2006-2007 season in both London and Stratford-upon-Avon, taking on the role of Caesar opposite the esteemed Patrick Stewart in 'Antony and Cleopatra.' More recently, his stage roles have included Richard Hannay in Patrick Barlow's comedic four-handed version of 'The 39 Steps,' Richard I in the new play 'Holy Warriors' at Shakespeare's Globe, and Benedick in 'Much Ado About Nothing,' a performance that The Guardian praised, stating that it "confirms Hopkins as one of our best Shakespearean actors."
John's versatility has also led to a range of television roles, including a villainous turn in 'Stan Lee's Lucky Man' and a two-series stint as Sir Francis Basset in the BBC drama 'Poldark.' In a 2020 article in The Times (London),he was named one of '10 of the best British actors on stage now,' solidifying his reputation as a talented and accomplished performer.
