Richard Rankin, born Richard Harris on January 4, 1983, in Rutherglen, Glasgow, Scotland, UK, changed his name to Rankin, his mother's maiden name, to avoid confusion with the renowned Irish actor. Initially, he aimed to pursue a career in IT, but a trip to Los Angeles at the age of 21 sparked his passion for acting, prompting him to train as an actor the following year.
Richard gained recognition in the Scottish comedy series "Burnistoun," which aired regionally and toured worldwide, and in the Olivier Award-winning play "Black Watch" for the National Theatre of Scotland. His breakout role as Capt. Thomas Gillan in "The Crimson Field" led to prominent performances on national television, including "Silent Witness," the third season of "The Syndicate," "From Darkness," and "Thirteen" for the BBC.
In 2016, Richard made his debut as Roger Wakefield in the epic STARZ/Sony production "Outlander," showcasing his exceptional emotional range as an actor to an international audience.
