William Jonas Armstrong is an Irish-born British actor known for playing the title role in the BBC One drama series Robin Hood.
Career
Born in Dublin, Ireland, his family moved to Lytham St. Annes when he was six years old. He attended Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 2003 with a BA in acting. After graduating, he appeared in Quartermaine's Terms at the Royal Theatre in Northampton as Derek Meadle. In 2004, he appeared in seven episodes of the fourth series of the British televisioncomedy-drama, Teachers on Channel 4, as Anthony Millington. In 2005, he appeared again on Channel 4 in the crime drama series The Ghost Squad as Pete Maitland. In December 2006, he starred in the two-part crime drama Losing Gemma on ITV. His first major television role came in October 2006 when he played Robin of Locksley, in the BBC's 2006 series based on Robin Hood. During filming of the second series, Armstrong broke a metatarsal bone in his foot during a staged fight scene. He was a guest panelist on the BBC comedypanel game showNever Mind the Buzzcocks on 28 February 2007. In August 2008, the BBC confirmed that Armstrong would be leaving Robin Hood at the end of the third season, which aired on 27 June 2009, citing his statement that he was "looking for new challenges". BBC replied to his words by explaining that "he'll be desperately missed". The show was subsequently not renewed for a fourth series. In 2008 he appeared in the horror filmBook of Blood which is based on a short story by Clive Barker. He appeared in Episode 3 of the third series of BBC serial The Street broadcast on 27 July 2009, playing the role of TA soldier Private Nick Calshaw who returns from Afghanistan with a facial disfigurement and a prosthetic hand after being injured by a suicide bomber whom he was unable to shoot. In January 2009, he read four CBeebiesBedtime stories on "The Bedtime Hour". In November 2013, Armstrong received a "Stars on Horizon" award for Walking with the Enemy at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. Armstrong's most recent role is on the 2019 ITV drama series The Bay, where he plays Sean Meredith. Sean is a fisherman and the step-father to teenage twins Dylan and Holly, who go missing. He’s married to Jess Meredith, with whom he’s had two more children, with a third on the way.
