Kristopher Marshall is an English actor, starring in films, television and on stage for more than 20 years. He has played Nick Harper in My Family, Colin Frissell in the 2003 film Love Actually, Gratiano in The Merchant of Venice, and Dave in the first series of Citizen Khan. He played DI Humphrey Goodman in Death in Paradise, taking over the role in April 2013 for the show's third series and leaving it in February 2017 in the sixth series.
Marshall made an early career appearance on the police series The Bill but it was in 2000 that his major breakthrough role came as Nick Harper in the BBCsitcomMy Family. In 2003, he appeared in the film Love Actually as Colin Frissell, an Englishman who goes to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the United States to find love. In 2004, Marshall appeared as DS Luke Stone in the police drama series Murder City. From 2005 to 2011, Marshall appeared on TV and in print for BT Retail adverts, where he played the character Adam; with Esther Hall portraying his character's eventual wife Jane. He also played The Ginger Dave in the BBC comedy series Citizen Khan in 2012 but left after season 1. Since departing his full-time role in My Family in 2003, Marshall made guest appearances three times appearing in 2 episodes of season five in 2004 and his final appearance in a short Comic Relief special in 2005. He finished working on the film Heist at the end of 2006, which aired in April 2008 on BBC Four. During the summer of 2008, Marshall appeared at Trafalgar Studios in the first UK run of Neil LaBute's play Fat Pig. He became a regular castmember, playing the character of Ethan on the series Traffic Light in 2011. In April 2013, it was announced that Marshall would be joining the cast of BBC drama Death In Paradise as the island's new lead detective, DI Humphrey Goodman. His character was introduced in the first episode of the third series which aired in 2014, with his first case being to solve the murder of his predecessor, DI Richard Poole. In January 2017 it was leaked that Marshall would be leaving the series citing the pressures it placed upon his family and that he would be replaced by Ardal O'Hanlon who plays DI Jack Mooney. Marshall starred as Tom Sanger in the 2015 independent British romantic comedy Sparks & Embers. He also appeared in the film Death at a Funeral as a student of pharmaceuticals who inadvertently drugged a member of the family. In July 2017, Marshall became a favourite to take over the role of The Doctor from Peter Capaldi in the BBC's long running hit sci-fi series Doctor Who, but the role ultimately went to Jodie Whittaker who became the first female actress to portray The Doctor, a pre-appointment condition originated by Chris Chibnall of his becoming the show's showrunner.
Marshall married Hannah Dodkins in 2012. They have lived in Bath with their son, Thomas and daughter, Elsie since 2014. Previously they had lived in the Long Barton area of Wells. Marshall was hit by a car in Bristol in 2008. The accident happened in the early hours of 28 April as he enjoyed a night out with friends in Bristol city centre. He was taken to Bristol Royal Infirmary, where a scan revealed head injuries. He made a full recovery and began his performances in the play Fat Pig three weeks later as scheduled. Marshall passionately supports Aston Villa F.C. and has said that a card from the club helped him through his recovery. In October 2011, Marshall was charged with failing to provide a breath test after police stopped his car in the Tescocar park in Wells. Marshall had failed a breath test at the scene, and then refused to provide a second sample at the police station. He pleaded guilty and was disqualified from driving for six months.
Controversy
In June 2020 Marshall sparked outrage following an interview on Good Morning Britain in which he said he decided to leave the BBC series Death in Paradise because he believed his son was “becoming too Caribbean”. Referring to life in Guadeloupe where the show is filmed, Marshall told viewers: "He was becoming a bit too Caribbean, he refused to wear shoes and would only drink coconut water and only eat pineapple. He was very good on the beach, but not so good with maths and English, so I decided it was time to get him back into school – so the show had to go, really.” Viewers took to social media to denounce him for racism. His remarks came at the height of Black Lives Matter protests across America and globally, following the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
