Ricky Whittle
{{Short description|English actor (born 1979)}}
{{for|the American football player|Ricky Whittle (American football)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ricky Whittle
| image = Florida Supercon 2017 Ricky Whittle panel 53 (cropped).jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = Whittle in 2017
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|12|31|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Oldham, Greater Manchester, England
| alma_mater = Southampton Solent University
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 2002–present
| agent = Gersh
| known_for = {{Plainlist|
}}
| website = {{url|http://www.rickywhittle.com/}}
}}
Richard George Whittle (born 31 December 1979){{cite tweet|last=Whittle |first= Ricky |author-link= Ricky Whittle |user= MrRickyWhittle|number=536689237068754944|date= 23 November 2014|title=My birthday is December 31st,not today #butthankyou #neverbelievewhatyouread #newyearsevebaby|language= English|link=https://twitter.com/mrrickywhittle/status/536689237068754944|access-date=22 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-10932466.amp|title=Strictly star Ricky Whittle denies dangerous driving |date=5 August 2011|work=BBC News|access-date=11 October 2022}} is a British actor. Whittle first came to prominence as a model for Reebok in the early 2000s. He is known in the United Kingdom for his role as Calvin Valentine in the soap opera Hollyoaks. In 2009, he finished second in the BBC reality competition Strictly Come Dancing. In 2012, Whittle crossed over to American television when he booked a recurring role on VH-1's Single Ladies, followed by a recurring role on ABC's Mistresses in 2014. From 2014 to 2016, Whittle appeared in The CW's post-apocalyptic drama The 100 as Lincoln. Whittle starred in the Starz television series American Gods for three seasons.
Early life and education
Richard George Whittle was born on 31 December 1979 in Oldham, England, to Harry and Maggie (Goodwin) Whittle.{{cite web |title=Richard George WHITTLE |url=https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?r=264546973:3201&d=bmd_1653949805 |website=freeBMD |access-date=10 October 2022}} He is the oldest of three children.{{cite web|url=http://www.rickywhittle.com/biography.html|title=Biography|page=1|website=Ricky Whittle The Official Site|access-date=3 September 2017|archive-date=8 September 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908195449/http://www.rickywhittle.com/biography.html|url-status=dead}} His mother is from England and his father is from Jamaica.{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/american-gods-ricky-whittle-audition-starz-2017-4|title='American Gods' star Ricky Whittle describes his 'crazy' 16 auditions for the coveted role|first=Jethro|last=Nededog|date=30 April 2017|work=Business Insider|publisher=Axel Springer SE|access-date=30 April 2017}} His father was in the Royal Air Force so the family moved to a different country every few years. However, Whittle was primarily raised in Northern Ireland and revealed that he had been bullied as a child because he was the only black child in school. At one point, Whittle told his mother he wanted to be white so he could fit in.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/10003084/whittle-i-wanted-to-be-white|title=Whittle: 'I wanted to be white'|date=20 November 2009|work=Newsbeat|publisher=BBC News|access-date=16 April 2018}} Whittle studied law at Southampton Solent University where he was football team captain. In order to pay for text books, he started to model. However, Whittle left university just before graduation.{{cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/american-gods-ricky-whittle|title=How American Gods Actor Ricky Whittle Transformed Into Shadow Moon|first=Scott|last=Meslow|work=GQ|publisher=Condé Nast|date=30 April 2017|access-date=1 May 2017}}
Career
= 2002–2011: Career beginnings and ''Hollyoaks'' =
Whittle took up modelling in college. He would go on to become the face of Reebok in 2000.{{cite web|url=https://www.essence.com/galleries/eye-candy-ricky-whittle-makes-single-ladies-sweat#126083|title=Eye Candy: Ricky Whittle Makes the 'Single Ladies' Sweat|work=Essence|publisher=Essence Communications|first=Jai|last=Crocker|date=15 June 2012|access-date=22 April 2018}} Whittle made his acting debut in 2002 the television series Dream Team which aired on Sky 1. The actor said the show was a "dream job" for a young actor just starting out.{{cite web|url=https://www.squaremile.com/ricky-whittle-interview|title=Ricky Whittle talks American Gods, Hollyoaks and Dream Team|date=12 April 2018|first=Max|last=Williams|work=Square Mile|publisher=Square Up Media|access-date=16 April 2018}} Whittle's agent surprised him and sent him to audition for Dream Team. Whittle credits his career to his co-star Terence Maynard whom he auditioned with. Whittle left the show in 2006 after series 9 and in May 2006, it was announced that Whittle had joined the cast of the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks in the role of Calvin Valentine.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/news/a32863/two-dream-team-actors-transfer-to-hollyoaks.html|title=Two Dream Team actors transfer to Hollyoaks|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Communications|first=Kris|last=Green|date=12 May 2006|access-date=6 September 2017}} In December 2009, it was announced that Whittle would leave Hollyoaks and the character would be killed off in 2010.{{cite news|url=http://www.e4.com/hollyoaks/minisites/calvin/news/rickynews.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013071626/http://www.e4.com/hollyoaks/minisites/calvin/news/rickynews.html|title=Ricky Whittle (Calvin) to leave Hollyoaks!|work=E4|publisher=Channel 4 Television Corporation|date=18 December 2009|archive-date=13 October 2012|access-date=6 September 2017}} In an interview with Digital Spy he explained his reasons for leaving Hollyoaks and revealed his plans to try his hand at American television and film. He only planned to do four years with the series.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/news/a191436/hollyoaks-ricky-whittle-on-flashforward-ep.html|title=Hollyoaks Ricky Whittle on Flashforward episode|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Communications|first=Kris|last=Green|date=18 December 2009|access-date=6 September 2017}}
In the summer of 2009, Whittle joined series 7 of the BBC reality series, Strictly Come Dancing. He was paired with professional dancer Natalie Lowe.{{cite web|url=http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/4564360.Ricky_to_waltz_his_way_onto_Strictly_Come_Dancing/|title=Billinge's Ricky Whittle to waltz his way onto Strictly Come Dancing|work=St Helens Star|date=25 August 2009|access-date=6 September 2017}} Whittle would place second after sports presenter Chris Hollins. He permanently relocated to Los Angeles in the summer of 2011 to further his career.{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/an-interview-with-ricky-whittle-for-the-100|title=An interview with Ricky Whittle for The 100|date=21 July 2014|access-date=16 April 2018|work=Channel 4|publisher=Channel Four Television Corporation}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyactor.com/interview/ricky-whittle-interview-single-ladies-austenland/|title=Interview: UK Star Ricky Whittle Tries His Luck in America and Comes Up a Winner|date=2 May 2012|first=Lance|last=Carter|website=Daily Actor|access-date=22 April 2018}}
= 2012–2016: American TV breakthrough and ''The 100'' =
Upon his arrival in the US, Whittle met with someone to put a reel{{huh|date=January 2022}} together. The meeting led to him signing with manager Ken Jacobsen. Jacobsen has also represented James Franco, Michelle Williams and Hilary Swank. Not long after, Whittle was cast in the feature film Austenland opposite Keri Russell, Jane Seymour and Jennifer Coolidge. Whittle joked that he only booked the role because of his body as the audition tape he submitted cut off his head. He found it ironic that it filmed on location in the UK when he travelled to Los Angeles to pursue American TV projects. After that, Whittle had no problem booking gigs. However, his immigration status caused him to pull out of a few projects. Whittle was set to film an episode of the NBC sitcom Up All Night when his management contacted him the night before to inform him that the network would not accept his visa. After this incident, Whittle decided to apply for his green card.
In March 2012, it was announced that Whittle was cast in the recurring role of Charles, a love interest of Denise Vasi's character, in the second season of the VH1 comedic-drama Single Ladies.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/hollyoaks-ricky-whittle-single-ladies-vh1-306416|title='Hollyoaks' Star to Recur on VH1's 'Single Ladies' (Exclusive)|date=30 March 2012|first=Lesley|last=Goldberg|work=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group (Eldridge Industries)|access-date=22 April 2018}} Whittle submitted his audition tape just as he returned to the UK for Christmas. While he was too young for the role he initially auditioned for, the producers found another role for him. Whittle was initially supposed to appear in two episodes, and that turned into six. However, Whittle made such an impression on producer Stacy A. Littlejohn that she wrote him into the rest of the season. Whittle filmed the series in Atlanta from January to June 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.fanbolt.com/6265/ricky-whittle-on-acting-fitness-advice-and-single-ladies/|title=Ricky Whittle On Acting, Fitness Advice, And 'Single Ladies'|date=23 July 2012|website=FanBolt|first=Emma|last=Loggins|access-date=22 April 2018}}
In 2013, Whittle appeared in an episode of the CBS drama NCIS, "Detour."{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2014/04/29/from-hollyoaks-to-hollywood-rachel-shenton-lands-us-tv-role-4712629/|title=From Hollyoaks to Hollywood: Rachel Shenton lands US TV role|date=29 April 2014|first=Tina|last=Campbell|work=Metro|publisher=DMG Media|access-date=22 April 2018}} In 2014, Whittle joined the cast of The CW's post-apocalyptic drama The 100 in the role of Lincoln. On 25 July 2014, at San Diego Comic-Con, it was announced that Whittle had been promoted to series regular for season 2.{{cite web|url=http://fangirlish.com/the-100-season-2-lindsey-morgan-and-ricky-whittle-promoted-to-series-regulars/|title='The 100' Season 2: Lindsey Morgan and Ricky Whittle Promoted to Series Regulars|date=25 July 2014|first=Alyssa|last=Barbieri|work=Fangirlish|access-date=22 April 2018|archive-date=22 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222104821/http://fangirlish.com/the-100-season-2-lindsey-morgan-and-ricky-whittle-promoted-to-series-regulars/|url-status=dead}} Around the same time, Whittle booked the recurring role of Daniel on ABC's prime-time drama Mistresses. Whittle wrapped filming for The 100 the week before he was scheduled to start production on Mistresses. Daniel Zamora is the love interest for April played by Rochelle Aytes.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a594093/ricky-whittle-talks-mistresses-role-theres-lots-of-fun-and-sex/|title=Ricky Whittle talks Mistresses role: 'There's lots of fun and sex'|first=Tom|last=Eames|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Communications|date=3 September 2014|access-date=22 April 2018}} Whittle appeared in 10 episodes.{{cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/exclusive-mistresses-star-ricky-whittle-9849827|title=Exclusive: Mistresses star Ricky Whittle on coming back for another series|work=Liverpool Echo|publisher=Trinity Mirror|date=13 August 2015|first=Tina|last=Miles|access-date=22 April 2018}}
In January 2016, it was reported that Whittle was in talks for the lead role on another series.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/starz-american-gods-cast-shadow-moon-ricky-whittle-1201692057/|title=Starz's 'American Gods' Casts Its Shadow Moon |work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=28 January 2016|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|access-date=28 August 2016}} During an interview with AfterBuzz TV in April 2016, Whittle announced his decision to leave The 100. Whittle controversially accused the show's creator Jason Rothenberg of bullying him into leaving the series by marginalizing his character. The actor explained that once Warner Bros. Television President Peter Roth and The CW President Mark Pedowitz were made aware of the situation, he was allowed to audition for other projects.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/the-100-ricky-whittle-jason-rothenberg-bully/|title=The 100's Ricky Whittle Says the Creator Bullied Him Off the Show|date=6 April 2016|first=Sadie|last=Gennis|work=TV Guide|access-date=28 August 2016}}
= 2017–present: ''American Gods'' and ''Nappily Ever After''=
In January 2016, it was announced that Whittle had been cast as Shadow Moon, the lead role in Starz television adaptation of Neil Gaiman's 2001 novel American Gods opposite Ian McShane.{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/01/american-gods-ricky-whittle-shadow-the-100-neil-gaiman|title=American Gods Author Neil Gaiman on Why Casting The 100's Ricky Whittle as Shadow Is So Vital|first=Joanna|last=Robinson|date=28 January 2016|work=Vanity Fair|publisher=Condé Nast|access-date=28 August 2016}} Though Whittle had no prior knowledge of the novel, he was a fan favourite pick to play Shadow when Starz announced the series in August 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2015/08/27/production-american-gods-march|title=Production On 'American Gods' To Start In March|date=27 August 2015|author=The Movie God|work=Geeks of Doom|access-date=28 August 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://shadowandact.com/a-shadow-act-sit-down-with-american-gods-ricky-whittle-yetide-badaki-orlando-jones|title=An 'American Gods' Chat w/ Ricky Whittle, Yetide Badaki, Orlando Jones|work=Shadow and Act|date=27 April 2017|access-date=2 May 2017}} Out of the 2,000 audition tapes submitted, Whittle was chosen out of approximately 600 actors that met with the producers. Whittle submitted 16 audition tapes over the five-month process.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/22/comic-con-american-gods-panel|title=American Gods cast teases character details, 'gratifyingly weird' show|date=22 July 2016|first=Marc|last=Snetiker|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time Inc.|access-date=28 August 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-american-gods-comic-con-20160723-snap-htmlstory.html|title='American Gods' makes fans a big promise: What you loved about the book, 'you'll see it in the show'|first=Tracy|last=Brown|work=Los Angeles Times|date=23 July 2016|access-date=28 August 2016}} In September 2017 Whittle was cast opposite Sanaa Lathan in the Netflix original film, Nappily Ever After based on the novel of same name by Trisha R. Thomas.{{cite news|last1=Patten|first1=Dominic|title='American Gods' Ricky Whittle Joins Netflix Pic 'Nappily Ever After'|url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/ricky-whittle-joins-nappily-ever-after-netflix-sanaa-lathan-american-gods-1202162859/|work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=6 September 2017|access-date=11 September 2017}} On 16 April 2018 it was announced that Whittle signed with talent agency William Morris Endeavor.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/04/ricky-whittle-american-gods-hollywood-talent-agency-wme-1202365770/|title='American Gods' Star Ricky Whittle Signs With WME|date=16 April 2018|first=Dominic|last=Patten|work=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|access-date=16 April 2018}}
Personal life
Whittle dated his Hollyoaks co-star Carley Stenson from 2007 to 2009. The two have remained close friends.{{cite web|url=http://www.express.co.uk/expressyourself/138686/Ricky-Whittle-split-sparks-rumours-of-Strictly-romance|title=Ricky Whittle split sparks rumours of Strictly romance|date=6 November 2009|first=Nicola|last=McCafferty|work=Daily Express|publisher=Northern & Shell|access-date=22 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/news/a342643/hollyoaks-carley-stenson-dating-danny-mac/|title='Hollyoaks' Carley Stenson dating Danny Mac|date=28 September 2011|first=Rebecca|last=Davies|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Communications|access-date=22 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/2011/08/05/ricky-whittles-perfect-weekend/|title=Ricky Whittle's perfect weekend|date=5 August 2011|work=Express & Star|publisher=MNA Media|access-date=22 April 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-10932466|title=Strictly star Ricky Whittle denies dangerous driving|website=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=10 August 2010|access-date=22 April 2018}} Whittle dated Kirstina Colonna from 2016 until 2018.{{Cite episode |series= The Wendy Williams Show |series-link= The Wendy Williams Show |date= 12 May 2017 |season= 9 |number= 145 |transcript= Ricky Whittle |transcript-url= http://www.wendyshow.com/2017/05/12/ricky-whittle/#.WauRwfOGPcc|language= en}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2011
| Losing Sam | Samuel | Short film |
| 2013
| Captain East | |
| 2018
| Clint | Netflix original movie |
| 2024
| Sergeant Bishop | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2002–2007
| Series regular {{small|(S6–9)}} |
| 2004
| David Richards | Episode: "You Can Choose Your Friends..." |
| 2006–2011
| 243 episodes |
| 2009
| Himself {{small|(contestant)}} | Runner-up {{small|(Series 7)}} |
| 2011
| Eddie Shannon | Episode: "Episode Two" |
| 2012
| Charles | 8 episodes |
| 2013
| NCIS | Lincoln | Episode: "Detour" |
| 2014–2015
| Daniel Zamora | 11 episodes |
| 2014–2016
| The 100 | Lincoln | Recurring {{small|(S1)}}; Series regular {{small|(S2–3)}} |
| 2017–2021
| Shadow Moon | Lead role |
| 2019
| Himself | Episode 29; Talk show guest |
| 2024
| Cross (voice) | Anthology series |
| 2025
|Mickey |Season 7 Episode: The Mickey |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Nominated Work ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|References}} |
|---|
| 2007
|rowspan="4"|British Soap Awards |rowspan="4"|Sexiest Male |rowspan="5"|Hollyoaks |{{nom}} | |
| 2008
|{{nom}} | |
| 2009
|{{nom}} | |
| rowspan="2"|2010
|{{nom}} | |
| TRIC Awards
|TV Soap Personality |{{won}} | |
| 2018
|{{nom}} |{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/saturn-awards-nominations-2018-black-panther-walking-dead-1202727752/|title='Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations|last=McNary|first=Dave|work=Variety|date=15 March 2018|access-date=15 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316023438/http://variety.com/2018/film/news/saturn-awards-nominations-2018-black-panther-walking-dead-1202727752/|archive-date=16 March 2018|url-status=live}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Ricky Whittle}}
- {{official website|http://www.rickywhittle.com}}
- {{IMDb name|1340638}}
- [http://blog.themoviereport.com/2013/08/in-conversation-with-ricky-whittle-of.html Ricky Whittle interview]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whittle, Ricky}}
Category:Male actors from Oldham
Category:People from Burghfield
Category:Alumni of Southampton Solent University
Category:Black British male actors
Category:English male television actors
Category:21st-century English male actors