Kris Marshall — things you didn't know about the TV star

Kris Marshall
Kris Marshall played DI Humphrey Goodman in the hit detective drama Death in Paradise. (Image credit: Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)

Kris Marshall has been an actor for more than 20 years, having found fame as Nick Harper in TV comedy series, My Family.

He then starred in the hit 2003 Christmas movie Love Actually as the happy-go-lucky Colin Frissell, who moves to America to find romance.

Kris joined the popular crime drama series Death in Paradise back in 2013 as fan-favorite DI Humphrey Goodman for the show's third series before leaving the role in the sixth series. But he returned as Humphrey for spin-off Beyond Paradise and now he's back for Beyond Paradise season 2, where he co-stars with Sally Bretton

So as he reprises his role as the awkward detective, here are a few other things to know about him, including being fired from his supermarket job to almost becoming the 13th Doctor...

Beyond Paradise season 2 main cast shot

Kris Marshall reprises his role of DI Humphrey Goodman for the second series of Beyond Paradise (Image credit: BBC)

1. He once kept Jane Asher waiting 

Kris admitted to The Big Issue that he was an hour late for his first ever day filming, which all actors know is a cardinal sin. He was filming a few scenes for 1993 film Closing Numbers and his poor timekeeping left co-star Jane Asher waiting... "Time is money on a film set, so I never did that again," Kris joked.

Jane Asher

Kris left film star Jane Asher waiting for an hour. (Image credit: Christie Goodwin/Redferns via Getty Images)

2. He was the face of BT adverts 

Kris appeared in the BT adverts for a staggering seven years as the character, Adam. The British public followed Adam's life from 2005, watching the ups and downs in his relationship with former Spooks actress Esther Hall, who played his on/off partner, Jane. The couple's dramas included moving house, breaking up, getting pregnant and preparing for a wedding.

3. He once got fired from Iceland

Kris Marshall as Di Humphrey Goodman in Death in Paradise Season 4

Kris Marshall as Di Humphrey Goodman in Death in Paradise. (Image credit: BBC)

Kris once revealed to The Big Issue that he had a number of jobs before becoming an actor. In the past he's worked at travelling fairs, in an Aquafresh toothpaste factory, in nightclubs and was even fired from his job at Iceland for wearing blue sunglasses on the till!

4. He used to have a Canadian accent 

Kris Marshall on the red carpet wearing a suit

Kris was fired from his Iceland job for a hilarious reason. (Image credit: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images for RFF)

Kris spent much of his childhood in Hong Kong and Canada because of his father's job in the Royal Air Force. The family moved around because of Kris's dad's postings with work, leaving Kris speaking with a Canadian accent until he was 10. This actually gives him a connection to another Death Paradise star, Josephine Jobert, who spent some of her childhood in Canada!.

Kris Marshall and his wife Hannah Dodkin

Kris and his wife Hannah Dodkin. (Image credit: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Lancia)

5. He was once hit by a car

While out on a friend's stag night in Bristol City Centre back in 2008, Kris was run over by a car. The actor was rushed to Bristol Royal Infirmary where he was diagnosed with a collapsed lung, a damaged hip and a laceration to his head. He had extensive treatment for his injuries and managed to make a full recovery, even making it to his performances for a play called Fat Pig just three weeks later.

Kris Marshall, Joanna Page, Ella Smith and Robert Webb

Kris and his Fat Pig co-stars Joanna Page, Ella Smith and Robert Webb. (Image credit: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)

6. He almost became the 13th Doctor Who 

There were huge rumors that Kris was set to become the next Doctor after actor Peter Capaldi left the role of the Time Lord, however Kris was pipped to the post by Jodie Whittaker who eventually took on the role, making her the first ever female to play the iconic character.

TV tonight Jodie Whittaker as The Doctor.

Jodie Whittaker landed the role of the 13th Doctor. (Image credit: BBC)

Kris Marshall's Fact File 

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the actor....

How old is Kris Marshall?

Kris Marshall is 50, he was born on April 11, 1973.

Is Kris Marshall married?

Kris Marshall married his wife Hannah Dodkin in 2012. 

Does Kris Marshall have any children?

Kris Marshall has 2 children, a daughter called Elsie and a son named Thomas.

Where was Kris Marshall born?

Kris Marshall was born in Bath, Somerset.

How tall is Kris Marshall?

Kris Marshall is 6 foot 1.

We work hard to ensure that all information is correct. Facts that change over time, such as age, will be correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of the last article update.

 

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.