Aaron Sidwell

Aaron Sidwell
Sidwell in 2016
Born
Aaron Sidwell

(1988-09-12) 12 September 1988 (age 36)
Maidstone, England
OccupationActor
Years active2007–present
TelevisionEastEnders

Aaron Sidwell (born 12 September 1988)[1] is an English actor and singer. He is known for portraying the role of Steven Beale on the BBC soap opera EastEnders, originating the role of Michael Dork in Loserville in the West End and being first British actor to play Johnny in Green Day's musical American Idiot.[2]

Career

Sidwell was born in 1988, and grew up in the village of Kingswood, Kent. He was given a drama scholarship when he was eleven years old at Bethany School.[3] He started his acting career on stage and was a member of All Saints Choir. He worked for several years on the stage. Shortly after leaving, his big break came when he was cast as Steven Beale in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders; he took over the role from Edward Savage, who last appeared in 2002. Sidwell left the role in 2008.[4]

At the end of April 2010, Sidwell started working on an online show called Almost, But Not Quite, playing the part of Josh Newell. In August 2011, he starred in a new musical called The Prodigals alongside X Factor's Lucie Jones, which made its debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 2012, Sidwell made his West End debut in Children of Eden at the Prince of Wales theatre, starring alongside Gareth Gates and Kerry Ellis. Sidwell took the part of Ham in Stephen Schwartz's musical. In June 2012, Sidwell headed up the cast of the brand new production Loserville: The Musical, playing Michael Dork at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, alongside Gates, Lil' Chris and Eliza Bennett. Loserville was then transferred to the West End's Garrick Theatre from October. Loserville: The Musical closed in January 2013. Sidwell received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Michael Dork, and the show was viewed as a cult hit. Sidwell posted on his Twitter account about the show saying, "This show has changed my life in more ways than you will ever know. I am proud to say that I was part of something special."[5] Sidwell then returned to EastEnders in 2016, after an eight-year break from the soap.[6] However, in August 2017, he announced his decision to leave the soap again.[7] In May 2021, he appeared in an episode of the BBC soap opera Doctors as Joel Cooke.

In 2022, he made his debut with the Royal Shakespeare Company appearing in their productions of Henry VI: Part 2 and Henry VI: Part 3. The plays were rebranded as Rebellion and Wars of the Roses. He played Jack Cade in both plays as well as The Son and Hastings in Wars of the Roses.

In 2023 Aaron starred as Aragorn in the Watermill Theatre’s revival of Lord of the Rings (musical). The show was semi immersive. Setting the shire in the grounds surrounding the theatre. [8]

Stage

Year Title Role Venue
2010 The Prodigals Kyle Gibson Inspire
2011 Children of Eden Ham Prince of Wales Theatre
2012 Loserville Michael Dork West Yorkshire Playhouse / Garrick Theatre
2013 Carnaby Street Jack Spratt UK Tour
2014 Cool Rider Michael Carrington Lyric Theatre / Duchess Theatre
2014 Ghost Carl Bruner English Theatre Frankfurt
2014 Romeo and Juliet Tybalt Changeling Theatre Company
2015 American Idiot Johnny Arts Theatre
2016 Grey Gardens Joe/Jerry Southwark Playhouse
2017 Wicked Fiyero 2nd U.K./Ireland Tour
2019 Henry V Henry Barn Theatre, Cirencester
2019 Macbeth Macduff The Shakespeare Project
2020 Buyer and Cellar Alex More Above The Stag
2020 A Midsummer Night's Dream Demetrius/Peter Quince Scoot Theatre Co., Open air tour
2020 Bard From The Barn Mark Antony Web Series - Barn Theatre, Cirencester[9]
2020 Bard From The Barn Hamlet Web Series - Barn Theatre, Cirencester[10]
2021 Distanced Tom Short online play[11]
2022 Henry VI: Rebellion Jack Cade Royal Shakespeare Company
2022 Henry VI: Wars of the Roses Jack Cade/ Hastings/ The Son Royal Shakespeare Company
2023 Lord of the Rings Aragorn Watermill Theatre
2024 Oliver! Bill Sikes Chichester Festival Theatre / Gielgud Theatre

Filmography

Date Title Role Notes
2007–2008, 2016–2017 EastEnders Steven Beale Series regular
2009 The Nephilum Lewis Film
2015 Doctors Jack Jamieson Episode: "A Proper Copper"
2021 Doctors Joel Cooke Episode: "Who Decides"
2024 Fyre Rises Priest Feature Film
2024 Father Brown Luther Underwood Episode: "The Father. The Son"

References

  1. ^ "Aaron Sidwell". Jabberwocky Agency. Archived from the original on 30 December 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
  2. ^ "Steven Beale walks back into Walford". Digital Spy. 24 September 2007. Archived from the original on 7 November 2007. Retrieved 24 September 2007.
  3. ^ "Who's Who in EastEnders". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 15 November 2007.
  4. ^ "The BBC said Aaron's character won't be leaving quietly". Daily Mirror. Reach plc. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  5. ^ "West Yorkshire Playhouse: Loserville musical cast revealed". Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  6. ^ Dainty, Sophie (20 July 2017). "EastEnders star Aaron Sidwell was initially unsure over returning as Steven Beale". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  7. ^ Harp, Justin (9 August 2017). "EastEnders star Aaron Sidwell is leaving the soap after dramatic Steven Beale storyline". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  8. ^ Timblick, Simon. "Doctors spoilers: Ex-EastEnders star Aaron Sidwell guests". What's on TV. Future plc. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  9. ^ Marc Antony (Aaron Sidwell) | Bard From The Barn S1 E2, archived from the original on 9 July 2021, retrieved 1 July 2021
  10. ^ Hamlet (Aaron Sidwell) | Bard From The Barn S3 E24, archived from the original on 9 July 2021, retrieved 1 July 2021
  11. ^ SHIELDING., archived from the original on 3 August 2021, retrieved 3 August 2021
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