Richard Briers, a veteran of stage, film and television, is one of Britain’s most popular actors. He made his West End debut in 1958 after studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Liverpool Playhouse, and has trod the boards many times since. His massive popularity is also derived from roles in three much-loved British television series: "Marriage Lines", "The Good Life" and "Ever Decreasing Circles".

Among the highlights of Briers’ distinguished career is extensive work with Kenneth Branagh. Their film collaborations include Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing, In the Bleak Midwinter, Hamlet, Love’s Labours Lost and the short film Swansong, with Sir John Gielgud. Briers joined Branagh’s Renaissance Theatre Company in 1987 and starred in the company’s stage productions of Twelfth Night, King Lear, Uncle Vanya and Coriolanus.

Briers has also enjoyed a long creative association with playwright and director Alan Ayckbourn. Briers appeared in Ayckbourn’s first play, "Relatively Speaking", which opened at the Duke of York’s Theatre in 1967. He has appeared in staged and/or televised productions of other Ayckbourn works including "Absurd Person Singular", "Absent Friends", "The Norman Conquests" and "Just Between Ourselves". Other recent stage work includes Simon McBurney’s production of "The Chairs" with Geraldine McEwan, which went on to repeat its success on Broadway, and a UK tour of "The Tempest".

Briers’ most recent television series was "Monarch of the Glen" for Ecosse Films. He previously worked with director P. J. Hogan on the film Unconditional Love.

Briers was awarded the Order of the British Empire by the Queen in 1989 and the CBE this year. He is married to the actress Ann Davies.