Ron Donachie
Ronald Eaglesham Porter, known professionally as Ron Donachie, is a Scottish character actor. He has appeared in supporting roles in films The Jungle Book, Titanic, and television series Game of Thrones, in which he recurred as Ser Rodrik Cassel. He is however perhaps best known for portraying DI John Rebus in the BBC Radio 4 dramatisations of Sir Ian Rankin's Rebus detective novels, a role he reprised for the stage play Rebus: Long Shadows.
Biography
Early life and career
Ronald Porter was born in Dundee, Scotland and educated at Madras College, St Andrews where he performed in three school plays: Serjeant Musgrave's Dance in 1972, A Man For All Seasons in 1973 for which the newspaper review said "Ron Porter was impressive from start to finish, handling a mammoth part with apparent ease, giving a sensitive, subtle and well-controlled performance, especially in the second act", and Taming of the Shrew in 1974 for which the newspaper review said "Ron Porter's affability shines out like the proverbial beacon... as the most experienced member of the cast, he has the confidence to be able to establish an immediate rapport with the audience.... turned in his usual high standard of performance as the enormously arrogant Petruchio".His education continued at the University of Glasgow where he was President of the Glasgow University Students' Representative Council and graduated MA (Hons) in English Literature and Drama in 1979.
He joined John McGrath's 7:84 theatre group for their 1980–1981 touring production, John Burrows' One Big Blow, in which the cast mimicked a traditional colliery band by singing in six part harmony. Following the success of this play members of the cast founded the a cappella vocal group The Flying Pickets in 1982, but Donachie left before their 1983 Christmas number one hit.
Acclaim
Although Donachie has been prolific in television and films, these have all been ensemble or supporting parts. His leading roles on radio and the theatre have achieved acclaim:"Ron Donachie plays in the BBC radio versions and he's really got the voice"
— Ian Rankin, author of the Rebus novels
Ron Donachie plays her father with an authority that makes his role as a sexual predator even more creepy.
— Six Characters in Search of an Author – Mark Fisher, The Guardian
When Ron Donachie takes the stage as Deputy Governor Danforth in the second half of Arthur Miller's classic, it's as if this 17th century parable of superstition and intolerance has a new centre of gravity. It's partly that Donachie seems three times bigger than everyone else, a bullish figure, no less fearsome for his legal attire. It's partly that his charismatic stillness commands attention and defies contradiction. But it's also that, in presenting himself as reasonable, considerate and fair, he puts you in mind of every leader who gets his way by masking ruthless force with politeness.
— The Crucible review – Mark Fisher, The Guardian
Personal life
Donachie married Fiona Biggar, a complementary therapist, in 1989; the couple have two children: the actor Daniel Portman and Naomi Porter, a linguist. His brother, Stewart Porter, is also an actor and his sister-in-law is Scottish film costume designer Trisha Biggar.Film
Television
Theatre
| Date | Title | Role | Director | Company / Theatre |
| Easter | Serjeant Musgrave's Dance | Pte. Attercliffe | Madras College The Byre | |
| Easter | ' | Sir Thomas More | Madras College The Byre | |
| Easter | Taming of the Shrew | Petruchio | Madras College The Byre | |
| – | One Big Blow | 7:84 theatre group tour | ||
| – | Civilians | Scottish Theatre Company Theatre Royal, Glasgow | ||
| – | ' | MacHeath | - | |
| 18–29 Aug | Roxy Art House, Edinburgh | - | - | - |
| 2–5 Sep | Craigie College Theatre, Ayr | - | - | - |
| 8–9 Sep | Bonar Hall, Dundee | - | - | - |
| 10–12 Sep | Magnum Theatre, Irvine | - | - | - |
| 14–15 Sep | East Kilbride Village Theatre | - | - | - |
| 16–17 Sep | Park Mains Theatre, Erskine | - | - | - |
| 18–19 Sep | - | - | - | |
| Mitchell Theatre, Glasgow | - | - | - |
Radio
| Date | Title | Role | Director | Station |
| – | Citizens | Alec Kelly | BBC Radio 4 | |
| – | ' | DI Rebus | BBC Radio 4 The Saturday Play | |
| – | Resurrection Men | DI Rebus | BBC Radio 4 The Saturday Play | |
| McLevy: Sins of the Fathers | Bellamy | BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play | ||
| – | Black and Blue | DI Rebus | BBC Radio 4 The Saturday Play | |
| Salmonella Men on Planet Porno | BBC Radio 3 The Wire | |||
| Fags, Mags and Bags: Mr Majhu Goes to Lenzie | Bob Shandy MP | BBC Radio 4 | ||
| – | Strip Jack | DI Rebus | BBC Radio 4 The Saturday Play | |
| – | ' | DI Rebus | BBC Radio 4 Classic Serial | |
| – | Set in Darkness | DI Rebus | BBC Radio 4 Classic Serial | |
| – | ' | DI Rebus | BBC Radio 4 The Saturday Play | |
| ' | Sir John Wedderburn | BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Drama |