Kris Marshall — things you didn't know about the TV star (2024)

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...

1. He oncekept 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.

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 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 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!.

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.

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.

Kris Marshall's Fact File

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

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