Russell Shaw
Film Actor & Voice Over
DI Buckley, in 'Six Years Gone'
Neil, in 'Toyota Commercial'
He has a rare versatility as an actor, and in his four years with the award winning ‘Bite-Size’ company was cast in parts that encompassed the whole gamut of human emotions from the highly comedic to the dark and gritty in short plays which received rave reviews at both the Edinburgh Fringe and Brighton Fringe – and were eventually featured on a long term broadcast on Sky Arts – this alongside long term contracts with touring company ‘Murder One’ allowed him to explore acting out every aspect of human behaviour.
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His work has ranged from theatre to film and to the small screen being cast in various advertisements and short feature films both in the UK and abroad, some of which were aired at festivals such as the Berlin International Film festival, in which his film won the coveted Silver Bear Award. He has also worked in the music video genre being lucky enough to be cast in the Arctic Monkeys music video of ‘Scummy Man’ alongside renowned actor, Stephen Graham.
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Russell Shaw is an established British actor starring in feature films, theatre and television productions. Described as versatile, intuitive, intense and fragile, Russell brings energy, depth and passion to every project. A director’s dream, Russell is both disarming and down-to-earth. He begins every production with an open mindset, takes direction and, when required, utilises his innate improvisational skills to great effect.
Recent roles include the part of Linden Robbins in Howard J Ford’s film ‘The Lockdown Hauntings’ and the lead in Craig Hinde and Marc Zammit’s 2024 medieval horror-fantasy, ‘Witch’ both viewed by audiences worldwide on Amazon, Sky and Paramount. Russell is also a successful voice over artist; his distinctive baritone timbre featuring in a variety of radio, television and commercial productions.
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After leaving school a chance conversation inspired Russell to look beyond the well-trodden path of a working-class tradesman to follow his passion for performing.Russell headed back to school and hit the books, securing himself a place at the Arden School of Theatre in Manchester. He later completed a BA Hons in Performing Arts at De Montfort University with six distinctions despite many obstacles and challenges along the way.
Russell’s first acting role was as a loveable rogue, The Fella in ‘Madforit’ by Gregory Hersov and Marianne Elliott. Shortly after, Russell landed a role in the 2007 award-winning Arctic Monkeys music video, ‘When The Sun Goes Down’. Russell also appears in ‘Scummy Man’, a short film written and directed by Paul Fraser based on the song. He then went on to star in two much-lauded live performances for Sky Arts; ‘Borys The Rottweiler ‘a fifteen minute monologue and the small cast play ‘Sleepless Nights’.
Thomas in 'Witch
Theatre
Versatile and engaging, Russell has been cast in a variety of theatrical parts from the highly comedic to the dark and gritty, the romantic and musical. Russell spent four years with the award-winning White Room Theatre's Bite-Size Plays and was later cast in several musical theatre productions including ‘Cabaret’, ‘West Side Story’ and Carole Todd's ‘Here Comes the Bride’. In 2017 he starred in Sam Chittenden’s production of the play ‘So You Say’, an ambitious, romantic two-hander. Russell then travelled to India to join the touring company ‘Murder one’ which achieved many first-of-its-kind performances in the country.
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Next came roles in Shakespeare; Nicolas Quirk’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ which was nominated for the Brighton Fringe’s ‘Best Outdoor Show’ and soon after Russell took on six parts alongside the challenges of commedia dell’arte mask in ‘Pericles, Prince of Tyr’ as a member of the Pericles Theatre Company.
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Movie Roles
Over the last few years Russell has completed several film projects in a range of genres: Sci-Fi – ‘Clay’s Redemption’, family comedy – ‘Adventure Boyz’, drama – ‘Six Years Gone’, home invasion – ‘Election Night,’ thriller – ‘Escape’ and period drama – ‘Vindication Swim’.
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Audio
Russell has a natural down to earth and engaging tone. He wholly embodies the character due to his acting background and has a natural ability to connect with the material. Described as a friendly, strong and versatile voice with a natural Northern baritone accent.
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https://www.voicefox.co.uk/artist/russell-shaw
Working with Simon Moorhead of TBC Audio and the director of Neil Gaiman’s film ‘Mirror Mask’, Russell performed roles in five well received audio plays; ‘Day Zero’, ‘Road to Nowhere’, ‘UFO Diaries’, ‘Protect & Survive’ and ‘Boleyn Brothers’.
Other voice over work includes the Radio 4 play ‘Barred’ by B7 Media, the BBC 4 Extra audio drama ‘The Other Side of the World’ as well as narration on BBC One’s ‘The One Show’ and the television series ‘Unexplained caught on camera’ for Discovery+’ and the Really Channel.
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Commercials
Throughout his career Russell has been cast in a variety of successful commercials for clients including Halifax, Brighton Housing Trust, Network Rail, Toyota, American Express, Orange and Yorkshire Tea.​
Russell also works as a voice-over artist represented by Voicefox-
Commercial/Narrative/Drama reel can be found here- https://www.voicefox.co.uk/artist/russell-shaw
