William Gaunt

William Gaunt boasts an expansive career across British television and classical theatre, earning recognition for his impactful performances in popular series and prestigious stage productions. After an early career grounded in repertory stage work, Gaunt made his notable debut as Mortimer Brewster in ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ at the Salisbury Playhouse in 1961. His television career quickly gained momentum, with a recurring role as the methodical sidekick Bob Marriott in the crime series ‘Sergeant Cork,’ which aired from 1963 to 1968. Gaunt further solidified his presence in television, achieving cult status for his portrayal of Richard Barrett, a code-breaker with enhanced physical and mental abilities, in the supernatural adventure series ‘The Champions’ from 1968 to 1969.

His commitment to classical theatre continued with performances as Sorin in ‘The Seagull’ and The Earl of Gloucester in ‘King Lear’ for the Royal Shakespeare Company from 2007 to 2008, a role he reprised for a ‘King Lear’ TV film in 2008. Gaunt returned to Shakespeare’s Globe for ‘Henry IV, Part 1’ in 2010 and delivered a critically acclaimed performance as John of Gaunt in ‘Richard II’ in 2015. Most recently, in 2021, he portrayed Duncan in ‘Macbeth’ at the Almeida Theatre, a performance that was subsequently filmed and screened by BBC4 as ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ in 2023, showcasing his enduring versatility and profound theatrical presence.