One of Britain’s best-loved film and TV actors is coming to Ripon for a very special fundraising evening in support of Ripon Theatre Festival and he says he can’t wait.

Downton Abbey and Paddington star Hugh Bonneville will appear at Holy Trinity on Saturday, November 21 for an evening exploring his celebrated career on screen, his life in theatre, and passion for acting.

All profits from the event will go directly to Ripon Theatre Festival, helping the volunteer-led charity continue bringing high-quality, affordable and accessible theatre and live performance to people across the city.

Hugh Bonneville is one of Britain’s most recognisable actors, known internationally for playing Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, in Downton Abbey, as well as Mr Brown in the hugely successful Paddington films.

Famous British actor Hugh Bonneville is coming to Ripon for a fundraising event in support of Ripon Theatre Festival. (Picture contributed)

placeholder image — Famous British actor Hugh Bonneville is coming to Ripon for a fundraising event in support of Ripon Theatre Festival. (Picture contributed)

He is also a longstanding supporter of organisations encouraging access to theatre and the arts.

Hugh Bonneville will be interviewed on stage by former BBC Radio York presenter Anna Wallace, in what promises to be a warm and entertaining conversation spanning his career.

“Theatre and live performance have played such an important part in my life and career, " said Hugh, “so I’m delighted to be supporting Ripon Theatre Festival and the work it does to bring the arts to audiences across the city.

“Festivals like this can make a real difference, not only by creating opportunities for artists but by taking performance out into the community and making sure as many people as possible can experience it.

A film scene from Paddington 2 with Paddington and Hugh Bonneville, who is will appear at Holy Trinity Church in Ripon on Saturday, November 21. (Picture contributed)

"I’m very much looking forward to coming to Ripon, talking about my life in theatre and beyond, and meeting audiences there.”

Ripon is the closest real cathedral city to the fictional estate of Downton Abbey, serving as a frequent plot reference and actual filming location in the franchise.

The Royal Ascot scenes in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale were partly filmed at Ripon Racecourse.

The show’s creator, Julian Fellowes, spent a significant part of his youth in North Yorkshire while attending Ampleforth College.

Actor Hugh Bonneville is coming to Little Ripon Bookshop with his new children’s book, Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea. (Picture contributed)

His teenage years near Ripon, alongside neighbouring market towns like Thirsk and Malton, left him with a lifelong affection for the area.

Newby Hall in Ripon was the seat for the real Lord Grantham, an amateur architect who designed the cell block that now houses the Ripon Prison and Police Museum.

Bonneville will also talk about another role - bestselling children’s author.

The evening will also include a signing of Hugh’s new children’s book, Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea, hosted by The Little Ripon Bookshop, offering audiences the chance to pick up a signed copy in time for Christmas.

Published by Bloomsbury in October, the book is the second instalment in Hugh’s Rory Sparkes series.

Illustrated by Loretta Schauer, the book combines mystery, mischief and humour and is aimed at readers aged seven to 11.

The event represents a major fundraising opportunity for Ripon Theatre Festival, a small independent festival with an ambitious mission to bring professional theatre and live performance into the heart of its community.

Run by a small team of volunteers, the festival works with local supporters, funders and partners to create a diverse cultural programme.

Event sponsor Hethertons Solicitors is one of North Yorkshire's leading law firms, providing trusted legal advice to individuals, families and businesses for more than 75 years.

The event is made possible for Ripon Theatre Festival by Cause & Effect PR.

An Evening with Hugh Bonneville, Saturday 21 November 2026, 7pm, Holy Trinity, Ripon, followed by a signing of Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea, hosted by Ripon Bookshop.

Book online: https://tinyurl.com/Hugh-Bonneville-Ripon-tickets