Who is Ben Batt? In The Dark star who plays Helen Weeks’ partner DI Paul Hopkins
IN The Dark actor Ben Batt has appeared in several well-known TV shows over the years and his latest role in the BBC detective drama is sure to bring even more opportunities.
The British actor plays one half of a detective couple in the series. Here's what we know about the actor himself...
Who is Ben Batt, how old is he and what is his background?
Ben Batt is a 31-year-old actor from Wigan, who takes the lead in brand new BBC drama In The Dark.
As a youngster he was on course for a career as a rugby player before he broke his leg in three places and was told he'd never play again.
He's best-known for his TV roles in Shameless, Scott & Bailey and The Village, as well as Wire In The Blood, Prey, Prisoners' Wives and Sirens, but he's also had parts in several movies.
You might have seen him in The Edge Of Love, Captain America: The First Avenger or The Go-Between, a TV movie which saw him get semi-nude in a lake a la Aidan Turner.
He nearly caught hypothermia during shooting of that scene.
Currently he is starring alongside Star Wars' John Boyega in a modern version of Woyzeck at The Old Vic in London.
His part as DI Hopkins in In The Dark is his first lead role in a TV drama.
What is In The Dark and who does Ben Batt play?
In The Dark is a crime drama about the professional and personal lives of detectives - and couple - Helen Weeks and Paul Hopkins as they work together on several disturbing cases in Manchester.
It's a four-part miniseries, adapted from books by bestselling novelist Mark Billingham and written by Ordinary Lies screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst.
The story follows Weeks as she faces two of her toughest cases – while also preparing to become a mother.
The first case Helen is faced with takes her back to her childhood home when a friend from her past is involved in an abduction.
Meanwhile the second difficult case Helen deals with sees her forced to question her closest relationships when “a brutal tragedy drags her into Manchester’s dark criminal underbelly”.
Helen Weeks is played by MyAnna Buring from Ripper Street and The Twilight Saga.
Asked what he thinks the show is about, Ben said: "One of the core themes of In The Dark is love.
"What you’re willing to do for love, what you are willing to sacrifice for love, and more importantly what you are willing to compromise about your life and your own morals."
He added that there is a "dark humour" to the show and that his character is a really good guy you'd want to go for a pint with.
The show is split into two parts, with two episodes in each part.
Is Ben single?
Ben's partner is his Shameless co-star Rebecca Atkinson, who played Karen Maguire.
It is not known if they are married but she uses his surname online.
They have a one-year-old son together called Jack.
