Burn Gorman

Burn Gorman became familiar to television audiences as Owen Harper, the troubled, womanizing doctor on "Torchwood" (BBC Three, BBC Two, BBC One, BBC HD, BBC One HD, Starz HD, BBC America, 2006-2011). Prior to that role, however, he had nearly a decade of work in film and TV as well as an impressive stage resume.

Gorman broke into TV with appearances on shows such as "Coronation Street" (ITV, STV, UTV, 1960- ), "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries" (BBC One, PBS, 2001-08), and the miniseries "Bleak House" (BBC One, 2005). Following the success of "Torchwood," he continued working in television and movies, including roles in "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012) and "Pacific Rim" (2013), underscoring his status as a dependable and recognizable screen actor.

Gorman was born in Hollywood to British parents; his father was a professor of linguistics at UCLA. His was a childhood shielded to some degree from both American and pop culture. He was seven when he returned with his family to the United Kingdom - his sisters were high school aged and his parents wanted them to spend their adolescence there - and his father would not allow a TV in the house.

After studying acting at Manchester Metropolitan University, he landed his first TV job with a brief run on "Coronation Street." Over the next several years he worked in TV and film as well as onstage, often to excellent notice, including appearing in "Layer Cake" (2004) with Daniel Craig. Gorman also did extensive theater work and worked as a musician too, and in 2003 he became the BBC Radio 1Xtra Human Beatbox Champion.

Onstage, he appeared in a number of well-received plays in London, Nottingham and Manchester. However, after being cast as Owen Harper in "Torchwood," one of the members of a secret organization lead by Captain Jack Harkness, he became far more recognizable to audiences and particularly to fans of science fiction and fantasy TV.

During "Torchwood" and after its end, Gorman continued working steadily on stage and in film and TV, including landing his first leading role in a feature film in the comedy "Up There" (2012). His fame as a "Torchwood" alumnus may also have resulted in his casting in more fantasy and science fiction TV shows and movie franchises. In addition to major roles in TV miniseries such as "The Runaway" (Sky1, 2011) and "Spies of Warsaw" (BBC Four, BBC America, 2013), he appeared in the final installment of the Batman trilogy "The Dark Knight Rises," and the blockbuster monster movie "Pacific Rim."

He also appeared in several episodes of "Game of Thrones" (HBO, 2011-), based on the series of fantasy novels by George R. R. Martin.