Paul Blackthorne
Acting
Accomplished British actor Paul Blackthorne returned to primetime TV fall 2012 as determined Detective Quentin Lance on the CWâs hit series âArrowâ. This role follows that of manipulative reality show producer Clark Quietly in ABCâs paranormal thriller âThe Riverâ. Recently he has also appeared opposite Ted Danson in âCSIâ and Callie Thorne in âNecessary Roughnessâ. Blackthorne was born in Shropshire, England, 1969. Blackthorne had his first acting experience at the age of 12 with the National Youth Music Theatre at the Edinburgh festival in 1981. Later he went on to study the Spiritual Psychology of Acting in London from 1996-98 before earning his first roles in British TV and film. In 2000 he found himself in India portraying the villainous Captain Russell in the Oscar-nominated film âLagaanâ. The Oscar campaign brought him to Los Angeles where he went on to appear in many American TV shows including â24â, âERâ, âThe Dresden Filesâ, âLipstick Jungleâ, âDeadwoodâ and âBurn Noticeâ. On the feature side, he has appeared in âFour corners of suburbia, âSpecialâ and âA Christmas Carol.â Alongside acting Blackthorne spent much of the 90âs traveling the world and exhibiting his photography in London. His first exhibition entitled âFish Heads and other thingsâ raised money for Greenpeace. Another, âBollywood Backpackâ raised money for the Gujarat Indian earthquake victims. The last exhibition he held, âDelhi to Manhattanâ, took place at Tibet House, New York in April 2009. This exhibition (view here) chronicles a journey through India trekking in the Himalayan-Tibetan communities and meeting with the Dalai Lama in Dharmsala as part of âThe Missing Peaceâ project. Proceeds from this exhibition went to the Tibetan childrenâs villages in India. Recently Paul completed a documentary he produced with acclaimed Australian photographer Mister Basquali entitled âThis American Journeyâ. Blackthorneâs directorial debut tells the story of the two men traveling across America interviewing everyday Americans about how they feel about the state of the country and their hopes for its future. Along the way, stereotypes are shattered and wisdom found in the most unexpected places. In the meantime âArrowâ was nominated for best new drama at the Peopleâs choice awards 2013, âThis American Journeyâ is being submitted to film festivals and in partnership with musician James Carrington, Blackthorne is releasing an innovative app called âForteâ teaching children how to read music.
