John Shrapnel, a celebrated actor whose richly textured voice and compelling stage presence graced the theatre and screen for five decades, passed away at the age of 77 after battling cancer. His distinctive voice, marked by a subtle “r” sound, was instantly recognizable, making him a sought-after talent for voiceover work in documentaries and commercials. Yet, it was on stage, particularly with esteemed companies like the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, where John Shrapnel truly shone.
From 1968 onwards, John Shrapnel embodied a range of leading and significant supporting roles. His early career highlights include a notable period with Laurence Olivier’s National Theatre company at the Old Vic between 1972 and 1975, where he portrayed Banquo in Macbeth, Pentheus in The Bacchae, and Orsino in Twelfth Night. Prior to this, his National Theatre debut was in Jonathan Miller’s starkly realistic 1972 rendition of The School for Scandal, where he played Charles Surface. His collaborations with Jonathan Miller were frequent and fruitful, encompassing a memorable portrayal of a perspiring Andrey in Chekhov’s Three Sisters in 1976 at Cambridge, and several roles in Miller’s BBC television Shakespeare series during the 1980s. These TV roles included Alcibiades opposite Jonathan Pryce in Timon of Athens, Hector in Troilus and Cressida, and Kent to Michael Hordern’s King Lear, alongside Frank Middlemass as Fool.
John Shrapnel consistently brought depth and intrigue to his roles, even those considered “solid” or conventional. He possessed a natural gravitas that allowed him to imbue characters with virtue and complexity. This was evident in his portrayal of Tesman in a 1977 Hedda Gabler, opposite Janet Suzman, and later as a powerful Duncan in Kenneth Branagh’s 2013 Macbeth at the Manchester International Festival. Remarkably, John Shrapnel excelled in portraying both Brutus (1980) and Julius Caesar (2005) in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, showcasing his versatility and range. One of his final memorable performances was as an archbishop in the 2017 television adaptation of Mike Bartlett’s King Charles III, alongside his friend Tim Pigott-Smith.
Born in Birmingham, John Shrapnel was the son of Norman Shrapnel, a parliamentary correspondent for The Guardian, and Myfanwy (nee Edwards). His lineage included Lt Gen Henry Shrapnel, the inventor of the shrapnel shell, from whom he inherited his surname. John Shrapnel’s education included Mile End School, City of London School where he played Hamlet, and St Catharine’s College, Cambridge. His professional acting debut was as Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing in 1965.
Shrapnel’s film debut was in Franklin J Schaffner’s Nicholas and Alexandra (1971). He also achieved significant television success, notably as the Earl of Sussex in Elizabeth R (1971) with Glenda Jackson, and later as Lord Howard in Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007) with Cate Blanchett. Other notable TV roles include Sir Percival Glyde in The Woman in White (1982) and Semper in Tony Palmer’s Wagner (1983), featuring Richard Burton and Ekkehard Schall.
In Jonathan Miller’s 1982 production of Hamlet, John Shrapnel’s Claudius was not just authoritative but also surprisingly nuanced, revealing a man lacking imagination and depth. This talent for portraying the psychological complexity of powerful figures was further demonstrated in John Barton’s epic The Greeks (1980), where he played both Agamemnon and Apollo, and as King Creon in Sophocles’ Oedipal Theban trilogy. He played Creon in Don Taylor’s BBC television adaptation (1986) and again for the RSC (1992), each time revealing new dimensions of the tyrannical yet vulnerable character.
Beyond his dramatic roles, John Shrapnel showcased his versatility in lighter fare, such as Samuel Pepys in England, My England (1995), a taxidermist in 101 Dalmatians (1996), Julia Roberts’s press agent in Notting Hill (1999), and Nestor in Troy (2004). He also appeared in K-19: The Widowmaker (2001). Notably, his son Lex Shrapnel was also in K-19, and they later shared the stage in a poignant 2015 Young Vic revival of Caryl Churchill’s A Number, exploring themes of cloning and fatherhood. In 2015, John Shrapnel also rejoined Kenneth Branagh’s company, taking on roles in The Winter’s Tale and Harlequinade, cementing his reputation as a reliable and sought-after actor.
Outside of his acting career, John Shrapnel enjoyed mountaineering, skiing, and music. He is survived by his wife, Francesca Bartley, their three sons Joe, Lex, and Thomas, and his brother Hugh. John Morley Shrapnel’s death on February 14, 2020, marked the loss of a significant figure in British theatre and film, remembered for his distinctive voice, powerful stage presence, and ability to bring depth to every role he undertook.
