Biography

AN AWARD WINNING ACTOR. BORN IN NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE. His Father a doctor his mother a nurse. His Grandmother from a Mining colliery family his Grandfather Northumbrian Gentry . Trained at Derwentside college winning the Rotary Prize for Dramatic Art then at GSA winning a prize for his choreography and the School Cup for Best Actor. He was spotted by Patricia Marmont then of Marmont Management[ along with Rose Streatfield] and they guided him through his first 10 years of work.

Known for his versatility and his work in every genre. Went into Theatre and Film . As diverse as Sir Trevor Nunn's Skellig, MC in "Cabaret" (Manchester Evening News award nomination), Romeo and Juliet, Taste of Honey. Detective Inspector Berkeley in Casualty (BBC Bafta award-winning drama) In Deep, Holby, Numbertime ( 7 series) as Glimmer the dim Robot. Bodger and Badger. Vexed, Twisted Tales, Suntrap all for the BBC. Tales from the Crypt HBO. ( Worldwide) God on Trial with Stellan Skaarsgard dealing with the Jewish holocaust.Ashley dropped 3 stone in weight and refused to eat for the role AND Kiss Kiss Bang Bang with Stellan Skarsguard again. Ashley said " Stellan is a master. In work and character. He taught me truth and technique, not to feel EVERYTHING, use conversation as conservation AND to have self care."

The Vampire gang leader with Jude Law in the movie The Wisdom of Crocodiles,His first movie was a small role in Judge Dredd with Stallone. Many Films Attack of the Gryphon, Lighthouse Hill,a tiny role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, with Ralph Fiennes.Ashley said " The only reason I played a masked death eater was to rehearse and film with Ralph, and watch him create Voldermort, it was 8 weeks of a masterclass" " the smallest part I've ever played but so so worth it"

He works in every genre. He received a Craft Best Actor Finalist award for the award-winning Reebok" Escape the Sofa" TV and Cinema Campaign,- which won awards for all concerned. His Theatre roles are extensive including Shakespeare . Launce in Two Gents of Verona. Tybalt in Neil Bartlett's ground breaking Romeo and Juliet . Henry V1 for Television with Ronald Pickup Corin Redgrave Paul Eddington and other Theatre Titans.

He was in the WORLD PREMIERE of " Fortunes Fool" with Sir Alan Bates at the legendary CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE. GYPSY on stage playing Tulsa with Sheila Hancock and Michael Cashman. He did the full 6 month MIKE LEIGH process playing Herbert Marchmont for Mike Leighs Topsy Turvy..which Ashley said " Mike gave me tools as an actor that i will always keep" Robbie in the Royal Court production of Shopping and Fuxxing , the controversial play directed by Max Stafford Clarke which also toured the country. Geoff in Shelagh Delaneys masterpiece: A Taste of Honey. He was the ORIGINAL Thenardier in Sir Cameron Mackintosh's Les Miserables NEW Production which is the blueprint for ALL productions around the world now the 25th-anniversary UK TOUR and PARIS ( the Chatelet) ALL as Thenardier. and finally at Les Miserables s HOME. THE BARBICAN.

Hes THENARDIER on the LIVE! Dream the Dream Les Miserables CD as and the Movie Les Miserables with Anne Hathaway, who won an Oscar for her role, also with Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe.

Flytopia for Film 4 playing the lead Johnathon Priestly exploring addiction and mental illness,directed by Oscar nominees Karni and Saul.

The BBC s New adaptation of Les Miserables 2018/2019} The Victor Hugo French Book NOT the musical. With Dominic West, Olivia Coleman and Sir Derek Jacobi and David Oyelowo and Adeel Akhtar. Adapted for the screen by the Legendary Andrew Davies.

He plays Victor Starbright in the BBC s and Hat Tricks)Award Winning TV series " SMOGGIE QUEENS" .3 episodes. Episodes 2 , 5 and 6 set in Middlesborough around the LGBT Community in the North East of England.
- IMDb mini biography by: anonymus