For a while there, British actor Hugh Dancy was a mainstay of period film and TV, starring in productions like Daniel Deronda and Elizabeth I. But he hasn’t done a period film since 2015, and I miss him! So I was glad to see that he’s going to be in the second Downton Abbey movie, currently filming. Let’s take a look back at Dancy’s many frock flick roles!
The New Adventures of Robin Hood (1998)
Filmed in Lithuania, in the same vein as Xena: Warrior Princess, you get the drill. Dancy plays “Kyle,” which, LOL.
Okay, he’s REALLY PRETTY.
Although I have no idea what’s going on here, and neither does he, it appears.
David Copperfield (2000)
As the titular David Copperfield in this Charles Dickens adaptation.
Good lord, that floppy hair and that cravat!
You just KNOW he was contractually obligated to keep that hair!
HOT CRAVAT ACTION.
Madame Bovary (2000)
As “Leon” — maybe Madame’s lover? It’s been a while since I’ve seen a version — opposite Frances O’Connor in this BBC adaptation.
One look at that bonnet and I’m out.
Young Blades (2001)
A young-cast version of The Three Musketeers. Looks like Snark Week fodder! Dancy plays D’Artagnan.
Buckle your swashes, ladies and gents.
Aw, he’s trying to grow some peach fuzz!
Daniel Deronda (2002)
As the title character, an illegitimate aristocrat torn between two women.
He’s dapper!
He’s kind!
He wants to save ALL THE LAY-DEEZE!
The Sleeping Dictionary (2003)
Per IMDB: “a young Englishman who is sent to Sarawak [Malaysia] in the 1930s to become part of the British colonial government. There he encounters some unorthodox local traditions, and finds himself faced with tough decisions of the heart involving a beautiful young local woman [played by Jessica Alba HA] who becomes the object of his affections.” Sounds atrocious.
Shorter hair, still cute!
Alba is of very mixed ancestry, but she’s not Asian in the least.
Ella Enchanted (2004)
Total fantasy, but I’m including it nonetheless. Hugh plays the romantic lead, Prince Charmont.
That’s a TERRIBLE vest.
But it’s fantasy, so.
King Arthur (2004)
I have zero memory of Dancy being in this, but it was a deeply shitty movie, so. He played Galahad.
Trying for gritty!
oooo knee!
Don’t panic, this is behind the scenes. Actors gotta hydrate.
Elizabeth I (2005)
As the real-life nitwit the Earl of Essex, who was one of Queen Elizabeth I’s major flirtations, in the Helen Mirren miniseries.
Okay, I’d flirt with him too.
Softly brush those curls out of his eyes…
But it’s important to remember WHO IS THE QUEEN
Essex was the son of the Earl of Leicester, here played by Jeremy Irons.
Evening (2007)
Dancy plays “Buddy” (I think the groom?) in the 1950s wedding flashback scenes of this Made for Your Mom film.
Hysteria (2011)
As a young doctor trying to treat female “hysteria” with vibrators in this late Victorian comedy.
That, my friends, is the equivalent of a man giving a hand job.
Being cute with Rupert Everett!
Starch that collar!
Deadline Gallipoli (2015)
The Gallipoli campaign during World War I from the perspective of several real-life journalists, including Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett (Dancy).
War is serious business!
PLAID
So growed up with that perfectly-of-the-period mustache.
Downton Abbey 2 (coming soon)
Dancy is joining the cast, but we don’t yet know who he’s playing!
He’s dressed very grandfatherly… this doesn’t bode well.
Which is your favorite of Hugh Dancy’s frock flick roles? No, Hannibal doesn’t count!
Essex wasn’t Robert Dudley’s son, but step-son. Essex’s mom was Lettice Knollts, a cousin of Elizabeth I.
My favourites are Daniel Deronda and Elizabeth.
Beat me to it!
Knollys autocorrect strikes again
Seriously considering watching that King Arthur for his thighs.
As near as I can tell the only reason to watch that turkey is to eat the manly eye candy!
There’s a lot of it — Clive Owen, Mads Mikelson, Ioan Gruffudd, Mr. Dancy, Stephen Dillane, and more, but despite all of that, all I can remember from that turkey was the stupidity of Keira Knightly’s character, costume, and performance. So I wouldn’t watch it.
Mads Mikkelsen was suggested by Dancy to play Hannibal Lecter, because they met on the King Arthur set.
So you’re saying I should watch it.
Very pretty!
I have a lot of love for Daniel Deronda, not just because it’s a great story with great costumes, but because it’s so dang rare to see positive portrayals of Jews in period dramas and classic lit. And Hugh Dancy was great (and ridiculously pretty!) in it.
Ella Enchanted on the other hand is a travesty of an adaptation that is best forgotten by the universe. But that’s not Dancy’s fault, of course.
I loved him in Hysteria, which is a pretty good if light-hearted movie…and then you get Rupert as well.
Ok, I must be one of twelve people who liked King Arthur. It was a fun romp, and the cast was chock-full of fine men. That said, I have no memory of Hugh Dancy in it. He’s definitely dreamy-ish. He’s in one of my favorite movies–not a FrockFlick–The Jane Austen Book Club. He’s absolutely adorable in it. I’m SOOO EXCITED for more Downton Abbey!!!