Award-winning actor Richard Madden has been named on Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people of 2019.
The former member of Paisley’s PACE youth theatre, who is from Elderslie, rose to fame as the star of BBC hit drama Bodyguard.
Each entry in the list is written by one of the new entrant’s peers and respected actor and director Sir Kenneth Branagh wrote: “Richard Madden has a rigour and a discipline in his work that makes him a very tough self-critic.
"In fact, he’s much tougher on himself than anyone else is. In him, this is an asset.
“In Cinderella, he created a Prince of fine soul and sensibility.
"He found an English accent that he used off-screen and on for the entire duration of the shoot. It was a world away from his own Scottish brogue and Celtic being.
"He wanted no part of that in this spiritual aristocrat. But one thing I observed that Richard and the Prince did share was the heart of a gentleman.”
In January, Richard picked up a highly-prestigious Golden Globe award.
This was for Best Actor in a Drama TV series for his portrayal of police sergeant David Budd in Bodyguard.
He shot to fame in 2011 after starring as Robb Stark in Game Of Thrones, before playing the part of Romeo in Romeo and Juliet in London’s West End in 2016.
However, it was his performance in Bodyguard alongside Keeley Hawes that earned him global attention
Branagh added: “Richard can certainly unleash wildness and ruthlessness”.
“He was an electrifying Romeo when I directed him on stage in Romeo & Juliet.
“But he is also innately courtly and courteous, and mindful of others.
“This is a distinct part of his intense sex appeal...I have no doubt that Richard will continue to shine, as a most dangerous gentleman of the silver screen.”
Richard is hotly tipped to become the next James Bond.
