Londoner Matthew Marsh had no intention of being an actor as a child, his ambition being to become a professional cricketer - he is still wildly enthusiastic for the sport. He went to university to read English but after a term grew disenchanted and developed an interest in comedy, appearing with a fringe group at the Edinburgh Festival. After a stay in America he answered an advert in 'Time Out' for an acting job. This, his first professional engagement which gained him his Equity card, was with the Mikron Theatre Company, who toured Britain in a canal-boat putting on plays. After six months with them he moved on to regional play-houses appearing at over thirty in a space of five years. He has subsequently appeared in several West End productions, as well as appearing, generally as a smooth villain, in numerous popular television shows.