Paul Blackthorne, a distinguished British actor, made a memorable return to primetime television in the fall of 2012 as the resolute Detective Quentin Lance in the CW's acclaimed series, 'Arrow.' His portrayal came after a notable role as the cunning reality show producer Clark Quietly in ABC’s supernatural thriller, 'The River.' In addition to these roles, Blackthorne has made guest appearances in popular series such as 'CSI' alongside Ted Danson and 'Necessary Roughness' featuring Callie Thorne.
Born in Shropshire, England, in 1969, Blackthorne's journey into acting began at the age of 12 when he performed with the National Youth Music Theatre at the Edinburgh Festival. He later pursued the Spiritual Psychology of Acting from 1996 to 1998 in London, which paved the way for his initial roles in British television and film.
In 2000, Blackthorne gained international recognition for his portrayal of the villain Captain Russell in the Oscar-nominated film 'Lagaan.' This opportunity brought him to the United States, where he starred in numerous TV shows, including '24,' 'ER,' and 'Deadwood.' He has also featured in films like 'Four Corners of Suburbia' and 'A Christmas Carol.'
Beyond acting, Blackthorne is an avid photographer. He showcased his work in various exhibitions, including 'Delhi to Manhattan' in 2009 at Tibet House in New York, which supported Tibetan children's villages. His recent project, a documentary titled 'This American Journey,' explores the perspectives of everyday Americans and is currently being submitted to film festivals. Additionally, Blackthorne has partnered with musician James Carrington to launch an innovative app, 'Forte,' aimed at teaching children how to read music.
