Richard Franklin (actor)

Richard Kimber Franklin (born 15 January 1936) is an English actor, writer, director and political activist. Principally a stage actor, he has also appeared as a regular character in several high-profile British television programmes, including ''Crossroads'' and ''Emmerdale Farm'', and he portrayed Captain Mike Yates of UNIT in ''Doctor Who'' from 1971 until 1974, returning to the role on a number of occasions both on television and in ''Doctor Who'' spin-off media.

Franklin is a dramatist and the author of the book ''Forest Wisdom: Radical Reform of Democracy and the Welfare State'', which reflects his political views and activism, and has written novels based in the Whoniverse. He has stood as a candidate for the UK Parliament for several parties and founded the Silent Majority Party.

Early life and career

Franklin was educated at Westminster School, and read PPE before going on to complete an MA in Modern History at Christ Church, Oxford. During National Service he was commissioned into the Royal Green Jackets (Rifle Brigade) and was a captain in Queen Victoria's Rifles. Prior to embarking on an acting career, he spent three years at the advertising agency Hobson and Grey as an assistant account executive, assistant producer and scriptwriter.

Franklin trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (colloquially known as RADA), where he won the Jenny Laird prize.

Theatre

Immediately after graduating from RADA, Franklin spent six years in repertory theatre, beginning at the Century Theatre under the directorship of Heinz Bernard. He then spent two years at Birmingham Rep under Peter Dews, a season at Bristol Old Vic under Val May, before moving to Ipswich where in addition to acting he also held an associate directorship.

Franklin has appeared in a number of productions in London's West End. In 1967 he played the role of Corin in ''As You Like It'' at the Vaudeville Theatre, alongside Brian Cox as Orlando. In 1978 he took over the lead role in '' Same Time, Next Year'' from Michael Crawford. Most recently he understudied the part of Arthur Kipps in ''The Woman in Black'' at the Fortune Theatre, playing the role on a number of occasions. Other theatre acting work includes ''Macbeth'' (RSC), ''The'' ''Rocky Horror Show'' (as the Narrator), '' The Spider's Web'' (UK Tour for Ian Dickens), ''Romeo and Juliet'' (UK Tour with Sean Maguire), ''The Importance of Being Earnest'' (English Speaking Theatre, Frankfurt).

A prolific dramatist, a number of Franklin's plays have been produced professionally. These include:
* ''The Trial of Johnny Bull'' (Ipswich Theatre)
* ''Dr Weird and the Amazing Box'' (Renaissance Theatre)
* ''The Cage'' (Edinburgh) Winner, Spirit of the Fringe award
* ''Shakespeare was a Hunchback'' (Edinburgh). The play was later used as the basis for the ITV production ''The Trial of Richard III''
* ''Poison'' (London Charterhouse)
* ''Luck of the Draw'' (premiered at London Charterhouse in 2014, prior to a small-scale National Tour.)
* ''Shakespeare by Shaggers'' (Brighton Fringe)
Franklin has had a long association with the British pantomime tradition, having appeared in eighteen different productions. His most recent pantomime role was the Emperor of China in ''Aladdin'' at the New Victoria Theatre, during First Family Entertainment's 2014–15 season. Franklin continues to produce new work, the latest of which is ''The Luck of the Draw'', a drama based on his uncle's private diaries and the experiences of a Tommy in the First World War.

As a director, Franklin held an associate directorship at Ipswich. He directed seasons at Swansea Grand and Chesterfield Civic, and was artistic director of Renaissance Theatre in Stockholm. He has directed at Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, as well as a number of London, Edinburgh and Brighton Fringe productions including his own ''Luck of the Draw,'' and ''Shakespeare by Shaggers''.

Television

Franklin first came to television prominence in 1969 as Joe Townsend in ''Crossroads,'' appearing in thirty-six episodes. Over the course of a long television career he has appeared in a number of well-known British programmes including ''Blake's 7'', ''Dixon of Dock Green'', ''The Saint'', ''Up Your Junction, Going for a Song,'' ''The Millicent Martin Show'', ''Little Women'', ''The Pathfinders'', Catherine Cookson's ''The Gambling Man,'' '' Heartbeat,'' and ''Emmerdale Farm''.

''Doctor Who''

Franklin first appeared in ''Doctor Who'' in the role of Mike Yates, a captain in the fictional military organisation UNIT, in the serial ''Terror of the Autons'' (1971), which was the opening story of Jon Pertwee's second season in the role of the Third Doctor. He continued as a series regular until the serial ''Planet of the Spiders'' (1974), which also marked the end of Pertwee's tenure as the title character.

He has maintained his association with ''Doctor Who'' and appears regularly at conventions, and in spin-off and documentary productions. He has recreated Captain Mike Yates on television twice, for the Twentieth Anniversary special ''The Five Doctors'' (1983) and also the Thirtieth Anniversary 3-D Special for Children In Need ''Dimensions In Time'' (1993). A photograph of Franklin in role as Yates appeared on screen in the fiftieth anniversary special ''The Day of the Doctor'' (2013). He has also appeared in the role on numerous occasions in audio plays for both Big Finish Productions and the BBC
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