Julian Ovenden

Julian Ovenden (born November 1976, Sheffield) is an English stage, television and film actor and singer. He is one of three children of Canon John Ovenden, chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II.

Ovenden sang in the St Paul's Cathedral Choir as a child. He later won a music scholarship to Eton College. He subsequently studied at the University of Oxford on a choral scholarship. Whilst he has received training as an opera singer, he has professionally used his music training in musical theatre. He continued academic studies in drama at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.

Ovenden's roles in the theatre have included:

• Merrily We Roll Along (Franklin) (2000)
• Grand Hotel (The Baron) (2004)
• Butley (play) (Joseph Keyston) (2006)
• Marguerite (Armand) (2008)
• Annie Get Your Gun (Butler) (2009)
• Death Takes a Holiday (Death) (2011)

Ovenden also originated the role of J.M. Barrie in the musical version of the film 'Finding Neverland' produced by Harvey Weinstein and premiered at The Curve theatre, Leicester in 2012.

Ovenden has also sung musical theatre songs in several concerts at The Proms, in particular concerts of Stephen Sondheim and of Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Ovenden's work in television has included:

• Foyle's War (Andrew Foyle)
• The Forsyte Saga (2002 miniseries) (Valerius 'Val' Dartie)
• The Royal (Dr David Cheriton)
• Related (Jason Greenstein)
• Cashmere Mafia (Eric Burden)
• A Christmas Carol: The Musical (Fred Anderson)

In 2012 he signed a recording contract with Decca and his first album If You Stay was released.

In private life, Ovenden and his wife, the soprano Kate Royal, have a son, Johnny Beau, born in October 2009. The couple married in December 2010, the ceremony being conducted by Ovenden's father, who also christened their son in a double ceremony. They also have a daughter, Audrey, born in November 2011.