Christopher Ettridge is an English actor, director, producer and writer best known for playing PC Reg Deadman in the BBC comedy series Goodnight Sweetheart. His career has covered television, film, theatre, directing and independent production.
He was born on 21 February 1948 in Isleworth, London. He turned 78 in February 2026. Companies House records his birth month and year as February 1948, while established entertainment databases give his full birth date.
Ettridge is based in Lewes, East Sussex, and has Twickenham as his hometown. His work has taken him from British television studios to major theatres, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and London’s West End.
Christopher Ettridge Early Life and Education
Christopher Ettridge attended Hampton Grammar School between 1959 and 1966. His interest in drama began during his school years and later became the foundation of his professional life. He studied at Drama Centre London from 1970 to 1973. The school had a strong reputation for demanding actor training, with a focus on voice, movement, character work and classical performance.
His connection with Drama Centre continued after his studies. From 2000 to 2009, he worked there as a director, guiding students through stage productions and helping young performers develop confidence and discipline.
Training at Drama Centre London
The training Ettridge received helped him move comfortably between comedy, classical theatre, television drama and film. His later work as a director also shows his interest in teaching and developing new performers. He has directed productions for Drama Centre students and other London conservatoire drama schools. This part of his career places him in both creative and educational roles within British theatre.
Breakthrough Role in Goodnight Sweetheart
Christopher Ettridge became widely recognised for playing PC Reg Deadman in Goodnight Sweetheart. The BBC sitcom followed Gary Sparrow, played by Nicholas Lyndhurst, who travelled between modern London and wartime London.
Reg Deadman was a kind-hearted police officer with a simple nature and a strong sense of loyalty. Ettridge gave the character warmth and comic charm, making him one of the most memorable supporting figures in the series.
The original programme ran from 1993 to 1999. Ettridge returned to the role in the 2016 special, Goodnight Sweetheart: Many Happy Returns. His performance remains the role most closely associated with his television career.
His Real-Life Son in the Series
Christopher Ettridge appeared with his real-life son, Alfie Ettridge Rogers, in the episode “One O’Clock Jump”. Alfie played Frank, the son of Reg Deadman. This gave the episode an unusual connection between fiction and real life. Entertainment records identify Alfie Ettridge Rogers as Christopher Ettridge’s son and credit him with the role in the sitcom.
Television and Film Career
Although Goodnight Sweetheart brought him his greatest television fame, Ettridge worked in many other productions. His early television appearances included Antony & Cleopatra, Roger Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Terry and June, The Professionals, Nanny and The Glory Boys.
He later appeared in Juliet Bravo, The Bill, Casualty, Love Hurts, Lovejoy, Minder and Harry Enfield & Chums. These roles allowed him to work across comedy, crime drama, historical drama and television adaptations. His television credits also include Bramwell, The Worst Witch, Doctors, EastEnders, Esther, Hitler: The Rise of Evil, Mr Selfridge, Birds of a Feather and Nutritiously Nicola!
In EastEnders, he played Graeme and Ollie. He portrayed General Kurt von Schleicher in Hitler: The Rise of Evil and Mr King in Mr Selfridge. His film work includes Rapunzel Let Down Your Hair, The Chain, Kevin & Perry Go Large, I Capture the Castle and Demon. In Kevin & Perry Go Large, he played the postman.
The Enfield Poltergeist
In 2023, Christopher Ettridge joined the cast of Apple TV+’s The Enfield Poltergeist. He played Maurice Grosse, the investigator who studied the famous haunting in north London. The production combined documentary material, original recordings and dramatic performances. His role showed a more serious side of his acting, contrasting with the comic style of PC Reg Deadman. He also provided voice work for the 2025 video game Blades of Fire, playing Melcart and additional village voices. This added another medium to his long career.
Theatre Career
Theatre has remained an important part of Ettridge’s professional life. He has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Court, the National Theatre, London’s West End and leading regional theatres. His Royal Shakespeare Company credits include The History Cycle, Cardenio, The City Madam and The Marat/Sade. In the RSC production of Cardenio, he played the Duke.
He worked with the National Theatre in The Shape of the Table and Dinner. He also appeared in Democracy and Twelve Angry Men in the West End. Other stage credits include The History Boys, The Night Watch at the Manchester Royal Exchange and Heroes at the Watermill Theatre. In Heroes, he played Philippe.
International Theatre Work
Christopher Ettridge has also performed outside the United Kingdom. He appeared as Colonel Pickering in the English Theatre Frankfurt production of Pygmalion in 2017. He later acted in The Indian Queen, a semi-opera based on work by Henry Purcell and John Dryden. The production travelled to Lille, Caen, Antwerp and Luxembourg.
His stage career demonstrates his range as a performer. He has played comic figures, historical characters, authority figures and roles in classical drama.
Directing, Writing and Producing
Christopher Ettridge expanded into directing during the early 2000s. He directed productions at Drama Centre London and other conservatoires, as well as work in the United States. He directed The Visit at Eastern Connecticut State University. For his own creative company, A27, he adapted and directed a musical version of Carlo Goldoni’s Mirandolina.
The production used an unusual format in which the audience was served an Italian meal while the performance unfolded around them. This reflected his interest in creating theatrical experiences that combine performance, atmosphere and audience participation.
Christopher Ettridge also adapted, directed and produced the short film Lady Macbeth. Released in 2017, the film presents Shakespeare’s story from Lady Macbeth’s point of view. He directed the project with Mark Duffield. He also directed Romeo and Juliet for ReACTion Theatre in Eastbourne. His work in theatre and film shows that he is not limited to acting and has developed a wider creative identity.
Family and Personal Life
Christopher Ettridge is married to Angela, who has been described as an artist and academic. The couple have three children and live in Sussex. His family has remained largely away from the public spotlight. Alfie Ettridge Rogers is the only child whose acting connection has received widespread attention because of his appearance in Goodnight Sweetheart. Ettridge’s social-media details identify him as married and based in Lewes, East Sussex. His professional pages describe him as self-employed and active as an actor, director and producer.
A27 and Business Activities
Christopher Ettridge has been associated with A27 since 2010. The company has been connected with his theatre and film work, including the production of Mirandolina. Companies House records show that he served as secretary of A 27 Limited from 13 June 2007 until 15 August 2026. He also held earlier roles with Artyfarty Limited, Lewes Live Literature and The Community Project Ltd.
Artyfarty Limited was dissolved in 2018. His formal roles with Lewes Live Literature and The Community Project also ended before 2020. These records show a long connection with creative organisations and cultural projects in East Sussex.
Lasting Contribution
Christopher Ettridge has built a career that extends far beyond one famous television role. Audiences remember him warmly as Reg Deadman, but his professional work also includes respected theatre performances, classical productions, directing, teaching, writing and film production.
His career combines popular television with serious stage work. From the BBC to the Royal Shakespeare Company and from Drama Centre London to Apple TV+, he has continued to work across different areas of performance. Christopher Ettridge remains a versatile British performer whose career reflects discipline, range and a lasting commitment to theatre and storytelling.
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