Adam Howden

Adam Howden
Born 1 July 1983[1]
Residence London, United Kingdom
Occupation Actor/Voice actor [2]
Years active 2005–present
Agent Brown, Simcocks and Andrews [3]

Adam Howden (/ˈhaʊdən/; born 1 July 1983) is an English actor who has worked in video games, television, theatre, film, and audiobooks.[3]

With video games, his most notable roles are as Anders in Dragon Age II, as Shulk in Xenoblade Chronicles and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, as Tintin for the video game based on the film, The Adventures of Tintin, as Pipin in the Final Fantasy XIV expansion pack Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward, and as Fenton Paddock in the point-and-click adventure game Lost Horizon.[2][3] On television, Adam has done guest star acting on the BBC One soap opera Doctors as Martin Rivers (2008), Ben Hardwick (2013), and DC Gerrard Norcroft (2015), performances as Steven Lilwall on the BBC One series New Tricks, and two roles, as Fred and Jack Parsons, for the TV series documentary Dark Matters: Twisted But True on Science Channel.[2][3] In theatre, Adam has worked on various plays, most notably during 2015 in the role of Stu for a revival of Anthony Neilson's play Stitching at the House of Wolf, and also the role of Dickie Greenleaf for the play adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley at New Diorama Theatre, for which Adam received a Best Supporting Male nomination at the Offies 2016 (The Off West End Theatre Awards).[3][4] Regarding film, Adam has done main roles on short films like Towers by the filmmaker Azhur Saleem, but also small parts on films like Delicious and as Rupert Drummond on the horror film Scar Tissue.[2][3] For his work in audiobooks, Adam has also performed narration for Wicked Beloved, a novel by the novelist Susanne Saville.[5]

Acting bug and education

Fond of acting since his early school years,[6] Adam chose the subject for his GCSE studies, then his A Levels at the Strode College in 1999.[7] Inside that school, Adam studied Drama, Film Studies, and English Literature until his 2001 graduation; moment where, as Adam left the school, he then knew that acting was his vocation.[6][7]

Wanting the proper training and skills for his future job, Adam then auditioned at Drama schools.[7] Eventually, he got accepted at the Drama Centre, location he much appreciated for its welcoming atmosphere from both the students and the teachers, but also for its rich actors pedigree (e.g Colin Firth, Michael Fassbender, etc.).[6][7] Alongside other alumni like Ryan Gage, Rolan Bell, Gwendoline Christie, Jodie McNee, and Joseph MacNab,[8] Adam studied important acting techniques (e.g. traditional Shakespeare, Stella Adler),[9] including some involving his voice for, as he explains, "working on your voice is very important in all areas of acting, not just voice-overs."[6]

Voice-over beginnings

Following his 2005 graduation,[8] Adam's first TV role was as a student during "Slow Bomb", the finale of the action series Ultimate Force starring Ross Kemp.[2][3] For that work, Adam took his breaks inside a trailer with Simon Lenagan, another guest-star.[7][10][11] In that caravan, Adam discussed with his colleague how he wanted to do voice-over.[7] And as the dialogue progressed, Simon encouraged Adam to present his voice reel at Just Voices, a voice-over agency he had co-founded.[7][11][12][13] Which Adam did and since then, the actor started his career in voice-overs;[14] first doing commercials (e.g.: Nintendo, Twix, Berkley, etc.) and corporate voice-overs.[3][12][15] Soon came video games, with additional voices in Dragon Age Origins and Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening,[2][3] then as Fenton Paddock in Lost Horizon (video game),[2][3] a main role which Adam has, as he explains, "a soft spot for".[12]

Notable video game roles

Various voice roles (Dragon Age: Origins/Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening) and Anders (Dragon Age 2)

For his first dive into the video game industry and BioWare's franchise, Adam auditioned for Dragon Age: Origins at the voice studio Side UK, reading and obtaining there a couple of roles.[6][16] Directed by Catherine Livingstone, Dragon Age's voice director,[3] he recorded various voices such as the Ostagar prisoner, which Adam has said he was "quite fond of" and "the first time I'd ever seen myself as a computer sprite."[6] Alongside that performance, he worked as two Ostagar army minions (soldier and officer) and, for the Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening add-on, as the Constable Aidan.[6][17]

Then for Dragon Age 2, released in 2011, came Adam's breakthrough as Anders.[3] Originally played by Greg Ellis (actor) in Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening, BioWare offered Adam the part when Greg couldn't perform it due to unspecified reasons that reduced his involvement in the second part only to apparitions as Cullen.[18] With that new role, Adam returned in Dragon Age's universe, recording his voices with Catherine Livingstone who, back in Canada, guided Adam in his sessions;[3] either by advising him on Anders's progression — as actors do not receive a complete script for secrecy reasons — and checking over his voice tone so that it didn't derail.[17] In preparation for the role, Adam also listened to Greg Ellis's performance.[6] But as the character had evolved from the first installment where he was cheerful, Adam followed his instincts since Anders, as the actor explains, "is written quite differently. He maintains a sense of humor but you learn so much more about him in DA2 and you see a much darker side to him."[6]

About those two projects, Adam is very proud to be involved in them, praising their diverse storytelling opportunities, with rich narration branches that allowed players to play again and uncover new secrets about its universe, unlike others which gamers complete once and then abandon.[17] He also added that thanks to Anders, his popularity rose immensely as he noticed more supporters following his Twitter account since that role, and that it was the most frequent character fans ask him to pull out when meeting him.[12][17] Concerning the controversy over Anders's actions in the game, Adam expressed his entire support for him, explaining that he was his actor and, as he learned at his acting lessons, actors must not judge their characters and must deal with their actions.[17] He also, on episode 21 of the MCMBuzz Podcast, denounced and condemned the homophobia some YouTube and Twitter users have exhibited over a gay romance storyline between his character and Garrett Hawke, the hero of the game.[17] During that podcast episode,[17] Adam defended that romance storyline and also said — in reply to all the prejudiced Twitter users who believe that it must have been difficult for Adam to play the role since he's heterosexual — that he has acted other gay characters before (e.g. Hanschen Rilow in Frank Wedekind's Spring Awakening (play)),[3][19] that performing a gay romance never bothers him, that it was a pleasant kissing session between his lips and his hand, and that his performance for this love storyline even got him praises from a friend who played the game and told him: "You do come on quite strong, now Adam."[20]

Tintin (The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn)

Among his childhood reads, Adam always loved The Adventures of Tintin, created by the Belgian comic book artist Herge.[12] So when Side UK passed video game auditions for the hero's voice, Adam was excited at the idea of performing as Tintin.[17] Although one audition employee expressed doubts that Adam would obtain the role — as the character is sixteen years old and Howden in his late twenties — the actor refuted the man with an excellent Tintin voice audition.[17] Therefore, Adam obtained the coveted role for this secretive project and also got to work thrice with Phil Evans, who had voice-directed him on Lost Horizon and Star Wars: The Old Republic.[3][17]

Regarding its content, Adam described the game as a platformer inspired by Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson's production where, as he says, "they've taken two of the Tintin books and combined them for the film, and the game sort of follow that story of the film, but will also go on other adventures as well, so that you can do other things."[21] But unlike Xenoblade Chronicles and the Dragon Ages which he recorded alone in the booth, Adam performed alongside other actors this time.[6][7][17] Among them was Lewis MacLeod (actor),[17] who voiced Captain Haddock and whose talent impressed Adam who described him as "just so confident and he can just do it. He just turns it on, he can change his voice, turn on a sixpence, and it's brilliant."[22] In sum, Adam really enjoyed his Tintin experience and was impatient to play the game when it would come out in October 2011.[17]

Shulk (Xenoblade Chronicles and Super Smash Bros. )

After a successful November 2010 audition for an unidentified Nintendo RPG, Adam was offered the role of Shulk, main hero of the video game Xenoblade Chronicles directed by Tetsuya Takahashi through his company, Monolith Soft.[6][16] Already released in Japan for the Nintendo Wii on 10 June 2010 and set in Europe for 19 August 2011,[23][24] Adam's job was to participate in Xenoblade's English translation for the 2011 release.[16] Therefore, his recording — helmed by Justin Villier at Side UK — happened over four straightforward weeks; unlike the Dragon Ages' and Tintin's which occurred in separate stages set according to their productions' situations.[3][16]

Like at his audition where he read the game's opening, Adam's performance had to correspond to the character's design and the casting director's desires.[6][16] In sum, a bold and intelligent young adult who slowly becomes more mature during his quest;[6] with, as Adam was told, "a neutral English voice, not posh sounding, but should sound educated."[16] So Adam applied a tone which, as he says, "is not completely different from my own voice, it's a variation of my own voice. How I was when I was 19, probably!"[16] And to ensure his acting corresponded well to Tetsuya Takahashi's intentions, he also listened to the Japanese voice track, which allowed him to find the proper emotion for his scenes.[6] As the recording team's mission was a faithful and expert localization of Xenoblade's storyline, they also — along with a translator and a Nintendo producer — had to adjust their translation according to whatever problems in the booth.[16] For instance, if the duration of the character's mouth animation didn't correspond with the voice actor's performance, the crew would either shorten or lengthen the dialogue while keeping fidelity with the original's intent.[6][16] And if the crew had questions over certain lines or terms, the translator would help them.[6][16]

Of the RPG, Adam described it as "a philosophical game. It explores our place in the universe, do we really exist, God, do we make our own fate or are we on a set course, as well as love, revenge, and friendship."[6] On a personal note, he was proud of Xenoblade and wished the game had gotten more recognition for its merits.[7] About his performance, the actor's work was applauded as he and the entire voice crew got a "Best Vocal Ensemble in a Video Game" nomination in 2013 at the BTVA Video Game Voice Acting Award.[25] Also, as the original Wii game was re-released in 2015 for the New Nintendo 3DS XL,[26] Adam performed as Shulk again for the English version of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U which came out on October 2014 (Nintendo 3DS) and November 2014 (WiiU).[27]

Howden returned for Xenoblade Chronicles X in 2015 and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 in 2017, albeit in roles other than Shulk.

Writing interests

Apart from acting, Adam loves to pen down stories; which is, for him, "a good way to stay sharp when I'm not acting."[6] Among those projects came "Bin Men" and "Dogging",[28][29] two 2011 comedic shorts he shot with Jamie Baughan — his Drama Centre colleague — and the director Sankar Jayaraman, who filmed him in 2010 on "Bubble Burst".[2][3][8]

Among Adam's other wishes would be to make a biopic about his mother's family life in 1960s East Africa and play his grandfather.[30] As he explains, "I've been told so many amazing stories of their time there and having visited there myself I want others to see what a beautiful place it is. It's all in my head, I just need to write the bugger."[30]

Stage work

List of roles in theatre plays
Year Title Role Director Company Source
2001Twelfth NightAntonioAndrew HarriesBath Theatre Royal[3]
2002Fathers and SonsArkadyJohn BechizzaDrama Centre[3]
2003Pains of YouthAltGeorgina SowerbyDrama Centre[3]
2003Le CidLe CidMarguerite ForsytheDrama Centre[3]
2003Artists & Admirers'Arry BrownDi TrevisDrama Centre[3]
2004Romeo and JulietRomeoJon LeeDrama Centre[3]
2004Mary StuartThe Earl of LeicesterAnnie TysonDrama Centre[3]
2005The Duchess of MalfiPescaraDi TrevisDrama Centre[3]
2005MephistoHendrikJames KempDrama Centre[3]
2006Spring AwakeningHanschen RilowAoife SmythUnion Theatre, London[3][19]
2011The MalcontentMalevoleRae McKenCustom/Practice at White Bear Theatre[3]
2014Richard IIIBuckinghamRae McKenCustom/Practice at White Bear Theatre[3]
2015Romeo and JulietBenvolioRachel Valentine SmithThe Faction[3]
2015Joan of ArcLa Hire/MontgomeryMark Leipacher & Rachel Valentine SmithThe Faction[3]
2015The Talented Mr. RipleyDickie GreenleafMark LeipacherThe Faction[3]
2015StitchingStuPip MinnithorpeHouse Of Wolf[3]
2017Beautiful: The Carole King MusicalDonnie KirshnerMarc BruniU.K. Tour Cast[3]

Filmography

Feature films and shorts

List of roles in Feature films and shorts
Year Type of film Title Role Director Notes Source
2005Short filmDancing with LucyHarryLaerke Vindhal[3]
2006Short filmToastDaveAneta Challis[3]
2006Short filmDirty WorkSpecial Agent 1Carl Allegard[3]
2007Short filmThe Death CertificateMark SamsonCarl Allegard[2][3]
2010Short filmBubble BurstPhilip MannSankar Jayaraman[2][3]
2012Short filmThe New StartTommyDavid Elliot[2][3]
2011Short filmBin MenJunior Bin ManSankar JayaramanWritten and Produced by Adam Howden[28]
2011Short filmDoggingJunior DoggieSankar JayaramanWritten and Produced by Adam Howden[29]
2015Short filmTowersEvanAzhur Saleem[2][3][31]
2011Feature FilmThe ComedianAdamTom Shkolnik[2][3]
2011Feature FilmScar TissueRupert DrummondScott Michell[2][3]
2012Feature FilmDeliciousSuited ManTammy Riley-Smith[2][3]

Video games

List of voice performances in video games
Year Title Role Voice Director Game Studio Notes Source
2009Dragon Age: OriginsVarious Roles (Ostagar Prisoner, Ostagar Officer, and Ostagar Soldier)Caroline LivingstoneBioWare[2][3]
2010Dragon Age: Origins – AwakeningVarious Roles (Constable Aidan)Caroline LivingstoneBioWare[2][3]
2010Lost HorizonFenton PaddockPhil EvansDeep Silver[2][3]
2010Fable IIIVarious RolesKate SaxonLionhead Studios[2][3]
2011Inazuma Eleven 2Various Roles (Prime Minister Stuart Vanguard, team members)Mark HealyNintendo[2][3][32]
2011Dragon Age IIAnders and BrekkerCaroline LivingstoneBioWare[2][3]
2011Star Wars: The Old RepublicVarious Roles (Overseer Prithor, etc.)Phil EvansLucas Arts/BioWare[2][3]
2011Dragon Age II: LegacyAndersCaroline LivingstoneBioWare[3]
2011Dragon Age II: Mark of the AssassinAndersCaroline LivingstoneBioWare[33]
2011Xenoblade ChroniclesShulkMark HealyNintendo[2][3]
2011The Secret of the UnicornTintinPhil EvansUbisoft[2][3]
2013Soul SacrificePlayer Character MaleKate SaxonSony[2][3]
2013Soul Sacrifice DeltaPlayer VoiceSide UKSony[3]
2013Company of Heroes 2: The British ForcesTommySide UKSega & Relic Entertainment[2][34]
2014Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii UShulkJustin VilliersNintendo[2][3]
2014Assassin's Creed UnityVarious Roles (Le Peletier, etc.)Justin VilliersUbisoft[2][3]
2015Final Fantasy XIV: HeavenswardVarious Roles (Pipin, etc.)Matt DelamereSquare Enix[1][2][3]
2015Xenoblade Chronicles XMale Avatar (Classic)Side UKNintendo[2][35]
2015XCOM 2UK SoldierFiraxis Games[2][36]
2016Battlefleet Gothic: ArmadaSolar Admiral SpireSide UKSony[37][38]
2016Battlefield 1Pilot, Various RolesJustin VilliersEA DICE[3]
2016FIFA 17Various RolesAaron McHardyEA Canada[3]
2016Horizon Zero DawnVarious RolesJo GreenGuerrilla Games, Sony[3]
2017Xenoblade Chronicles 2The Architect, ShulkJimmy Livingstone & Matt RobertsMonolith SoftAs Shulk in the Challenge Battle Mode DLC[39]
2018Ni no Kuni II: Revenant KingdomLeanderMark HealyLevel-5[40]

Television

List of live-action performances in television
Year Title Role Episode(s) Notes Source
2005Ultimate ForceStudentEp.:"Slow Bomb" (Series 4, episode 5)[2][3]
2007Holby CityJason 'Bilf' TraversEp.: "Countdown" (Series 9, episode 37)[2][3]
2008-2009New TricksDr. Steven Lilwall2 episodes: "Couldn't Organise One" (Series 5, episode 5) & "Death of a Timeshare Salesman" (Series 6, episode 5)[2]
2008DoctorsMartin RiversEp.: "The Ticking Clock" (Series 10, episode 32)[2][3]
2011WhitechapelStuartThird series role.Adam's scenes were cut in the final edit.[3][41][42]
2012Dark Matters: Twisted But TrueFred/Jack Parsons (rocket engineer)Fred: "Pavlov's Children, Raining Aliens, Glow Girls" (Season 2, episode 12) / Jack Parsons (rocket engineer): "Magical Jet Propulsion, Missing Link Mystery, Typhoid Mary"(Season 2, episode 13)[2][3]
2013DoctorsBen HardwickEp.: "Crossing the Line" (Series 14, episode 220)[2][3]
2013The InternLawrence WrightEp.: "Jess, Will and Andy" (Series 1, episode 4)[3][43][44]
2015DoctorsDC Gerrard NorcroftEp.: "Best Laid Plans" (Series 17, episode 126)[2][3]

Audiobooks

List of voice performances
Year Author Title Publisher Award Source
2012Susanne SavilleWicked BelovedIgnition Studios[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Adam Howden: Behind the Voice Actors (Page Profile)". Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 "Adam Howden (IMDB Page Profile)". Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 "Spotlight: ADAM HOWDEN (Page Profile)". Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  4. ↑ "OffWestEnd.com - The_offies2016 - The definitive guide to London's Off West End theatre scene, featuring listings and details for over 80 theatres, news, discussion and exclusive special offers". Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Wicked Beloved Audiobook : Susanne Saville (Audible.com)". Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Dave Ward. "Adam Howden Interview (RPG Site)". Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Gary Smith (April 15, 2014). "Adam Howden Interview - Xenoblade Chronicles, Fable 3, Dragon Age Voice Actor (Part 1 of 3)". Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 Central Saint Martins (29 June 2013). "London Drama Centre - Previous Students 1999-2013". Archived from the original on 6 September 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  9. ↑ Hydrogen-Mag (December 16, 2014). ""The Gage Effect - Hydrogen: Mag"". Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Simon Lenagan (IMDB Page Profile)". Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  11. 1 2 @A_Howdz. "Adam Howden Tweet (19 September 2016)". Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 MCMBuzz (Admin). "Interview with Adam Howden (MCM BUZZ - Movies, TV, Comics, Gaming, Anime, Cosplay News & Reviews)". Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Who runs Just Voices Agency?". Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  14. ↑ @SimonLenagan. "Simon Lenagan tweet (22 September 2016)". Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  15. ↑ JustVoices. "UK & USA Male Voiceover Artists at Just Voices Agency". Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Orla Madden (March 24, 2013). "Ninterview: Meet Adam Howden - Voice Actor For Shulk - Nintendo Life". Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Johan Sijbesma (October 10, 2011). "MCM Buzz Podcast 21". podcast (Podcast). MCMBuzz. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  18. ↑ David Gaider (21 April 2011). "David Gaider (BioWare Forum message (21 April 2011)". Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  19. 1 2 Mary Couzens (8 July 2006). "Spring Awakening at the Union Theatre". London SE1 Community Website. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  20. ↑ Johan Sijbesma (October 10, 2011). "MCM Buzz Podcast 21". podcast (Podcast). MCMBuzz. Event occurs at 1:09:42. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  21. ↑ Johan Sijbesma (October 10, 2011). "MCM Buzz Podcast 21". podcast (Podcast). MCMBuzz. Event occurs at 31:38. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  22. ↑ Johan Sijbesma (October 10, 2011). "MCM Buzz Podcast 21". podcast (Podcast). MCMBuzz. Event occurs at 45:42. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Xenoblade ゼノブレイド". Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Hey Europe, Xenoblade Chronicles Is Arriving Two Weeks Early - Siliconera". July 8, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Xenoblade (video game) Awards". Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Xenoblade Chronicles™ 3D for New Nintendo 3DS XL - Action RPG". Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Smash Bros". Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  28. 1 2 Adam Howden (September 7, 2011). "Bin Men". Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  29. 1 2 Adam Howden (September 7, 2011). "Dogging". Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  30. 1 2 Susanne Saville. "The Chatty Cat Café: Adam Howden". Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  31. ↑ Park Road Pictures (2015). ""Towers : Press Kit"" (PDF). Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  32. ↑ @A_Howdz. "Adam Howden tweet (27 August 2016)". Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  33. ↑ BioWare.com (2011). "BioWare | Dragon Age". Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  34. ↑ Company of Heroes (September 29, 2015). "COH2: The British Forces - Audio & Voice Recording (Dev Diary)". YouTube. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  35. ↑ GameXplain (November 13, 2015). "Xenoblade Chronicles X - All English Voice Options for Player Characters". YouTube. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  36. ↑ "X-COM 2 (IMDB Page Profile)". Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  37. ↑ @A_Howdz. "Adam Howden Tweet (22 April 2016)". Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Battlefleet Gothic Armada Steam Store Page". Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  39. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJPz_5OegEg&t=1467s"
  40. ↑ https://youtube.com/watch?v=4HUF7-2j9XE?t=150"
  41. ↑ @A_Howdz. "Adam Howden Tweet (22 April 2016)". Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  42. ↑ @A_Howdz. "Adam Howden Tweet (19 November 2013)". Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  43. ↑ ""Jess, Will and Andy" (IMDB Page Profile)". Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  44. ↑ @A_Howdz. "Adam Howden Tweet (24 April 2013)". Retrieved September 27, 2016.
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