Adrian Bower (born 20 August 1970) is an English actor and voice over artist. He is best known for his role as physical education and geography teacher Brian Steadman in the first three series of the British comedy series Teachers. In 2015, he played Leofric in The Last Kingdom, a British television drama adapted from Bernard Cornwell's historical novels series The Saxon Stories.

Biography

Born in Chester, Cheshire, he studied drama at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London.

He was the winner of the third series of Celebrity Poker Club, using the nickname "The Tower" in relation to his 6'4" height.

Other television work includes the first series of Gimme Gimme Gimme, the ITV drama series Talk to Me and the 2005 remake of The Quatermass Experiment, which was transmitted live on BBC Four. He also guest-starred in Dirty Filthy Love, Monroe and Rev. and played John Lennon's best friend Pete Shotton in the BBC4 drama Lennon Naked. In 2005 he played Detective Sergeant Tremayne in 'The Guise of Death', an episode from Series Four of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.

Bower's theatre credits include: Andy in Brassed Off (Royal National Theatre), Heracles in Simon Armitage's adaptation of Euripides classic Mr Heracles (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Steve in Celebration (Chichester) and Dan in Hotel in Amsterdam (Donmar Warehouse). He also played opposite John Simm in Elling at the Trafalgar Studios, Lovbourg in Hedda Gate Theatre.

Bower also played Greg in the Sky Living comedy-drama Mount Pleasant and DC Harihan in Charlie Brooker's A Touch of Cloth.

Acting credits

Film roles

YearTitleRole
1996JudeBlacksmith
2007The Waiting RoomToby
2012Hard Boiled SweetsGerry
2017Eat LocalsPrivate Bower
2025Snow WhiteCaptain of the Guard

Television roles

YearTitleRoleNotes
1996In Your DreamsCharlieTelevision film
The BillMick HastingsEpisode: "Chatterbox"
CasualtyMark ConradEpisode: "Mother's Little Helper"
1997Supply & DemandConstableTelevision film
The Heart SurgeonICU NurseTelevision film
DangerfieldDr. Ross FreemanRecurring role, 3 episodes
1999Gimme Gimme GimmeJoeEpisode: "Legs and Co."
1999-2000BadgerDet. Const. Jim Cassidy
2001-2003TeachersBrian SteadmanSeason 1-3
2004The Hotel in AmsterdamDanTelevision film
Dirty Filthy LoveNathanTelevision film
2005FaithPaulTelevision film
The Inspector Lynley MysteriesDC TremayneEpisode: "In the Guise of Death"
The Quatermass ExperimentJames FullaloveTelevision film; live-action remake of the 1953 television series
2007Talk to MeScottRecurring role, 4 episodes
2008ApparitionsSimonTelevision mini series
2009RunawayGaryRecurring role, 3 episodes
2010Lennon NakedPete ShottonTelevision film
Harry & PaulLiamEpisode 6 of Season 3
2011OutcastsJames ShapiroEpisode 7 of Season 1
MonroeMr. ChadwickEpisode 2 of Season 1
Rev.Matthew FeldEpisode 4 of Season 2
2011-2017Mount PleasantGregRecurring role, 46 episodes
2012-2014A Touch of ClothDC Des HairihanRecurring role (season 1-3), 6 episodes
2015Inspector George GentlyMichael WoodruffEpisode: "Gently Among Friends"
2015-2018The Last KingdomLeofricRecurring role, 10 episodes
2017GrantchesterPalEpisode 5 of Season 3
Secret HistoryNarrator (voice)Episode: "Britain's Forgotten Army"
Love, Lies and RecordsRobRecurring role, 6 episodes
2020Death in ParadiseBrian HunterEpisode 3 of Season 9
Gangs of LondonMark5 episodes