Richard Armitage

I think I've blogged about him before, but I'm going to do it again. I've managed to get Maayan hooked on Richard Armitage recently, after she watched--on my recommendation--the BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South.

Anyway, last night on Facebook, Maayan and I got to posting pictures and videos back and forth, drooling over this gorgeous, gorgeous man and his incredible voice. So I thought it might be fun to feature him here at the LPB, because honestly, whether he's playing a good guy or his almost-trademark "baddie," he is glorious to watch...and listen to.

Oh, and yes. He's British. : )

So here you have it--Richard Armitage, age 40, gorgeous, English, and the master of the glare, the brood, and the smirk.

As Lucas North in "Spooks" (shown in the US as "MI-5")

As Sir Guy of Gisborne in the BBC's hugely cheesy series "Robin Hood."

Guy on a horse. Richard was the best thing in the whole series.

As John Porter in "Strike Back."

As John Thornton in "North and South."

From some magazine article at some point in time...judging by his hair,
probably during the "Robin Hood" era.

Don't know what this is from.

Again with the brooding, as Lucas North.

Lucas North, just released from eight years in a Russian prison, smirking.

He also brings a certain talent for looking good without his shirt.

"Strike Back"

"Robin Hood"

"Spooks"

"Spooks"

"Spooks" --I'll just add that the tattoos are fake--part of his character.

"Strike Back"

"Robin Hood"

And just when you think he is nothing but smirking, brooding, glowering no-fun-at-all angry man, he smiles.

He's quite soft-spoken and charming in interviews.

Getting beardy to play the dwarf king Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson's
"The Hobbit," which will be out next year. Will I be there for opening day?
Oh, yes.

John Thornton finally softens towards Margaret Hale (and
loses the cravat!) and women the world over sigh.

On some red carpet somewhere, signing for a fan.

Not a full smile, but between the soft face and the hole in the knee of his
jeans, I'm smitten.

 He can even look sexy in a Mr. Rogers wardrobe.

Then there are those sexy little things he does, in character and out, that drive a girl wild.

Smoulder, smoulder, smoulder.

Going in for the kiss with Margaret Hale in "North and South." GUH.

This picture is one of my absolute favorites. Those jeans. The jacket.

And I can't talk about how sexy his voice is without sharing a YouTube clip, right? That would just be cruel.

How about RA reading some poetry?

Or reading a bedtime story on a children's program(me)? His voices and accents are spot-on.

And a lovely little press conference for "The Hobbit," where he's charming and lovely and gah. The voice.

There you have it. Richard Armitage, in all his glory.