Contrary to popular belief Richard Coyle is not a Welshman but was born and raised in Sheffield, UK with his four brothers. He began his career when, studying politics York University (1991 - 1994), he got interested in amateur dramatics and traveled the Edinburgh festival twice.

A decision to raise funds to study at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School resulted in an extra's job on a new film adaptation of the classic novel Jane Eyre. When director Franco Zeffirelli heard Richard was about to start drama school he gave him a line, his first on screen: "Mr. Rochester, Mr. Rochester, your house sir!"

He then took a number of small roles in television and film before landing a larger role in the 1998 ITV drama The Life and Crimes of William Palmer and a super cameo turn in Justin Kerrigan's Human Traffic as "Andy" - a party goer engaged in some seriously "deep" debate on Star Wars and drugs culture with Danny Dyer's character "Moff".

In 2000 Richard landed the two roles that would launch him into the limelight: "Jeff" in BBC Two's inspired BBC2 comedy series Coupling and "John Ridd" in the BBC's Christmas production of Lorna Doone. 2002 has seen Richard tread the boards in the West End, firstly at The Royal Court Theatre in Peter Gil's "The York Realist" and secondly alongside Gwyneth Paltrow in "Proof" at the Donmar Warehouse. Later follows more episodes of Coupling and _Strange (2002/I) (TV)_ as well as the anticipated release of feature film Happy Now. He is currently (2002) living with his actress girlfriend Georgia Mackenzie (whom he met on the set of Up Rising, in South London.


His father died in May 2000, shortly before the first episode of "Coupling" was to be broadcast.