Nigel Harman may be best-known for playing bad boy Dennis Rickman in EastEnders but he has a hugely impressive acting career both on and off the television. The Olivier award winning actor, who has appeared in numerous West End shows and gone on to direct musicals, also appeared on the 2023 Strictly Come Dancing show, which he quit due to an injury.
From his famous wife to his work as a meditation coach, here's everything you need to know about the 51-year-old English actor.
Is Nigel Harman married?
Nigel got married to his wife Lucy Liemann in 2011. London-born Lucy is an actress who has appeared in various TV shows, including The Bill and the BBC drama series Hotel Babylon, where the couple first met when they were both working on the show. The couple keep their personal lives private, with Nigel posting no images of his family on his Instagram.
Nigel Harman daughter
Nigel Harman and his wife Lucy Liemann have a daughter who was born in 2012. She has been kept out of the public eye but is reported to be a big fan of Strictly Come Dancing. An article published in OK in December 2023 quoted Nigel as saying: "Basically Strictly has been on in our house for a while now. My daughter’s really into it and we sit down and watch it as a family.”
Nigel Harman EastEnders
Nigel rose to prominence for his portrayal as Dennis Rickman in the BBC soap opera EastEnders (2003–2005). The role earned him a National Television Award, three British Soap Awards and four Inside Soap Awards. As the son of “Dirty Den” Watts, he was a major character and became romantically involved with Den’s adopted daughter Sharon. His stint on the soap came to an end as Albert Square heartthrob Dennis died during a tragic episode on December 30 2005.
Nigel quit the soap alongside co-star Letitia Dean over the Christmas period in 2005. At the time, he said: "Sharon and Dennis have had such a great run, but what would you do with them next? I could pretty much guarantee we've already done it."
Nigel Harman Downton Abbey
In 2013, Nigel appeared in the fourth series of the Emmy Award winning drama Downton Abbey, playing the role of a visiting valet named Mr Green. Although Nigel only starred in four episodes of the show, his character left a huge impact on viewers, after he was involved in a violent rape scene in Downton Abbey which led to complaints to ITV and Ofcom.
At the time he said it had been a "bold and risky idea" to include such a plot.
Nigel Harman parents
Nigel’s parents, who are no longer alive, were Derek Harman and Maureen Harman. They were both involved in amateur dramatics and encouraged Nigel’s interest in acting. Sadly, they both died of cancer, with Nigel losing his mother when he was just 18 years old, and his father in 2006.
Nigel Harman theatre and TV shows
Before rising to fame in EastEnders in 2023, Nigel made his TV debut in the BBC One drama series Tenko, which was followed by appearances in Alas Smith and Jones (1986) and The Honey Siege (1987). He then turned his hand to theatre work, appearing in productions such as Privates on Parade, Much Ado About Nothing and Summer Holiday. He was in the original cast of Mamma Mia!, before getting the part of Dennis Rickman in EastEnders, which he starred in for over two years.
After dabbling in theatre and TV work for the next few years, it was in 2011 when he played Lord Farquaad in the West End production of Shrek the Musical, that he got recognised for his work, winning the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical and Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical.
Before appearing in Downtown Abbey in 2013, Nigel appeared in an episode of Agatha Christie's Marple. More recently (2023), Nigel joined the cast of Casualty as Dr Max Cristie, the new clinical lead of the emergency department. After just eight months he left the role, admitting his time on the show is ‘done for the time being’. He went on to join the cast of Strictly but had to withdraw from the quarter finals show after injuring himself in rehearsals.
Nigel Harman Strictly
Nigel appeared in the 2023 Strictly Come Dancing show, partnered with professional dancer Katya Jones. At the time Nigel spoke of his decision to join the show, saying: "I'm amazed, excited, and terrified to be doing Strictly. As an armchair fan of the show, I have watched in awe as people have twirled and gyrated across the screen. And now it's my turn... gulp!"
The couple made it through to the quarter finals of the show, before Nigel was forced to pull out due to injury. Speaking afterwards, Nigel said he was "leaping off a rostrum, about to be caught by some very handsome men. As I flew I was Peter Pan. As I landed I was in A&E. "I've done something to my rib basically and it's quite painful."
Although Nigel’s social media account is mainly posts about meditation, on November 23, 2023, he posted a video clip of him and Katya taken before his injury where he is seen saying: “One of the favourite times of the week is when we stand on the corner of the dance floor and we hold hands. Can’t wait.“
Nigel Harman meditation
As well as an actor, Nigel is a meditation coach, having recently rebranded his Instagram to @themeditatingactor where he regularly posts advice and tips on mindfulness to his 81k followers.
He has a website called the Meditating Actor which provides workshops, guided meditations, classes and sports rehabilitation meditation. On the website, he writes: “I started meditating over a decade ago and I’ve felt the positive impact it has had on my life and on those around me. Wherever in life we are, each of us will have periods where we feel we are out of step with ourselves, treading water, or even adrift.
“Taking a moment to Pause, Relax, Open, reconnects us with ourselves and the life that is here, right now, all around us. That’s why I want to help you get started or deepen your practice by sharing practical tips, techniques, and advice.”
Suzanne Baum is an award-winning beauty editor, with columns across numerous outlets, including the Metro, Women's Fitness, the Independent and Yahoo. Having written about beauty for over 20 years, Suzanne regularly reports on the latest beauty news; from trialling out new beauty innovations and aesthetic treatments to writing on the best products for women and men.