Robin Laing (born 1976) is a Scottish actor, best known for his portrayal of Edward Heffron in the HBO series Band of Brothers (2001) and as DI Donald in River City (2012–17).

Born in Dundee,[1] Laing began acting at a young age, joining an Arbroath theatre company, the Angus Children's Theatre and then later the Carnoustie Theatre Club. While at school he landed his first professional role at Dundee Repertory Theatre, playing Young Steerforth in David Copperfield. After leaving school he studied Drama in Dundee and at Fife College.[2]

His first professional, adult role was playing Renton in the UK tour of Trainspotting in 1996. While on tour he was asked to cover the role in London's West End for four shows, during which time John Byrne saw him and asked Laing to screen-test for his upcoming film The Slab Boys. He was cast in the role of Phil McCann, and filming took place later that year in Glasgow.

Laing's participation in Band of Brothers led to a friendship with Heffron, lasting until Heffron's passing in 2013.[3] Laing played Martin Ness in 2004's "Shadowplay", part of Series 4 (episodes 11 and 12) of Waking the Dead.

He joined the cast of River City in 2012, and would appear regularly on it until 2017, and also appeared on Waterloo Road in a recurring role. He also appears as Major Donald MacDonald in seasons six and seven of Outlander. Other appearances include in the films Filth (2013) and Outlaw King (2018).[4]

Laing resides in Scotland.[5]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1997 The Slab Boys Phil McCann
2000 Borstal Boy Jock
Beautiful Creatures Garage Attendant
2005 Joyeux Noël William
2013 Filth Rent Boy
2018 Outlaw King Bishop of St Andrews
Only You Private Doctor

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1997-1999 The Lakes Joey Main role, 14 episodes
1998 Cadfael Sulien Blount 2 episodes
1998; 2008 Taggart Mark Jackson/Sgt. Sean Mackay 2 episodes
2000 Murder Rooms: Mysteries of the Real Sherlock Holmes Arthur Conan Doyle Miniseries, 1 episode
2001 Band of Brothers Pfc. Edward Heffron Miniseries, 8 episodes
2004 Waking the Dead Martin Ness 1 episode
2005 Born and Bred Albert Tooley 1 episode
2006 Murder City Nathan Wallis 1 episode
2010 Garrow's Law Westminster Clerk 1 episode
2012-2017; 2022 River City DI Craig Donald Main role, 62 episodes
2015 Waterloo Road Ronnie Fairchild Recurring role, 5 episodes
2016 One of Us Constable Hartley Miniseries, 1 episode
2016 The Coroner Eddie Landman 1 episode
2017 Casualty Robert Kearns 1 episode
2019 Shetland Gavin Laird Recurring role, 5 episodes
2019 The Victim Andy Tait Miniseries, 3 episodes
2021 Vigil Miller Miniseries, 1 episodes
2021 Guilt Adrian 2 episodes
2022 Outlander Donald MacDonald Recurring role, 5 episodes
2023 Stonehouse Bank Manager Miniseries, 1 episode
2023 The Gold Garth Chappell 4 episodes

Radio

Date Title Role Director Station
21 August 2008 Sex for Volunteers[6] Douglas Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play
9 October 2009 Daniel and Mary[7] Daniel Kirsty Williams BBC Radio Scotland Drama
26 January 2010 The Ca'd'oro Cafe[8] Billy Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play
28 February 2010 La Princesse de Clèves[9] Nemours Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 3 Drama on 3
30 October 2010 The Vanishing[10] Jean-Pierre Gallo
Manager		 Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 4 Saturday Play
28 September 2011 One Hundred and Forty Characters: Songbirds[11] Read by Kirsteen Cameron BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Reading
19 December 2011 Down and Out in Auchangaish[12] Donnie Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play
13 August 2012 – 17 August 2012 The Other One[13] Dad Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour Drama
23 September 2012 Mary Stuart[14] Leicester Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 3 Drama on 3
29 January 2014 Albion Street[15] Jamie Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio Scotland Drama
22 January 2018 – 2 February 2018 The Truth About Hawaii[16] David Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 4 15 Minute Drama
22 January 2018 – 12 February 2018 4/4[17] Archie Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Drama
30 September 2018 (After) Fear[18] The Pianist Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 3 Drama on 3

References

  1. ^ River City cop Robin Laing goes behind the camera after being inspired by Tom Hanks
  2. ^ Robin Laing
  3. ^ River City favourite Robin Laing on being at centre of festive whodunnit
  4. ^ Cop calls suit River City star Robin Laing just fine!
  5. ^ Robin Laing
  6. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – Sex for Volunteers
  7. ^ BBC – BBC Radio Scotland – Daniel and Mary
  8. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The Ca'd'oro Cafe
  9. ^ BBC – Drama on 3 – La Princesse de Clèves
  10. ^ BBC – Saturday Play – The Vanishing
  11. ^ BBC – Afternoon Reading – One Hundred and Forty Characters: Songbirds
  12. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – Down and Out in Auchangaish
  13. ^ BBC – Woman's Hour Drama – The Other One
  14. ^ BBC – Drama on 3 – Mary Stuart
  15. ^ BBC – BBC Radio Scotland – Albion Street
  16. ^ BBC – 15 Minute Drama – The Truth About Hawaii
  17. ^ BBC – Afternoon Drama – 4/4: Introduction and Allegro
  18. ^ BBC – Drama on 3 – (After) Fear

External links

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