<P> Brendan Coyle ( born David Coyle ; 2 December 1962 ) is a British actor . He won the Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role for The Weir in 1999 . He also played Nicholas Higgins in the miniseries North & South , Robert Timmins in the first three series of Lark Rise to Candleford , and more recently Mr Bates , the valet , in Downton Abbey , which earned him a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor </P>
<P> Brendan Coyle ( born David Coyle ; 2 December 1962 ) is a British actor . He won the Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role for The Weir in 1999 . He also played Nicholas Higgins in the miniseries North & South , Robert Timmins in the first three series of Lark Rise to Candleford , and more recently Mr Bates , the valet , in Downton Abbey , which earned him a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor </P>
actor who plays john bates in downton abbey
actor who plays john bates in downton abbey
Brendan Coyle
Brendan Coyle