Copyright dailystar
An iconic British actor stepped out on a red carpet in London. The award-winning star was the anti-hero lead of a legendary British TV comedy-drama series , which ran for nearly a decade with 11 series and 139 episodes. The show won Best Drama at the BAFTAs and Best TV Comedy Drama at the British Comedy Awards. In fact, it was so successful that it spawned a US adaptation of the programme, which itself aired for 10 years. He stepped out at the premiere of his new TV show The Death of Bunny Munro in London on Thursday night (October 30). However, fans of his most famous show would be forgiven for having to look twice to recognise the star on the red carpet. That's because he looked worlds away from his famously boozy, cig-puffing character. If you haven't guessed it yet, we're here to put you out of your misery. It's actor and director David Threlfall, who played chaotic Frank Gallagher in Channel 4's Shameless. The acclaimed theatre actor, who won an Olivier, was sporting long hair and a bushy grey beard at London's Royal Festival Hall this week. The 72-year-old actor rocked up to the premiere in a knitted blazer and grey trousers - keeping himself warm with a scarf. He's set to play Bunny Munro Sr in the upcoming Sky Atlantic drama based on Nick Cave's 2009 novel of the same name. He also posed with Matt Smith, who is playing Bunny Munro in the six-part series which premieres on November 20. David has kept busy over the last few years, having appeared in several TV shows, including Passenger, Nightsleeper, and The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin. This year he starred alongside Anna Friel and Anna Maxwell Martin in the TV film Unforgivable. In 2014, David starred with Jude Law in the thriller Black Sea. He also appeared in Hot Fuzz and the John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy, starring Aaron Taylor Johnson and Kristin Scott Thomas. Discussing Shamelss back in 2013, David said: "I do still think it’s a story about people trying to get by. You see the cracks in the wall but you see the paper over the cracks. "They’re trying to paper it together through love and concern in their own misguided way at times, which is life really, isn’t it?". Discussing his iconic character of Frank, he added: "He’s a bit like the all-licensed fool in Shakespeare. They’re going to kill me for saying that." He also admitted he couldn't possibly match his character's booze intake. He said he loved playing the role "because I’m the complete opposite of that", adding: "I can have a drink but I couldn’t handle his intake." Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz here . Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter .
