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'The Outlaws': 5 things you didn't know about Stephen Merchant

Stephen Merchant wrote and directed the crime thriller comedy series 'The Outlaws'

'The Outlaws' is a contemporary British comedy thriller from Emmy winner Stephen Merchant ('The Office UK', 'Extras') and Elgin James ('Mayans M.C.') about a motley bunch of lawbreakers put together to finish a Community Service term. Seven strangers from all walks of life are compelled to collaborate in order to refurbish a run-down community center. When one of their numbers is drawn into the perilous realm of organized crime, they band together in ways none of them expected.

The series stars Rhianne Barreto, Gamba Cole, Stephen Merchant, Christopher Walken, Eleanor Tomlinson, Darren Boyd, Clare Perkins, and Jessica Gunning.

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Stephen Merchant

Stephen is an English comedian, writer, director, actor, and presenter. He co-wrote and co-directed the British TV comedy series 'The Office' (2001–2003) with Ricky Gervais. He also co-wrote, co-directed, and co-starred in both 'Extras' (2005–2007) and 'Life's Too Short' (2011–2013). He presented 'The Ricky Gervais Show' on radio, podcast, audiobook, and television with Gervais and Karl Pilkington; the radio version earned a bronze Sony Award. Stephen also co-created 'Lip Sync Battle' and co-developed the Sky1 travel series 'An Idiot Abroad'.

Stephen Merchant has also done stand-up comedy, which led to his creating and acting in the HBO series 'Hello Ladies'. In 2015, he made his debut appearance in Richard Bean's 'The Mentalists' at London's Wyndham's Theatre. In the superhero movie 'Logan', he played the mutant Caliban, and in the 2022 television drama 'Four Lives,' he played serial murderer Stephen Port. Two Golden Globe Awards, three BAFTA Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and four British Comedy Awards are among his many achievements.

Stephen Merchant was born in the Bristol suburb of Hanham. From 1993 to 1996, he attended the Hanham Secondary School and then the University of Warwick in Coventry, where he earned a 2:1 in Film and Literature. He began his media career as a film reviewer for the student radio station Radio Warwick while his stand-up career kicked off at Bristol's Comedy Box. He also worked as a DJ for Radio Caroline for a brief period after appearing as a contestant on a 1997 edition of the TV game show 'Blockbusters.' According to sources, aѕ of 2022, Ѕtерhеn Меrсhаnt's nеt wоrth іѕ $50 mіllіоn.

Christopher Walken

Christopher Walken is an actor and comedian who has acted in over 100 films and television shows, including 'Annie Hall', 'The Deer Hunter', 'The Dogs of War', 'Brainstorm', and others. He has garnered several awards and nominations, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in 'The Deer Hunter'. He was nominated in the same category for 'Catch Me If You Can,' and won BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild Awards. In the United States alone, his films have generated more than $1 billion. He was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for his role in Hallmark Hall of Fame's 'Sarah, Plain and Tall'.

Rhianne Barreto

Barreto is one of nine siblings born to British residents in Kensington and Chelsea. Her mother is English, while her father is of Indian and Portuguese descent, having been born in Iraq. She went to the BRIT School and the National Youth Theatre. Her acting credits include the film 'Share' and the ITV drama 'Honour', besides BBC One's 'The Outlaws'.

Gamba Cole

Gamba Cole is a British musician and actor. Gamba is well-known as a producer, social media influencer, entrepreneur, and television personality. 'Hanna' (2019) and 'His House' (2020) are his major acting credits.

Eleanor Tomlinson

Eleanor Tomlinson is an English actress best known for her appearances as Isabelle in 'Jack the Giant Slayer' and Isabel Neville in 'The White Queen'. Her performance as Demelza Poldark in 'Poldark' made her a big star. Her mother, Judith Hibbert, is a singer and former actress, while her father, Malcolm Tomlinson, is an actor and horse racing commentator. Her brother Ross Tomlinson is also an actor.

Darren Boyd

Darren John Boyd is a British actor who received a BAFTA Award for his role in the Sky One series 'Spy'. In television and movies, he has worked in both comedy and drama. Boyd began performing in amateur theatre at the age of 17 and appeared in local shows from 1989 to 1995. He came to London in his mid-20s and worked in theatre until he was cast in BBC's 'Kiss Me Kate' in 1998.

Clare Perkins 

Clare Perkins is an English actress best known for her appearances in 'Family Affairs' and 'EastEnders'. Perkins made her screen debut in 1991 as Opal in 'Screen Two'. She has acted in shows such as 'All in the Game,' 'Pig Heart Boy,' 'Casualty,' 'Men Behaving Badly,' 'Big Women,' and 'Clapham Junction' on television. She has performed at the Royal Court, Young Vic, National Theatre, and Soho Theatre, among others.

Jessica Gunning

Jessica Gunning is an English actress who has been in theatre and on television. She graduated from Rose Bruford College in 2007 after attending Holmfirth High School near Huddersfield. Jessica's theatrical career began at the National Theatre, where she appeared in shows such as 'Much Ado About Nothing' and 'Major Barbara.' She appeared in the 'Doctor Who' episode "Partners in Crime" as a guest star on television. Before accepting a recurring role as Angela on 'Law & Order: UK' in 2009, she previously featured in 'Mutual Friends.' She also appeared in 'Life of Riley' and the TV pilot 'Lizzie and Sarah,' created by Julia Davis and Jessica Hynes, in which she played Branita.

All six episodes of the Amazon Original series 'The Outlaws' will premiere on Prime Video on Friday, April 1.