David Caves
Birth date7 August 1978 (age 48)
Birth placeBelfast, Northern Ireland
SpouseVerity Caves (m. 2019)
ParentsNaomi Caves
Michael Caves
OccupationActor
Years active2003–present
EducationCampbell College, Belfast
Alma materLAMDA
University of St Andrews

David Caves (born 7 August 1978) is a Northern Irish actor who is best known for his role as Jack Hodgson in the BBC drama series Silent Witness.[1][2] After graduating from London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) in 2005, Caves has appeared in a variety of stage productions, including The Beggar’s Opera at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and The Changeling at the Southwark Playhouse.

Early life

Caves was educated at Campbell College, Belfast. His parents and his uncle were all teachers.[3] Caves studied modern languages, including French and German, at the University of St Andrews from 1997 to 2002.

He originally planned to become a teacher before training at LAMDA. He worked as a teacher in France as part of his university course but when he returned to the UK he found he had "lost the drive for the academic side of things" and found himself getting heavily involved in plays and musicals at the university.[4] He is quoted as saying:

I found I loved this medium and wanted to look into it more, to see what was out there and what drama school was about. So I did some research and decided to have a go, not really expecting anything to happen. I was naive and did not know how tough it was. I thought I was probably not good enough but something inside me told me I should have a go, so I did.[4]

Career

Caves was offered places at both LAMDA and Bristol Old Vic, and chose the former. His training focused on theatre and, prior to his addition to the Silent Witness cast, he was known as a stage actor, having impressed as Petruchio in the Royal Shakespeare Company's 2012 touring production of The Taming of the Shrew.[5] He has also starred in Ironclad: Battle for Blood.[6]

Other notable roles in theatre include Deflores in The Changeling, Southwark Playhouse; Macheath in The Beggar’s Opera at Regent's Park Open Theatre and Bosola in The Duchess of Malfi, Northampton.

In 2014, Caves also featured in the television documentary The Crime Thriller Club.[7] Presented by Bradley Walsh, this documentary was a mix of interviews, film clips and a game show about the detective genre in both film and literature.

In 2016, Caves portrayed Clint Hill in the film Jackie.[1]

Personal life

Caves was an ambassador for Northern Ireland Hospice.[8] He married Verity Caves (née Cunningham) in 2019.[citation needed]

Filmography

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
2014PaddyDadShort film
2014Ironclad: Battle for BloodBerenger
2016The Complete Walk: A Midsummer Night's DreamTheseusShort film
2016JackieClint Hill
2019Widows WalkJoe
Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
2013–PresentSilent WitnessJack Hodgson106 Episodes
2013-2014Crime Thriller ClubHimself/ Jack HodgsonS1Ep5 & S2Ep6
201915 DaysMichael
2019Saturday KitchenHimselfSeries 15 Episode 42

Theatre

YearTitleRoleNotes
2003This is Our YouthDennisThe Byre Theatre, St Andrews
2004Romeo and JulietCapuletLAMDA
2004The Country WifeHomerLAMDA
2004The Maid's TragedyMelantiusLAMDA
2005Dublin CarolMarkLAMDA
2005The CrucibleMarshall HerrickLAMDA
2005Black Hands/ Dead SectionHolgerLAMDA
2005Three Birds Alighting on A FieldAuctioneerLAMDA
2005Twelfth NightAntonioLove & Madness Productions
2005Wuthering HeightsHeathcliffLove & Madness Productions
2006O’Flaherty VCO'FlahertyLost Theatre Festival
2006A Life of the MindJakeBattersea Arts Centre
2006The Duchess of MalfiRoderigoWest Yorkshire Playhouse
2007CymbelineEnsembleCheek by Jowl
2007Young Directors and Designers Summer SchoolActorCheek by Jowl
2007CarveScott MasonTristan Bates Theatre
2008Troilus and CressidaHectorCheek by Jowl
2009Stones in his PocketsCharlieMark Goucher Ltd, UK Tour
2009Mad ForestDoctor/ Anggel, StudentStrike Ensemble
2009High School Verse ProjectBullyCompany Project
2010MacbethMacduffCheek by Jowl
2010Much Ado About NothingBorrachioChester Performs
2010HerculesHerculesChester Performs
2010The Duchess of MalfiBosolaRoyal & Derngate
2011Beggar's OperaMacheathRegent's Park Open Air Theatre
2011The ChangelingDefloresSouthwark Playhouse
2011The Taming of the ShrewPetruchioRoyal Shakespeare Company

References

  1. ^ "Jack Hodgson". Silent Witness. BBC One. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  2. ^ "Review: Silent Witness, BBC One, Series 16, Episode 1". The Telegraph. 10 January 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  3. ^ "General News". The Old Campbellian Society. 2013. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  4. ^ Hemley, Matthew (26 January 2013). "Jack of all trades". The Stage. The Stage Media Company Limited. Archived 6 October 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 February 2018. (registration required)
  5. ^ "Features: David Caves". Exeunt Magazine. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  6. ^ "Ironclad: Battle for Blood". IMDb. 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  7. ^ "The Crime Thriller Club: Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  8. ^ "Jack Hodgson". BBC. Retrieved 2023-06-03.