Alrick Riley

Alrick Riley (born 1964) is a BAFTA TV award-winning English television director and writer, and former child actor.

He is known for his work on the British series Spooks (known as MI-5 in some countries) and Hustle; along with his more recent work on the American fairytale drama Once Upon a Time.

Life and career Riley was born in London, England. As a shy young child, his Jamaican parents "made" him go to an acting club to force him "out of himself". He began his acting career at eleven years old as a featured extra on the BBC TV comedy Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, followed by appearances in series, such as: Johnny Jarvis and Me and My Girl, and the 1979 film Scum.

After leaving high school, Riley knew he no longer wanted to act, but "definitely wanted to stay in the business". He and a friend bought an 8 mm camera, and Riley discovered a passion for direction. His mother was initially against his pursuit of directing: she favoured the theatre arts and was concerned he would not be a success pioneering to be a black television director. He attended West Midlands University , before attending the National Film & Television School. Two short films he directed while at the school, Money Talk and Concrete Garden, went on to be screened at multiple international film festivals. Riley credits Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola as notable inspirations, but accredits his love of film to Charles Burnett.

Riley has directed episodes of Playing the Field, Stanton Blues, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Hotel Babylon, Silent Witness, Boy Meets Girl, Ashes to Ashes, Bedlam, Spooks, Hustle, Hunted, Death in Paradise, Perception, Castle, NCIS, Legends, NCIS: New Orleans, The Walking Dead, Person of Interest, Tyrant and Once Upon a Time.

Riley was one of the writers on the British sitcom Desmond's.

Along with Eric Coulter and Harry Bradbeer, in 1999 Riley won a BAFTA TV Award for their work on the UK series The Cops. His winning of the prestigious honour marked the first time in the history of the assembly that a black man was recognised .

Select filmography Direction