A landmark photography project
Photography by Jamie Herbert & Katie O'Neill
Christopher Eccleston is a highly regarded British actor of film, television, and stage. He has starred in numerous acclaimed television dramas, including Our Friends in the North and Cracker, as well as films such as Shallow Grave and The Others. He played the Ninth Doctor in the BBC’s Doctor Who, reviving the iconic role for a new generation.
Actor, Christopher Eccleston
Born in Salford in 1964 to working-class parents, Chris spent his early years in a small terraced house on Blodwell Street, Langworthy, before the family moved to Little Hulton when he was seven months old. He attended Joseph Eastham High School, where he became head boy. At 19, inspired by hard-hitting television dramas such as Boys from the Blackstuff, he decided to pursue a career in acting. He studied performance at Salford Technical College before training at the Central School of Speech and Drama.
Chris first gained public attention with his role in the 1991 film Let Him Have It, followed by a breakout performance in Cracker. His powerful portrayal in Our Friends in the North earned him widespread acclaim. One of his most powerful performances came in his role as justice campaigner Trevor Hicks in Jimmy McGovern's 1996 BAFTA award winning TV film Hillsborough. His later television credits include The Shadow Line, The Accused, and True Detective. His film work includes Jude, 28 Days Later, The Others, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and Thor: The Dark World.
Let Him Have It, Chris' first film role, 1991
Chris starring in Our Friends in the North, alongside Daniel Craig, 1996
On the stage Chris has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and fulfilled a lifelong ambition by taking on the title role in Macbeth. His professional stage debut came in 1989 with a production of A Streetcar Named Desire.
To be a Salfordian means to believe and know in your soul that everybody on the planet is neither greater nor lesser than you - Christopher Eccleston
Throughout his career, Chris has received numerous awards and nominations, including an International Emmy Award for The Shadow Line and a BAFTA nomination for Our Friends in the North.
In his 2019 autobiography, I Love the Bones of You, Chris opened up about his experiences with mental health challenges and his dad’s battle with dementia. He is also an active supporter of several charities, including Mencap and the British Red Cross.
The 9th Dr Who
Lennon Naked, 2010
Hillsborough, 1996
Chris alongside Kate Winslet in the 1996 period drama, Jude
2019 autobiography, I Love the Bones of You
Chris as Macbeth in the Royal Shakespeare Company's 2018 production
A proud Salfordian, Chris remains close to his working-class roots and is a passionate campaigner and advocate for equality and social justice. He is also a lifelong Manchester United fan.
Salford Lads & Girls Club is close to Chris' heart. He has been a supporter of the club in recent years as in its struggle for financial stability. The club is a symbol of the city's unique identity and an important touch point for equality and social history. This remarkable institution was the perfect location for the photography and for Chris to celebrate his Salfordian working class roots.
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Student reflection: Jamie Herbert
It was an absolute pleasure to photograph actor Christopher Eccleston for the Greater Mancunians project. A proud Salfordian, Chris chose the iconic Salford Lads Club (SLC) as his location. He walked from Manchester City Centre to meet us outside the club, where Project Manager Leslie Holmes and volunteer Chris Kelly were also waiting to greet him. The plan was simple: take Chris on a tour of the building and capture images in its most significant spaces.
Chris was genuinely fascinated by the club’s rich social history, and we had to pick just the right moments to pause and photograph him. The Archive Room, The Smiths Room, and the Boxing Gymoffered the strongest backdrops. His enthusiasm for the SLC came through naturally, giving the images an energy and authenticity that made the shoot particularly special. Chris was relaxed, easy to direct, and fully engaged. He was relaxed and easy to direct, but was on a tight time schedule, so we had to work quickly to get the shots.
SLC is unevenly lit with no natural light in some areas, so we had to rely on our trusty LED light wand to add much needed light to some of the spaces
We finished the shoot outside the club, capturing Chris against the backdrop of the iconic SLC sign and green door. These proved to be some of the most useable images from the shoot.
This experience taught me a great deal, especially about managing and directing new people under pressure. The process has sharpened my communication skills and boosted my confidence for future high-profile shoots.
