Hugh Bonneville - In conversation - Rory Sparkes and the Spy who Loved Tea

Paddington-star Hugh Bonneville brings new children’s adventure to Malton

Hugh Bonneville, the actor children know best for Paddington - one of the UK’s most treasured family films – is heading to Malton in his latest role – bestselling children’s author.

The actor and author will appear at the Wesley Centre in Malton on Friday 20 November at 4pm for a special event celebrating his new children’s book, Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea.

Known by millions as Mr Brown in the loveable bear film franchise, Bonneville is also famed for playing Lord Grantham in the global phenomenon Downton Abbey – the most successful British costume drama in decades, watched by 120 million across 200 territories.

Hugh will be in conversation with acclaimed children’s author Ashley Thorpe, before both authors meet readers and sign books at a post-talk signing hosted by Kemps General Store & Bookshop.

About Hugh Bonneville

Hugh Bonneville is an internationally recognised actor whose screen roles include Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham in Downton Abbey, and Henry Brown in the Paddington films. He is also an author, with the Rory Sparkes series marking his move into children’s fiction.

About Ashley Thorpe

Ashley Thorpe is a Manchester-based author and editor. His published children's novels are The Boy to Beat the Gods and Spirit Warriors. His books have been shortlisted across the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, Jhalak Prize, Branford Boase Award and The Week Junior Book Awards. His next novel, Treasure Rush: Curse of the Golden Coin, is scheduled for publication in 2027.