Forbes Masson | Actor Profile

Forbes Masson is a Scottish actor and writer, and an Associate Artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He is widely recognised for his work in classical theatre, musicals, comedy, and his many appearances in London’s West End. He is also celebrated for his long-running comedy partnership with Alan Cumming, with whom he created the cult television series The High Life, later adapted into a stage musical.

Forbes Mason is starring in The High Life The Musical in 2026, based on the much-loved BBC comedy series.

Theatre Credits

Masson currently plays Harold in Orphans at Jermyn Street Theatre. He returns to the theatre following his acclaimed performances in Laughing Boy and Farm Hall (also at Theatre Royal Haymarket and on UK tour). His stage work spans an extensive range of venues and productions, including Much Ado About Nothing and The Tempest (Theatre Royal Drury Lane); Jekyll and Hyde and Rebus: A Game Called Malice (UK tours); Newsies (Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre); The Taxidermist’s Daughter (Chichester Festival Theatre); and The Magician’s Elephant, The Boy in the Dress and The Taming of the Shrew (RSC).

Other notable stage appearances include Bartholomew Fair, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Boudica (Shakespeare’s Globe); Summer and Smoke (Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre); Little Shop of Horrors (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre); Big Fish (The Other Palace); Terror (Lyric Hammersmith Theatre); Travesties (Menier Chocolate Factory and Apollo Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Theatre Royal Bath); Doctor Faustus (Duke of York’s Theatre); Mr Foote’s Other Leg (Hampstead Theatre and Theatre Royal Haymarket); and The Ruling Class, Richard III and Macbeth (Trafalgar Theatre).

TV credits

On screen, Masson’s credits include The High Life (as series regular Steve McCracken), The Crown, The Marlowe Sessions, As You Like It, Royal Mob, Crime, Father Brown, Catastrophe, Shetland: Dead Water, My Life Story, No Holds Bard, Monarch of the Glen, Supergirly, EastEnders, The Young Person’s Guide to Becoming a Rock Star and Only Child. His film work includes The Road Dance.