Jack Lowden and Philip Howard to receive honorary doctorates

An actor and a director are to receive honorary doctorates in recognition of their achievements in film, television and theatre.

Actor Jack Lowden and director Philip Howard are being commended by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) after a number of achievements in entertainment.

Lowden is a Bafta and Olivier award winner and Golden Globe, Emmy and Screen Actors Guild nominee, and is a former student at the conservatoire.

The 35-year-old is due to return to his former drama school on October 30 where he will receive the doctorate in drama.

He has starred in a wide range of hit films, including Dunkirk, Benediction and Mary Queen Of Scots.

The actor has also appeared in several TV shows, including Apple TV+’s smash spy hit Slow Horses, and has a voice acting credit for videogame Battlefield 1.

Lowden, who is also a producer, grew up in the Scottish Borders and graduated from the RCS with an acting degree in 2011.

He said: “It’s a place that I’m incredibly proud of having gone to and the fact that three graduates of the acting programme have made The Fifth Step is just fantastic and hugely satisfying.

“The training completely formed me. The tutors on that course are phenomenally good at what they do, and you felt like you were in great hands. And they continue to be supporters of us all as we go out there.”

Lowden is currently filming a new Netflix adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride And Prejudice, in which he will take on the role of Mr Darcy.

Howard will also receive an honorary doctorate in drama.

The director trained at London’s Royal Court Theatre and later became the artistic director of Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre from 1996-2008, the longest tenure in its history.

He is currently a director for the Pearlfisher theatre company.

At the Traverse, Howard directed more than 20 world premieres, and from 2012-2015 he served as joint artistic director of Dundee Rep, and has also directed several productions for the RCS.

He said: “The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland has been a significant part of my working life and its graduates continue to inspire me to keep on making theatre.

“I could not be more delighted to receive such an honour.”

RCS principal Professor Jeffrey Sharkey said: “Jack Lowden is regarded as one of the most gifted actors of his generation and it has been wonderful to watch his career flourish since graduating from RCS.

“He has earned widespread critical acclaim for his versatile and compelling performances across stage and screen, while his move into producing demonstrates an impressive creative vision behind the camera.

“He is an inspiration to students preparing to take their own next steps in the industry.

“Philip Howard has had a profound impact on Scottish theatre – from championing new writing at the Traverse and Dundee Rep to bringing Scottish work to international stages.

“He has also been a generous teacher and mentor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where, as co-founder of the Pauline Knowles Scholarship, he has ensured that the legacy of this remarkable actor and alumna continues to inspire and support future generations of performers.”

The autumn graduation and fellowship ceremony will be livestreamed on the RCS website at rcs.ac.uk/graduation