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Bill Sikes

Violent, strong and feared by all who meet him.

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Dickens Novel

There’s only one person in the world who could possibly tame Bill and that’s , but to get her he’ll have to get past first.

About Mark Stanley

Mark was most recently seen in the BAFTA-nominated aka Kilo Two Bravo. Mark will next be seen in , starring Damian Lewis and Ewan McGregor, a feature adaptation of the John Le Carré novel which was directed by Susanna White.

Mark is known to television audiences from the hit HBO series , in which he played the role of Grenn. His feature film credits include Mike Leigh’s , in which he starred alongside Timothy Spall; , directed by Kevin Macdonald; and Joe Johnston’s adaptation of the Marvel comic .

Mark’s theatre credits include Richard Wilson’s production of at the Sheffield Crucible; Josie Rourke’s staging of at the Donmar Warehouse, in which Mark starred alongside Tom Hiddleston and Mark Gatiss; ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore, directed by Jonathan Munby at the West Yorkshire Playhouse; and , at the Finborough Theatre.

Charles Dickens's Bill Sikes

Housebreaker, thief and all round bruiser of Dickens's Oliver Twist.

"IN the obscure parlour of a low public-house, situate in the filthiest part of Little Saffron-Hill,—a dark and gloomy den, where a flaring gaslight burnt all day in the winter-time, and where no ray of sun ever shone in the summer,—there sat, brooding over a little pewter measure and a small glass, strongly impregnated with the smell of liquor, a man in a velveteen coat, drab shorts, half-boots, and stockings, whom, even by that dim light, no experienced agent of police would have hesitated for one instant to recognise as Mr. William Sikes. At his feet sat a white-coated, red-eyed dog, who occupied himself alternately in winking at his master with both eyes at the same time, and in licking a large, fresh cut on one side of his mouth, which appeared to be the result of some recent conflict.

'Keep quiet, you warmint! keep quiet!' said Mr. Sikes, suddenly breaking silence."

Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist, Chapter 15.

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