My introduction to Richard Armitage is a common story. At least is used to be, before The Hobbit movies began rolling out.
Like thousands of other soon-to-be-smitten fans, my very first glimpse of the actor was as the imposing mill master in the BBC’s North and South. The opening scene is definitely not my favorite, but I was completely won over by the vulnerable Victorian industrialist by the end of episode two.
Unbuttoned and emotionally unravelling, John Thornton wants desperately to believe what his mother is saying.
That was October 2009. And I didn’t know that watching Richard Armitage bring John Thornton to life on screen would change my life. But it did.
I searched his name on the Internet. Who was this man, and why hadn’t I ever heard of him before?! I discovered, to my delight, that I wasn't the only one with a new obsession after watching North and South. C19.Proboards.com introduced me to the Richard Armitage fandom. And I — for the first time in my life — become a fan girl.
But here’s my guilty confession: I don’t think I’ve earned all the points necessary to be a genuine card-carrying Armitage fan.
You see, my interest in Armitage has centered rather heavily on his role as John Thornton. I’ve only ventured to see a very limited portion of his work. I’ve watched and loved Sparkhouse. And I thought he was sweet in The Vicar of Dibley. But I never really watched him as Guy of Gisbourne, or Lucas North. Just a little.
But I think I get fan points for going to the theater to watch Captain America, solely to exalt in seeing his name appear in the credits on the big screen that very first time. I was really excited.
And I was uncharacteristically jumping up and down with glee when I first heard he had landed the role as Thorin. I was ecstatic. Richard was going to be famous! It was a very special time to be in the Armitage fandom. We were all so very excited for our boy to be introduced to the world scene.
I watched all three Hobbit movies when they came out, even though I’m not really a big Tolkein fan. I did it for Richard. All to seem him in his glory.
But I haven’t seen him in anything else. I saw Castlevania’s first season. But I never got around to watching the rest. I don’t watch much tv —that’s my main excuse. But I still feel like I fall short of being a full-fledged fan. There are so many other shows I haven’t watched. And I haven’t even begun to listen to his audible books!
To all of my fellow Richard Armitage fans, I love our solidarity in fond admiration for a very handsome and incredibly talented actor. It’s been a great joy to “meet” so many of you!
To celebrate the blogging fandom, today is a celebration of those who have ever blogged about Richard: #RABlogReunion.
I didn't start this blog until 2016. But I’m still here. Still writing the occasional blog post about a story I love. A story that came to life on screen with phenomenal power due to Richard Armitage.
What have I been doing since I became an Armitage fan?
I’ve written two North and South variation novels, have helped compile an anthology of N&S short stories (Falling for Mr. Thornton), and am dabbling with writing a third variation. My focus has slipped on writing — real life concerns have been rather exhausting. I still visit and moderate the C19 site, but not nearly as often as I used to. The fanfiction sharing there has waned.
But if the era of my more eager fanhood has waned, I’ll always cherish those earlier, crazier days when the image of Richard as JohnThornton was never far from my mind — those days when I laughed and chatted and plotted with other Armitage fans online nearly every day.
Thanks, Richard, for enriching my life. Your contribution as an artist has had a profound effect on so many.