Ricci Harnett (born 20 March 1973) is an English actor, writer and director, best known for his lead role as Carlton Leach In the 2015 film Rise of the Footsoldier: Part II. Other credits include The Object of Beauty (1991), 28 Days Later (2002), Joy Division (2006), Rise of the Footsoldier (2007), Breathe (2009), Psychosis (2010), Turnout (2011), Vendetta (2014) and Top Dog (2014).
Contents
Career
Harnett made his screen debut in The Object of Beauty alongside John Malkovich. He also appeared in the film 28 Days Later as Corporal Mitchell. Harnett played the lead character of Carroll Bailey in Porcelain Film's 2009 film Breathe.
In 2015, he wrote, directed, and played the lead role as Carlton Leach in the London gangster film Rise of the Footsoldier: Part II, in a cast which included Craig Fairbrass, Charlie Heaton, and Steven Berkoff. The film went on to win 'Best British Film' at the 2016 National Film Awards UK, at which Hartnett was Nominated for Best Breakthrough Performance.
Hartnett has appeared in several other gangster movies, Rise of the Footsoldier (2007), The Rise and Fall of a White Collar Hooligan (2012), Turnout (2011), Vendetta (2013), Top Dog (2014), but has tried to move on the other genres, like in the film Truancy, which he wrote and directed. As of 2025, it has yet to be released.
Filmography
The Object of Beauty (1991) as Steve
Teenage Health Freak (1991, unknown episodes) as Belcher
Between the Lines (1992, 1 episode) as Youth
The Old Curiosity Shop (1995) as Tom
The Thin Blue Line (1995, 1 episode) as Darren Grim
Silent Witness (1997, 1 episode) as Steve Abbott
A Certain Justice (1998) as Gary Ashe
Poof (1999) as Gooner
The Murder of Stephen Lawrence (1999) as Neil Acourt
Starting Out (1999, unknown episodes) as Dean
Strong Language (2000) as Nathan
Micawber (2001) as Gordon
28 Days Later (2002) as Corporal Mitchell
Judge John Deed (2002, 1 episode) as Kevin Helyer
Roger Roger (1996–2003, unknown episodes) as Marlon
Dunkirk (2004) as Guardsman Desmond Thorogood
The Bill (1989–2004, 5 episodes) as Dave Hall
Job Street (2005) as Driver
Dubplate Drama (2005–09) as Prangers
Joy Division (2006) as Sgt Harry Stone
Casualty (1994–2006, 3 episodes) as Jordi (2006) / Col
Rise of the Footsoldier (2007) as Carlton Leach
Breathe (2009) as Carroll Bailey
Psychosis (2010) as Peck
Turnout (2011) as Grant
Vendetta (2013) as Sergeant Joe Windsor
Top Dog (2014) as Mickey
Rise of the Footsoldier:Part II (2015) as Carlton Leach
EastEnders (2018) as Dylan Box
The Pebble and the Boy (2021) as Ronnie
Ultimate Force" Violent Solutions (TV Episode 2006) Ricci Harnett as Spencer