Which actor played Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit?

Richard Armitage played Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit film trilogy. Armitage portrays the exiled heir of Erebor, who leads a company of dwarves on a dangerous journey to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug.

Jackson announced Armitage’s casting in 2010, and the three films were released between 2012 and 2014: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug, and The Battle of the Five Armies. Armitage’s performance presents Thorin as both a commanding warrior and a flawed ruler whose pride, grief, and obsession with the Arkenstone threaten the quest.

The role brought Armitage international recognition, although he was already known in Britain for television work. Earlier notable roles included John Thornton in North & South, Lucas North in Spooks, and Guy of Gisborne in Robin Hood. He later appeared in productions including Hannibal and Berlin Station.

The wrong options point to common casting mix-ups. Martin Freeman played Bilbo Baggins, Ian McKellen played Gandalf, and Chris Hemsworth is associated with Marvel’s Thor rather than Tolkien’s Thorin. Thorin’s name is Tolkien’s; Armitage is the actor who played him.