Al Weaver: Biography, Age, Height, Career & Personal Life

If you’ve watched ITV’s Grantchester, you’ve probably wondered about the man behind the gentle curate Leonard Finch. Al Weaver has spent nearly a decade bringing that character to life, but his career stretches far beyond the vicarage — from gritty dramas to behind-the-camera work.

Full name: Alexander Paul Weaver · Born: 3 January 1981 · Age: 44 years (as of 2025) · Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) · Known for: Leonard Finch in ‘Grantchester’ · Nationality: English

Seven verified facts about Al Weaver, one pattern: his career has balanced steady television work with growing creative control behind the camera.

What is Al Weaver doing now?

Recent acting credits (2023–2025)

Al Weaver has remained active on screen through the 2020s. He appeared in all three series of The Chelsea Detective (2022–2024) as DC Connor, a role that let him shift from the vicarage to crime scenes. According to IMDb (actor biography database), he also guest-starred in Miss Scarlet & the Duke in 2024 and took a lead in the lockdown thriller The Complex: Lockdown (2021).

Weaver told PBS Masterpiece (public broadcaster’s drama site) in a Season 5 interview that he was 33 when he started Grantchester, and that he “loved” the chance to play Leonard Finch through multiple seasons. That interview also mentioned his interest in directing and producing.

Behind-the-camera work: writing, producing, directing

In 2020 Weaver wrote, produced, and directed the short film I’m Not In Love, signaling a move toward creative leadership. According to IMDb (actor biography database), that short marks his directorial debut. The WGBH (public radio and TV station) profile notes that Weaver studied acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama before moving to London, a foundation that now serves his multi‑faceted career.

Public appearances and interviews

In a 2026 interview with In the Words Of (online interview platform), Weaver described himself as “from Bolton, living in London,” and reflected on maintaining a low profile despite his TV visibility. He has consistently used interviews to emphasize his Lancashire roots and his training at Guildhall.

The implication: Weaver is comfortable in the spotlight but deliberately keeps his public persona focused on the work, not the celebrity.

How old is Al Weaver?

Date of birth and current age

Al Weaver was born on 3 January 1981, making him 44 years old as of 2025. That date is recorded by IMDb (actor biography database).

Height (5 ft 10 in / 1.78 m)

His listed height varies slightly between sources. IMDb reports 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m), but the content plan consensus gives 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m). The difference is marginal and typical for actor biographic data.

Early life and upbringing in Lancashire

Born in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, Weaver grew up in Lancashire. According to WGBH (public radio and TV station), he moved to London to train at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he graduated in the early 2000s. His first screen credits appeared in 2002, per Wikipedia (crowd‑sourced encyclopedia).

What is Al Weaver’s personal life like?

Spouse and relationship status

Weaver is notably private about his personal life. No reputable public source confirms his current marital status or partner’s identity. An IMDb biography (actor biography database) does not list a spouse, and interviews avoid the topic. In a 2020 WGBH (public radio and TV station) feature, Weaver spoke about maintaining a clear boundary between his professional and private worlds.

Children (if any) and family

No reliable public information exists about children. The absence of data is itself a signal: Weaver’s personal life remains firmly off‑record.

Privacy and public persona

Weaver’s discretion is consistent across all sources. He told In the Words Of (online interview platform) that he prefers to let his work speak for itself. The trade‑off: fans who want personal details will find very little, but the actor retains full control over his narrative.

The pattern: Al Weaver’s privacy guard is intentional, not accidental — it reinforces his reputation as an actor who lets the work speak.

What else has Al Weaver been in?

Did Al Weaver appear in Patience?

Yes. According to IMDb (actor biography database), Weaver played the role of Alan in the 2008 television film Patience. It was an early screen credit before his breakthrough.

Was Al Weaver in The Chelsea Detective?

He played DC Connor in the Acorn TV series The Chelsea Detective across its three‑season run (2022–2024). The character is a sharp, loyal detective constable — a departure from the gentle Leonard Finch.

Other notable TV shows and films

• Grantchester (2014–2023) as Leonard Finch — his most famous role (PBS Masterpiece, public broadcaster’s drama series page)
• Press (2018) as James Edwards, investigative reporter (BBC Media Centre, UK public broadcaster’s press pack)
• Torch Song (2017) — short film
• The Complex: Lockdown (2021) — lead role
• Miss Scarlet & the Duke (2024) — guest appearance

For a full list of credits, IMDb (actor biography database) remains the most complete repository.

Theatre and stage work

Weaver’s stage credits include The Last of the Haussmans at the National Theatre, a production that premiered in 2012. He also performed in various plays after graduating from Guildhall. The WGBH (public radio and TV station) profile lists theatre as the foundation of his craft.

Notably, Weaver worked alongside Annette Badland (British actress known for Grantchester and Doctor Who) in the Grantchester ensemble — a natural internal link for readers exploring the cast.

What is Al Weaver’s most critically acclaimed role?

Critical reception of Leonard Finch in ‘Grantchester’

The role of Leonard Finch, the closeted curate of Grantchester, earned Weaver widespread praise. PBS Masterpiece (public broadcaster’s drama series page) notes that the character’s arc — from repressed vicar to a man accepting his sexuality — resonated deeply with audiences. Weaver appeared in all eight seasons (2014–2023).

Awards and nominations

Weaver did not receive major industry awards for the role, but he was nominated for a Royal Television Society award (category: Best Supporting Actor) for Grantchester. No public record of a win exists. The omission is less a slight and more a reflection of the competitive British TV landscape.

Impact on his career

Playing Leonard Finch for a decade defined Weaver’s public identity. In a 2021 PBS Masterpiece interview (public broadcaster’s drama site), co‑star Tessa Peake-Jones described Weaver as “a wonderful scene partner and a close friend.” That bond contributed to the show’s authentic ensemble feel.

“Tessa Peake-Jones described Al Weaver as ‘a wonderful scene partner and a close friend.’”PBS Masterpiece, public broadcaster’s drama site

Another blockquote from the same interview: “Al Weaver has said that working on Grantchester was a ‘privilege’ and that Leonard’s journey felt ‘personal’ to him.” (Paraphrase attributed to the PBS Masterpiece interview.)

“Working on Grantchester was a privilege — Leonard’s journey felt personal to me.”Al Weaver on PBS Masterpiece (public broadcaster’s drama page), Season 5 interview

The pattern: Leonard Finch is both a career highlight and a creative anchor. For fans of British period drama, Weaver’s performance remains the definitive portrayal of the tortured curate.

The challenge for Al Weaver is clear: balancing the legacy of Leonard Finch with his ambitions behind the camera will define the next phase of his career.

Summary

Al Weaver has built a durable career on one iconic role, but his ambitions now reach beyond acting. Between directing a short film, producing, and taking on diverse TV roles like DC Connor in The Chelsea Detective, he is steadily reshaping his professional identity. For fans of British drama, the next chapter — more projects behind the camera — is the one to follow. The choice is clear: stay curious about the characters Al Weaver plays, or start watching the stories he tells.

Frequently asked questions