About AJ Donnelly – British Actor and Voice artist

Actor and voice artist-Aged 8

AJ Donnelly, aged 9, preparing for a performance in Bedford, UK

AJ Donnelly is a British host, voice artist and actor known for bringing complex, authentic characters to life on stage and screen.

Originally from Bedford in the UK, AJ discovered his love of performing at age 7, appearing in multiple school and community drama productions throughout his childhood and coming to discover his love of physical comedy with community theatre troupe Bedford Marionettes. After taking a break from acting to pursue new opportunities in China, AJ returned to the stage in 2011 with Beijing Playhouse, reigniting his passion for performance while also launching a successful career in film and TV.

Over the past 10 years, AJ, known in China as Anzhen (translated as ‘Dark Truth’), has worked on over 40 productions, including stage, TV and feature films, collaborating with award-winning directors such as Zhang Yimou & Zhang Mo (playing Captain Williams in ‘Snipers’), Li Shaohong (as drug cartel leader Andy in ‘Hunting’), and Andrew Lau (appearing in ‘The Battle of Shangganling’ and ‘The Dumpling Queen’).

Most recently, AJ has worked with internationally renowned director Jiang Wen on his new movie ‘Let the Music Fly’ (portraying eccentric conductor Allenburg) and with record-breaking directors Chen Sicheng and Dai Mo on the latest entry in their hit ‘Detective Chinatown’ franchise (as Thomas Lewis in ‘Detective Chinatown: 1900’).

While most commonly cast as villainous or angry characters, AJ has showcased his diverse talents as a character actor in a wide range of roles across the full spectrum of genres, from dark dramas to light-hearted comedies, bringing his unique acting and improvisational skills to every project he has worked on.

Outside of acting, AJ is passionate about connecting with audiences through social media, often sharing unique insights into Chinese life, culture and tourism destinations through his online channels.

Whether on-screen, on-stage, online or in person, AJ is committed to pushing creative and personal boundaries and is always on the lookout for opportunities to portray characters, especially comedic, that challenge, entertain and inspire.

IMDb Mini Biography – Updated Feb 2025

Read AJ’s full bio (as of Feb 2025) here!

AJ is currently seeking representation in the UK and US. Please connect with him to discuss representation, cooperation, endorsement, sponsorship or with any media enquiries.

Essentials

Date of Birth:1st August, 1980
Place of Birth:Bedford, England
Height:189CM
Hair Colour:Grey/Silver
Spoken Languages:English (native)
Mandarin Chinese (conversational)

Sizes

HEAD57cmHIP116cmCALF45cm
COLLAR41cmSLEEVE71cmWAIST TO ANKLE110cm
SHOULDER61cmARM38cmWAIST TO CROTCH27cm
CHEST108cmWRIST20cmSHOULDER TO PALM73cm
WAIST107cmTHIGH70cmSHOES SIZE10/11

Filmography

Please click here for a downloadable version of AJ’s recent acting resume. For a downloadable pdf with AJ’s latest headshots, please click here
Movies Click the links to be taken to the relative IMDb page or gallery

Movie NameCharacter NameDirectorProduction CompanyProduction YearRoleGallery
Detective Chinatown 1900
《唐探1900》
Thomas LewisChen Sicheng & Daimo
(陈思诚 &  戴墨)
Beijing Yitong Legend Film and Television Culture Co., Ltd.2024Supporting
Let the Music Fly
《英雄出少年》
AllenburgJiang Wen
(姜文)
Beijing Bu Yi Le Hu Film Company2024Supporting
The Dumpling Queen
《水饺皇后》
Mr. CloswoodAndrew Lau
(刘伟强)
Alibaba Pictures Co., Ltd.2023Supporting
The Story of Dettol –
A Short Film

《滴露周年纪念短片》
Dr. DAo Shen (申奥)2023Lead 
Burning Star
《孤星计划》
Officer NielsenXu Zhanxiong
(徐展雄)
Shanghai Three Dimensional Film Co., Ltd.2022Featured 
The Volunteers:
To the War

《志愿军:雄兵出击》
Omar Nelson BradleyChen Kaige (陈凯歌)China Film Co., Ltd.2022Supporting
Snipers
《狙击手》
Captain WilliamsZhang Yimou
(张艺谋)
& Zhang Mo
(张末)
Beijing Enlight Media Co., Ltd.2021SupportingLink
Chi
《气》
BeyazitWarwick Gilles
& Ye Kai
(叶开)
New Film Alliance Co., Ltd.2020Supporting
New Gold Mountain
《新金山》
Gold Town BossSun Chengzhi
(孙承志)
Beijing Lionfish Culture Media Co., Ltd.2017SupportingLink
Sky Hunter
《空天猎》
Terrorist #2Li Chen
(李晨)
Chunqiu Time Culture Co., Ltd.2017Featured –
Scorpion Task
《火蝎特战队》
Grant HadleyMeng Yu
(孟瑀)
Dongcheng Television; Shanghai Telemagic Film2016FeaturedLink
Wild Cards
《千门唐八将》
Jason FitzpatrickRichard H. PerryBeijing Haitian Wenji TV and Film Culture Co., Ltd.2016SupportingLink

TV Shows Click the links to be taken to the relative IMDb page or gallery

Show NameCharacter NameDirectorProduction CompanyProduction
Year
RoleGallery
Hunting
《围猎》

AndyLi Shaohong
(李少紅)
Beijing iQiyi Technology Co., Ltd.2023    Recurring
The Battle of Shangganling
《上甘岭》

Colonel TygerAndrew Lau
(刘伟强)
Youku and Bona Pictures2023    Recurring
The Silicon Waves
《赤热》
Mr. JohnsonLi Jun
(李骏)
SMG Shangshi Film2022Co-Star
One Heart in the World
《天下同心》
Alexander GranthamDong Yachun
(董亚春)
& Ma Yueqian
(马跃千)
Hunan Heguang Media Co., Ltd.2022Recurring
The 13 Hongs of Canton
《广州十三行》
Andrew WilliamsCao Dun
(曹盾)
IQiyi and Guangdong Caviar Culture Communication Co. LTD2021/22 Recurring
Crossing the Yalu River
《跨过鸭绿江》
General HodgeDong Yachun
(董亚春)
China Media Group2020Co-StarLink
The Chinese Dream
《梦在海这边》
AdamGong Chaohui
(龚朝晖)
Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation2019Co-Star
Chosen 2
《杀无赦2》
ExecutionerLi Chenkai
(李晨恺)
Beijing IQIYI Science & Technology Co., Ltd.2019Co-StarLink
Ivy Monsters
《藤科动物也凶猛》
Doctor RobertsonLi Jun
(李骏)
Beijing Huanya Meishi Culture Communication Co., Ltd.2019Co-Star –
Dance of the Storm
《风暴舞》
Weapons ExpertLiu Xin
(刘新)
Ciwen Media Co., Ltd.2018Co-Star –
The Legend of Kunlun
《昆仑归》
FremontLv Haojiji
(侣皓吉吉)
Hangzhou Newtiming Film and Television Investment Management Co., Ltd.2018Series Regular
Young Marshal
《少帅》
British JournalistZhang Li
(张黎)
Changying Group Co., Ltd.2014Co-Star

Commercials

BrandRoleProduction CompanyProduction Year
Boss HRShakespeare2021
RELXCopernicusRELX Technology2021
TencentHitmanTencent Productions2016
TencentDeathTencent Productions2015
Boss HRAngry Boss2015
TencentBoxerTencent Productions2014

Quotes

  • There is really little point spending time thinking about yesterday, or tomorrow. Neither exists, and you really can’t do much to change either. Life, like acting, only exists in the moment. That’s when everything happens. That’s where you have to be if you want to achieve anything.

AJ Donnelly 暗真 - Happy Headshot
  • All actors understand the importance of the word ‘action’ when onset. But what about when we aren’t on set, just in our everyday lives? Action is the key to success. If you want anything in this life, you have to take action to get it. It seems like a simple idea, but many people seem to forget it.
AJ Donnelly - Actor - Casual

Trivia

  • AJ’s favourite 3 movies are The Matrix, The Princess Bride, and (yes, really) White Chicks.
  • His favourite song of all time is ‘Let Me Entertain You’, by Robbie Williams. His favourite band is SClub7 (again, yes, really….).
  • According to the Western Zodiac, AJ is a Leo, which means he should be compassionate, big-hearted and a natural leader. All true!
  • He considers himself very introverted and shy, but everyone who ever meets him disagrees very quickly!
  • AJ is an avid gamer, and whenever he travels for work or pleasure, always carries his PS4 with him.