About AJ Donnelly – British Actor and Voice artist
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
HEAD | 57cm | HIP | 116cm | CALF | 45cm |
COLLAR | 41cm | SLEEVE | 71cm | WAIST TO ANKLE | 110cm |
SHOULDER | 61cm | ARM | 38cm | WAIST TO CROTCH | 27cm |
CHEST | 108cm | WRIST | 20cm | SHOULDER TO PALM | 73cm |
WAIST | 107cm | THIGH | 70cm | SHOES SIZE | 10/11 |
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 Name | Character Name | Director | Production Company | Production Year | Role | Gallery |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Detective Chinatown 1900 《唐探1900》 | Thomas Lewis | Chen Sicheng & Daimo (陈思诚 & 戴墨) | Beijing Yitong Legend Film and Television Culture Co., Ltd. | 2024 | Supporting | – |
Let the Music Fly 《英雄出少年》 | Allenburg | Jiang Wen (姜文) | Beijing Bu Yi Le Hu Film Company | 2024 | Supporting | – |
The Dumpling Queen 《水饺皇后》 | Mr. Closwood | Andrew Lau (刘伟强) | Alibaba Pictures Co., Ltd. | 2023 | Supporting | – |
The Story of Dettol – A Short Film 《滴露周年纪念短片》 | Dr. D | Ao Shen (申奥) | – | 2023 | Lead | |
Burning Star 《孤星计划》 | Officer Nielsen | Xu Zhanxiong (徐展雄) | Shanghai Three Dimensional Film Co., Ltd. | 2022 | Featured | |
The Volunteers: To the War 《志愿军:雄兵出击》 | Omar Nelson Bradley | Chen Kaige (陈凯歌) | China Film Co., Ltd. | 2022 | Supporting | – |
Snipers 《狙击手》 | Captain Williams | Zhang Yimou (张艺谋) & Zhang Mo (张末) | Beijing Enlight Media Co., Ltd. | 2021 | Supporting | Link |
Chi 《气》 | Beyazit | Warwick Gilles & Ye Kai (叶开) | New Film Alliance Co., Ltd. | 2020 | Supporting | – |
New Gold Mountain 《新金山》 | Gold Town Boss | Sun Chengzhi (孙承志) | Beijing Lionfish Culture Media Co., Ltd. | 2017 | Supporting | Link |
Sky Hunter 《空天猎》 | Terrorist #2 | Li Chen (李晨) | Chunqiu Time Culture Co., Ltd. | 2017 | Featured | – |
Scorpion Task 《火蝎特战队》 | Grant Hadley | Meng Yu (孟瑀) | Dongcheng Television; Shanghai Telemagic Film | 2016 | Featured | Link |
Wild Cards 《千门唐八将》 | Jason Fitzpatrick | Richard H. Perry | Beijing Haitian Wenji TV and Film Culture Co., Ltd. | 2016 | Supporting | Link |
TV Shows Click the links to be taken to the relative IMDb page or gallery
Show Name | Character Name | Director | Production Company | Production Year | Role | Gallery |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hunting 《围猎》 | Andy | Li Shaohong (李少紅) | Beijing iQiyi Technology Co., Ltd. | 2023 | Recurring | – |
The Battle of Shangganling 《上甘岭》 | Colonel Tyger | Andrew Lau (刘伟强) | Youku and Bona Pictures | 2023 | Recurring | – |
The Silicon Waves 《赤热》 | Mr. Johnson | Li Jun (李骏) | SMG Shangshi Film | 2022 | Co-Star | – |
One Heart in the World 《天下同心》 | Alexander Grantham | Dong Yachun (董亚春) & Ma Yueqian (马跃千) | Hunan Heguang Media Co., Ltd. | 2022 | Recurring | – |
The 13 Hongs of Canton 《广州十三行》 | Andrew Williams | Cao Dun (曹盾) | IQiyi and Guangdong Caviar Culture Communication Co. LTD | 2021/22 | Recurring | – |
Crossing the Yalu River 《跨过鸭绿江》 | General Hodge | Dong Yachun (董亚春) | China Media Group | 2020 | Co-Star | Link |
The Chinese Dream 《梦在海这边》 | Adam | Gong Chaohui (龚朝晖) | Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation | 2019 | Co-Star | – |
Chosen 2 《杀无赦2》 | Executioner | Li Chenkai (李晨恺) | Beijing IQIYI Science & Technology Co., Ltd. | 2019 | Co-Star | Link |
Ivy Monsters 《藤科动物也凶猛》 | Doctor Robertson | Li Jun (李骏) | Beijing Huanya Meishi Culture Communication Co., Ltd. | 2019 | Co-Star | – |
Dance of the Storm 《风暴舞》 | Weapons Expert | Liu Xin (刘新) | Ciwen Media Co., Ltd. | 2018 | Co-Star | – |
The Legend of Kunlun 《昆仑归》 | Fremont | Lv Haojiji (侣皓吉吉) | Hangzhou Newtiming Film and Television Investment Management Co., Ltd. | 2018 | Series Regular | |
Young Marshal 《少帅》 | British Journalist | Zhang Li (张黎) | Changying Group Co., Ltd. | 2014 | Co-Star | – |
Commercials
Brand | Role | Production Company | Production Year |
---|---|---|---|
Boss HR | Shakespeare | — | 2021 |
RELX | Copernicus | RELX Technology | 2021 |
Tencent | Hitman | Tencent Productions | 2016 |
Tencent | Death | Tencent Productions | 2015 |
Boss HR | Angry Boss | — | 2015 |
Tencent | Boxer | Tencent Productions | 2014 |
Quotes


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.