Allen Leech is back on our screens in Channel 5's new thriller, The Vanishings, which is loosely based on the real-life disappearances of women in Ireland in the 1990s. The story follows investigative journalist Lisa Wallace (India Mullen), who publishes an article about her mother's murder only to receive a chilling letter from the killer.
Allen plays David Burkely, the detective trying to get to the bottom of the mysterious disappearances. The actor is a familiar face on our screens thanks to his impressive list of TV and film credits, which includes Downton Abbey, Bohemian Rhapsody and Too Good To Be True. But how much do you know about his life away from the cameras?
© Splash News / ShutterstockAllen's famous wife Jessica Blair Herman
Allen, 43, isn't the only famous face in his family as his wife also works in showbiz. The Irish actor is married to American actress and producer, Jessica Blair Herman, who's perhaps best known for playing Kim Goldman in American Crime Story. She's also appeared in How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family and 9-1-1.
Allen and Jessica's California wedding
Allen and Jessica, who first met at a party at Hollywood hotel the Chateau Marmont, tied the knot on 5 January 2019 at Alisal Ranch and Resort in California's Santa Ynez Valley and shared their big day exclusively with HELLO!.
Allen told us at the time: "It ended up being something quite different. When you get married in California you expect sunshine, but a little bit of Ireland blew over on the day and we had some heavy rain."
Allen and Jessica said 'I do' in front of a number of famous friends, including Downton Abbey stars Michelle Dockery and Dan Stevens as well as Bohemian Rhapsody's Rami Malek.
© Gregory Pace/ShutterstockAllen's family life
After leaving Ireland for London when he was 24, Allen eventually settled in LA. He told HELLO! in 2019: "I love it here, it is my life, and now we could not be happier."
Allen and Jessica share two daughters, who they keep out of the spotlight.
© @therealleech/InstagramAllen's friendships with Downton Abbey co-stars
It's safe to say Allen has formed strong bonds with his Downton Abbey co-stars, who are "family" both on and off-screen.
Taking to Instagram after attending the screening of Paddington 2 back in 2017, Allen shared a sweet photo of him with Michelle Dockery and the film's star, Hugh Bonneville, alongside the caption: "Simply brilliant seeing these guys last night. Fantastic #paddington2 screening and then dinner and giggles! Always be family to me."
Allen even introduced Michelle to her late fiancé John Dineen, who sadly died in 2015 following a cancer diagnosis. "John's like family to me and I knew he'd really get on with Michelle," he previously said. "She's a great girl - probably as far from Lady Mary as you could imagine."
When Michelle married Jasper Waller-Bridge eight years later, Allen and his fellow Downton stars Joanne Froggatt and Laura Carmichael were there to support her on her big day.
© Alamy Stock PhotoAllen's TV and film career
While Allen is perhaps best known for starring in the hit ITV period drama Downton Abbey and its three film follow-ups, he's got an impressive list of credits on both the big and small screen, including The Imitation Game, Bohemian Rhapsody and Black Mirror.
Last year, he starred alongside Kara Tointon in Channel 5's gripping thriller series, Too Good To Be True.
The Vanishings airs on Thursday, February 6, at 9pm.
