Benjamin Harvey Bailey Smith
Doc Brown
About Benjamin Harvey Bailey Smith
Doc Brown (born Benjamin Harvey Bailey Smith, 21 September 1977) is an English actor, comedian, rapper, screenwriter, songwriter, producer, and voiceover artist. He portrayed DS Joe Hawkins in the television series Law and Order: UK, and is also known for portraying Nathan Carter in the CBBC series 4 O'Clock Club from 2012 to 2015, and Imperial Security Bureau agent Lieutenant Supervisor Blevin in Andor. He was born in Kilburn to a Jamaican-born British woman, Yvonne Bailey, and an Englishman, Harvey Smith, and is the younger brother of novelist and essayist Zadie Smith. He attended Hampstead School, where he acquired the nickname "Doc Brown" after the scientist in the film Back to the Future, because he was "gangly and geeky".
Doc Brown began performing as a battle rapper in 2000, appearing at the Dingwalls nightclub in Camden Lock. He released his debut album Citizen Smith Volume 1 in 2004, followed by The Document and Citizen Smith: Volume 2: Nothing to Lose, before going on hiatus from his solo musical career. He formed the British hip hop group Poisonous Poets alongside rappers including Lowkey and Stylah. In 2015 he released Empty Threats, his first album in a decade and his first based on comedy rap, and he collaborated with Ricky Gervais on the soundtrack to the 2016 film David Brent: Life on the Road.
On screen, Smith appeared in the BBC series Rev, a 2009 episode of Miranda, Channel 4's The Inbetweeners, and the Channel 4 comedy-drama Derek in 2013. He played DS Joe Hawkins in the final series of ITV's Law and Order: UK in 2014, appeared in the Doctor Who episode "The Tsuranga Conundrum" in 2018, and played Lieutenant Supervisor Blevin in five episodes of the first series of the Star Wars TV series Andor in 2022. His children's picture book, I Am Bear, illustrated by Sav Akyuz, was published by Walker Books in February 2016. He is a supporter of Crystal Palace F.C. and has three daughters.
Videos (227)
Videos 169 to 192 of 227.
2:26Lovely Day - Solo Acoustic Guitar - Bill Withers
351 views
1:18September in the Rain pedal steel
342 views
2:05Tenderly - C6 Pedal Steel
338 views
0:59O Christmas Tree (Solo Guitar - Groovy Version)
332 views
0:39Steel solo at Carol’s Pub (5/17/24 w/ Wild Earp)
328 views
2:01Little Red Wagon - Doc Brown Trio
302 views
3:24UFO Passes Over Town (No one notices)
299 views
0:18Deep Water - Asleep at the Wheel - Bruce Bouton solo cover
297 views
8:06'Round Midnight - Doc Brown Trio
296 views
1:10When You’re Tired of Breaking Others’ Hearts - Hank Williams
294 views
7:50Suite Sioux - Doc Brown Quartet
281 views
0:20Livin the Life - solo w/ Wild Earp at Hogbowl IV 8/12/23
278 views
5:31Doc Brown Guitar Lesson - Hybrid Picking Etude
276 views
1:17Living in the Mississippi Valley - Chris Eldridge Cover
260 views
0:55Eastbound and Down guitar solo
256 views
1:30Don't Get Around Much Anymore - C6 Pedal Steel
252 views
0:27Doc Brown - Pedal Steel Break at the Hideout 5/15/23
235 views
1:16Ring of Fire - Pedal Steel Quick Cover
230 views
6:56Lazy Bird - Doc Brown Trio
219 views
3:54Doc Brown Guitar Lesson - 39 of my Favorite Chord Voicings
218 views
7:51Juju- Doc Brown Trio
218 views
7:03Tell me a Bedtime Story - Doc Brown Trio
217 views
2:22fighting robots in outer space
202 views
20:53Doc Brown Band - Broken Hearts 8/6/25
201 viewsFrequently asked questions
Who is Doc Brown?
Doc Brown, born Benjamin Harvey Bailey Smith on 21 September 1977 in Kilburn, is an English actor, comedian, rapper, screenwriter and voiceover artist.
Is Doc Brown related to Zadie Smith?
Yes, Doc Brown is the younger brother of the novelist and essayist Zadie Smith.
How did Doc Brown get his stage name?
He acquired the nickname "Doc Brown" at Hampstead School, after the scientist in the film Back to the Future, because he was gangly and geeky.
What roles is Doc Brown known for on television?
He played DS Joe Hawkins in Law and Order: UK, Nathan Carter in 4 O'Clock Club, and Lieutenant Supervisor Blevin in the Star Wars series Andor.
Has Doc Brown released music?
Yes, he began as a battle rapper in 2000, released his debut album Citizen Smith Volume 1 in 2004, and later made comedy rap albums such as Empty Threats (2015).
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