Biography

AJ Donnelly is a British voice artist and actor known for bringing complex, authentic characters to life on stage and screen. Originally from Bedford, England, AJ discovered his love for performance at age seven and cut his teeth in community theatre, finding a natural knack for physical comedy with the Bedford Marionettes. After moving to China and stepping away from the stage, he reignited his career in 2011 with Beijing Playhouse, quickly expanding into TV and feature films. Over the past decade, AJ - known in China as Anzhen - has racked up over 40 stage, TV, and film credits. He’s worked with some of China’s most celebrated directors, including Zhang Yimou and Zhang Mo (Snipers, as Captain Williams), Li Shaohong (Hunting, as cartel boss Andy), and Andrew Lau (The Battle of Shangganling; The Dumpling Queen). Recent highlights include his turn as Lancelot Dent, a ruthless British opium trader, in Yin Li’s historical epic War 1840; the eccentric conductor Arenberg in Jiang Wen’s comedy You Are the Best!; and Thomas Lawrence in Chen Sicheng and Dai Mo’s 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, he shares his love of life, culture, and travel through social media, where he connects with audiences in his own offbeat, playful way. 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.