AJ Donnelly

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.