Inside David Caves' very private marriage and his very different early career
Inside David Caves' very private marriage and his very different early career
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Actor David Caves returned to screens this month as leading man Jack Hodgson in Silent Witness. The finale of its 28th season airs tonight, leaving fans begging for more as producers hint at a 2026 return date. During his nine years on the show, David, 46, has amassed a legion of fans who are rooting for his on-screen romance with Dr Nikki Alexander, played by Emilia Fox. But away from the show, David can be found at home with his wife and two children.
Since David tends to keep off of social media, very little is known about his private life. He is, however, thought to be married to Associate Finance Manager Verity Cunningham, with the pair having tied the knot in 2019. Though he keeps his marriage and children completely out of the limelight, he confirmed in January 2023 that his wife was expecting their second child. He told host Alex Jones that the new arrival was due within "the next couple of weeks".
He was previously linked to fellow actress, Lisa Dillon, with whom he co-starred in the RSC production of The Taming of the Shrew in 2012. The Northern Irish actor landed his big break in 2013 when he made his small-screen debut in the 16th season of Silent Witness. He had spent years in the theatre after graduating from the esteemed acting school London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) in 2005. He starred in productions like The Beggar's Opera at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.
David's role in Silent Witness soon led to parts on the big screen, including the 2014 epic war film, Ironclad: Battle for Blood, and the 2016 biographical drama film Jackie, which starred Natalie Portman as former First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy. But surprisingly, his early career was very different to his new acting ventures. He studied modern languages at the University of St Andrews, graduating in 2002 and spending a year teaching in France. He eventually decided to pursue his acting dreams.
Speaking about his childhood during a visit to his old school as a guest speaker back in 2016, David revealed that he wasn't drawn to academic subjects while studying. "I was rubbish at maths but enjoyed rugby," he said. "And now that I'm playing a member of the pathology team some people seem to think it would be a natural job for me, but it would be a disaster. I was really rubbish at the sciences at school - really rubbish.".
Detailing his parents' reaction to his dreams of becoming an actor, David told an interviewer: "My parents were very surprised when I told them I wanted to be an actor but they were shocked. After all the effort they had put in, all the encouragement, all the money spent on fees and uniforms and everything else, they were surprised by my choice but they always supported me and never once stood in my way.".
