Adrian Schiller has died at the age of 60

In a statement, Scott Marshall Partners, said: "He has died far too soon, and we, his family and close friends are devastated by the loss.

"His death was sudden and unexpected and no further details around its cause are yet available."

In the historical drama, Adrian starred as the antagonistic ruler who has ambitions for his grandson Aelfweard but the character ended up taking his own life at the end of the fifth series.

The TV star had also made appearances in 'Doctor Who', 'Victoria' and starred alongside 'Harry Potter' actress Emma Watson in the Disney live-action version of 'Beauty and the Beast' in 2017, but also had enjoyed an illustrious career on the stage.

Just prior to his death, Adrian had been starring in an international tour of three-hour play 'The Lehman Trilogy' and his agents concluded their statement by hailing him as a "prodigiously talented" performer.

They added: "A prodigiously talented actor, he had just returned from Sydney, where he had been appearing in 'The Lehman Trilogy' and was looking forward to continuing the international tour in San Francisco.

"Our deepest condolences go to his family, who ask for privacy at this most difficult of times."

Earlier this year, Adrian appeared in episodes of the mystery series 'Death in Paradise' and in 2023 he starred in World War Two play 'The White Factory' in London.