Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne has been ordered to pay £1,530 after being caught breaking a 20mph speed limit in London. The star of The Theory of Everything received a fine and penalty points following a criminal prosecution by the Metropolitan Police.
Redmayne’s Audi was recorded travelling at 28mph in a 20mph zone on the A4 through Earl’s Court last October. The offence, which occurred just before 11 am on 14 October, resulted in three penalty points being added to his driving licence.
While the Day of the Jackal actor admitted he was the driver, his response to the notice of intended prosecution was submitted too late to avoid a court appearance.
A police official stated: “Due to the Late response to notice of intended prosecution, this case does not qualify for an out-of-court disposal and has therefore been referred to the prosecutions team for a single justice procedure notice to be issued.”
Redmayne pleaded guilty and was sentenced last Wednesday at a private hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where he was issued a £1,000 fine. He was not required to attend in person, as the case was dealt with under the Single Justice Procedure. The actor famously won an Academy Award in 2015 for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking.
The A4 Cromwell Road, where the offence took place, became a 20mph zone in autumn 2023 as part of a Transport for London initiative to reduce speeds across 65 kilometres of the capital’s roads. Kensington and Chelsea Council had also announced plans in 2020 to introduce 20mph limits on all its residential streets.
In addition to the fine, Redmayne must pay £130 in costs and a £400 victim surcharge, bringing his total bill to £1,530. He was among 450 motorists prosecuted by the Met last week for exceeding 20mph limits, with fines ranging from £40 to the maximum £1,000.
