---
name: "Adam Godley"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/adam-godley"
fi1m_id: "adam-godley"
imdb_id: "nm0324134"
tmdb_id: 23429
wikidata_id: "Q1060758"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "22 July 1964"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_fi1m_score: 68
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 12
updated: "2026-10-07T15:37:51.097861+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Adam Godley

## Identity

Adam Godley

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/adam-godley
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** adam-godley
- **IMDb ID:** nm0324134
- **TMDB ID:** 23429
- **Wikidata ID:** Q1060758
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Godley, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1060758, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0324134/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/23429

Actor. Born 22 July 1964 in Amersham, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 22 July 1964, Amersham, England, UK
- **Active:** 2004–present
- **Also known as:** آدام گادلی
- **Average Fi1m score:** 68, as actor, over 12 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 67 (6), 2010s 66 (4), 2020s 78 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 66 to 64 across 10 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 7 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 7, Comedy 5, Adventure 3, Family 2, Fantasy 2, History 2
- **Screen time:** 13 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $951m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Godley, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1060758, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0324134/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/23429

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Down Cemetery Road*](https://film.one/tv/down-cemetery-road.md) (82), [*Charlie and the Chocolate Factory*](https://film.one/film/charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory.md) (64)
- **Disney+:** [*The Great*](https://film.one/tv/the-great.md) (74)
- **Hulu:** [*Son of Rambow*](https://film.one/film/son-of-rambow.md) (72)
- **HBO Max:** [*The Special Relationship*](https://film.one/film/the-special-relationship.md) (58)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Adam Godley

> Adam Godley plays men whose position speaks before they do: archbishops, benefactors, the well-placed and well-spoken. He is exact, unshowy and easy to overlook, and most of the work that made his name was done on stage, where we cannot send you.

Adam Godley’s Archbishop in *The Great* (2020) never raises his voice. He does not need to. Tony McNamara’s court is full of people shouting, plotting and falling into bed, and Godley’s Archie stands a little to one side of all of it, working out which way the palace is about to tip before he offers it his blessing. He is a politician in a cassock: the piety is real enough to pass, and the calculation underneath it never stops. We laughed at him every time he opened his mouth and never once trusted him, which is exactly the effect a man like that should have.

That is the part he is most often asked for, the precise, well-spoken Englishman whose office or breeding does half the work and whose eyes do the rest, and it has kept him busy for a long time. He began at nine, in a BBC radio production of Hemingway’s *My Old Man*, and was on stage at the Old Vic at eleven. Three seasons with Alan Ayckbourn’s company in Scarborough came next, then the National Theatre, the RSC and the West End. He made his Broadway debut in *Private Lives* in 2002 and moved to America around 2007, and since then the screen work has mostly been American too: a recurring part in *Breaking Bad* (2008), *Suits*, the voice of the chimpanzee Pogo in *The Umbrella Academy* (2019), and *The Great*.

The stage is where his reputation was made, and stage work does not sit on a sofa waiting to be watched. *The Lehman Trilogy*, which he played at the National Theatre and then on Broadway between 2019 and 2021, is the work people mention first, with *Anything Goes* (2011) before it, and he has worked twice with Sam Mendes in the theatre. We will not judge what we have not seen. On screen, the honest position is that he is a fine supporting actor who has rarely been given the middle of a picture. In *Down Cemetery Road* (2025), his third outing alongside Emma Thompson, he plays Joe Silverman, and the truth is that Thompson and Ruth Wilson took our attention and he did not take it back. That is the job he is usually hired for, and he does it without fuss.

He has said he tries to be 'a moving target', acting in all kinds of different genres, and the record bears him out: radio, Ayckbourn, Coward, a Broadway musical, Tim Burton’s *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* (2005), an animated ape. The one target he has not yet hit is the lead in a film, and we would not bet against him getting there. Until then, look for him in the second row of good casts. He is usually the one who has read the whole script.

## Biography

Adam Godley is a British actor. He began his professional career in the UK at the age of nine and has been nominated for two Tony Awards and four Laurence Olivier Awards for stage performances including *Private Lives* (2001), *The Pillowman* (2002), *Anything Goes* (2011) and *The Lehman Trilogy* (2019). He made his Broadway debut in the 2002 revival of *Private Lives*.

Godley's screen credits include *Love Actually* (2003), *Nanny McPhee* (2005), *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* (2005) and *The Theory of Everything* (2014). On television he has appeared as Elliott Schwartz in *Breaking Bad* (2008–2013), Nigel Nesbitt in *Suits* (2013), Pogo in *The Umbrella Academy* (2019–2024) and Archie the Archbishop in *The Great* (2020–2023). In 2025 he played Joe Silverman in the Apple TV+ series *Down Cemetery Road*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, deadline.com, upi.com.*

## On Fi1m (12)

- *Down Cemetery Road* (2025), Fi1m 82, as Joe Silverman — [page](https://film.one/tv/down-cemetery-road.md)
- *The Great* (2020), Fi1m 74, as Archbishop — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-great.md)
- *The BFG* (2016), Fi1m 64, as Manhugger / Lout #1 — [page](https://film.one/film/the-bfg.md)
- *The Theory of Everything* (2014), Fi1m 72, as Senior Doctor - Cambridge Hospital — [page](https://film.one/film/the-theory-of-everything.md)
- *Suburgatory* (2011), Fi1m 70, as Mr. Jacobs — [page](https://film.one/tv/suburgatory.md)
- *The Special Relationship* (2010), Fi1m 58, as Jonathan Powell — [page](https://film.one/film/the-special-relationship.md)
- *Dollhouse* (2009), Fi1m 66, as Clyde Randolph — [page](https://film.one/tv/dollhouse.md)
- *Elizabeth: The Golden Age* (2007), Fi1m 54, as William Walsingham — [page](https://film.one/film/elizabeth-the-golden-age.md)
- *Mad Men* (2007), Fi1m 88, as Wayne Kirkeby — [page](https://film.one/tv/mad-men.md)
- *Son of Rambow* (2007), Fi1m 72, as Brethren Leader — [page](https://film.one/film/son-of-rambow.md)
- *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* (2005), Fi1m 64, as Mr. Teavee — [page](https://film.one/film/charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory.md)
- *Around the World in 80 Days* (2004), Fi1m 56, as Mr. Sutton — [page](https://film.one/film/around-the-world-in-80-days-2004.md)

## Complete filmography (67)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Copenhagen Test* (2025), series, as Frederick Schiff
- *Down Cemetery Road* (2025), series, as Joe Silverman — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/down-cemetery-road.md)
- *The Last Sacrifice* (2025), Actor
- *The People We Hate at the Wedding* (2022), as Narrator (voice)
- *The Great North* (2021), series, as Archie (voice), Dick Chateau (voice)
- *The Great* (2020), series, as Archbishop — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-great.md)
- *National Theatre Live: The Lehman Trilogy* (2019), as Mayer Lehman
- *Missing Link* (2019), as Lord Bilge (voice)
- *The Umbrella Academy* (2019), series, as Pogo (voice)
- *Lodge 49* (2018), series, Actor
- *Nightmare Cinema* (2018), as Dr. Salvadore
- *Succession* (2018), series, as Darwin Perry — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/succession.md)
- *Fallet* (2017), series, as Tom Brown
- *The BFG* (2016), as Manhugger / Lout #1 — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-bfg.md)
- *The Prime Minister* (2016), as Chief of Security
- *Powers* (2015), series, as Emile Cross
- *The Theory of Everything* (2014), as Senior Doctor - Cambridge Hospital — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/the-theory-of-everything.md)
- *Manhattan* (2014), series, as Dr. Adelman
- *Wilde Salomé* (2013), as Arthur
- *The Blacklist* (2013), series, as Silas Gouldsberry — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-blacklist.md)
- *A Young Doctor's Notebook* (2012), series, as The Feldsher
- *Perception* (2012), series, as Teddy Brennan
- *Battleship* (2012), as Dr. Nogrady
- *Homeland* (2011), series, as Jordan Harris — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/homeland.md)
- *Suburgatory* (2011), series, as Mr. Jacobs — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/suburgatory.md)
- *Suits* (2011), series, as Nigel Nesbitt
- *Case Histories* (2011), series, as Martin Canning
- *The Forger* (2011), as Pinkus
- *Harry's Law* (2011), series, Actor
- *The Special Relationship* (2010), as Jonathan Powell — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/the-special-relationship.md)
- *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Leland Carlisle — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *Dollhouse* (2009), series, as Clyde Randolph — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/dollhouse.md)
- *Lie to Me* (2009), series, as Sandy Baxter
- *Merlin* (2008), series, as Jonas
- *The X-Files: I Want to Believe* (2008), as Father Ybarra
- *Breaking Bad* (2008), series, as Elliott Schwartz — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/breaking-bad.md)
- *Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles* (2008), series, as The Scientist — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/terminator-the-sarah-connor-chronicles.md)
- *The Old Curiosity Shop* (2007), as Samson Brass
- *The Stronger* (2007), as Waiter
- *Private Practice* (2007), series, as Henry
- *Elizabeth: The Golden Age* (2007), as William Walsingham — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/elizabeth-the-golden-age.md)
- *Mad Men* (2007), series, as Wayne Kirkeby — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/mad-men.md)
- *Son of Rambow* (2007), as Brethren Leader — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/son-of-rambow.md)
- *Nuremberg: Nazis on Trial* (2006), series, as Gustave Gilbert
- *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Different Faces, Different Flavors* (2005), Actor
- *Nanny McPhee* (2005), as Vicar
- *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* (2005), as Mr. Teavee — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory.md)
- *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Dr. Joseph Baskin
- *Agatha Christie's Marple* (2004), series, as Lomax
- *Hawking* (2004), as Frank Hawking
- *Around the World in 80 Days* (2004), as Mr. Sutton — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/around-the-world-in-80-days-2004.md)
- *The Young Visiters* (2003), as Procurio
- *Margery and Gladys* (2003), as Graham Heywood
- *Love Actually* (2003), as Mr Trench — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/love-actually.md)
- *And Now... Ladies and Gentlemen...* (2002), Actor
- *Thunderpants* (2002), as Placido P. Placeedo
- *War Game* (2002), as Lacey Christmas Goddard / Dad (voice)
- *Sword of Honour* (2001), as Apthorpe
- *Cor, Blimey!* (2000), as Kenneth Williams
- *Class Act* (1994), series, as Graham
- *Cabaret* (1993), as Clifford Bradshaw
- *The Detectives* (1993), series, as D.C. Dominic Boyle
- *An Ungentlemanly Act* (1992), as PC Anton Livermore
- *Casualty* (1986), series, as Alan Decker — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/casualty.md)
- *The Bill* (1984), series, Actor
- *Moonfleet* (1984), series, as John Trenchard
- *Thomas & Sarah* (1979), series, as Tomlinson

## Gallery

- ![Star of The X-Files: I Want to Believe, The BFG, and Elliott Schwartz on Breaking Bad. NYC April '19. (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/24428/gallery-12908d54308d.jpg) Star of The X-Files: I Want to Believe, The BFG, and Elliott Schwartz on Breaking Bad. NYC April '19. (2019) — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Adam_Godley_%2846921843344%29.jpg/1280px-Adam_Godley_%2846921843344%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Star of The X-Files: I Want to Believe, The BFG, and Elliott Schwartz on Breaking Bad. NYC April '19. (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/24428/gallery-036e4f510150.jpg) Star of The X-Files: I Want to Believe, The BFG, and Elliott Schwartz on Breaking Bad. NYC April '19. (2019) — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/14/Adam_Godley_2019.jpg/1280px-Adam_Godley_2019.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Adam Godley after the Rain Man performance in Apollo Theatre in London's West End. (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/24428/gallery-56f101101bff.jpg) Adam Godley after the Rain Man performance in Apollo Theatre in London's West End. (2008) — Iva2b, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Adamgodley.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Adam Godley](https://film.one/media/person/24428/gallery-1ed5de4ff7be.jpg) Adam Godley — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won, 5 nominated

- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical 2011: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical 2011: Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical (nominated)
- Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor 2009: Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor (nominated)
- Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role 2002: Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (nominated)
- Theatre World Award 2002: Theatre World Award (won)
- Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role 1999: Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role (nominated)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/adam-godley