---
name: "Adrian Edmondson"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/adrian-edmondson"
fi1m_id: "adrian-edmondson"
imdb_id: "nm0249528"
tmdb_id: 98464
wikidata_id: "Q2160202"
roles: ["Actor","Director"]
born: "24 January 1957"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 10
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-10-07T19:43:16.936220+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."
---

# Adrian Edmondson

## Identity

Adrian Edmondson

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/adrian-edmondson
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** adrian-edmondson
- **IMDb ID:** nm0249528
- **TMDB ID:** 98464
- **Wikidata ID:** Q2160202
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_Edmondson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2160202, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0249528/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/98464

Actor and director. Born 24 January 1957 in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Director
- **Born:** 24 January 1957, Bradford, Yorkshire, England, UK
- **Active:** 1982–present
- **Also known as:** Ade Edmonson, Ade Edmondson, Ade Edmonton, Bad News, Adrian Charles "Ade" Edmondson, Adrian Charles Edmondson
- **Frequently works with:** [Nigel Planer](https://film.one/person/nigel-planer.md), [Rik Mayall](https://film.one/person/rik-mayall.md), [Alexei Sayle](https://film.one/person/alexei-sayle.md), [Ben Elton](https://film.one/person/ben-elton.md), [Ed Bye](https://film.one/person/ed-bye.md), [Paul Jackson](https://film.one/person/paul-jackson.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 10 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 83 (2), 1990s 81 (1), 2010s 75 (4), 2020s 70 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 71 to 76 across 4 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 5, Comedy 3, Crime 2, Mystery 2, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 2, Action 1
- **Screen time:** 3 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,334m across 1 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_Edmondson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2160202, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0249528/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/98464

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Prey*](https://film.one/tv/prey-2014.md) (74), [*A Spy Among Friends*](https://film.one/tv/a-spy-among-friends.md) (68)
- **BritBox:** [*Save Me*](https://film.one/tv/save-me.md) (84)
- **Peacock:** [*War and Peace*](https://film.one/tv/war-and-peace.md) (65)

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

## Fi1m on Adrian Edmondson

> Adrian Edmondson makes violent slapstick work through timing and commitment, especially opposite Rik Mayall. We rate him most highly when that force gives an unreasonable character purpose, though even he cannot make every weak joke worth the noise.

As Vyvyan in *The Young Ones* (1982), Adrian Edmondson gives the student chaos enough force to make it seem purposeful. He does not soften the character to secure our approval, and the performance would be poorer if he did. We laughed even when the writing was testing our patience, because his commitment made Vyvyan's excess funny in its own right. That is what we value most in Edmondson: he gives an unreasonable character his full attention without asking us to find him charming. The qualification is that force and commitment cannot rescue every joke.

Rik Mayall matters to that effect. His Rick is deliberately irritating but precisely played, giving Edmondson's force something equally insistent to work against. Neither actor seems interested in making the characters pleasant company, and we would not ask them to. Their shared commitment helps the less persuasive jokes survive, but the programme's insistence can still tire us out. The physical comedy needs that precision, particularly when a routine threatens to exhaust its welcome before the actors have finished with it.

In *Bottom* (1991), Edmondson's Eddie Hitler continued the violent flatmate comedy he made with Mayall. The crude slapstick brings the limitation into focus: accuracy of timing cannot do much about a joke that is simply juvenile. He also directed and co-wrote *Guest House Paradiso* (1999), the feature-film extension of the *Bottom* characters, taking responsibility for more than his own performance.

The later move towards straight acting brought Ilya Rostov in *War and Peace* (2016) and Captain Peavey in *Star Wars: The Last Jedi* (2017). Rostov's ebullience makes sense as another use for that energy. These roles are reason enough not to mistake a gift for violent comedy for the only thing an actor can do. Start with *The Young Ones*, though, provided everyone on the sofa has agreed to the noise.

## Biography

Adrian Edmondson is an English actor, comedian, writer and musician. He was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, in 1957 and studied drama at the University of Manchester, where he met Rik Mayall. The pair formed the double act 20th Century Coyote and became prominent in the alternative comedy scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s, performing at the Comedy Store and co-founding the Comic Strip club.

Edmondson gained prominence playing the violent punk student Vyvyan in the BBC sitcom *The Young Ones* (1982–1984). He later starred alongside Mayall in *Filthy, Rich & Catflap* (1987) and *Bottom* (1991–1995), and appeared in *Blackadder* (1983) and *The Comic Strip Presents...*. His later work includes dramatic roles in *War and Peace* (2016), *Star Wars: The Last Jedi* (2017) and *3 Body Problem* (2024). He has been married to actress Jennifer Saunders since 1985.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, screenonline.org.uk, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (10)

- *Alien: Earth* (2025), Fi1m 76, as Atom Eins — [page](https://film.one/tv/alien-earth.md)
- *3 Body Problem* (2024), Fi1m 65, as Denys Porlock — [page](https://film.one/tv/3-body-problem.md)
- *A Spy Among Friends* (2022), Fi1m 68, as Sir Roger Hollis — [page](https://film.one/tv/a-spy-among-friends.md)
- *Save Me* (2018), Fi1m 84, as Gideon Charles — [page](https://film.one/tv/save-me.md)
- *Star Wars: The Last Jedi* (2017), Fi1m 76, as Captain Peavey — [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-the-last-jedi.md)
- *War and Peace* (2016), Fi1m 65, as Ilya Rostov — [page](https://film.one/tv/war-and-peace.md)
- *Prey* (2014), Fi1m 74, as DCI Warner — [page](https://film.one/tv/prey-2014.md)
- *Absolutely Fabulous* (1992), Fi1m 81, as Hamish — [page](https://film.one/tv/absolutely-fabulous.md)
- *Blackadder* (1983), Fi1m 84, as Baron von Richtoven — [page](https://film.one/tv/blackadder.md)
- *The Young Ones* (1982), Fi1m 82, as Vyvyan — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-young-ones.md)

## Complete filmography (126)

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

- *Partridge and Moulding Want To Get Laid* (2026), Thanks
- *Alien: Earth* (2025), series, as Atom Eins — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/alien-earth.md)
- *Bergerac* (2025), series, as Nigel
- *Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story* (2024), series, as Phil
- *Bottom: Exposed* (2024), Director
- *3 Body Problem* (2024), series, as Denys Porlock — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/3-body-problem.md)
- *Toad & Friends* (2023), series, as Toad
- *A Spy Among Friends* (2022), series, as Sir Roger Hollis — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/a-spy-among-friends.md)
- *The Best Birthday Ever* (2022), as Granny (voice)
- *The Trick* (2021), as Edward Acton
- *The Pact* (2021), series, as Richard
- *Out of Her Mind* (2020), series, as Lewis
- *Completely Bad News* (2019), as Vim Fuego · Writer, Music
- *The Rizen: Possession* (2019), as The Interviewer
- *Back to Life* (2019), series, as John Boback
- *Cheat* (2019), series, as William Vaughan
- *How The Young Ones Changed Comedy* (2018), Actor
- *Save Me* (2018), series, as Gideon Charles — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/save-me.md)
- *RSC Live: Twelfth Night* (2018), as Malvolio
- *Star Wars: The Last Jedi* (2017), as Captain Peavey — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-the-last-jedi.md)
- *Bancroft* (2017), series, as Superintendent Cliff Walker
- *Interlude in Prague* (2017), as Herr Luptak
- *The Rizen* (2017), as Interviewer
- *Genius* (2017), series, as David Hilbert
- *Urban Myths* (2017), series, as Leslie Conn
- *One of Us* (2016), series, as Peter Elliot
- *Upstart Crow* (2016), series, as Dogberry
- *War and Peace* (2016), series, as Ilya Rostov — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/war-and-peace.md)
- *Rocky Horror Show Live* (2015), as Narrator
- *Prey* (2014), series, as DCI Warner — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/prey-2014.md)
- *Gadget Man* (2012), series, Actor
- *Five Go to Rehab* (2012), as Dick
- *Blood* (2012), as Tom Tiernan
- *The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff* (2012), series, as Headmaster Wackville
- *Ade in Britain* (2011), series, Actor
- *Death in Paradise* (2011), series, as Charles Crabtree
- *Monte Carlo or Bust* (2010), series, Actor
- *Rocky Horror Tribute Show* (2008), as Brad
- *Teenage Kicks* (2008), series, as Creator
- *Miss Austen Regrets* (2008), as Henry Austen
- *Surviving Disaster* (2006), series, Actor
- *Twisted Tales* (2005), series, as Ed Barnes
- *Bottom Mindless Violence* (2004), as Vyvyan / Eddie Catflap / Sir Adrian Dangerous / Dreamy Time Escort / Eddie Hitler / Eddie Ndingombaba (archive footage)
- *Doctors and Nurses* (2004), series, as Dr. Roy Glover
- *Celebrity Mastermind* (2003), series, Actor
- *Bottom Live 2003: Weapons Grade Y-Fronts Tour* (2003), as Edward Hitler
- *Spine Chillers* (2003), series, Actor
- *Comic Relief Does Fame Academy* (2003), series, Actor
- *The Best of French & Saunders* (2002), as Various
- *Bottom Live 2001: An Arse Oddity* (2001), as Eddie · Writer
- *Mirrorball* (2000), Director
- *Four Men in a Plane* (2000), as Ian Crisp
- *Guest House Paradiso* (1999), as Eddie Elizabeth Ndingombaba · Director, Writer
- *Big Bottom Live - The Best of Bottom Live* (1999), Actor
- *The Man* (1999), as Ash
- *Holby City* (1999), series, as Percy "Abra" Durant
- *Jack and the Beanstalk: The ITV Pantomime* (1998), as Dame Dolly
- *Four Men in a Car* (1998), as Ian
- *Bottom Live 3: Hooligan's Island* (1997), as Eddie Hitler
- *Captain Star* (1997), series, Actor
- *Jonathan Creek* (1997), series, as Brendan Baxter — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/jonathan-creek.md)
- *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Hugo Welles — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md)
- *Bottom Fluff* (1996), Actor
- *Bottom Live 2: The Big Number 2 Tour* (1995), as Eddie
- *Look at the State We're In!* (1995), series, as Dewhurst
- *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Treasure of the Peacock's Eye* (1995), as Zyke
- *French and Saunders' Christmas Carol* (1994), as Tim Goodchance
- *If You See God, Tell Him* (1993), series, as Gordon Spry
- *Bottom Live: The Stage Show* (1993), as Eddie
- *Demonella* (1993), as Sid Vicious
- *Gregory: Diary of a Nutcase* (1993), as Gregory Dawson
- *Space Virgins from Planet Sex* (1993), as 'K' / Air Traffic Controller
- *Absolutely Fabulous* (1992), series, as Hamish — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/absolutely-fabulous.md)
- *Holy - Bottom: Christmas Special* (1992), as Edward Elizabeth Hitler · Writer
- *Red Nose of Courage* (1992), as John Major/Coco the Clown
- *Bottom* (1991), series, as Edward Elizabeth Hitler · Writer, Creator
- *The Pope Must Die* (1991), as Father Rookie
- *Rita Rudner* (1990), series, Actor
- *News Hounds* (1990), as Phil Burke
- *Les Dogs* (1990), as Best Man
- *French & Saunders LIVE* (1990), Director
- *Oxford* (1990), as 2nd MI5 Man / Fan
- *South Atlantic Raiders:  Part 2 Argie Bargie!* (1990), as Billy
- *South Atlantic Raiders: Part 1* (1990), as Billy
- *GLC: The Carnage Continues* (1990), as Billy/Prince Charles/Giles Cricket Bat Portland
- *Snakes and Ladders* (1989), series, as Giles Tewkesbury
- *Screen One* (1989), series, as Phil Burke
- *Press Gang* (1989), series, as Simon Knowles
- *The Yob* (1988), as Michael
- *Mr Jolly Lives Next Door* (1988), as Dreamy Time Escort · Writer
- *More Bad News* (1988), as Vim Fuego · Director, Writer
- *The Strike* (1988), as Adrian/Slim/Policeman
- *Eat the Rich* (1987), as Charles
- *French & Saunders* (1987), series, as John
- *Hardwicke House* (1987), series, as Tiny
- *Filthy Rich & Catflap* (1987), series, as Edward Catflap
- *Honest Decent & True* (1986), as Alun Pickersgill, Theme Song Performance
- *Saturday Live* (1986), series, Actor
- *Private Enterprise* (1986), as Brian · Director, Writer
- *Dangerous Brothers Present: World of Danger* (1986), as Sir Adrian Dangerous
- *The Dangerous Brothers* (1986), series, as Sir Adrian Dangerous · Creator
- *Consuela (or, The New Mrs Saunders)* (1986), as John
- *The Supergrass* (1985), as Dennis Carter
- *Happy Families* (1985), series, as Guy Fuddle
- *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Alun Pickersgill
- *Slags* (1984), as Ace
- *Eddie Monsoon - a Life?* (1984), as Eddie Moonson · Writer
- *Gino: Full Story and Pics* (1984), as Gordon/Bill
- *A Fistful of Travellers' Cheques* (1984), as Billy
- *Susie* (1984), as Martin
- *Dirty Movie* (1984), as Bean · Writer
- *Five Go Mad on Mescalin* (1983), as Dick
- *Natural World* (1983), series, as Narrator
- *Blackadder* (1983), series, as Baron von Richtoven — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/blackadder.md)
- *Summer School* (1983), as Peter
- *Bad News* (1983), as Vim Fuego/Alan Metcalfe · Writer, Music
- *The Beat Generation* (1983), as Desmond
- *War* (1983), as Various Roles
- *Dead on Time* (1983), as Fool
- *The Young Ones* (1982), series, as Vyvyan — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-young-ones.md)
- *The Comic Strip Presents...* (1982), series, as Dick, Desmond, Mike/Hatchett/Julio/Bolsen/Man in Cage/Jenkins/Zarkoff, Brian, Vim Fuego, Ace, Eddie Monsoon, John, Bean, Peter, Billy, Martin, Gordon/Bill, Dreamy Time Escort, Adrian/Slim/Policeman, Michael, Billy/Prince/Giles Cricket Bat Portland, 2nd MI5 Man/Fan, Bestman · Writer, Director
- *Five Go Mad in Dorset* (1982), as Dick
- *Kevin Turvey: The Man Behind the Green Door* (1982), as Keith Marshall
- *The Comic Strip* (1981), Writer
- *Boom Boom... Out Go the Lights* (1980), series, Actor
- *Codes*, as Head of MI6

## Gallery

- ![Adrian Edmondson](https://film.one/media/person/60395/gallery-8957b1caf58f.jpg) Adrian Edmondson — Bryan Ledgard, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Adrian_Edmondson_in_2008.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Musicians Cambridge Festivals 2001-2014 (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/60395/gallery-1bcb7357e7fa.jpg) Musicians Cambridge Festivals 2001-2014 (2008) — Bryan Ledgard, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Ade_and_Ella_Edmondson_%282732890255%29.jpg/1280px-Ade_and_Ella_Edmondson_%282732890255%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![English musician en:Adrian Edmondson (of en:the Bad Shepherds) during their set at the 2009 Cropredy Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/60395/gallery-3492fe5d360b.jpg) English musician en:Adrian Edmondson (of en:the Bad Shepherds) during their set at the 2009 Cropredy Festival. — Shaggy359, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Adrian_Edmondson.jpg/1280px-Adrian_Edmondson.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Adrian Edmondson (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/60395/gallery-7c6377759ca7.jpg) Adrian Edmondson (2014) — Bruce Baker from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Adrian_Edmondson_%2813864944113%29.jpg/1280px-Adrian_Edmondson_%2813864944113%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Adrian Edmondson](https://film.one/media/person/60395/gallery-8afc301f6b77.jpg) Adrian Edmondson — Image via TMDB
- ![Adrian Edmondson](https://film.one/media/person/60395/gallery-f28297d39a3f.jpg) Adrian Edmondson — Image via TMDB
- ![English musician en:Adrian Edmondson (of en:the Bad Shepherds) during their set at the 2010 Hebridean Celtic Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/60395/gallery-8b79c3065f1a.jpg) English musician en:Adrian Edmondson (of en:the Bad Shepherds) during their set at the 2010 Hebridean Celtic Festival. — ian from Stornoway, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Adrian_Edmondson_BW.jpg/1280px-Adrian_Edmondson_BW.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![We went to see Ade Edmondson and the Bad Shepherds at Birmingham Town Hall. It was a bit strange listening to the likes of the Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Stran (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/60395/gallery-01127a605afe.jpg) We went to see Ade Edmondson and the Bad Shepherds at Birmingham Town Hall. It was a bit strange listening to the likes of the Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Stran (2011) — Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/Adrian_Edmondson_and_the_Bad_Shepherds_%286310801026%29.jpg/1280px-Adrian_Edmondson_and_the_Bad_Shepherds_%286310801026%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© 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/adrian-edmondson