--- name: "Alun Armstrong" canonical: "https://film.one/person/alun-armstrong" fi1m_id: "alun-armstrong" imdb_id: "nm0035605" tmdb_id: 2629 wikidata_id: "Q447933" roles: ["Actor"] born: "17 July 1946" reviewed_on_fi1m: 15 average_fi1m_score: 72 average_as: "actor" average_over: 15 updated: "2026-10-07T13:06:44.250461+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." --- # Alun Armstrong ## Identity Alun Armstrong - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/alun-armstrong - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** alun-armstrong - **IMDb ID:** nm0035605 - **TMDB ID:** 2629 - **Wikidata ID:** Q447933 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alun_Armstrong, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q447933, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0035605/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2629 Actor. Born 17 July 1946 in Annfield Plain, County Durham, England, UK. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 17 July 1946, Annfield Plain, County Durham, England, UK - **Active:** 1971–present - **Also known as:** Alan Armstrong - **Frequently works with:** [Stephen Sommers](https://film.one/person/stephen-sommers.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 15 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 86 (3), 1980s 68 (2), 1990s 74 (4), 2000s 59 (3), 2010s 76 (1), 2020s 70 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 66 to 61 across 9 titles - **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 3 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 7 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 9, Action 4, Crime 4, Action & Adventure 3, Fantasy 3, Mystery 3 - **Screen time:** 14 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $865m across 5 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alun_Armstrong, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q447933, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0035605/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2629 ## Streaming the US now - **Apple TV:** [*The Sweeney*](https://film.one/tv/the-sweeney.md) (84) - **BritBox:** [*Little Dorrit*](https://film.one/tv/little-dorrit.md) (76) - **Netflix:** [*The Choral*](https://film.one/film/the-choral.md) (57) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Krull*](https://film.one/film/krull.md) (54) - **Disney+:** [*Eragon*](https://film.one/film/eragon.md) (35) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Biography Alun Armstrong is an English character actor, born Alan Armstrong on 17 July 1946 in Annfield Plain, County Durham. He made his screen debut as Keith in the 1971 film *Get Carter* and appeared as Austin Donohue in the 1996 BBC series *Our Friends in the North*. Armstrong trained through Shakespeare productions at his grammar school and spent nine years with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He originated the role of Thénardier in the original West End production of *Les Misérables* and won an Olivier Award for the title role in *Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street*. On screen he has appeared in six Dickens adaptations and played the eccentric ex-detective Brian Lane in seven series of *New Tricks* (2003–2015). His other credits include supporting roles in *Braveheart* (1995), *Sleepy Hollow* (1999), *The Mummy Returns* (2001) and *Van Helsing* (2004). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, thenorthernecho.co.uk.* ## On Fi1m (15) - *The Choral* (2025), Fi1m 57, as Herbert Trickett — [page](https://film.one/film/the-choral.md) - *Sherwood* (2022), Fi1m 82, as Gary Jackson — [page](https://film.one/tv/sherwood.md) - *Penny Dreadful* (2014), Fi1m 76, as Vincent Brand — [page](https://film.one/tv/penny-dreadful.md) - *Little Dorrit* (2008), Fi1m 76, as Ephraim Flintwinch — [page](https://film.one/tv/little-dorrit.md) - *Eragon* (2006), Fi1m 35, as Uncle Garrow — [page](https://film.one/film/eragon.md) - *Bleak House* (2005), Fi1m 65, as Inspector Bucket — [page](https://film.one/tv/bleak-house.md) - *Sleepy Hollow* (1999), Fi1m 78, as High Constable — [page](https://film.one/film/sleepy-hollow.md) - *Our Friends in the North* (1996), Fi1m 88, as Austin Donohue — [page](https://film.one/tv/our-friends-in-the-north.md) - *Braveheart* (1995), Fi1m 68, as Mornay — [page](https://film.one/film/braveheart.md) - *Patriot Games* (1992), Fi1m 61, as Owens — [page](https://film.one/film/patriot-games.md) - *The Storyteller* (1988), Fi1m 82, as Troll (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-storyteller.md) - *Krull* (1983), Fi1m 54, as Torquil — [page](https://film.one/film/krull.md) - *The Sweeney* (1975), Fi1m 84, as Peter Jenner — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sweeney.md) - *Porridge* (1974), Fi1m 89, as Spraggon — [page](https://film.one/tv/porridge.md) - *Get Carter* (1971), Fi1m 86, as Keith — [page](https://film.one/film/get-carter.md) ## Complete filmography (157) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Choral* (2025), as Herbert Trickett — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/the-choral.md) - *After the Flood* (2024), series, as Alan Benson - *Tom Jones* (2023), series, as Squire Western - *Sherwood* (2022), series, as Gary Jackson — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/sherwood.md) - *The Nicky Nack* (2021), Actor - *Breeders* (2020), series, as Jim - *Breaking The Codes* (2020), Actor - *Year of the Rabbit* (2019), series, as Chief Inspector Hugh Wisbech - *Out of Innocence* (2019), as Detective Callaghan - *Possum* (2018), as Maurice - *Funny Cow* (2018), as Lenny - *Prime Suspect 1973* (2017), series, as Clifford Bentley - *Frontier* (2016), series, as Lord Benton - *Dark Angel* (2016), series, as George Stot - *Golden Years* (2016), as Sid - *Penny Dreadful* (2014), series, as Vincent Brand — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/penny-dreadful.md) - *The Hollow Crown* (2012), series, as Northumberland — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-hollow-crown.md) - *The Mystery of Edwin Drood* (2012), series, as Hiram Grewgious - *Les Misérables: 25th Anniversary in Concert* (2010), as Monsieur Thenardier (1985 Cast) - *A Passionate Woman* (2010), series, as Donald (1980s) - *Garrow's Law* (2009), series, as John Southouse - *Little Dorrit* (2008), series, as Ephraim Flintwinch — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/little-dorrit.md) - *Filth: The Mary Whitehouse Story* (2008), as Ernest Whitehouse - *The Dinner Party* (2007), as Jim - *Eragon* (2006), as Uncle Garrow — Fi1m 35, [page](https://film.one/film/eragon.md) - *The Girls Who Came to Stay* (2006), as Bob Jenkins - *Bleak House* (2005), series, as Inspector Bucket — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/bleak-house.md) - *Oliver Twist* (2005), as Magistrate Fang - *Millions* (2005), as Saint Peter - *When I'm Sixty-Four* (2004), as Jim - *Van Helsing: The London Assignment* (2004), as Cardinal Jinetta (voice) - *Van Helsing* (2004), as Cardinal Jinette - *New Tricks* (2004), series, as Brian Lane - *Carrie's War* (2004), as Mr. Samuel Evans - *Between The Sheets* (2003), series, as Peter Delany - *It's All About Love* (2003), as David - *Paradise Found* (2003), as Camille Pissarro - *Inquisition* (2002), as Martin - *Sparkhouse* (2002), series, as Richard Bolton - *Bedtime* (2001), series, as Neil Henshaw - *Strictly Sinatra* (2001), as Bill - *Score* (2001), as George - *Messiah* (2001), series, as DCI Charlie McIntyre - *The Mummy Returns* (2001), as Baltus Hafez - *Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years* (2001), series, as George Mole - *Proof of Life* (2000), as Wyatt - *Harrison's Flowers* (2000), as Samuel Brubeck - *This Is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper* (2000), series, as Asst. Chief Const. George Oldfield - *This Is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper* (2000), as Asst. Chief Const. George Oldfield - *David Copperfield* (1999), series, as Dan Peggotty - *Onegin* (1999), as Zaretsky - *Oliver Twist* (1999), series, as Mr. Fleming - *Sleepy Hollow* (1999), as High Constable — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/sleepy-hollow.md) - *G:MT Greenwich Mean Time* (1999), as Uncle Henry - *With or Without You* (1999), as Sammy - *Aristocrats* (1999), as Lord Holland - *In the Red* (1998), series, as DCI Frank Jefferson - *The Destruction of Troy and the Adventures of Odysseus* (1998), Actor - *Underworld* (1997), series, Actor - *The Saint* (1997), as Inspector Teal - *Brazen Hussies* (1996), as Jimmy Hardcastle - *Breaking the Code* (1996), as Mick Ross - *Witness Against Hitler* (1996), as Pastor Harold Poelchau - *Our Friends in the North* (1996), series, as Austin Donohue — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/our-friends-in-the-north.md) - *Sorry About Last Night* (1995), as Mickey - *Les Misérables: 10th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Albert Hall* (1995), as Monsieur Thénardier - *Braveheart* (1995), as Mornay — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/braveheart.md) - *An Awfully Big Adventure* (1995), as Uncle Vernon - *MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday* (1994), as Capshaw - *Doggin' Around* (1994), as Charlie Foster - *Black Beauty* (1994), as Reuben Smith - *Goggle Eyes* (1993), series, as Gerald 'Goggle Eyes' Faulkner - *The Tempest* (1993), as Caliban - *Shakespeare: The Animated Tales* (1992), series, as Caliban (voice) - *The Life and Times of Henry Pratt* (1992), series, as Uncle Teddy - *Blue Ice* (1992), as Osgood - *Patriot Games* (1992), as Owens — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/patriot-games.md) - *Split Second* (1992), as Thrasher - *Goodbye Cruel World* (1992), series, as Roy Grade - *London Kills Me* (1991), as John Stone - *Stanley and the Women* (1991), series, as Rufus Hilton - *Murder in Eden* (1991), series, as Sgt McGing - *American Friends* (1991), as Dr. Weeks - *The Widowmaker* (1990), as Dad - *Sticky Wickets* (1990), as Evans - *White Hunter, Black Heart* (1990), as Ralph Lockhart - *Looking After Number One* (1990), as Dick - *Nineteen96* (1989), as Det. Supt. Frank Burroughs - *Screen One* (1989), series, as Det Supt Frank Burroughs, Evans, Charlie Foster - *A Night on the Tyne* (1989), as Willy - *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Inspector Herbert - *The Jim Henson Hour* (1989), series, as The Troll (archive audio) - *That Summer of White Roses* (1989), as Zemba - *The Childeater* (1989), as Stefano - *Number 27* (1988), as Murray Lester - *The Storyteller: The True Bride* (1988), as Troll (Voice) - *The Storyteller* (1988), series, as Troll (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-storyteller.md) - *Married... with Children* (1987), series, as Trevor - *Inspector Morse* (1987), series, as Superintendent Holdsby — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inspector-morse.md) - *ScreenPlay* (1986), series, as Willy - *Billy the Kid and the Green Baize Vampire* (1985), as Maxwell Randall, The Green Baize Vampire - *A.D.* (1985), series, as Gamesmaster - *Number One* (1985), as Blackpool Police Sergeant - *The Caucasian Chalk Circle* (1985), as Singer - *The House* (1984), as Mr. Smeth - *Sharing Time* (1984), series, as Luke - *Krull* (1983), as Torquil — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/krull.md) - *Mr Moon's Last Case* (1983), as Narrator - *The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby* (1982), series, Actor - *The French Lieutenant's Woman* (1981), as Grimes - *Get Lost!* (1981), series, as Neville Keaton - *Fear of God* (1980), as Trahearne - *All Day on the Sands* (1979), Actor - *Measure for Measure* (1979), as Provost - *The BBC Television Shakespeare* (1978), series, as Provost - *Freedom of the Dig* (1978), as Quinn - *Liza* (1978), as Mikhalevich - *Armchair Thriller* (1978), series, as Trahearne - *Enemy at the Door* (1978), series, as Louis Mendoza - *Our Day Out* (1977), as Mr. Briggs - *Shooting the Chandelier* (1977), as Brodovich - *Premiere* (1977), series, as Quinn - *BBC2 Play of the Week* (1977), series, as Brodovich, Mikhalevich - *The Duellists* (1977), as Lieutenant Lacourbe - *A Sharp Intake of Breath* (1977), series, as Arthur Clegg, Terry, Jackson, Brian, Simon Wilson, Albert, Wilson, Jack Dyson, Alec, Frank Grant, Barry, Les Buckley - *Risking It* (1977), as Richard Clewes - *A Bridge Too Far* (1977), as Cpl. Davies - *Romance* (1977), series, as Weaver - *The New Avengers* (1976), series, as Private George Harris - *The Chester Mystery Plays* (1976), as Lightborne - *The Likely Lads* (1976), as Tommy - *The Stars Look Down* (1975), series, as Joe Gowlan - *The Sweeney* (1975), series, as Peter Jenner — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sweeney.md) - *Father Brown* (1974), series, as Joe - *Porridge* (1974), series, as Spraggon — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/porridge.md) - *Easy Go* (1974), as First docker - *Sporting Scenes* (1973), series, as Bernie - *Second City Firsts* (1973), series, as Ken - *Centre Play* (1973), series, as Richard Clewes - *The 14* (1973), as Tommy - *The Eyes Have It* (1973), as Mike - *Thriller* (1973), series, as Mike - *Armchair 30* (1973), series, as Glazier - *The Sex Victims* (1973), as George - *Only Make Believe* (1973), as Michael Biddle - *Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?* (1973), series, as Scaife - *Villains* (1972), series, as Terence 'Tel' Bolden - *New Scotland Yard* (1972), series, as Ray Davies - *Six Days of Justice* (1972), series, as P.C. Williamson - *Justice* (1971), series, as Bob Graham - *Get Carter* (1971), as Keith — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/get-carter.md) - *Great Performances* (1971), series, as Thénardier - *Play for Today* (1970), series, as 1st Docker, Mr Briggs - *BBC Play of the Month* (1965), series, as Lightborne - *Public Eye* (1965), series, as Vince Gregson - *My Little Eye*, as Dad - *The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole*, series, as Bert Baxter ## Gallery - ![Alun Armstrong](https://film.one/media/person/59642/gallery-b1fc1d6f9643.jpg) Alun Armstrong — Garry Knight, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Alun_Armstrong.jpg/1280px-Alun_Armstrong.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Alun Armstrong, English actor, filming New Tricks on location in St James's Park. (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/59642/gallery-dcdd609a0d30.jpg) Alun Armstrong, English actor, filming New Tricks on location in St James's Park. (2012) — Garry Knight, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Alun_Armstrong_%28cropped-J1%29.jpg/1280px-Alun_Armstrong_%28cropped-J1%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Alun Armstrong](https://film.one/media/person/59642/gallery-39d19215ddea.jpg) Alun Armstrong — Image via TMDB - ![Alun Armstrong](https://film.one/media/person/59642/gallery-9a092c32d0d3.jpg) Alun Armstrong — Image via TMDB --- © 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/alun-armstrong