--- name: "David Bradley" canonical: "https://film.one/person/david-bradley-11180" fi1m_id: "david-bradley-11180" imdb_id: "nm0103195" tmdb_id: 11180 wikidata_id: "Q320073" roles: ["Actor"] born: "17 April 1942" reviewed_on_fi1m: 30 average_fi1m_score: 73 average_as: "actor" average_over: 30 updated: "2026-10-07T16:46:34.513821+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." --- # David Bradley ## Identity David Bradley - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/david-bradley-11180 - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** david-bradley-11180 - **IMDb ID:** nm0103195 - **TMDB ID:** 11180 - **Wikidata ID:** Q320073 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bradley_(English_actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320073, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0103195/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11180 Actor. Born 17 April 1942 in York, North Yorkshire, England, UK. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 17 April 1942, York, North Yorkshire, England, UK - **Active:** 1993–present - **Also known as:** David John Bradley - **Frequently works with:** [Guillermo del Toro](https://film.one/person/guillermo-del-toro.md), [Lesley Manville](https://film.one/person/lesley-manville.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 30 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 76 (4), 2000s 70 (15), 2010s 80 (6), 2020s 68 (5) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 72 to 71 across 20 titles - **Score spread:** 10 at 80+, 18 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 2 of 8 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 18, Adventure 10, Fantasy 9, Comedy 6, Crime 6, Action & Adventure 4 - **Screen time:** 33 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $7,275m across 11 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bradley_(English_actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320073, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0103195/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11180 ## Streaming the US now - **Netflix:** [*Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio*](https://film.one/film/guillermo-del-toros-pinocchio.md) (80), [*Frankenstein*](https://film.one/film/frankenstein.md) (74), [*Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget*](https://film.one/film/chicken-run-dawn-of-the-nugget.md) (64) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Another Year*](https://film.one/film/another-year.md) (87) - **The Roku Channel:** [*The Way We Live Now*](https://film.one/tv/the-way-we-live-now.md) (82) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on David Bradley > David Bradley makes difficult men funny without asking us to like them. We value his plain, patient acting most when there is room for the hurt or kindness that the familiar gruffness can conceal. In *Allelujah* (2023), David Bradley’s Joe Colman and his son, played by Russell Tovey, avoid each other’s eyes at a hospital bedside. We were moved by their inability to say much about all those years of silence. Heidi Thomas writes the conversation, and director Richard Eyre has the sense to hold the shot. Bradley makes Joe funny by treating his obstinacy as the last freedom left to him, without asking for our affection. The film goes badly wrong elsewhere; Bradley and Bally Gill are the reasons to persist. Bradley had spent two decades in supporting stage and television roles before Eddie Wells in *Our Friends in the North* (1996) brought him a substantial screen part and wider opportunities. We rate the series highly for the patience of its domestic scenes, though Peter Flannery sometimes rushes the public history. International recognition followed with Argus Filch in *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone* (2001), then Walder Frey in *Game of Thrones* (2011). The surly and malicious older men became familiar casting. It is easy to let that gruff voice stand for everything he does. His voice has a useful comic task in *Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget* (2023), where Fowler delivers the briefing at length. Fowler’s briefing is one job among the engineering, the equipment and the knitting, and Bradley belongs comfortably in that company. Editor Stephen Perkins keeps the break-in moving between the team inside and the team outside, and it is the strongest stretch of a mostly pleasant sequel. We would not choose it chiefly for Bradley, but his presence is welcome. *Frankenstein* (2025) gives him more room, and he uses it well. As the Blind Man, he plays plainly while editor Evan Schiff lets his scenes run, a welcome contrast with the fast, crowded cutting around Victor. The quieter work suits Bradley, and it also helps a film too often given to shouting at machinery. We would like more directors to give him that time; there is no need to keep asking him to be disagreeable. Begin with *Our Friends in the North* for the fuller evening; choose *Allelujah* when good acting can be enough. ## Biography David Bradley is an English actor. Born in York in 1942, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and began his career on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. He is known for playing Argus Filch in the Harry Potter films (2001–2011), Walder Frey in Game of Thrones (2011–2017), and for his voice role as Fowler in Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023). Other film credits include Hot Fuzz (2007), Allelujah (2023) as Joe Colman, and Frankenstein (2025) as the Blind Man. Bradley received a Laurence Olivier Award in 1991 for his supporting role in King Lear at the Royal National Theatre and a BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2014 for Broadchurch. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (30) - *Frankenstein* (2025), Fi1m 74, as Blind Man — [page](https://film.one/film/frankenstein.md) - *Allelujah* (2023), Fi1m 50, as Joe Colman — [page](https://film.one/film/allelujah.md) - *Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget* (2023), Fi1m 64, as Fowler (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/chicken-run-dawn-of-the-nugget.md) - *Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio* (2022), Fi1m 80, as Geppetto (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/guillermo-del-toros-pinocchio.md) - *Gangs of London* (2020), Fi1m 74, as Jim — [page](https://film.one/tv/gangs-of-london.md) - *An Adventure in Space and Time* (2013), Fi1m 80, as William Hartnell — [page](https://film.one/film/an-adventure-in-space-and-time.md) - *Broadchurch* (2013), Fi1m 81, as Jack Marshall — [page](https://film.one/tv/broadchurch.md) - *Captain America: The First Avenger* (2011), Fi1m 64, as Tower Keeper — [page](https://film.one/film/captain-america-the-first-avenger.md) - *Game of Thrones* (2011), Fi1m 82, as Walder Frey — [page](https://film.one/tv/game-of-thrones.md) - *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2* (2011), Fi1m 83, as Argus Filch — [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2.md) - *Another Year* (2010), Fi1m 87, as Ronnie — [page](https://film.one/film/another-year.md) - *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince* (2009), Fi1m 66, as Argus Filch — [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince.md) - *Ashes to Ashes* (2008), Fi1m 64, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/ashes-to-ashes.md) - *Benidorm* (2007), Fi1m 50, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/benidorm.md) - *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix* (2007), Fi1m 68, as Argus Filch — [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix.md) - *Hot Fuzz* (2007), Fi1m 84, as Arthur Webley — [page](https://film.one/film/hot-fuzz.md) - *The Tudors* (2007), Fi1m 65, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-tudors.md) - *Doctor Who* (2005), Fi1m 78, as Solomon — [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who-2005.md) - *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire* (2005), Fi1m 68, as Argus Filch — [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-goblet-of-fire.md) - *Ideal* (2005), Fi1m 71, as Stemroach — [page](https://film.one/tv/ideal.md) - *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* (2004), Fi1m 82, as Argus Filch — [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban.md) - *Charles II: The Power and The Passion* (2003), Fi1m 77, as Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey — [page](https://film.one/tv/charles-ii-the-power-and-the-passion.md) - *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets* (2002), Fi1m 65, as Argus Filch — [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets.md) - *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone* (2001), Fi1m 68, as Mr Filch — [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-philosophers-stone.md) - *Murphy's Law* (2001), Fi1m 63, as Hatcher, Snr. — [page](https://film.one/tv/murphys-law.md) - *The Way We Live Now* (2001), Fi1m 82, as Mr Broune — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-way-we-live-now.md) - *Vanity Fair* (1998), Fi1m 72, as Sir Pitt Crawley — [page](https://film.one/tv/vanity-fair.md) - *Our Friends in the North* (1996), Fi1m 88, as Eddie Wells — [page](https://film.one/tv/our-friends-in-the-north.md) - *Band of Gold* (1995), Fi1m 72, as Alf — [page](https://film.one/tv/band-of-gold.md) - *The Buddha of Suburbia* (1993), Fi1m 74, as Helen's Father — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-buddha-of-suburbia.md) ## Complete filmography (147) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Life Goes On* (2026), as Bill - *My Sister's Bones* (2026), as Ray - *Frankenstein* (2025), as Blind Man — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/frankenstein.md) - *A Night Like This* (2025), as John - *Coma* (2024), series, as Harry - *Good Grief* (2023), as Duncan - *Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget* (2023), as Fowler (voice) — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/chicken-run-dawn-of-the-nugget.md) - *Your Christmas or Mine 2* (2023), as Jack - *Allelujah* (2023), as Joe Colman — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/allelujah.md) - *Your Christmas or Mine?* (2022), as Jack - *Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio* (2022), as Geppetto (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/guillermo-del-toros-pinocchio.md) - *Catherine Called Birdy* (2022), as Lord Gideon Sidebottom - *Type* (2022), as Doctor (voice) - *The Responder* (2022), series, as Davey — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-responder.md) - *Jolt* (2021), as Gareth Fizel - *Roy* (2021), as Roy - *Mandy* (2020), series, as Frank - *Wizards: Tales of Arcadia* (2020), series, as Merlin (voice) - *Adventure Time: Distant Lands* (2020), series, as Old Finn (voice) - *Gangs of London* (2020), series, as Jim — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/gangs-of-london.md) - *After Life* (2019), series, as Tony's Dad, Ray - *Les Misérables* (2018), series, as Gillenormand - *Await Further Instructions* (2018), as Grandad - *Hang Ups* (2018), series, as Frank Ellerby - *Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time* (2017), as The Doctor (1) - *The Lodgers* (2017), as Bermingham - *Edmund the Magnificent* (2017), as Farmer - *Broadcast Signal Intrusion* (2016), as James' Father - *The Young Messiah* (2016), as Old Rabbi - *Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands* (2016), series, as Gorrik - *The Strain* (2014), series, as Professor Abraham Setrakian - *An Adventure in Space and Time* (2013), as William Hartnell — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/an-adventure-in-space-and-time.md) - *The World's End* (2013), as Basil - *Broadchurch* (2013), series, as Jack Marshall — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/broadchurch.md) - *World Without End* (2012), series, as Brother Joseph - *Bad Sugar* (2012), as Ralphfred Cauldwell - *Bad Education* (2012), series, as Ennis - *The Hollow Crown* (2012), series, as Gardener — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-hollow-crown.md) - *Prisoners' Wives* (2012), series, as Frank - *Eternal Law* (2012), series, Actor - *The Holding* (2011), as Cooper - *Captain America: The First Avenger* (2011), as Tower Keeper — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/captain-america-the-first-avenger.md) - *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2* (2011), as Argus Filch — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2.md) - *Game of Thrones* (2011), series, as Walder Frey — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/game-of-thrones.md) - *Silk* (2011), series, as LJ Reynolds — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/silk.md) - *Another Year* (2010), as Ronnie — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/another-year.md) - *The Color of Magic 2in1* (2010), as Barbar Cohan - *Five Daughters* (2010), series, as Patrick Palmer - *Harry Brown* (2009), as Leonard Attwell - *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince* (2009), as Argus Filch — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince.md) - *I Know You Know* (2009), as Mr Fisher - *The Daisy Chain* (2008), as Sean Cryan - *The Colour of Magic* (2008), series, as Cohen the Barbarian - *Ashes to Ashes* (2008), series, Actor — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/tv/ashes-to-ashes.md) - *The Color of Magic - Die Reise des Zauberers Teil 2* (2008), as Cohen the Barbarian - *The Sarah Jane Adventures* (2007), series, as Shansheeth Blue (voice) - *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix* (2007), as Argus Filch — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix.md) - *True Dare Kiss* (2007), series, as Stanley Tyler - *The Tudors* (2007), series, Actor — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-tudors.md) - *Hot Fuzz* (2007), as Arthur Webley — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/hot-fuzz.md) - *Benidorm* (2007), series, Actor — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/tv/benidorm.md) - *Sweeney Todd* (2006), as Sweeney's Father - *Lycanthropy* (2006), as Club Owner - *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire* (2005), as Argus Filch — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-goblet-of-fire.md) - *Criminal Minds* (2005), series, as Martin Sanz — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-minds.md) - *Red Mercury* (2005), as Neil Ashton - *Doctor Who* (2005), series, as Solomon — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who-2005.md) - *Mr Harvey Lights a Candle* (2005), as Archie - *Ideal* (2005), series, as Stemroach — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/ideal.md) - *Blackpool* (2004), series, Actor - *Exorcist: The Beginning* (2004), as Father Gionetti - *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* (2004), as Argus Filch — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban.md) - *New Tricks* (2004), series, Actor - *The Mayor of Casterbridge* (2003), series, as Councillor Vatt - *Celebrity Mastermind* (2003), series, Actor - *Charles II: The Power and The Passion* (2003), series, as Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/charles-ii-the-power-and-the-passion.md) - *Nicholas Nickleby* (2002), as Nigel Bray - *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets* (2002), as Argus Filch — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets.md) - *Wild West* (2002), series, as Old Jake - *The Intended* (2002), as The Priest - *This Is Not a Love Song* (2002), as Mr Bellamy - *Station Jim* (2001), as Elliot - *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone* (2001), as Mr Filch — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-philosophers-stone.md) - *The Way We Live Now* (2001), series, as Mr Broune — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-way-we-live-now.md) - *Murphy's Law* (2001), series, as Hatcher, Snr. — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/murphys-law.md) - *Altered Species* (2001), as Frank - *Shades* (2001), series, as Alan Roberts - *Gabriel & Me* (2001), as Grandad - *Waking the Dead* (2001), series, as George Barlow - *Blow Dry* (2001), as Noah - *The King Is Alive* (2000), as Henry - *Black Cab* (2000), series, as Gerald - *The Wilsons* (2000), series, Actor - *Doomwatch: Winter Angel* (1999), as Angel - *Tom's Midnight Garden* (1999), as Abel - *Vanity Fair* (1998), series, as Sir Pitt Crawley — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/vanity-fair.md) - *Reckless: The Sequel* (1998), as Arnold Springer - *Left Luggage* (1998), as Concierge - *Our Mutual Friend* (1998), series, as Roger 'Rogue' Riderhood - *In Your Dreams* (1997), as Tutor - *Kangaroo Palace* (1997), as Mr Macaleese - *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Tom — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md) - *The Moth* (1997), series, as Dave Waters - *Reckless* (1997), series, as Arnold Springer - *The Moth* (1997), as Dave Waters - *Kiss and Tell* (1996), as Superintendent Hines - *Cracker: White Ghost* (1996), as Frank Carter - *The Star* (1996), Actor - *Our Friends in the North* (1996), series, as Eddie Wells — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/our-friends-in-the-north.md) - *The Vet* (1995), series, as Dick Sims - *Bramwell* (1995), series, as Charles Matthews - *Band of Gold* (1995), series, as Alf — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/band-of-gold.md) - *Martin Chuzzlewit* (1994), series, as David Crimple - *Measure for Measure* (1994), as Barnadine - *Wycliffe* (1994), series, as Joe Mawnan - *Criminal* (1994), as Headmaster - *Fair Game* (1994), as Whitby Policeman - *The Buddha of Suburbia* (1993), series, as Helen's Father — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-buddha-of-suburbia.md) - *Full Stretch* (1993), series, Actor - *A Touch of Frost* (1992), series, as Les James — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/a-touch-of-frost.md) - *Between the Lines* (1992), series, Actor - *Bad Girl* (1992), as Mike Preach - *Performance* (1991), series, as Barnadine - *A Master of the Marionettes* (1989), as Harry - *Shadow of the Noose* (1989), series, as Edward Lawrence - *The Play on One* (1988), series, as Harry - *Prick Up Your Ears* (1987), as Undertaker - *Casualty* (1986), series, as Stanmore — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/casualty.md) - *King of the Ghetto* (1986), series, as Ralph - *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Headmaster - *Tartuffe, or The Imposter* (1983), as Cleante - *Findings on a Late Afternoon* (1981), as Barman - *Clapperclaw* (1981), as Wike - *The Union* (1981), as Communist speaker - *The Frisco Kid* (1979), as Julius Rosensheine - *Pickersgill People* (1978), series, as Hartley Hellawell - *The Professionals* (1977), series, as Tony Kristo - *Bill Brand* (1976), series, as Peter Malone - *Playhouse* (1974), series, as Wike, Barman - *Kisses at Fifty* (1973), as Policeman - *Another Sunday and Sweet F.A.* (1972), as Parker Street Goalie - *Play for Today* (1970), series, as Policeman, Communist Speaker - *Double Pisces, Scorpio Rising* (1970), Actor - *ITV Saturday Night Theatre* (1969), series, as Parker Street Goalie - *Nearest and Dearest* (1968), series, as Policeman - *Thirty-Minute Theatre* (1965), series, as The Evangelist - *Brothers*, as Nigel ## Gallery - ![David Bradley](https://film.one/media/person/7769/gallery-7aa09b5bdb82.jpg) David Bradley — Miguel Discart & Kiri Karma, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/David_Bradley_%2854514383222%29.jpg/1280px-David_Bradley_%2854514383222%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![David Bradley](https://film.one/media/person/7769/gallery-f749c8823102.jpg) David Bradley — Image via TMDB - ![David Bradley](https://film.one/media/person/7769/gallery-b2ad07683320.jpg) David Bradley — Image via TMDB - ![David Bradley](https://film.one/media/person/7769/gallery-c77a35475f16.jpg) David Bradley — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 2 won - Clarence Derwent Awards 1993: Clarence Derwent Awards (won) - Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role 1991: Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (won) *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/david-bradley-11180