---
name: "David Ryall"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/david-ryall"
fi1m_id: "david-ryall"
imdb_id: "nm0752379"
tmdb_id: 27822
wikidata_id: "Q2492063"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "5 January 1935"
died: "25 December 2014"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 78
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-07T16:33:04.295491+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 Ryall

## Identity

David Ryall

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/david-ryall
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** david-ryall
- **IMDb ID:** nm0752379
- **TMDB ID:** 27822
- **Wikidata ID:** Q2492063
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Ryall, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2492063, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0752379/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/27822

Actor. Born 5 January 1935 in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, England, UK. Died 25 December 2014.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 5 January 1935, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, England, UK
- **Died:** 25 December 2014
- **Active:** 1976–2014
- **Also known as:** David John Ryall
- **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 83 (1), 1980s 81 (2), 1990s 80 (1), 2000s 76 (4), 2010s 76 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 75 to 70 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 7, Comedy 4, Adventure 2, Crime 2, Fantasy 2, History 2
- **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,075m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Ryall, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2492063, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0752379/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/27822

## Streaming the US now

- **The Roku Channel:** [*The Village*](https://film.one/tv/the-village-2013.md) (78)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Outnumbered*](https://film.one/tv/outnumbered.md) (78)
- **Disney+:** [*Around the World in 80 Days*](https://film.one/film/around-the-world-in-80-days-2004.md) (56)

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

## Biography

David Ryall was an English stage, film and television actor. Born in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, he won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1962 and began his career in repertory theatre before joining the National Theatre Company in 1965.

He appeared in numerous television series, including as Mr Hall in *The Singing Detective* (1986), Billy Buzzle in *Bless Me, Father* (1978–1981), and Grandad Frank in *Outnumbered* (2007–2011). Film roles included George in *Truly Madly Deeply* (1990), the Man with Whores in *The Elephant Man* (1980), and Elphias Doge in *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1* (2010).

Ryall also had leading roles in *Lytton's Diary* and *Goodnight Sweetheart*, and appeared in adaptations such as *To Play the King* (1993). He remained active in theatre and screen work until his death in 2014.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, theguardian.com.*

## On Fi1m (11)

- *Mr. Turner* (2014), Fi1m 84, as Footman — [page](https://film.one/film/mr-turner.md)
- *The Village* (2013), Fi1m 78, as Old Bert Middleton — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-village-2013.md)
- *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1* (2010), Fi1m 67, as Elphias Doge — [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-1.md)
- *Outnumbered* (2007), Fi1m 78, as Granddad — [page](https://film.one/tv/outnumbered.md)
- *Around the World in 80 Days* (2004), Fi1m 56, as Lord Salisbury — [page](https://film.one/film/around-the-world-in-80-days-2004.md)
- *State of Play* (2003), Fi1m 88, as Bob Coutts — [page](https://film.one/tv/state-of-play.md)
- *Foyle's War* (2002), Fi1m 81, as Dr. Henderson — [page](https://film.one/tv/foyles-war.md)
- *Truly Madly Deeply* (1991), Fi1m 80, as George — [page](https://film.one/film/truly-madly-deeply.md)
- *Walter* (1982), Fi1m 78, as Mr. Richards — [page](https://film.one/film/walter.md)
- *The Elephant Man* (1980), Fi1m 84, as Man With Whores — [page](https://film.one/film/the-elephant-man.md)
- *The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin* (1976), Fi1m 83, as Welton Ormsby — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fall-and-rise-of-reginald-perrin.md)

## Complete filmography (129)

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

- *Mr. Turner* (2014), as Footman — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/mr-turner.md)
- *Automata* (2014), as Dominic Hawk
- *The Tractate Middoth* (2013), as Dr Thomas Rant
- *The Village* (2013), series, as Old Bert Middleton — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-village-2013.md)
- *Quartet* (2012), as Harry
- *Call the Midwife* (2012), series, as Tommy Mills — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/call-the-midwife.md)
- *The Broken Santa* (2011), as Frank Morrison
- *Trollied* (2011), series, Actor
- *Hysteria* (2011), as Judge
- *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1* (2010), as Elphias Doge — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-1.md)
- *The Robbers* (2009), as Frank Morrison
- *Crooked House* (2008), series, as Mr Paget
- *City of Ember* (2008), as Chief Builder
- *Bonekickers* (2008), series, Actor
- *Outnumbered* (2007), series, as Granddad — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/outnumbered.md)
- *Clapham Junction* (2007), as Vicar
- *The Worst Journey in the World* (2007), as Curator
- *Lewis* (2007), series, as Mr. Cooper
- *Pickles: The Dog Who Won the World Cup* (2006), as Meriweather
- *Le Grand Charles* (2006), series, as Winston Churchill
- *The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse* (2005), as Tom Tit
- *Around the World in 80 Days* (2004), as Lord Salisbury — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/around-the-world-in-80-days-2004.md)
- *New Tricks* (2004), series, as Jasper Urquhart
- *Looking for Victoria* (2003), series, as Henry James
- *Byron* (2003), as Sir Ralph Milbanke
- *State of Play* (2003), series, as Bob Coutts — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/state-of-play.md)
- *Blackball* (2003), as Giles Wilton
- *Lucky Jim* (2003), as Stanley
- *Byron* (2003), series, as Sir Ralph Milbanke
- *Two Men Went To War* (2002), as Winston Churchill
- *Foyle's War* (2002), series, as Dr. Henderson — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/foyles-war.md)
- *Ultimate Force* (2002), series, Actor
- *Unconditional Love* (2002), as Funeral Director
- *Bertie and Elizabeth* (2002), as Winston Churchill
- *The Cicerones* (2002), as Figure in Pulpit
- *In Deep* (2001), series, as Denver
- *Oliver Twist* (1999), series, as Mr. Fang, magistrate
- *Mad Cows* (1999), as Man outside Harrods
- *In the Red* (1998), series, as Max Parker
- *Plotlands* (1997), series, as Harry Crowley
- *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Bob Moss — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md)
- *Black Eyes* (1996), as Grandad
- *The Legacy of Reginald Perrin* (1996), series, as Welton Ormsby
- *Restoration* (1995), as Lord Bathurst
- *The Final Cut* (1995), series, as Sir Bruce Bullerby
- *Jake's Progress* (1995), series, as Alex Halliwell
- *Carrington* (1995), as Mayor
- *Mrs Hartley and the Growth Centre* (1995), as Dr Simmonds
- *Hamish Macbeth* (1995), series, as Paul Jeffreys
- *Milner* (1994), as Dave Stiles
- *Fatherland* (1994), as Administrator Kruger
- *Giorgino* (1994), as Professor Beaumont
- *Black Beauty* (1994), as Carriagemaker
- *Pie in the Sky* (1994), series, as Jack Bolland
- *Law and Disorder* (1994), series, Actor
- *The Entertainer* (1993), as Brother Bill
- *To Play the King* (1993), series, as Sir Bruce Bullerby
- *Goodnight Sweetheart* (1993), series, as Eric Elward
- *Justice* (1993), as englischer Minister
- *Peak Practice* (1993), series, as Ben Jones
- *Shuttlecock* (1993), as Pound
- *Witchcraft* (1992), series, as Oxford Librarian
- *A Touch of Frost* (1992), series, as Edward Cull — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/a-touch-of-frost.md)
- *The Borrowers* (1992), series, as Crampfurl
- *The Secret Agent* (1992), as Wurme
- *Running Late* (1992), as Wicks
- *Anglo Saxon Attitudes* (1992), series, as Frank Rammage
- *Revolver* (1992), as Aldo Testi
- *Heartbeat* (1992), series, as Howard Dufton
- *One Against the Wind* (1991), as Dumont, Mary's Lawyer
- *Performance* (1991), series, as Bill
- *The Men's Room* (1991), series, as Alan Pascoe
- *Truly Madly Deeply* (1991), as George — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/truly-madly-deeply.md)
- *Prime Suspect* (1991), series, as Oscar Bream — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/prime-suspect.md)
- *For the Greater Good* (1991), series, as Jack Brooke
- *The Russia House* (1990), as Colonial Type
- *The Saint: The Software Murders* (1990), as Teal
- *Who Bombed Birmingham?* (1990), as Dr. Frank Skuse
- *Perfect Scoundrels* (1990), series, as Vicar
- *The Chief* (1990), series, as Charlie Summers
- *The Woman in Black* (1989), as Sweetman
- *About Face* (1989), series, Actor
- *The Paradise Club* (1989), series, as Bishop Sykes
- *Nineteen96* (1989), as Sir Cyril Llewellyn
- *The Saint: The Brazilian Connection* (1989), as Teal
- *A Beginners Guide to Freud* (1989), as Charcot
- *Wilt* (1989), as Rev. Froude
- *South of the Border* (1988), series, as Trevor Mitchell
- *The River* (1988), series, as Colonel Danvers
- *Jack the Ripper* (1988), series, as Bowyer
- *The Return of Shelley* (1988), series, Actor
- *Starlings* (1988), as Mr James
- *The Modern World: Ten Great Writers* (1988), series, as Pastor Kroll
- *The Ruth Rendell Mysteries* (1987), series, as Bill
- *Inspector Morse* (1987), series, as Derek Whittaker — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inspector-morse.md)
- *The Singing Detective* (1986), series, as Mr Hall
- *Casualty* (1986), series, as Eddie Gash, Tom Harley, Dr. James Baker — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/casualty.md)
- *Lovejoy* (1986), series, as Sam Cavendish
- *Blake's 7: The Beginning* (1985), as Selman
- *Lytton's Diary* (1985), series, as Norman
- *The Bill* (1984), series, Actor
- *Spyship* (1983), series, Actor
- *Reilly: Ace of Spies* (1983), series, as Glass
- *Number 10* (1983), series, as Charles Fox
- *Fords on Water* (1983), as Mister Jack
- *Walter* (1982), as Mr. Richards — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/walter.md)
- *On the Line* (1982), series, as Charles Blanchard
- *Drake's Venture* (1980), as Sir Francis Wisingham
- *The Elephant Man* (1980), as Man With Whores — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-elephant-man.md)
- *'Tis Pity She's a Whore* (1980), as Richardetto
- *Dying Day* (1980), as Lane
- *Dreams of Leaving* (1980), as Drunk Journalist
- *Minder* (1979), series, as Ashley Brown — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/minder.md)
- *The Knowledge* (1979), as Titanic Walters
- *Bless Me Father* (1978), series, as Billy Buzzle
- *Enemy at the Door* (1978), series, as Capt. Tom Foster-Smythe, Captain Tom Foster-Smythe
- *Blake's 7* (1978), series, as Selman
- *Black Joy* (1977), as Butcher
- *The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin* (1976), series, as Welton Ormsby — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fall-and-rise-of-reginald-perrin.md)
- *The Legend of Robin Hood* (1975), series, as Abbot of Grantham
- *The Aweful Mr Goodall* (1974), series, as Dolman
- *The Fortunes of Nigel* (1974), series, as Chevalier de Beaujeu
- *The Pallisers* (1974), series, as Sextus Parker
- *Crown Court* (1972), series, as Magnus Benjamin
- *A Ghost Story for Christmas* (1971), series, as Rant
- *The Dance of Death* (1969), as Sentry
- *One Pair of Eyes* (1967), series, Actor
- *Much Ado About Nothing* (1967), as The Sexton
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Dumont

---
© 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-ryall