---
name: "Ian McDiarmid"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/ian-mcdiarmid"
fi1m_id: "ian-mcdiarmid"
imdb_id: "nm0001519"
tmdb_id: 27762
wikidata_id: "Q315495"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "11 August 1944"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 10
average_fi1m_score: 70
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-10-07T13:44:50.419175+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."
---

# Ian McDiarmid

## Identity

Ian McDiarmid

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/ian-mcdiarmid
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** ian-mcdiarmid
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001519
- **TMDB ID:** 27762
- **Wikidata ID:** Q315495
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_McDiarmid, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q315495, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001519/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/27762

Actor. Born 11 August 1944 in Carnoustie, Tayside, Scotland, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 11 August 1944, Carnoustie, Tayside, Scotland, UK
- **Active:** 1983–2019
- **Also known as:** Иен Макдермид
- **Frequently works with:** [George Lucas](https://film.one/person/george-lucas.md), [Ewan McGregor](https://film.one/person/ewan-mcgregor.md), [Natalie Portman](https://film.one/person/natalie-portman.md), [Rick McCallum](https://film.one/person/rick-mccallum.md), [Hayden Christensen](https://film.one/person/hayden-christensen.md), [Samuel L. Jackson](https://film.one/person/samuel-l-jackson.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 70, as actor, over 10 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 80 (2), 1990s 65 (2), 2000s 69 (4), 2010s 66 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 66 to 63 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Action 5, Adventure 5, Science Fiction 5, Drama 4, Mystery 3, Action & Adventure 2
- **Screen time:** 13 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $4,399m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_McDiarmid, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q315495, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001519/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/27762

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Return of the Jedi*](https://film.one/film/return-of-the-jedi.md) (75), [*Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith*](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith.md) (67), [*Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones*](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones.md) (54), [*Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace*](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace.md) (52)
- **Apple TV:** [*Sleepy Hollow*](https://film.one/film/sleepy-hollow.md) (78), [*Charles II: The Power and The Passion*](https://film.one/tv/charles-ii-the-power-and-the-passion.md) (77)

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

## Fi1m on Ian McDiarmid

> Ian McDiarmid gives the Emperor a voice unpleasant enough to make earnest heroism convincing. We value his theatrical boldness, though the younger Palpatine's charm cannot make the stiff conversations in *The Phantom Menace* worth sitting through.

McDiarmid's Emperor sounds old and sepulchral in *Return of the Jedi* (1983), with little interest in making villainy attractive. We enjoyed the sheer unpleasantness of that voice: Mark Hamill's earnest Luke has someone worth being frightened of. Richard Marquand's film benefits from the contrast, with McDiarmid and Darth Vader giving it a stronger dramatic focus than the thin romance. John Williams's score gives Luke's danger emotional weight, so the acting need not do all the work. It is a good use of an extravagant performer, though the overindulged Ewoks still slow the evening down.

The leap from *Insignificance* (1982) to the Emperor makes sense when we consider McDiarmid's ability to play age. His performance as an older man on stage helped secure the film role. Shakespeare and contemporary theatre supplied much of his working life, alongside a long collaboration with Jonathan Kent at the Almeida. That background is worth remembering when the Emperor threatens to become his entire reputation.

*Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace* (1999) returns to the character as the younger Senator Palpatine. His outward charm gives McDiarmid a different way to hold our attention, and the contrast with the older Emperor is welcome. But George Lucas's film spends too much time explaining itself through stiff conversations, and a change of manner cannot solve that. There is less for an actor to do when the dialogue is so busy passing on information. We would not recommend the film for McDiarmid alone.

*Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith* (2005) gives greater scope to his ability to move between charm and outright malevolence. He can make courtesy convincing without losing his appetite for playing someone thoroughly nasty. The reservation is that so much of the film career returns to the same character, leaving fewer opportunities to see what else he can do on screen. Start with *Return of the Jedi*, where his Emperor has a convincing opponent in Hamill's Luke.

## Biography

Ian McDiarmid is a Scottish actor and director. Born on 11 August 1944 in Carnoustie, Scotland, he trained at the University of St Andrews and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He made his stage debut in 1972 and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1974, appearing in numerous Shakespeare productions and other plays.

He is best known for portraying Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious in the Star Wars franchise, including *Return of the Jedi* (1983), *Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace* (1999), *Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones* (2002), *Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith* (2005) and *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker* (2019). He has also appeared in films such as *Sleepy Hollow* (1999) and *The Lost City of Z* (2017), and on television in series including *Obi-Wan Kenobi* (2022).

McDiarmid has directed plays and served as joint artistic director of the Almeida Theatre in London from 1990 to 2001. He received an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a New Play for *Insignificance* (1982) and a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for *Faith Healer* (2006).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, unitedagents.co.uk.*

## On Fi1m (10)

- *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker* (2019), Fi1m 50, as Emperor Palpatine — [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker.md)
- *Utopia* (2013), Fi1m 83, as Anton — [page](https://film.one/tv/utopia.md)
- *Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith* (2005), Fi1m 67, as Chancellor Palpatine / Darth Sidious — [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith.md)
- *Charles II: The Power and The Passion* (2003), Fi1m 77, as Sir Edward Hyde — [page](https://film.one/tv/charles-ii-the-power-and-the-passion.md)
- *Spooks* (2002), Fi1m 77, as Prof. Fred Roberts — [page](https://film.one/tv/spooks.md)
- *Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones* (2002), Fi1m 54, as Chancellor Palpatine — [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones.md)
- *Sleepy Hollow* (1999), Fi1m 78, as Dr. Lancaster — [page](https://film.one/film/sleepy-hollow.md)
- *Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace* (1999), Fi1m 52, as Senator Palpatine — [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace.md)
- *Inspector Morse* (1987), Fi1m 84, as Hugo De Vries — [page](https://film.one/tv/inspector-morse.md)
- *Return of the Jedi* (1983), Fi1m 75, as The Emperor — [page](https://film.one/film/return-of-the-jedi.md)

## Complete filmography (56)

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

- *Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi* (2022), series, as Darth Sidious (voice)
- *Obi-Wan Kenobi* (2022), series, as Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious
- *Star Wars: The Bad Batch* (2021), series, as Darth Sidious / Emperor Palpatine (voice), Emperor Palpatine (voice)
- *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker* (2019), as Emperor Palpatine — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker.md)
- *Britannia* (2018), series, as King Pellenor
- *The Lost City of Z* (2017), as Sir George Goldie
- *Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal* (2015), as Emperor Palpatine (voice)
- *Star Wars Rebels* (2014), series, as Emperor Palpatine, Emperor Palpatine (voice)
- *37 Days* (2014), series, as Sir Edward Grey
- *Utopia* (2013), series, as Anton — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/utopia.md)
- *The Odds* (2009), Actor
- *Margaret* (2009), as Denis Thatcher
- *Star Wars: The Clone Wars* (2008), series, as Darth Sidious (voice) (archive sound)
- *City of Vice* (2008), series, as Henry Fielding
- *Our Hidden Lives* (2005), as B. Charles
- *Elizabeth I* (2005), series, as Lord Burghley
- *Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith* (2005), as Chancellor Palpatine / Darth Sidious — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith.md)
- *Star Wars: A Musical Journey* (2005), as Host
- *The Story of Star Wars* (2004), as Palpatine/The Emperor (archive footage)
- *Charles II: The Power and The Passion* (2003), series, as Sir Edward Hyde — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/charles-ii-the-power-and-the-passion.md)
- *Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones* (2002), as Chancellor Palpatine — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones.md)
- *Spooks* (2002), series, as Prof. Fred Roberts — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/spooks.md)
- *Crime and Punishment* (2002), as Porfiry
- *Crime and Punishment* (2002), series, as Porfiry
- *Sleepy Hollow* (1999), as Dr. Lancaster — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/sleepy-hollow.md)
- *All the King's Men* (1999), as Rev. Pierrepoint Edwards
- *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Demons of Deception* (1999), as Prof. Levi
- *Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace* (1999), as Senator Palpatine — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace.md)
- *Great Expectations* (1999), as Jaggers
- *Great Expectations* (1999), series, as Jaggers
- *An Unsuitable Job for a Woman* (1997), series, as Ronald Callender
- *Touching Evil* (1997), series, as Ronald Hinks
- *Hillsborough* (1996), as Doctor Popper, Coroner
- *Karaoke* (1996), series, as Oliver Morse
- *Restoration* (1995), as Ambrose
- *Annie: A Royal Adventure* (1995), as Dr. Eli Eon
- *Heart of Darkness* (1994), as Doctor
- *Chernobyl: The Final Warning* (1991), as Dr. Vatisenko
- *Dirty Rotten Scoundrels* (1988), as Arthur
- *The Modern World: Ten Great Writers* (1988), series, as Dostoevsky
- *Inspector Morse* (1987), series, as Hugo De Vries — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inspector-morse.md)
- *Pity in History* (1985), as Murgatroyd
- *Gorky Park* (1983), as Professor Andreev
- *The Nation's Health* (1983), series, as Dr Vernon Davis
- *Return of the Jedi* (1983), as The Emperor — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/return-of-the-jedi.md)
- *Last Night Another Dissident...* (1981), as Fedka
- *Dragonslayer* (1981), as Brother Jacopus
- *Richard's Things* (1980), as Burglar
- *Sir Henry at Rawlinson End* (1980), as Reg Smeeton
- *The Awakening* (1980), as Dr. Richter
- *Macbeth* (1979), as The Porter / Ross
- *The Professionals* (1977), series, as Mickey Hamilton
- *The Likely Lads* (1976), as Vicar
- *Amazing Stories* (1976), as Blade
- *Red Letter Day* (1976), series, as Blade Fern
- *ITV Playhouse* (1967), series, as Fedka

## Gallery

- ![Ian McDiarmid](https://film.one/media/person/89014/gallery-1b0b96c72dc3.jpg) Ian McDiarmid — Miguel Discart, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/Ian_McDiarmid_Brussels_Comic_Con_2020.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Scottish actor Ian McDiarmid at the Star Wars Celebration Europe, July 2013, Essen, Germany](https://film.one/media/person/89014/gallery-173369f29349.jpg) Scottish actor Ian McDiarmid at the Star Wars Celebration Europe, July 2013, Essen, Germany — Xanathon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/IanMcDiarmid.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Scottish actor Ian McDiarmid at the Star Wars Celebration Europe, July 2013, Essen, Germany](https://film.one/media/person/89014/gallery-cc6d9685161c.jpg) Scottish actor Ian McDiarmid at the Star Wars Celebration Europe, July 2013, Essen, Germany — Xanathon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/IanMcDiarmid_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Ian McDiarmid at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2024](https://film.one/media/person/89014/gallery-ac124a808ee5.jpg) Ian McDiarmid at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2024 — Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Ian_McDiarmid_%2853604137183%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Ian McDiarmid](https://film.one/media/person/89014/gallery-7953d7528a4b.jpg) Ian McDiarmid — Image via TMDB
- ![Ian McDiarmid](https://film.one/media/person/89014/gallery-78c6f41d5e94.jpg) Ian McDiarmid — Image via TMDB
- ![Ian McDiarmid](https://film.one/media/person/89014/gallery-62a5770e72bf.jpg) Ian McDiarmid — Image via TMDB
- ![Ian McDiarmid at GalaxyCon Richmond 2024](https://film.one/media/person/89014/gallery-ca9633ba3f99.jpg) Ian McDiarmid at GalaxyCon Richmond 2024 — Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Ian_McDiarmid_%2853604450304%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Ian McDiarmid at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2024](https://film.one/media/person/89014/gallery-7a658e16ee7d.jpg) Ian McDiarmid at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2024 — Pedro Heshike for Galaxy Con, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Ian_McDiarmid_%2853614482637%29.jpg/1280px-Ian_McDiarmid_%2853614482637%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ian McDiarmid](https://film.one/media/person/89014/gallery-2d5bc1c8ca19.jpg) Ian McDiarmid — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 3 won

- Theatre World Award 2006: Theatre World Award (won), for *Faith Healer*
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play 2006: Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play (won), for *Faith Healer*
- Laurence Olivier Awards 1982: Laurence Olivier Awards (won), for *Insignificance*

*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/ian-mcdiarmid