---
name: "James Faulkner"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/james-faulkner"
fi1m_id: "james-faulkner"
imdb_id: "nm0269077"
tmdb_id: 9140
wikidata_id: "Q1343000"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "18 July 1948"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 8
average_fi1m_score: 74
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 8
updated: "2026-10-22T02:36:32.066478+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."
---

# James Faulkner

## Identity

James Faulkner

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/james-faulkner
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** james-faulkner
- **IMDb ID:** nm0269077
- **TMDB ID:** 9140
- **Wikidata ID:** Q1343000
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Faulkner_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1343000, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0269077/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9140

Actor. Born 18 July 1948 in Hampstead, London, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 18 July 1948, Hampstead, London, England, UK
- **Active:** 1976–present
- **Also known as:** James Sebastian Faulkner, 제임스 폴크너 
- **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 8 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 90 (1), 1980s 83 (1), 2000s 64 (3), 2020s 76 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 70 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 6, Comedy 3, Crime 3, Mystery 3, Romance 2, Thriller 2
- **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $651m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Faulkner_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1343000, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0269077/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9140

## Streaming the US now

- **Hulu:** [*Bridget Jones's Diary*](https://film.one/film/bridget-joness-diary.md) (80), [*Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason*](https://film.one/film/bridget-jones-the-edge-of-reason.md) (48)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*I, Claudius*](https://film.one/tv/i-claudius.md) (90)

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

## Fi1m on James Faulkner

> James Faulkner is persuasive when a period drama needs someone severe. We rate the intelligence he brings to supporting parts, though repeated casting as forbidding men can make his next appearance too easy to anticipate.

The deep voice is the first thing to register: Faulkner sounds well suited to giving orders. Period drama and fantasy have repeatedly used that authority, often casting him as someone strict or villainous. We value the intelligence he brings to such parts, but would like more opportunities to see him without the familiar severity. The casting has become rather easy to predict.

*I, Claudius* (1976), in which he plays Herod Agrippa, remains our first recommendation from his work. Derek Jacobi leads the cast, and the family drama's wit makes its cruelty more disturbing. Working within that ensemble gives a useful early reference point for a career largely spent in supporting parts. The sets have aged and some performances lean towards the stage; neither is a reason to pass it over.

His Uncle Geoffrey in Sharon Maguire's *Bridget Jones's Diary* (2001) supplies a comic supporting role in a career often associated with severity. The part continued across the Bridget Jones films through 2016, a reminder that his supporting work has not all been stern fathers and villains. We were unexpectedly touched by *Bridget Jones's Diary*, because Renée Zellweger makes its heroine worth caring about even when the screenplay insists on making her foolish. Our affection for the film rests chiefly with her and Hugh Grant's mischief; Uncle Geoffrey belongs to that company rather than being its principal attraction.

The later television parts make the casting pattern plainer: Pope Sixtus IV in *Da Vinci's Demons* (2013–2015), then Randyll Tarly in *Game of Thrones* (2016–2017). Tarly, a stern father, makes particularly direct use of Faulkner's ability to convey command. The title role in *Paul, Apostle of Christ* (2018) offered a departure from type and room for the more nuanced leading performance the supporting roles seldom require of him. We would welcome more parts that give him that room; he has done enough to establish that he can be forbidding.

## Biography

James Sebastian Faulkner is a British actor. Born on 18 July 1948 in Hampstead, London, he trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

He made his screen debut in the 1972 film *The Great Waltz*. Faulkner is known for his television roles as Herod Agrippa in *I, Claudius* (1976), Lord Sinderby in *Downton Abbey* (2014), Pope Sixtus IV in *Da Vinci's Demons* (2013–2015) and Randyll Tarly in *Game of Thrones* (2016–2017). Film credits include Uncle Geoffrey in the *Bridget Jones* series (2001–2016) and Saint Paul in *Paul, Apostle of Christ* (2018).

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

## On Fi1m (8)

- *A Talent for Murder* (2026), Fi1m 68, as Douglas Balfour — [page](https://film.one/film/a-talent-for-murder.md)
- *Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery* (2025), Fi1m 77, as Rev. Prentice Wicks — [page](https://film.one/film/wake-up-dead-man-a-knives-out-mystery.md)
- *Slow Horses* (2022), Fi1m 82, as Charles Partner — [page](https://film.one/tv/slow-horses.md)
- *The Good Shepherd* (2006), Fi1m 64, as Lord Cooper — [page](https://film.one/film/the-good-shepherd.md)
- *Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason* (2004), Fi1m 48, as Uncle Geoffrey — [page](https://film.one/film/bridget-jones-the-edge-of-reason.md)
- *Bridget Jones's Diary* (2001), Fi1m 80, as Uncle Geoffrey — [page](https://film.one/film/bridget-joness-diary.md)
- *Agatha Christie's Poirot* (1989), Fi1m 83, as Major Eustace — [page](https://film.one/tv/agatha-christies-poirot.md)
- *I, Claudius* (1976), Fi1m 90, as Herod Agrippa — [page](https://film.one/tv/i-claudius.md)

## Complete filmography (122)

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

- *A Talent for Murder* (2026), as Douglas Balfour — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/a-talent-for-murder.md)
- *Manipulation* (2026), as Archbishop
- *Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery* (2025), as Rev. Prentice Wicks — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/wake-up-dead-man-a-knives-out-mystery.md)
- *Hotel Costiera* (2025), series, as Aaron Tarsky
- *The Last Supper* (2025), as Caiaphas
- *Chief of Station* (2024), as Deputy Director Williams
- *Boudica* (2023), as Old Druid
- *Repeater* (2023), as Richard Silver
- *The Devil Conspiracy* (2023), as Cardinal Vincini
- *Jolly Good Christmas* (2022), as Simon
- *Hounded* (2022), as Remington Redwick
- *The Surgeon of the Rusty Knife* (2022), as Dr. Fritz
- *Slow Horses* (2022), series, as Charles Partner — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/slow-horses.md)
- *Never Back Down: Revolt* (2021), as Julian
- *All Those Small Things* (2021), as Jonathan Robbins
- *Tribes of Europa* (2021), series, as General Francis F. Cameron
- *Wizards: Tales of Arcadia* (2020), series, as King Arthur / Green Knight (voice)
- *As I Am* (2019), as Mr. Hurt
- *Watership Down* (2018), series, as Frith (voice)
- *The Sonata* (2018), as Sir Victor Ferdinand
- *Paul, Apostle of Christ* (2018), as Paul
- *The Alienist* (2018), series, as Cornelius Vanderbilt
- *Final Portrait* (2017), as Pierre Matisse
- *Atomic Blonde* (2017), as Chief "C"
- *Underworld: Blood Wars* (2016), as Cassius
- *Bridget Jones's Baby* (2016), as Uncle Geoffrey — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/bridget-joness-baby.md)
- *Death in Paradise* (2011), series, as Frank O'Toole
- *X-Men: First Class* (2011), as Swiss Bank Manager
- *Game of Thrones* (2011), series, as Randyll Tarly — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/game-of-thrones.md)
- *Downton Abbey* (2010), series, as Lord Sinderby — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/tv/downton-abbey.md)
- *Ben Hur* (2010), series, as Marcellus
- *Machotaildrop* (2009), as The Baron
- *The Three Investigators in The Secret of Terror Castle* (2009), as Victor Hugenay
- *Franklyn* (2008), as Pastor Bone
- *Der Bibelcode* (2008), series, as Kardinal Emad Rhades
- *The Bank Job* (2008), as Guy Singer
- *Hitman* (2007), as Smith Jamison
- *The Three Investigators in The Secret of Skeleton Island* (2007), as Bill/Victor Hugenay
- *The Good Shepherd* (2006), as Lord Cooper — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-good-shepherd.md)
- *The Conclave* (2006), as Cardinal Guillaume D'Estouteville
- *Day of Wrath* (2006), as Friar Anselmo
- *Colour Me Kubrick* (2005), as Oliver
- *Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason* (2004), as Uncle Geoffrey — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/bridget-jones-the-edge-of-reason.md)
- *Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London* (2004), as Kenworth
- *I Capture the Castle* (2003), as Aubrey Fox-Cotton
- *The Royal* (2003), series, as Sir Charles
- *The Piano Player* (2002), as Nicholas Farrel
- *The Wolf of the West Coast* (2002), as Lew Millar
- *Spooks* (2002), series, as Robert Westhouse — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/spooks.md)
- *Bridget Jones's Diary* (2001), as Uncle Geoffrey — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/bridget-joness-diary.md)
- *The Lost Empire* (2001), series, as Marcus Harding
- *Hell Swarm* (2000), as Albion
- *Relic Hunter* (1999), series, as Guy Rocher
- *All the Little Animals* (1999), as Mr. Stuart Whiteside
- *The Octopus* (1998), as Thomas
- *Vigo* (1998), as Dr. Gerard
- *The Commissioner* (1998), as Gordon Cartwright
- *Bloodlines: Legacy of a Lord* (1998), as John Aspinall
- *A Kid in Aladdin's Palace* (1997), as Luxor
- *La Femme Nikita* (1997), series, as Dominic/Inquisitor
- *Crimetime* (1996), as Crowley
- *Nuremberg* (1996), as Narrator
- *E=MC²* (1996), as Dr. Eric Amore
- *Hamish Macbeth* (1995), series, as Colonel Don Maxwell
- *The Trial of Lord Lucan* (1994), as Sir James Hallows
- *Wycliffe* (1994), series, as Steven Lander
- *Chandler & Co* (1994), series, as Giles Cotham
- *Pie in the Sky* (1994), series, as Ronald Quicke
- *The Blackheath Poisonings* (1993), series, as Roger Vandervent
- *The Blackheath Poisonings* (1992), as Roger Vandervent
- *A Touch of Frost* (1992), series, as Clifford Hastings — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/a-touch-of-frost.md)
- *Highlander: The Series* (1992), series, as Marcus Constantine
- *Carry On Columbus* (1992), as Torquemada
- *Covington Cross* (1992), series, as John Mullens
- *Heartbeat* (1992), series, as Ronald Meeks
- *The Maid* (1991), as Laurent Leclair
- *Napoleon* (1991), series, as Maitland
- *Devices and Desires* (1991), series, as Dr. Alex Mair
- *The Yellow Wallpaper* (1989), as Charles Stark
- *Agatha Christie's Poirot* (1989), series, as Major Eustace — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/agatha-christies-poirot.md)
- *Just Another Secret* (1989), as Markus Vogel
- *The Hound of the Baskervilles* (1988), as Stapleton
- *Catherine* (1988), as John Dunbar
- *The Bourne Identity* (1988), series, as D'Anjou
- *The Contract* (1988), series, as Charles Mawby
- *Still Crazy Like a Fox* (1987), as The Duke of Trent
- *Inspector Morse* (1987), series, as Basilios Vasilakis — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inspector-morse.md)
- *First Among Equals* (1986), series, as Simon Kerslake
- *Lovejoy* (1986), series, as Alfredo Pereira
- *Lace 2* (1985), as Charles Chazelle
- *Deceptions* (1985), as Richard Blackwell
- *Deceptions* (1985), series, as Richard Blackwell
- *The Bill* (1984), series, Actor
- *Real Life* (1984), as Robin
- *Sherlock Holmes* (1984), series, as Stapleton
- *Mr. Palfrey of Westminster* (1984), series, as Reisman
- *Eureka* (1983), as Roger
- *Muck and Brass* (1982), series, as Maurice Taylor
- *Zero Point* (1982), as Felix
- *Bergerac* (1981), series, as Anton Charet
- *Priest of Love* (1981), as Aldous Huxley
- *Peter and Paul* (1981), series, as Menachem
- *The Martian Chronicles* (1980), series, as Mr. K
- *Flashpoint Africa* (1980), as Ramon Funes
- *Minder* (1979), series, as Apsimon, Ted Moore — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/minder.md)
- *Zulu Dawn* (1979), as Lt. Melvill · Co-Producer
- *Tales of the Unexpected* (1979), series, as Patrick
- *Hazell* (1978), series, as Gordon Gregory
- *The Professionals* (1977), series, as Major Nairn
- *I, Claudius* (1976), series, as Herod Agrippa — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/i-claudius.md)
- *Albino* (1976), as Terrick
- *Conduct Unbecoming* (1975), as 2nd Lieutenant Edward Millington
- *Chips with Everything* (1975), as Pilot Officer
- *The Abdication* (1974), as Magnus
- *Great Expectations* (1974), as Bentley Drummle
- *Miss Nightingale* (1974), as Henry Nicholson
- *The Great Waltz* (1972), as Josef Strauss
- *Scene of the Crime* (1970), series, as Rupert Farr
- *Softly Softly: Task Force* (1969), series, as Clive Hornsby-Hyatt
- *Churchill and the Cabinet War Rooms*, Actor
- *The Mystery of the Giant Birds*, as Narrator
- *Uncle Douglas*, as Douglas Phillips

## Gallery

- ![James Faulkner on stage @ 2018's Glasgow Film and Comic Con](https://film.one/media/person/60724/gallery-e1ca79f669b5.jpg) James Faulkner on stage @ 2018's Glasgow Film and Comic Con — CelebHeights.com, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/James-faulkner-2018.jpg/1280px-James-faulkner-2018.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![James Faulkner @ German Comic Con Dortmund Limited Edition. Uploaded to Youtube by German Film & Comic Con under CC-BY-3.0 Unported license on July 29, 2021](https://film.one/media/person/60724/gallery-1e3f4397487b.jpg) James Faulkner @ German Comic Con Dortmund Limited Edition. Uploaded to Youtube by German Film & Comic Con under CC-BY-3.0 Unported license on July 29, 2021 — German Film & Comic Con, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/James_Faulkner_2021.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![James Faulkner](https://film.one/media/person/60724/gallery-181f8ad93c8d.jpg) James Faulkner — 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/james-faulkner