---
name: "John Woodvine"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/john-woodvine"
fi1m_id: "john-woodvine"
imdb_id: "nm0940892"
tmdb_id: 14465
wikidata_id: "Q525541"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "21 July 1929"
died: "6 October 2025"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 5
average_fi1m_score: 82
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 4
updated: "2026-10-24T04:00:15.670191+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."
---

# John Woodvine

## Identity

John Woodvine

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/john-woodvine
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** john-woodvine
- **IMDb ID:** nm0940892
- **TMDB ID:** 14465
- **Wikidata ID:** Q525541
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Woodvine, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q525541, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0940892/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/14465

Actor. Born 21 July 1929 in Tyne Dock, South Shields, County Durham, England, UK. Died 6 October 2025.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 21 July 1929, Tyne Dock, South Shields, County Durham, England, UK
- **Died:** 6 October 2025
- **Active:** 1971–2007
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 5: 4 acting, 1 other
- **Average Fi1m score:** 82, as actor, over 4 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 70 (1), 1980s 84 (2), 1990s 84 (1), 2000s 75 (1)
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 3, Comedy 2, Crime 1, Fantasy 1, Horror 1, Romance 1
- **Screen time:** 3 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $37m across 2 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Woodvine, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q525541, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0940892/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/14465

## Streaming the US now

- **BritBox:** [*Persuasion*](https://film.one/film/persuasion.md) (84)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*An American Werewolf in London*](https://film.one/film/an-american-werewolf-in-london.md) (80)

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

## Fi1m on John Woodvine

> John Woodvine’s stillness and rich baritone made authority convincing without much fuss. We value the steadiness he brought to character parts, though the succession of officials can obscure how funny he could be.

Woodvine could stand still and sound as though he expected to be obeyed. The rich baritone and imposing physical presence made him a natural choice for authority figures, particularly the senior police officers who recur through his television work. We value the lack of fuss, though regular police roles in programmes including *Z-Cars* and *New Scotland Yard* leave a narrow impression of his abilities. It is worth looking past the job titles.

As Dr J.S. Hirsch in *An American Werewolf in London* (1981), he brings quiet authority to a film that has unpleasant demands to make of its audience. We winced at the effects, because John Landis makes the werewolf curse physically painful. Woodvine’s steadiness is useful in a horror-comedy: the actor need not announce how strange the circumstances are. The film leaves its romance short of attention, but its mixture of pain and dry humour works.

*Edge of Darkness* (1985) gives another reason to appreciate him: as Ross, he belongs to a cast given more to do than deliver urgent information. Martin Campbell allows the six-part thriller time to unsettle us, while Kennedy Martin’s writing makes its people matter. Bob Peck provides the painfully personal centre; Woodvine is one of the supporting actors who benefit from that attention to character. We recommend the series strongly, with a reservation about the writing’s occasional obscurity.

The stage work gives a useful corrective to all those officials. Woodvine joined the RSC in the 1970s and played Ralph Nickleby in its *The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby* (1980). His comic success as Falstaff in *The Henrys* (1987) is reason enough to look beyond the stern screen parts. For a first encounter, though, choose *An American Werewolf in London*, provided the effects are not about to spoil dinner.

## Biography

John Woodvine (1929–2025) was an English actor known for his work in theatre, film and television. Born in Tyne Dock, South Shields, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and began his career with the Old Vic and Bristol Old Vic companies before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company.

On television he played Chief Superintendent Ross in the 1985 series *Edge of Darkness*, the Marshal in the 1979 *Doctor Who* serial *The Armageddon Factor*, and the Archbishop of York in *The Crown* (2016). Film roles included Dr Hirsch in *An American Werewolf in London* (1981) and Trincant in *The Devils* (1971). He appeared in more than 70 stage productions, among them Ralph Nickleby in the RSC's *Nicholas Nickleby* and Falstaff in the Old Vic's *Henry IV* plays, for which he received a Laurence Olivier Award.

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

## On Fi1m (5)

### Performed in (4) — the average rests on these

- *Shameless* (2004), Fi1m 75, as Neville — [page](https://film.one/tv/shameless.md)
- *Persuasion* (1995), Fi1m 84, as Admiral Croft — [page](https://film.one/film/persuasion.md)
- *Edge of Darkness* (1985), Fi1m 88, as Ross — [page](https://film.one/tv/edge-of-darkness.md)
- *An American Werewolf in London* (1981), Fi1m 80, as Dr. J.S. Hirsch — [page](https://film.one/film/an-american-werewolf-in-london.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Darling* (1965), Fi1m 70, as Customs Officer (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/darling.md)

## Complete filmography (136)

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

- *Enys Men* (2023), as The Preacher
- *Decline and Fall* (2017), series, as Master of the College
- *The Crown* (2016), series, as Archbishop of York — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-crown.md)
- *The Lady with the Long Brown Hair* (2016), as The Voice
- *A Song for Jenny* (2015), as Father
- *The Musketeers* (2014), series, as Abbot
- *Hebburn* (2012), series, as Arthur
- *Vera* (2011), series, as Alan Kenworthy — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/vera.md)
- *Burke & Hare* (2010), as Lord Provost
- *Joe Maddison's War* (2010), as Father Connolly
- *On Expenses* (2010), as Lord
- *Hamlet* (2009), as Player King
- *Flick* (2008), as Dr Nickel
- *Never Better* (2008), series, Actor
- *Sold* (2007), series, Actor
- *The Midnight Drives* (2007), as Guesthouse Owner
- *The Trial of Tony Blair* (2007), as Judge
- *Miss Potter* (2006), as Sir Nigel
- *Vanity Fair* (2004), as Lord Bareacres
- *London* (2004), series, as Henry Moore
- *Shameless* (2004), series, as Neville — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/tv/shameless.md)
- *The Other Boleyn Girl* (2003), as Uncle Howard
- *The Secret* (2002), as Frank
- *The Secret* (2002), series, as Frank
- *The Falklands Play* (2002), as Adm. of the Fleet Sir Terence Lewin
- *Bob & Rose* (2001), series, as William Gossage
- *Hornblower: The Duchess and the Devil* (1999), as Sir Hugh Dalrymple
- *Verdict* (1998), series, as Judge Peregrine Horner
- *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Sir Harry Chatwyn, Commodore — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md)
- *Oliver's Travels* (1995), series, as Mr Gunn
- *Persuasion* (1995), as Admiral Croft — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/persuasion.md)
- *Crown Prosecutor* (1995), series, as Judge Mellor
- *Hilary* (1995), as Dad (voice)
- *Fatherland* (1994), as Luther
- *Finney* (1994), series, as Bobo Sr.
- *Faith* (1994), series, as Boss
- *Dragonworld* (1994), as Lester MacIntyre
- *A Pinch of Snuff* (1994), as Godfrey Blengdale
- *Romeo and Juliet* (1994), as Friar Lawrence
- *Harry* (1993), series, as Jack Crow
- *The Trial* (1993), as Herr Deimen
- *Peak Practice* (1993), series, as Jackie Brown
- *Leon the Pig Farmer* (1993), as Vitelli
- *Wuthering Heights* (1992), as Thomas Earnshaw
- *Civvies* (1992), series, as Judge
- *Little Richard Wrecked My Marriage* (1992), Actor
- *Heartbeat* (1992), series, as Frank Armstrong
- *Runaway Bay* (1992), series, as Mr Snotts
- *Pirate Prince* (1991), as Kreutzen
- *An Actor's Life for Me* (1991), series, as Frank
- *Performance* (1991), series, as Earl of Warwick
- *Incident in Judaea* (1991), Actor
- *Spender* (1991), series, as Berry
- *The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship* (1990), as The Chamberlain / Father (voice)
- *Who Bombed Birmingham?* (1990), as Tom Clarke
- *The Chief* (1990), series, as Terence Oglivy
- *Danny the Champion of the World* (1989), as Tallon
- *A Tale of Two Cities* (1989), series, as Attorney General
- *And a Nightingale Sang* (1989), as George
- *Duke Bluebeard's Castle* (1989), as Speaker of the Prologue (voice)
- *Countdown to War* (1989), as Joachim von Ribbentrop
- *The Dog It Was That Died* (1989), as Dr. Seddon
- *The Black and Blue Lamp* (1988), as Supt. Hammond
- *Glory Enough For All* (1988), as Dr. John MacLeod
- *Chelmsford 123* (1988), series, as Psychiatrist
- *The Modern World: Ten Great Writers* (1988), series, as Ruggio Ruggeri / Henry IV / Leone
- *The New Statesman* (1987), series, as Sir Malachi Jellicoe
- *Knights of God* (1987), series, as Prior Mordrin
- *Rockliffe's Babies* (1987), series, as DCS Gardner
- *Casualty* (1986), series, as Reg Macready, Jack Hetherington — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/casualty.md)
- *The Marlowe Inquest* (1986), as William Danby
- *ScreenPlay* (1986), series, as William Danby
- *Death Is Part of the Process* (1986), as Mr Norval
- *The Browning Version* (1985), as Dr. Frobisher
- *Edge of Darkness* (1985), series, as Ross — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/edge-of-darkness.md)
- *Deceptions* (1985), as Chief Inspector
- *Deceptions* (1985), series, as Chief Inspector
- *A Month in the Country* (1985), as Schaaf
- *Murder with Mirrors* (1985), as Christian Gilbranson
- *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Herr Deimen
- *Pericles, Prince of Tyre* (1984), as King Antiochus
- *The Prisoner of Zenda* (1984), series, as Colonel Sapt
- *The Tripods* (1984), series, as Meister West 468
- *Squaring the Circle* (1984), as Gierek
- *Swallows and Amazons Forever!* (1984), series, as P.C. Tedder
- *The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby* (1982), series, Actor
- *Spaghetti House* (1982), as Senior Officer
- *An American Werewolf in London* (1981), as Dr. J.S. Hirsch — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/an-american-werewolf-in-london.md)
- *Juliet Bravo* (1980), series, as John Lambert
- *Every Good Boy Deserves Favour* (1979), as Colonel
- *Doctor Who: The Armageddon Factor* (1979), as Marshal
- *Macbeth* (1979), as Banquo
- *Butterflies Don't Count* (1978), as Penitent
- *Return of the Saint* (1978), series, as Ray Dennis
- *Strangers* (1978), series, as Lazarov
- *Shadows* (1975), series, as Father
- *Assault on Agathon* (1975), as Matt Fenrek
- *Against the Crowd* (1975), series, as Sir Lionel Frobisher
- *Churchill's People* (1974), series, as Colonel John Hewson
- *An Unofficial Rose* (1974), series, Actor
- *Playhouse* (1974), series, as Colonel
- *The Baron: Mystery Island* (1972), as John Garvey
- *Young Winston* (1972), as Howard
- *New Scotland Yard* (1972), series, as CS John Kingdom
- *Man Failure* (1971), as Narrator (voice)
- *The Devils* (1971), as Louis Trincant
- *Elizabeth R* (1971), series, as Sir Francis Drake
- *Hamlet* (1970), as Claudius
- *Play for Today* (1970), series, as Penitent
- *Macbeth* (1970), as MacDuff
- *The Walking Stick* (1970), as Bertie Irons
- *Softly Softly: Task Force* (1969), series, as Det. Chief Supt. Allan
- *The Dustbinmen* (1969), series, as Bloody Delilah
- *Hadleigh* (1969), series, as Driberg
- *Who-Dun-It* (1969), series, as Col. Robert White
- *The Champions* (1968), series, as Lt. Kruger Haller
- *The Caesars* (1968), series, as Vitellius
- *The Further Adventures of the Musketeers* (1967), series, as Aramis
- *Turn Out the Lights* (1967), series, as Stefan
- *Softly, Softly* (1966), series, Actor
- *BBC Play of the Month* (1965), series, as Sebastian, MacDuff
- *Thirty-Minute Theatre* (1965), series, as Schweiler
- *Darling* (1965), as Customs Officer (uncredited) — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/darling.md)
- *The Wednesday Play* (1964), series, as Jackie
- *Theatre 625* (1964), series, as Gordon Follister
- *Doctor Who* (1963), series, as Marshal — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who.md)
- *Sergeant Cork* (1963), series, as Carlyon
- *The Saint* (1962), series, as Pilot
- *Man of the World* (1962), series, as Gioti
- *Z-Cars* (1962), series, as DI Alan Witty, Det. Insp. Witty
- *Ghost Squad* (1961), series, as Karl Eppler
- *The Avengers* (1961), series, as Seagrave — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-avengers-1961.md)
- *The Poet* (1960), as Catullo Ossiano
- *Danger Man* (1960), series, as Luigi
- *Armchair Theatre* (1956), series, as Fred Barrow
- *ITV Play of the Week* (1955), series, as Outsider

---
© 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/john-woodvine