---
name: "Paterson Joseph"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/paterson-joseph"
fi1m_id: "paterson-joseph"
imdb_id: "nm0430667"
tmdb_id: 19868
wikidata_id: "Q3368696"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "22 June 1964"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 78
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-24T04:03:00.549163+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."
---

# Paterson Joseph

## Identity

Paterson Joseph

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/paterson-joseph
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** paterson-joseph
- **IMDb ID:** nm0430667
- **TMDB ID:** 19868
- **Wikidata ID:** Q3368696
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paterson_Joseph, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3368696, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0430667/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/19868

Actor. Born 22 June 1964 in London, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 22 June 1964, London, England, UK
- **Active:** 1992–present
- **Also known as:** Paterson Davis Joseph
- **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 80 (2), 2000s 78 (5), 2010s 84 (2), 2020s 69 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 68 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 7, Comedy 4, Crime 2, Adventure 1, Family 1, Fantasy 1
- **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $844m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paterson_Joseph, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3368696, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0430667/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/19868

## Coming up

- *On the Edge* (2027-05-06), as (voice)

## Streaming the US now

- **Peacock:** [*Vigil*](https://film.one/tv/vigil.md) (70)
- **Apple TV:** [*Wonka*](https://film.one/film/wonka.md) (68)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Beach*](https://film.one/film/the-beach.md) (55)

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

## Fi1m on Paterson Joseph

> Paterson Joseph is good at playing men who expect to be obeyed, especially when their confidence is questionable. We enjoy the relish he brings to authority, though *Wonka* shows how much even an enthusiastic villain needs the writing to help.

In *Wonka* (2023), Paterson Joseph’s Arthur Slugworth leads the chocolate cartel with relish. We enjoyed his enthusiasm for being objectionable; it was welcome in a film otherwise so determined to be kind. His speciality is the man who expects to be obeyed, and he can make that expectation funny without discarding the character’s authority. Slugworth is a useful example of what we like about Joseph, even if the film around him is too gentle to make full use of it.

His early film work includes Benbay in Jim Sheridan’s *In the Name of the Father* (1993) and Keaty in Danny Boyle’s *The Beach* (2000). We rate Sheridan’s drama highly, though Daniel Day-Lewis, Pete Postlethwaite and the difficult father-and-son relationship are the reasons to seek it out. Television gave Joseph more sustained prominence, notably as Alan Johnson in *Peep Show* (2003–2015). That confident, flawed boss makes clearer why Joseph is so often cast as the man in charge.

His television work also includes a lead role as Connor Mason in the time-travel series *Timeless* (2016). Joseph’s own description of his acting helps connect the comedy and drama: “The through-line in every character I play is the outward show of control versus the inward panic and scrambling.” That suits Johnson particularly well. His flaws make the certainty funny, and give Joseph more to play than a boss who merely issues instructions.

Paul King gives him a prominent film role in *Wonka*, but surrounds him with more sweetness than we can comfortably take. Joseph can enjoy leading the cartel, but cannot supply the missing Dahl bite on his own. Hugh Grant’s Oompa Loompa gets the strongest laughs, and King’s handsome film is worth considering for its supporting company rather than its mischief. For Joseph with more room to make authority look foolish, start with *Peep Show*.

## Biography

Paterson Joseph is a British actor. He trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art after earlier studies at Studio '68 of Theatre Arts. He began his professional career with the Royal Shakespeare Company in productions of *King Lear* and *Love's Labour's Lost* in 1990.

On television he is known for roles including Alan Johnson in the Channel 4 sitcom *Peep Show* (2003–2015), Connor Mason in *Timeless* (2016–2018) and Wayne Gilchrest in *The Leftovers* (2014–2015). Film roles include Keaty in *The Beach* (2000), Giroux in *Æon Flux* (2005) and Arthur Slugworth in *Wonka* (2023).

Joseph is also an author. His debut novel *The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho* (2022) won the Royal Society of Literature's Christopher Bland Prize. He was appointed Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University in 2022.

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

## On Fi1m (11)

- *Wonka* (2023), Fi1m 68, as Arthur Slugworth — [page](https://film.one/film/wonka.md)
- *Vigil* (2021), Fi1m 70, as Commander Newsome — [page](https://film.one/tv/vigil.md)
- *The Leftovers* (2014), Fi1m 87, as Wayne Gilchrest — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-leftovers.md)
- *The Hollow Crown* (2012), Fi1m 82, as Duke of York — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-hollow-crown.md)
- *That Mitchell and Webb Look* (2006), Fi1m 78, as Various Characters — [page](https://film.one/tv/that-mitchell-and-webb-look.md)
- *Green Wing* (2004), Fi1m 83, as Lyndon — [page](https://film.one/tv/green-wing.md)
- *Sex Traffic* (2004), Fi1m 84, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/sex-traffic.md)
- *Peep Show* (2003), Fi1m 88, as Alan Johnson — [page](https://film.one/tv/peep-show.md)
- *The Beach* (2000), Fi1m 55, as Keaty — [page](https://film.one/film/the-beach.md)
- *In the Name of the Father* (1993), Fi1m 83, as Benbay — [page](https://film.one/film/in-the-name-of-the-father.md)
- *A Touch of Frost* (1992), Fi1m 76, as Colin Stokes — [page](https://film.one/tv/a-touch-of-frost.md)

## Complete filmography (86)

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

- *On the Edge* (2027), as (voice)
- *They Will Kill You* (2026), as Ray — coming soon, [page](https://film.one/film/they-will-kill-you.md)
- *Odd Socks* (2025), as McGuin
- *Twilight of the Gods* (2024), series, as Loki (voice)
- *Wonka* (2023), as Arthur Slugworth — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/wonka.md)
- *Geronimo* (2023), as Doctor
- *The Velveteen Rabbit* (2023), as King (voice)
- *Boat Story* (2023), series, as Samuel Wells
- *Bet Your Bottom Dollar* (2023), as Victor
- *Daddy's Girl* (2022), as Saul
- *That Dirty Black Bag* (2022), series, as Thompson
- *Vigil* (2021), series, as Commander Newsome — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/vigil.md)
- *The Mosquito Coast* (2021), series, as Calaca (voice), Calaca
- *Avenue 5* (2020), series, as Harrison Ames
- *Since Yesterday* (2019), as Man
- *Rellik* (2017), series, as Isaac Taylor
- *Urban Myths* (2017), series, as Chuck D
- *Red Panda: World's Cutest Animal* (2017), as Narrator
- *Timeless* (2016), series, as Connor Mason
- *The Coopers vs The Rest* (2016), series, as Toby Cooper
- *You, Me and the Apocalypse* (2015), series, as General Arnold Gaines
- *Safe House* (2015), series, as DCI Mark Maxwell
- *Babylon* (2014), series, as Deputy Commissioner Charles Inglis
- *The Leftovers* (2014), series, as Wayne Gilchrest — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-leftovers.md)
- *Inside No. 9* (2014), series, as Pantalone, a Rogue — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inside-no-9.md)
- *The Hollow Crown* (2012), series, as Duke of York — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-hollow-crown.md)
- *Julius Caesar* (2012), as Brutus
- *Nordic Wild* (2011), series, as Narrator
- *Death in Paradise* (2011), series, as William
- *Case Histories* (2011), series, as Patrick Carter
- *Rules of Love* (2010), as Tyler
- *Blood And Oil* (2010), series, as Ed Daly
- *10 Minute Tales* (2009), series, as Paul
- *Boy Meets Girl* (2009), series, as Jay Metcalfe
- *The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency* (2009), series, as Cephas Buthelezi
- *Law & Order: UK* (2009), series, as Wes Layton
- *The Other Man* (2008), as Ralph
- *Survivors* (2008), series, as Greg Preston
- *The Fixer* (2008), series, Actor
- *Chop Socky Chooks* (2008), series, as Ko Joe
- *Jekyll* (2007), series, as Benjamin
- *That Mitchell and Webb Look* (2006), series, as Various Characters — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/that-mitchell-and-webb-look.md)
- *Mayo* (2006), series, as Dr. Rossi
- *Hyperdrive* (2006), series, as Space Marshall Clarke
- *Open Wide* (2005), as Neil
- *Æon Flux* (2005), as Giroux
- *Jericho* (2005), series, as Shorty
- *Doctor Who* (2005), series, as Rodrick — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who-2005.md)
- *Doctor Who Confidential* (2005), series, Actor
- *Sex Traffic* (2004), series, Actor — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/sex-traffic.md)
- *Green Wing* (2004), series, as Lyndon — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/green-wing.md)
- *The Baby Juice Express* (2004), as Sean Boetang
- *Hustle* (2004), series, as Dexter Gold
- *Elmina’s Kitchen* (2004), as Deli
- *Peep Show* (2003), series, as Alan Johnson — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/peep-show.md)
- *William and Mary* (2003), series, as Ruben
- *My Dad's the Prime Minister* (2003), series, Actor
- *Loving You* (2003), as Felix Fisher
- *Dead Ringers* (2002), series, as Micky Stone, Mickey Stone
- *Bodily Harm* (2002), series, as Undertaker
- *Rose and Maloney* (2002), series, as Harry Callaghan
- *Murphy's Law* (2001), series, as Dr Mark Maddison — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/murphys-law.md)
- *Greenfingers* (2001), as Jimmy
- *Waking the Dead* (2001), series, as Dermot Sullivan
- *The Long Run* (2001), as Gasa
- *Songs of Praise* (2001), series, Actor
- *The Beach* (2000), as Keaty — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/the-beach.md)
- *Cold Feet* (1998), series, as Suggs
- *Neverwhere* (1996), series, as Marquis de Carabas
- *Dalziel and Pascoe* (1996), series, as Mr Alisdair Collinson
- *Silent Witness* (1996), series, as Sergeant Terry Harding
- *Funky Black Shorts* (1994), series, as Ellis
- *In the Name of the Father* (1993), as Benbay — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/in-the-name-of-the-father.md)
- *Not Even God Is Wise Enough* (1993), as Busi
- *A Touch of Frost* (1992), series, as Colin Stokes — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/a-touch-of-frost.md)
- *Between the Lines* (1992), series, Actor
- *Bunch Of Five* (1992), series, as Compton
- *Soldier Soldier* (1991), series, as Fusilier Eddie Nelson
- *Streetwise* (1989), series, as Dave
- *South of the Border* (1988), series, as Julian Henry
- *Casualty* (1986), series, as Mark Grace — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/casualty.md)
- *ScreenPlay* (1986), series, as Busi
- *Candles*, as Man
- *The Roots Manœuvre*, Actor
- *152 Days*, Actor
- *Tomb Raider*, series, as Thomas Warner

## Gallery

- ![Paterson Joseph in Brooklyn (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/15070/gallery-861d19b3f3c9.png) Paterson Joseph in Brooklyn (2015) — Alex Lozupone, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/Lozupone-paterson-joseph.png/1280px-Lozupone-paterson-joseph.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Some passengers waiting at at St Pancras International. Actor Paterson Joseph is second from the left, reading his book. (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/15070/gallery-627489328ba7.jpg) Some passengers waiting at at St Pancras International. Actor Paterson Joseph is second from the left, reading his book. (2008) — Gerry Naughton, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Paterson_Joseph_full.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Paterson Joseph](https://film.one/media/person/15070/gallery-010964fd5fa6.jpg) Paterson Joseph — Image via TMDB
- ![Paterson Joseph](https://film.one/media/person/15070/gallery-50d03b5746c8.jpg) Paterson Joseph — Image via TMDB
- ![Paterson Joseph](https://film.one/media/person/15070/gallery-cedc399a1de3.jpg) Paterson Joseph — 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/paterson-joseph