---
name: "Richard Briers"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/richard-briers"
fi1m_id: "richard-briers"
imdb_id: "nm0001972"
tmdb_id: 29859
wikidata_id: "Q2734945"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "14 January 1934"
died: "17 February 2013"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-07T12:39:54.172637+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."
---

# Richard Briers

## Identity

Richard Briers

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/richard-briers
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** richard-briers
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001972
- **TMDB ID:** 29859
- **Wikidata ID:** Q2734945
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Briers, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2734945, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001972/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/29859

Actor. Born 14 January 1934 in Raynes Park, Surrey, England, UK. Died 17 February 2013.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 14 January 1934, Raynes Park, Surrey, England, UK
- **Died:** 17 February 2013
- **Active:** 1975–2006
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 12: 11 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Kenneth Branagh](https://film.one/person/kenneth-branagh.md), [Bob Larbey](https://film.one/person/bob-larbey.md), [John Esmonde](https://film.one/person/john-esmonde.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 83 (2), 1980s 84 (1), 1990s 74 (7), 2000s 77 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 71 to 62 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 8, Comedy 6, Adventure 2, Romance 2, Action & Adventure 1, Animation 1
- **Screen time:** 15 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $253m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Briers, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2734945, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001972/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/29859

## Streaming the US now

- **BritBox:** [*Mr. Bean*](https://film.one/tv/mr-bean.md) (82)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Hamlet*](https://film.one/film/hamlet.md) (81)
- **HBO Max:** [*Watership Down*](https://film.one/film/watership-down.md) (81)
- **Pluto TV:** [*Much Ado About Nothing*](https://film.one/film/much-ado-about-nothing.md) (78)
- **Apple TV:** [*Peter's Friends*](https://film.one/film/peters-friends.md) (72)

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

## Fi1m on Richard Briers

> Richard Briers makes domestic fuss funny through quick, exact speech and an inviting warmth. We rate that comic skill highly, and his Shakespeare work with Kenneth Branagh gives good reason to look beyond the sitcoms.

In *Ever Decreasing Circles* (1984), Richard Briers makes Martin Bryce's domestic obsessiveness funny through the speed and clarity of his delivery. The words come quickly, but they remain easy to follow. As Tom Good, the suburban self-sufficiency enthusiast in *The Good Life* (1975), his charm matters as much as his precision. We rate him highly for making these busy comic characters enjoyable company without needing to slow them down.

The move into Shakespeare need not be treated as a correction to any of that. Joining Kenneth Branagh's Renaissance Theatre Company in the late 1980s led to screen collaborations, beginning with Bardolph in *Henry V* (1989) and later including Polonius in *Hamlet* (1996). His light-comedy reputation had narrowed perceptions of what he could do. The substantial classical parts gave audiences reason to reconsider, though speed, clarity and comic timing were already good reasons to take him seriously.

*Much Ado About Nothing* (1993), in which he plays Signor Leonato, is a useful place to make the connection. His casting makes sense in a film built around verbal sparring, where an actor's ease with language matters. We warmed to the romance because Emma Thompson and Branagh make the sparring lovers persuasive. The physical comedy is less reliable, and sometimes needs less encouragement from its director. There is enough pleasure in the exchanges to carry us through the broader jokes, but we would recommend this particular Branagh collaboration with a reservation about how hard it sometimes works to be funny.

His appearance as himself in *Brass Eye* (1997) belongs to a harsher sort of comedy. Chris Morris's television satire makes nonsense sound official through precise performances, and its jokes earn the discomfort, although the sustained aggression can wear us down. We recommend the programme with that caveat, but an appearance as himself is not where we would send someone to discover Briers's acting. Start with *The Good Life*, then try *Much Ado About Nothing*; there is no need to hurry past the sitcoms to get to the respectable work.

## Biography

Richard Briers (1934–2013) was an English actor whose career spanned television, stage, film and radio. He first gained prominence playing George Starling in the sitcom *Marriage Lines* (1961–66).

Briers became a household name as Tom Good in the BBC sitcom *The Good Life* (1975–78). He later starred as Martin Bryce in *Ever Decreasing Circles* (1984–89) and as Hector MacDonald in *Monarch of the Glen* (2000–05). He also narrated the animated series *Roobarb* (1974–76).

From the late 1980s he worked frequently with Kenneth Branagh, appearing in Shakespearean roles including Signor Leonato in *Much Ado About Nothing* (1993) and Polonius in *Hamlet* (1996). His film credits include *Mary Shelley's Frankenstein* (1994), *Spice World* (1997), *Peter Pan* (2003) as Smee, and voice work as Fiver in *Watership Down* (1978).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, watch.plex.tv.*

## On Fi1m (12)

### Performed in (11) — the average rests on these

- *Torchwood* (2006), Fi1m 73, as Parker — [page](https://film.one/tv/torchwood.md)
- *Extras* (2005), Fi1m 81, as Richard Briers — [page](https://film.one/tv/extras.md)
- *Spice World* (1997), Fi1m 62, as Bishop — [page](https://film.one/film/spice-world.md)
- *Hamlet* (1996), Fi1m 81, as Polonius — [page](https://film.one/film/hamlet.md)
- *Mary Shelley's Frankenstein* (1994), Fi1m 54, as Grandfather — [page](https://film.one/film/mary-shelleys-frankenstein.md)
- *Much Ado About Nothing* (1993), Fi1m 78, as Signor Leonato — [page](https://film.one/film/much-ado-about-nothing.md)
- *Peter's Friends* (1992), Fi1m 72, as Lord Morton — [page](https://film.one/film/peters-friends.md)
- *Mr. Bean* (1990), Fi1m 82, as Mr. Sprout — [page](https://film.one/tv/mr-bean.md)
- *Henry V* (1989), Fi1m 84, as Lieutenant Bardolph — [page](https://film.one/film/henry-v.md)
- *Watership Down* (1978), Fi1m 81, as Fiver (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/watership-down.md)
- *The Good Life* (1975), Fi1m 85, as Tom Good — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-life.md)

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

- *Brass Eye* (1997), Fi1m 86, as Self — [page](https://film.one/tv/brass-eye.md)

## Complete filmography (116)

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

- *The Good Life: Inside Out* (2025), Actor
- *The Good Life: Secret & Scandals* (2022), as (archive footage)
- *Roobarb and Custard: The Complete Collection* (2017), as Narrator, Roobarb, Custard / lot of characters. (uncredited)
- *British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves* (2016), as Acting Role (archive footage) (uncredited)
- *Mouse and Mole at Christmas Time* (2013), as Mouse (voice)
- *Cockneys vs Zombies* (2012), as Hamish
- *Run For Your Wife* (2012), as Newspaper Seller
- *Horror on the High Rise* (2011), Actor
- *All About The Good Life* (2010), Actor
- *National Theatre Live: London Assurance* (2010), as Mr. Adolphus Spanker
- *Peter Kay's Animated All Star Band: The Official BBC Children in Need Medley* (2009), as Roobarb/Custard (voice)
- *A Bucket O' French and Saunders* (2007), series, Actor
- *Kingdom* (2007), series, as Jim Wright
- *Torchwood* (2006), series, as Parker — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/torchwood.md)
- *As You Like It* (2006), as Adam
- *My Appalling School Report* (2006), series, Actor
- *Our Hidden Lives* (2005), as Herbert Brush
- *Roobarb and Custard Too* (2005), series, as Narrator
- *Extras* (2005), series, as Richard Briers — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/extras.md)
- *Dad* (2005), as Larry James
- *Agatha Christie's Marple* (2004), series, as Wilson
- *New Tricks* (2004), series, as James Farlow
- *Peter Pan* (2003), as Sam "Smee" Smiegel
- *Comedy Connections* (2003), series, Actor
- *Bob the Builder: The Knights of Can-A-Lot* (2003), as Robert (voice)
- *Unconditional Love* (2002), as Barry Moore
- *Victoria & Albert* (2001), as Joseph Paxton
- *Love's Labour's Lost* (2000), as Sir Nathaniel
- *Monarch of the Glen* (2000), series, as Hector MacDonald
- *The Nearly Complete and Utter History of Everything* (2000), series, Actor
- *Watership Down* (1999), series, as Captain Broom (voice)
- *The Student Prince* (1998), as Dr. Corbitt
- *Geoff Hamilton: a Man and His Garden* (1998), series, as Narrator
- *A Respectable Trade* (1998), series, as Sir Charles Fairley
- *Spice World* (1997), as Bishop — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/spice-world.md)
- *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Stephen Wentworth — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md)
- *Hamlet* (1996), as Polonius — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/hamlet.md)
- *The Adventures of Toad* (1996), as Rat
- *Heavy Weather* (1995), as The Hon. Galahad Threepwood
- *The Adventures of Mole* (1995), as Rat
- *In the Bleak Midwinter* (1995), as Henry
- *Down to Earth* (1995), series, as Tony Fairfax
- *Mole's Christmas* (1994), as Rat
- *Mary Shelley's Frankenstein* (1994), as Grandfather — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/mary-shelleys-frankenstein.md)
- *Skallagrigg* (1994), as Old Arthur/George
- *Frances the Firefly* (1994), as Narrator (voice)
- *If You See God, Tell Him* (1993), series, as Godfrey Spry
- *Much Ado About Nothing* (1993), as Signor Leonato — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/much-ado-about-nothing.md)
- *Peter's Friends* (1992), as Lord Morton — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/peters-friends.md)
- *Swan Song* (1992), as Nikita
- *Mr. Bean* (1990), series, as Mr. Sprout — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/mr-bean.md)
- *Henry V* (1989), as Lieutenant Bardolph — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/henry-v.md)
- *A Chorus of Disapproval* (1989), as Ted Washbrook
- *Twelfth Night, or What You Will* (1988), as Malvolio
- *Children's Favourites - Volume 1* (1988), as Alias (voice)
- *Doctor Who: Paradise Towers* (1987), as The Chief Caretaker
- *Lovejoy* (1986), series, as Raymond Doncaster
- *All in Good Faith* (1985), series, as Reverend Philip Lambe
- *Alias the Jester* (1985), series, as Alias
- *A Month in the Country* (1985), as Arkady
- *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Old Arthur/George
- *Ever Decreasing Circles* (1984), series, Actor
- *The Aerodrome* (1983), as The Rector
- *Natural World* (1983), series, Actor
- *Arms and the Man* (1983), as Bluntschli
- *It's Your Move* (1982), as The Husband
- *Goodbye Mr Kent* (1982), series, as Travis Kent
- *P.Q. 17* (1981), as Jack Broome
- *Village Wooing* (1979), as A
- *Tales of the Unexpected* (1979), series, as Albert Dobson
- *Watership Down* (1978), as Fiver (voice) — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/watership-down.md)
- *The Other One* (1977), series, as Ralph Tanner
- *The Norman Conquests* (1977), series, as Reg
- *The Sunday Drama* (1977), series, as Dennis
- *The Galton & Simpson Playhouse* (1977), series, as Henry Fairlane
- *Our Flesh and Blood* (1977), as Mr. Smythe
- *Noah and Nelly in... SkylArk* (1976), series, Actor
- *One-Upmanship* (1976), series, as Stephen Potter
- *The Good Life* (1975), series, as Tom Good — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-life.md)
- *Noddy* (1975), series, as Narrator
- *Great* (1975), as Isambard Kingdom Brunel
- *The Four Musketeers* (1974), as Louis XIII (voice) (uncredited)
- *Roobarb* (1974), series, Actor
- *The Three Musketeers* (1973), as Louis XIII (voice)
- *Between the Wars* (1973), series, as Oswald Carstairs
- *Rentadick* (1972), as Miles Gannet
- *Tall Stories* (1971), series, Actor
- *Birds on the Wing* (1971), series, as Charles Jackson
- *Play for Today* (1970), series, as Mr. Smythe, Commander Jack Broome
- *Ben Travers Farces* (1970), series, as Charlie Tutt
- *From a Bird's Eye View* (1970), series, as George Lemon
- *All the Way Up* (1970), as Nigel Hadfield
- *Ooh La La!* (1968), series, Actor
- *ITV Playhouse* (1967), series, as A
- *Fathom* (1967), as Flight Lt. Timothy Webb
- *NBC Experiment in Television* (1967), series, as (voice)
- *BBC Play of the Month* (1965), series, as Sandy Tyrell
- *A Home of Your Own* (1964), as The Husband
- *Thursday Theatre* (1964), series, as David Prentice
- *Theatre 625* (1964), series, as David Prentice
- *The Bargee* (1964), as Tomkins
- *All in Good Time* (1964), as The Young Husband
- *Doctor Who* (1963), series, as Chief Caretaker — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who.md)
- *Doctor in Distress* (1963), as Medical Student (uncredited)
- *The Girl on the Boat* (1962), as Eustace Hignett
- *Brothers In Law* (1962), series, Actor
- *Faces of Jim* (1961), series, as John Frobisher · Lighthouse Assistant, Ricky Groin
- *A Matter of WHO* (1961), as Jamieson
- *Murder She Said* (1961), as 'Mrs Binster'
- *Marriage Lines* (1961), series, as George Starling
- *Bottoms Up!* (1960), as Colbourne
- *Girls at Sea* (1958), as 'Popeye' Lewis
- *Armchair Theatre* (1956), series, as Stanley Frelaine
- *Dixon of Dock Green* (1955), series, as Ken Tracey
- *Bird Bath*, series, as Narrator
- *Little Red Tractor Stories*, series, as Narrator (voice)

## Gallery

- ![Richard Briers as Tom Good in The Good Life (1975)](https://film.one/media/title/3930/still-9970f2fbf7df.jpg) Richard Briers as Tom Good in *The Good Life* (1975) — Image via TMDB
- ![Richard Briers](https://film.one/media/person/60324/gallery-5f515b475ed3.jpg) Richard Briers — The Yeti, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/Richard_Briers_Memorabilia_March_2009_crop.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Richard Briers at Memorabilia March 2009](https://film.one/media/person/60324/gallery-6714ed49aa4f.jpg) Richard Briers at Memorabilia March 2009 — The Yeti, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Richard_Briers_Memorabilia_March2009.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Richard Briers](https://film.one/media/person/60324/gallery-71c1b328f597.jpg) Richard Briers — Image via TMDB
- ![Richard Briers](https://film.one/media/person/60324/gallery-7b69acad7589.jpg) Richard Briers — Image via TMDB
- ![Richard Briers](https://film.one/media/person/60324/gallery-2f7d07257e54.jpg) Richard Briers — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 1998: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)

*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/richard-briers