---
name: "Steve Pemberton"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/steve-pemberton"
fi1m_id: "steve-pemberton"
imdb_id: "nm0671487"
tmdb_id: 28485
wikidata_id: "Q7613581"
roles: ["Actor","Writer","Director"]
born: "1 September 1967"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_fi1m_score: 77
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-07T19:31:10.349227+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."
---

# Steve Pemberton

## Identity

Steve Pemberton

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/steve-pemberton
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** steve-pemberton
- **IMDb ID:** nm0671487
- **TMDB ID:** 28485
- **Wikidata ID:** Q7613581
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Pemberton, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7613581, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0671487/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/28485

Actor and writer. Born 1 September 1967 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Writer, Director
- **Born:** 1 September 1967, Blackburn, Lancashire, England, UK
- **Active:** 1999–present
- **Also known as:** 史蒂文·彭伯顿, Steven James Pemberton, استیو پمبرتون
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 12: 11 acting, 1 directing
- **Frequently works with:** [India Brown](https://film.one/person/india-brown.md), [Mackenzie Crook](https://film.one/person/mackenzie-crook.md), [Thierry Wickens](https://film.one/person/thierry-wickens.md), [Reece Shearsmith](https://film.one/person/reece-shearsmith.md), [Rosie Cavaliero](https://film.one/person/rosie-cavaliero.md), [Steve Bendelack](https://film.one/person/steve-bendelack.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 77, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 84 (1), 2000s 66 (4), 2010s 84 (5), 2020s 79 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 71 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 6, Drama 5, Crime 2, Action & Adventure 1, Family 1, Kids 1
- **Screen time:** 4 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $255m across 2 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Pemberton, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7613581, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0671487/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/28485

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Worzel Gummidge*](https://film.one/tv/worzel-gummidge.md) (84), [*Benidorm*](https://film.one/tv/benidorm.md) (50)
- **Apple TV:** [*Happy Valley*](https://film.one/tv/happy-valley-2014.md) (88)
- **Paramount+:** [*Better Man*](https://film.one/film/better-man.md) (74)

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

## Fi1m on Steve Pemberton

> Steve Pemberton makes self-pity funny without making the men who indulge it any less unpleasant. We value his work with Reece Shearsmith most when the frightened people matter more than the surprise waiting at the end.

In *Happy Valley* (2014), Steve Pemberton's Kevin Weatherill wants money and is refused it by his boss. Pemberton plays his grievance as though nobody has ever suffered such unfair treatment. We squirmed at Kevin's self-pity, because Pemberton makes a man responsible for his own mess sound convinced that he deserves our sympathy. Sally Wainwright's crime drama puts his skill with aggrieved men to frightening use.

*The League of Gentlemen* (1999) has Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith and Mark Gatiss playing almost everyone in Royston Vasey, with Jeremy Dyson co-writing. Its frightening shopkeepers and other grotesques are funny, though the first two series return to familiar beats too often. The third series, in 2002, follows individual characters through the same week, and we prefer its colder, quieter storytelling. *Psychoville* (2009), co-created with Shearsmith, sits between those plotted half-hours and the anthology that followed.

*Inside No. 9* (2014) is their strongest work because the short, confined stories give them reasons to be precise about people. They act in almost every episode, often as men too pleased with themselves or too afraid to speak plainly. In the opener, Timothy West sitting in a wardrobe gives their writing enough human weight to make the cramped gathering work as drama. We value the unexpected sadness as much as the cruelty and the jokes. The weaker episodes spend so much effort preparing the final shot that the people become secondary.

In Michael Gracey's *Better Man* (2024), Pemberton's Peter loves his son but loves having an audience more. Joel Chang's narrow terraced family house, with its television in the corner, gives that frustrated appetite a useful setting. Pemberton makes both the affection and the selfishness convincing. The family scenes are among the film's strengths, even when the surrounding pop-biopic story becomes familiar and overlong.

*Worzel Gummidge* (2019) shows what happens when the part gives him too little to do. Mackenzie Crook gives Pemberton and Rosie Cavaliero, as the Braithwaites, kindness, chores and reaction shots, but scarcely a scene to themselves. We like the programme's gentleness; we also wish it had made more use of them. Start with *Inside No. 9*, but do not expect every surprise to be worth the wait.

## Biography

Steve Pemberton is a British actor, comedian, writer and director. Born on 1 September 1967 in Blackburn, Lancashire, he studied Theatre Arts at Bretton Hall College of Education, graduating in 1989.

He is best known as a co-creator, writer and performer in the sketch comedy series *The League of Gentlemen* (1999–2002 and later revivals), alongside Mark Gatiss, Reece Shearsmith and Jeremy Dyson. The group won the Perrier Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1997. Pemberton and Shearsmith later co-wrote and starred in the black comedy series *Psychoville* (2009–2011) and the anthology series *Inside No. 9* (2014–2024).

His film credits include *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* (2005), *Mr. Bean's Holiday* (2007) and *Better Man* (2024), in which he played Peter Williams. He has also appeared in television series such as *Doctor Who* (2005) and received a BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performance in 2019 for *Inside No. 9*.

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

## On Fi1m (12)

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

- *Better Man* (2024), Fi1m 74, as Peter — [page](https://film.one/film/better-man.md)
- *Alma's Not Normal* (2020), Fi1m 84, as Uncle Dickie — [page](https://film.one/tv/almas-not-normal.md)
- *Worzel Gummidge* (2019), Fi1m 84, as Mr Braithwaite — [page](https://film.one/tv/worzel-gummidge.md)
- *Killing Eve* (2018), Fi1m 82, as Paul — [page](https://film.one/tv/killing-eve.md)
- *Happy Valley* (2014), Fi1m 88, as Kevin Weatherill — [page](https://film.one/tv/happy-valley-2014.md)
- *Toast of London* (2013), Fi1m 80, as Francis Bacon — [page](https://film.one/tv/toast-of-london.md)
- *Benidorm* (2007), Fi1m 50, as Mick — [page](https://film.one/tv/benidorm.md)
- *Mr. Bean's Holiday* (2007), Fi1m 63, as Vicar — [page](https://film.one/film/mr-beans-holiday.md)
- *Doctor Who* (2005), Fi1m 78, as Strackman Lux — [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who-2005.md)
- *Shameless* (2004), Fi1m 75, as Eddie — [page](https://film.one/tv/shameless.md)
- *The League of Gentlemen* (1999), Fi1m 84, as Various — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-league-of-gentlemen.md)

### Directed (1)

- *Inside No. 9* (2014), Fi1m 84, Writer, Director, Associate Producer, Creator — [page](https://film.one/tv/inside-no-9.md)

## Complete filmography (87)

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

- *Helpless* (2025), Thanks
- *The Hack* (2025), series, as Rupert Murdoch
- *Missing You* (2025), series, as Titus
- *Better Man* (2024), as Peter — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/better-man.md)
- *The Little Things* (2024), Executive Producer
- *Worzel Gummidge: Calliope Jane* (2021), as Mr Braithwaite
- *Worzel Gummidge: Twitchers* (2021), as Mr Braithwaite
- *The Cleaner* (2021), series, as Donald
- *Alma's Not Normal* (2020), series, as Uncle Dickie — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/almas-not-normal.md)
- *Worzel Gummidge* (2019), series, as Mr Braithwaite — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/worzel-gummidge.md)
- *Ladhood* (2019), series, as The Gardener
- *Brassic* (2019), series, as Mr King — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/brassic.md)
- *Good Omens* (2019), series, as Mr. Glozier
- *The Interrogation of Tony Martin* (2018), as Tony Martin
- *Take Rabbit* (2018), as Man
- *Killing Eve* (2018), series, as Paul — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/killing-eve.md)
- *Zanzibar* (2018), as Robert · Writer
- *The Riddle of the Sphinx* (2017), as Squires · Writer
- *Urban Myths* (2017), series, as Bill Grundy
- *The Devil of Christmas* (2016), as Producer
- *Camping* (2016), series, as Robin
- *Professor Branestawm Returns* (2015), as Professor Algebrain
- *The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge* (2015), as Mr Clarke · Associate Producer
- *The 12 Days of Christine* (2015), as Bobby · Associate Producer
- *La Couchette* (2015), as Jorg · Associate Producer
- *Mapp and Lucia* (2014), series, as Georgie Pillson · Writer
- *Happy Valley* (2014), series, as Kevin Weatherill — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/happy-valley-2014.md)
- *The Harrowing* (2014), Associate Producer
- *The Understudy* (2014), as Tony · Associate Producer
- *Last Gasp* (2014), as Graham · Script, Associate Producer
- *Tom & Gerri* (2014), as Migg · Associate Producer
- *A Quiet Night In* (2014), as Eddie · Writer, Associate Producer
- *Sardines* (2014), as Carl · Writer, Associate Producer
- *Inside No. 9* (2014), series, as Stan, The Doctor, Spencer Maguire, Attendant, Mick, Felix, Wilma, Kenny, Dickie, Jason, Len, Robert, Kenneth, Hugo, Adrian, Keith, Giles, Blake, Migg, Eddie, Carl, Graham, Tony, Bobby, Jorg, Oggy, Trevor, Peter, Andy, Willy Wando, Mr Clarke, David, Jim, Galen, PC Thompson, Nigel, Malcolm, Roger, Chr — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inside-no-9.md)
- *Toast of London* (2013), series, as Francis Bacon — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/toast-of-london.md)
- *Psychobitches* (2013), series, as Dian Fossey
- *Heading Out* (2013), series, as Jonathan Walters
- *Mr. Stink* (2012), as Sir Derek Dimble
- *Playhouse Presents* (2012), series, as Dian Fossey
- *National Theatre Live: She Stoops to Conquer* (2012), as Hardcastle
- *Death in Paradise* (2011), series, as Neil Henderson
- *Going Postal 2in1* (2011), as Drumknott
- *Psychoville Halloween Special* (2010), as Various · Writer
- *The First Men in the Moon* (2010), as Sun
- *Going Postal* (2010), series, as Drumknott
- *Psychoville* (2009), series, David Sowerbutts / Various Characters, Producer, Writer, Creator
- *Horrible Histories* (2009), series, Actor
- *Whitechapel* (2009), series, as Edward Buchan
- *Rocky Horror Tribute Show* (2008), as Narrator
- *The Old Curiosity Shop* (2007), as Mr. Short
- *I Could Never Be Your Woman* (2007), as Censor
- *Kingdom* (2007), series, as Jack Thriplow
- *Mr. Bean's Holiday* (2007), as Vicar — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/mr-beans-holiday.md)
- *The Bad Mother's Handbook* (2007), as Leo Fairbrother
- *Lewis* (2007), series, as Ian Tedman
- *Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!* (2007), series, as Eric's Drums
- *Benidorm* (2007), series, as Mick Garvey, Mick — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/tv/benidorm.md)
- *The League of Gentlemen Are Behind You* (2006), as Tubbs Tattsyrup / Pauline Campbell-Jones / Herr Lipp / Pop / Dave Parkes / Harvey Denton / Charlie Hull / Reenie Calver / Anne Hand / Barry Baggs / Mike Harris / Dr Carlton / Mary · Author
- *Hotel Babylon* (2006), series, as Mr. Daniels
- *Under The Greenwood Tree* (2005), as Mr. Shiner
- *Lassie* (2005), as Hynes
- *Match Point* (2005), as Detective Parry
- *Riot at the Rite* (2005), as Critic
- *The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse* (2005), Various Characters, Writer, Executive Producer
- *Friends Reunited* (2005), as Edward Netherton
- *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* (2005), as Mr. Prosser
- *Doctor Who* (2005), series, as Strackman Lux — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who-2005.md)
- *Agatha Christie's Marple* (2004), series, as Henry Wake
- *Churchill: The Hollywood Years* (2004), as Chester
- *Blackpool* (2004), series, as Adrian Marr
- *The Life and Death of Peter Sellers* (2004), as Harry Secombe
- *Shameless* (2004), series, as Eddie — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/tv/shameless.md)
- *Celebrity Mastermind* (2003), series, Actor
- *The Last Detective* (2003), series, Actor
- *Robbie the Reindeer: Legend of the Lost Tribe* (2002), as Viking (voice)
- *The League of Gentlemen: Live at Drury Lane* (2001), as various · Writer
- *Birthday Girl* (2001), as Duty sergeant
- *Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)* (2000), series, Actor
- *Gormenghast* (2000), series, as Professor Mule
- *The League of Gentlemen* (1999), series, as Various · Writer, Creator — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-league-of-gentlemen.md)
- *In the Red* (1998), series, as Lawrence Boot-Heath
- *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Timothy Benson — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md)
- *Mash and Peas* (1996), series, Actor
- *Alice in Russialand* (1995), as Various characters
- *Highgate House of Horror* (1995), as Woodall · Director
- *Agatha Christie's Poirot* (1989), series, as Dr Bessner — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/agatha-christies-poirot.md)
- *Cold Comfort*, series, as Multiple · Creator

## Gallery

- ![Steve Pemberton acting as Pauline during the filming of The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse on Station Road in Hadfield, Derbyshire, England in 2004 (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/10216/gallery-88f25f8ebcc9.jpg) Steve Pemberton acting as Pauline during the filming of The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse on Station Road in Hadfield, Derbyshire, England in 2004 (2010) — Howard Potts, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/Steve_Pemberton.jpg/1280px-Steve_Pemberton.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Steve Pemberton](https://film.one/media/person/10216/gallery-8e0539289128.jpg) Steve Pemberton — Spods, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Steve_Pemberton_BAFTA_Awards_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Steve Pemberton after winning the BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performance in 2019 (2020)](https://film.one/media/person/10216/gallery-170d15c65c85.jpg) Steve Pemberton after winning the BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performance in 2019 (2020) — Spods, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/Steve_Pemberton_BAFTA_Awards_.jpg/1280px-Steve_Pemberton_BAFTA_Awards_.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Snapshot of Steve Pemberton from the video I’ll Get This TX6 (first 8 mins) BBC2, uploaded to Vimeo by the director Marcus Liversedge on January 16, 2019.](https://film.one/media/person/10216/gallery-265666bc771d.png) Snapshot of Steve Pemberton from the video I’ll Get This TX6 (first 8 mins) BBC2, uploaded to Vimeo by the director Marcus Liversedge on January 16, 2019. — Marcus Liversedge, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Steve_Pemberton_from_I%27ll_Get_This.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Steve Pemberton](https://film.one/media/person/10216/gallery-e7a297ec11f1.jpg) Steve Pemberton — 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/steve-pemberton