--- name: "Tim Pigott-Smith" canonical: "https://film.one/person/tim-pigott-smith" fi1m_id: "tim-pigott-smith" imdb_id: "nm0683116" tmdb_id: 11276 wikidata_id: "Q1334710" roles: ["Actor"] born: "13 May 1946" died: "7 April 2017" reviewed_on_fi1m: 13 average_fi1m_score: 73 average_as: "actor" average_over: 13 updated: "2026-10-07T18:16:31.351005+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." --- # Tim Pigott-Smith ## Identity Tim Pigott-Smith - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/tim-pigott-smith - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** tim-pigott-smith - **IMDb ID:** nm0683116 - **TMDB ID:** 11276 - **Wikidata ID:** Q1334710 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Pigott-Smith, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1334710, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0683116/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11276 Actor. Born 13 May 1946 in Rugby, Warwickshire, England, UK. Died 7 April 2017. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 13 May 1946, Rugby, Warwickshire, England, UK - **Died:** 7 April 2017 - **Active:** 1981–2017 - **Also known as:** Tim Piggot-Smith, Tim Pigot-Smith, Tim Piggott Smith, 蒂姆·皮戈特-史密斯, Тим Пиготт-Смит, ტიმ პიგოდ-სმიტი, ტ. პიგოდსმიტი, Timothy Peter Pigott-Smith - **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 13 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 85 (1), 1990s 88 (1), 2000s 72 (6), 2010s 69 (5) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 70 to 64 across 9 titles - **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 2 of 9 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 8, Action 3, Adventure 3, Comedy 2, Crime 2, History 2 - **Screen time:** 16 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $2,128m across 7 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Pigott-Smith, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1334710, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0683116/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11276 ## Streaming the US now - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Jewel in the Crown*](https://film.one/tv/the-jewel-in-the-crown.md) (85), [*The Hour*](https://film.one/tv/the-hour.md) (70) - **Apple TV:** [*North & South*](https://film.one/tv/north-and-south.md) (83), [*Quantum of Solace*](https://film.one/film/quantum-of-solace.md) (58) - **Disney+:** [*The Remains of the Day*](https://film.one/film/the-remains-of-the-day.md) (88) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Tim Pigott-Smith > Tim Pigott-Smith played men with authority and something ugly underneath it, and he played them so exactly that the ugliness was never the whole story. Ronald Merrick in *The Jewel in the Crown* is the performance; almost everything after was cast in its shadow. Watch Ronald Merrick in *The Jewel in the Crown* (1984) take an insult. The face does almost nothing. The eyes hold a second longer than is comfortable, and you understand that the man is working out what the slight will cost him, and what it will cost the person who gave it. Pigott-Smith played authority, usually in uniform or in office, and he nearly always let something ugly show through it. What made him worth watching was that he never let the ugliness be the whole of the man. Merrick's cruelty is clear early on, and we found him unsettling because the performance kept pulling us back to the complicated person responsible for it, rather than letting us file him as a villain and relax. Over fourteen episodes he is the reason to keep going when the pace flags, and it does flag. He had come up through regional theatre and small television parts in the early 1970s, and the serial made him famous in a way he said he found uncomfortable. It also fixed him. In his own words: "Villains are always the best roles, but that meant that for months afterwards, all I got offered were absolute cads and bounders and really nasty pieces of work, as well as a lot of people who only had one arm." The stage was where he got away from that. He worked at the RSC and the National Theatre, with Peter Hall and Howard Davies among his directors, in Shakespeare and in new plays, and what people noticed there was precision and feeling arriving in layers, which is what Merrick has too. On screen the parts stayed supporting and the men stayed powerful. Thomas Benn in *The Remains of the Day* (1993). Richard Hale in *North & South* (2004), the father, in a story in which he had once played the son. Creedy in *V for Vendetta* (2006), a government official of the sinister kind, in a thriller we liked despite its speeches and in which our attention, like everyone's, went to Hugo Weaving. Lord Elms in *The Hour* (2011), a series that was well acted and about half the drama it meant to be. He is reliable in all of these. In none of them is he the reason to press play. The complaint about him, that he was asked to do the same thing again and again, is a complaint about casting rather than about the actor. When a part had room, as *King Charles III* (2014) did, first on stage and later filmed, it gave him a king who is neither cad nor bounder, and it was the role that finally got him talked about for something other than Merrick. If you know him only as the cold eye in the corner of a thriller, go back to 1984 and watch the whole face. The eye was what television kept asking for. It was the least of what he had. ## Biography Tim Pigott-Smith (13 May 1946 – 7 April 2017) was a British actor known for his work in film, television and theatre. Born in Rugby, Warwickshire, he studied at the University of Bristol, graduating in 1967, and trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He made his professional stage debut in 1969 with the Bristol Old Vic company. Pigott-Smith appeared in numerous films, including *The Remains of the Day* (1993) as Thomas Benn, *Gangs of New York* (2002), *Johnny English* (2003), *V for Vendetta* (2006), *Quantum of Solace* (2008) and *Alice in Wonderland* (2010). On television he was acclaimed for his leading role as Ronald Merrick in the 1984 series *The Jewel in the Crown*, for which he received a BAFTA Television Award for Best Actor. His stage credits included a Broadway debut as Dr Watson in the 1974 revival of *Sherlock Holmes* and the title role in *King Charles III* (2015–2016). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, theguardian.com, ibdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (13) - *King Charles III* (2017), Fi1m 73, as Charles — [page](https://film.one/film/king-charles-iii.md) - *The Great Train Robbery* (2013), Fi1m 73, as DS Maurice Ray — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-great-train-robbery-2013.md) - *Toast of London* (2013), Fi1m 80, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/toast-of-london.md) - *The Hour* (2011), Fi1m 70, as Lord Elms — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-hour.md) - *Alice in Wonderland* (2010), Fi1m 48, as Lord Ascot — [page](https://film.one/film/alice-in-wonderland-2010.md) - *Quantum of Solace* (2008), Fi1m 58, as Foreign Secretary — [page](https://film.one/film/quantum-of-solace.md) - *V for Vendetta* (2006), Fi1m 73, as Creedy — [page](https://film.one/film/v-for-vendetta.md) - *North & South* (2004), Fi1m 83, as Richard Hale — [page](https://film.one/tv/north-and-south.md) - *Johnny English* (2003), Fi1m 60, as Pegasus — [page](https://film.one/film/johnny-english.md) - *Bloody Sunday* (2002), Fi1m 83, as Major General Ford — [page](https://film.one/film/bloody-sunday.md) - *Gangs of New York* (2002), Fi1m 74, as Calvinist Minister — [page](https://film.one/film/gangs-of-new-york.md) - *The Remains of the Day* (1993), Fi1m 88, as Thomas Benn — [page](https://film.one/film/the-remains-of-the-day.md) - *The Jewel in the Crown* (1984), Fi1m 85, as Ronald Merrick — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-jewel-in-the-crown.md) ## Complete filmography (122) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Little Vampire 3D* (2017), as Frederick Sackville-Bagg (voice) - *Red Trees* (2017), as Narrator - *Victoria & Abdul* (2017), as Sir Henry Ponsonby · In Memory Of - *6 Days* (2017), as William Whitelaw - *King Charles III* (2017), as Charles · In Memory Of — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/king-charles-iii.md) - *Decline and Fall* (2017), series, as Sniggs - *Whisky Galore* (2016), as Col. Woolsey - *The Gospel of Mark* (2015), as Narrator (voice) - *Jupiter Ascending* (2015), as Malidictes - *Beyond the Pale* (2014), as Commissioner Mayne - *Houdini* (2014), series, as William Melville - *37 Days* (2014), series, as Herbert Henry Asquith - *The Great Train Robbery* (2013), series, as DS Maurice Ray — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-great-train-robbery-2013.md) - *Toast of London* (2013), series, Actor — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/toast-of-london.md) - *RED 2* (2013), as Director Philips - *The Murder in Angel Lane* (2013), as Commissioner Mayne - *Wodehouse In Exile* (2013), as P.G. Wodehouse - *Doomsday: World War I* (2012), series, as Narrator - English Release - *The Bletchley Circle* (2012), series, as Colonel - *The Fall of Singapore: The Great Betrayal* (2012), as Narrator (voice) - *The Hour* (2011), series, as Lord Elms — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-hour.md) - *The Murder at Road Hill House* (2011), as Commissioner Mayne - *My Piece of the Pie* (2011), as Mr. Brown - *The Little House* (2010), series, as Frederick - *Downton Abbey* (2010), series, as Sir Philip Tapsell — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/tv/downton-abbey.md) - *Money* (2010), series, as Barry Self - *Strike Back* (2010), series, as Patrick Burton - *Alice in Wonderland* (2010), as Lord Ascot — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/alice-in-wonderland-2010.md) - *On Expenses* (2010), as Alan Keen - *Miranda* (2009), series, as Valery Jackford - *Aileen Wuornos: Angel of Death* (2009), as Narrator - *Quantum of Solace* (2008), as Foreign Secretary — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/quantum-of-solace.md) - *Holby Blue* (2007), series, Actor - *Lewis* (2007), series, as Jasper Hammond - *Crimes That Shook the World* (2006), series, Actor - *Flyboys* (2006), as Mr. Lowry - *L'Entente cordiale* (2006), as Superintendent Masterson - *Just Jade* (2006), series, Actor - *V for Vendetta* (2006), as Creedy — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/v-for-vendetta.md) - *The Man Who Broke Britain* (2004), as Narrator (voice) - *Alexander* (2004), as Omen Reader - *North & South* (2004), series, as Richard Hale — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/north-and-south.md) - *London* (2004), series, as John Evelyn - *The Other Side of Dunkirk* (2004), as Narrator - *The Private Life of Samuel Pepys* (2003), as Lord Shaftesbury - *Pompeii: The Last Day* (2003), as Pliny the Elder - *Eroica* (2003), as Count Dietrichstein - *The Day Britain Stopped* (2003), as Narrator (voice) - *Johnny English* (2003), as Pegasus — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/johnny-english.md) - *Gangs of New York* (2002), as Calvinist Minister — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/gangs-of-new-york.md) - *Foyle's War* (2002), series, as Brigadier Timothy Wilson — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/foyles-war.md) - *The Four Feathers* (2002), as General Feversham - *Spooks* (2002), series, as Hampton Wilder — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/spooks.md) - *Hanratty: The Whole Truth* (2002), as Narrator - *The Inspector Lynley Mysteries* (2002), series, as Phillip Weaver - *Bloody Sunday* (2002), as Major General Ford — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/bloody-sunday.md) - *Safe Conduct* (2002), as Fleming - *The Private Life of a Masterpiece* (2001), series, as Narrator - *Dr Terrible's House of Horrible* (2001), series, as Dr Maitland - *The Vice* (1999), series, as CI Frank Vickers, DS Frank Vickers - *Why Men Don't Iron* (1998), series, Creator - *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Matt Parkes — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md) - *Silent Witness* (1996), series, as John Briggs - *Goldeneye: The Secret Files* (1995), as Narrator - *Pride and Prejudice: From Page to Screen* (1995), as Narrator (voice) - *Ghosts* (1995), series, as Dr Evans / Mr Maradick - *Battlefield* (1994), series, as Narrator - *The Team: A Season With McLaren* (1993), series, as Narrator - *The Remains of the Day* (1993), as Thomas Benn — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-remains-of-the-day.md) - *The Bullion Boys* (1993), as Hubert - *Lucky Village* (1992), Actor - *The Chief* (1990), series, as Chief Constable John Stafford - *Screen One* (1989), series, as Hubert - *Agatha Christie's Poirot* (1989), series, as Dr. Lionel Woodward — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/agatha-christies-poirot.md) - *David Macaulay: Pyramid* (1989), as Djedefre / Scout (voice) - *The Case of Sherlock Holmes* (1987), as Presenter - Self - *Life Story* (1987), as Francis Crick - *The Gnostics* (1987), series, as Narration - *The Challenge* (1986), series, as Peter De Savary - *A State of Emergency* (1986), as Father Joe Ryan - *Dead Man's Folly* (1986), as Sir Stubbs - *The Jewel in the Crown* (1984), series, as Ronald Merrick — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-jewel-in-the-crown.md) - *Struggle* (1983), series, as Steve Marsh - *Natural World* (1983), series, as Narrator - *Storyboard* (1983), series, as Fawkes - *Nature* (1982), series, as Narrator (voice) - *I Remember Nelson* (1982), series, as Capt. Thomas Hardy - *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* (1982), as Philippe - *Fame Is the Spur* (1982), series, as Hamer Shawcross - *40 Minutes* (1981), series, Actor - *Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years* (1981), series, as Brendan Bracken - *Escape to Victory* (1981), as Rose - *Clash of the Titans* (1981), as Thallo - *Richard's Things* (1980), as Peter - *'Tis Pity She's a Whore* (1980), as Vasques - *Hannah* (1980), series, as Mr. Samuel Blenkinsop - *Sweet William* (1980), as Gerald - *The Day Christ Died* (1980), as Tullius - *In Hiding* (1980), as Michael - *Henry IV Part 1* (1979), as Harry Percy, Hotspur - *No Mama No* (1979), as David - *Measure for Measure* (1979), as Angelo - *Danger UXB* (1979), series, as Harry Winthrop - *School Play* (1979), as Timothy Perkins - *The BBC Television Shakespeare* (1978), series, as Angelo - *The Lost Boys* (1978), series, as Arthur Llewelyn Davies - *The Lost Boys* (1978), as Arthur Llewelyn Davies - *BBC2 Play of the Week* (1977), series, as Arthur Llewelyn Davies - *A Choice of Evils* (1977), as Consul Vogel - *Joseph Andrews* (1977), as Cornet - *Wings* (1977), series, as Major Cashman - *Doctor Who: The Masque of Mandragora* (1976), as Marco - *Aces High* (1976), as Major Stoppard - *North and South* (1975), series, as Frederick Hale - *Antony and Cleopatra* (1975), as Proculeius - *Playhouse* (1974), series, as Timothy Perkins, Michael - *Doctor Who: The Claws of Axos* (1971), as Captain Harker - *Hamlet* (1970), as Laertes / First Player - *Play for Today* (1970), series, as Consul Vogel - *ITV Playhouse* (1967), series, as David - *Doctor Who* (1963), series, as Marco, Captain Harker — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who.md) - *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Philippe ## Awards ### Other awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 2016: 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/tim-pigott-smith