Brian Cox in Succession // HBO
Brian Cox in Succession // HBO

Great British Character Actors

To accompany our interview with Daniel Mays, we shine a spotlight on five British character actors who consistently steal the series.


Daniel Mays

Daniel Mays in The Long Shadow // ITV
Daniel Mays in The Long Shadow // ITV

This week’s Mr Feelgood cover star has earned a deserved reputation as one of Britain’s best character actors, bringing an impressive authenticity to every part he plays. Among Daniel Mays’ many notable TV roles include Sergeant Danny Waldron in the award-winning BBC crime procedural Line of Duty, and his latest turn as grieving husband Sydney Jackson in ITV miniseries The Long Shadow, a forensic seven-parter exploring the five-year manhunt for serial killer Peter Sutcliffe. The Essex-born actor’s movie credits include Atonement with director Joe Wright, The Adventures of Tintin helmed by Steven Spielberg, and 1917 with Sam Mendes. In our interview he describes what he’s learned from working with these legendary filmmakers.


Toby Jones

Toby Jones in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy // Focus Features
Toby Jones in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy // Focus Features

Toby Jones also appears in The Long Shadow as DCS Dennis Hoban, the detective who initially led the investigation into the Yorkshire Ripper’s killings. Across the last three decades, the Londoner has appeared in TV classics from Doctor Who to Sherlock. And his filmography makes for similarly impressive reading, with roles in more than 80 movies including The Hunger Games, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and as the voice of Dobby in the Harry Potter films.


Brian Cox

Brian Cox in Succession // HBO
Brian Cox in Succession // HBO

Thanks to his powerhouse performance as media mogul Logan Roy in the HBO series Succession, the whole world now knows about Brian Cox’s formidable talent. The Scotsman recently noted how the relative anonymity of a career spent primarily on stage, or as a character actor on TV and film, has been blown apart by the iconic role — turning him into a very reluctant superstar. But he remains a character actor at heart.


Imelda Staunton

Imelda Staunton in The Crown // Netflix
Imelda Staunton in The Crown // Netflix

Imelda Staunton embraces the label ‘character actor’, and believes that Brits’ theater background is what helps them stand out in a wide range of unusual and interesting roles. Staunton trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, before earning a series of awards for her work on stage. Among dozens of notable TV roles is her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown on Netflix. And a highlight of her film work was playing the title role in Mike Leigh’s 2004 film Vera Drake (alongside Daniel Mays) for which she earned an Oscar nomination.


Warwick Davis

Warwick Davis in Star Wars // Lucasfilm
Warwick Davis is in the top 20 highest-grossing supporting actors of all time, just above Jon Favreau and Dwayne Johnson. The Surrey-born star has enjoyed unforgettable roles in some of the biggest franchises in history — including two characters in the Harry Potter movies and 15 separate roles across the Star Wars universe. And his real-life son Harrison joined the Star Wars family by appearing as his iconic Ewok character Wicket’s son Pommet in The Rise of Skywalker in 2019.

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