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William Ash

William Ash

Actor · Born January 13, 1977 (49) · Chadderton, Greater Manchester, England, UK

William Ash, (born 13 January 1977) is a British TV and film actor. His appearances include Mad About Mambo, Lilies, Burn It, All the King's Men, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Doctor Who and more recently Hush and Waterloo Road. He began his career in the ITV series Where the Heart Is. His stage credits include the premiere production of How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found with Sheffield Theatres. In 2009, Ash played the leading role of "Zakes Abbott" in the British horror film HUSH. Ash also has minor roles in programmes such as Coronation Street and has completed voice-over work for TV advertisements. He also appeared in Heartbeat back in 1992 where he played a cheeky school boy for one episode. He is currently playing Deputy Headteacher 'Chris Mead' in Waterloo Road. On 12th April 2011, Ash played a young Yuri Gagarin in the BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play; Titatium, broadcast in honour of the 50th anniversary of the first manned flight into space. He prefers to be known as "Will". His second cousin is Peter Ash, who is also an actor.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 13, 1977 (49)
From
Chadderton, Greater Manchester, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
30 on MovieCove · 58 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 64 days to Oct 27Up 39% in 30 days

What are William Ash's films like?

Across their 12 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Survival.

Genres

Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 40th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 32nd percentile
: browse their Horror movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
30%
Survival
27%
Morality
25%
Self
9%
Power
5%
Society
5%
Family bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma2 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 9 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 3 · Serious 2 · Dark 4

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 8 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 6 · Intense 2

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 4 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 4 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 5 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 6 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 6
Hero
1 of 6
Mentor
1 of 6
Threshold guardian
1 of 6
Shadow
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
9
Dread
6
Warm
3
Melancholic
5
Joyful
2
Other
6

How their films linger

Unsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet3
  • Ambiguous6

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch William Ash's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 24 of their 30 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for William Ash's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

58 credits, 30 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Significant Other (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul

  • The Rising(2022)

    Show 8 episodes · as Michael Wyatt

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • The Window (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 10 episodes · as John Maslin

  • Wolfe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jeff

  • Joey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Director · Writer

  • Perfect 10 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Rob

  • War of the Worlds(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Mark

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all shows

  • Wanderlust(2018)

    Show 2 episodes · as Marvin Walters

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Habit(2017)

    as Ian

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • The Loch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 4 episodes · as Leighton Thomas

  • Paranoid(2016)

    Show 5 episodes · as Henry Appley

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • The Tunnel(2013)

    Show 14 episodes · as Boleslaw 'BB' Borowski

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • The Last Witch(2013)

    as Howard Greenwood

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Being Eileen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 6 episodes · as Ray Cooper

  • Father Brown(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as RSM Reginald Davis

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Great Night Out(2013)

    Show 6 episodes · as Beggsy

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Lapland(2011)

    as Ray Cooper

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Death in Paradise(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank Mellor

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Scott & Bailey(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Craig

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Vera(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Linus Campion

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Moving On(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as John

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Hush(2008)

    as Zakes Abbot

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Inspector George Gently(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Mark Tanner

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Until Death(2007)

    as Serge

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Lilies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 8 episodes · as Nazzer

  • Magnolia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Ed

  • Waterloo Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 48 episodes · as Chris Mead

  • ShakespeaRe-Told(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Jericho(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Johnny Swan

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Doctor Who(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Riley Vashtee

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Stories of Lost Souls(2005)

    as Simon

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Conviction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 6 episodes · as Chrissie Fairburn

  • Shameless(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Jesus O'Toole

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Standing Room Only (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Simon

  • Burn It (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 21 episodes · as Jon Marr

  • Nicholas Nickleby(2002)

    as Frank Cheeryble

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Daddy's Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as DC Neil Hallam

  • Mad About Mambo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Danny Mitchell

  • Clocking Off (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 14 episodes · as Nick Anderson

  • Fanny and Elvis(1999)

    as Rick

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • All the King's Men(1999)

    as Sgt. Ted Grimes

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Anorak of Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Tim Buxton

  • Born to Run (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 6 episodes · as Sammy Fitch

  • Where the Heart Is (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 16 episodes · as Stephen Snow

  • Beck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 6 episodes · as Ralph

  • The Bare Necessities (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Tony

  • Raining Stones(1993)

    as Joe

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Heartbeat(1992)

    Show 2 episodes · as Joe Norton · as Paul Allenby

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Soldier Soldier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 7 episodes · as Jack Stubbs

  • Children's Ward (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 26 episodes · as Darren Walsh

  • Making Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 24 episodes · Actor

  • The Sign of Four(1987)

    as Jack Smith

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Casualty(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Harry Reynolds · as Kevin Eccles

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Sherlock Holmes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Smith

  • Emmerdale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 371 episodes · as Caleb Miligan

  • How We Used To Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Peter Hodgkins

  • Coronation Street(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Spike

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all shows

  • The Bully Boys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Woody

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 58 titles, 57 of them dated from 1960 to 2023; peak year 2007.

Biggest box office

Hush (2008)

$289K worldwide

Highest rated

Raining Stones (1993)

Midcredits 90th

Most popular right now

The Tunnel (2013)

Film career

19602023

Peak 2007 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1972Screen debut· Emmerdale
  • 1987First film· The Sign of Four
  • 2000First top-billed film· Mad About Mambo
  • 2008Career best· Hush

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting57 of 58: 57 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score66thDirecting1 of 58: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting1 of 58: 0 only writing, 1 with another role

By decade

1960s2 · acting1970s1 · acting1980s5 · acting1990s10 · acting2000s19 · acting2010s14 · acting2020s6 · 5 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 43% of 7 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do William Ash's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 47th percentile, the median of all 11; across their 9 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 38th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

38thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Approval · how many liked their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Reach · how many have seen their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Midcredits score across 30 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up14
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

13 of their 30 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed9

Most divisive · actor

Stories of Lost Souls (2005)

67th percentile spread · 28% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Sign of Four (1987)

Midcredits 94th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 69/100 in their films, across 8 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 45. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does William Ash work with?

People who share at least 2 of William Ash's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Christine Bottomley shares the most, 2.

Actors

Editors

Producers