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James Bolam

James Bolam

Actor · Born June 16, 1935 (91) · Sunderland, Tyne-and-Wear, England, UK

James Christopher Bolam is an English actor. He is best known for his roles as Terry Collier in The Likely Lads and its sequel Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?

Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 16, 1935 (91)
From
Sunderland, Tyne-and-Wear, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
25 on MovieCove · 92 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 65 days to Oct 28Down 9% in 30 days

What are James Bolam's films like?

Across their 16 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Power.

Genres

Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 66th percentile
: browse their Biography movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 88th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy 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
21%
Power
20%
Self
16%
Society
15%
Survival
15%
Morality
10%
Ideas
3%
Class4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTradition vs change2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 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 3 · Dark 7

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

Grounded 10 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 0

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 3 · Charged 4 · Intense 6

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

Steady 8 · 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 9 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 2

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 3 · 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 3 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 2

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 4 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 7

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 7 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 7 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 7
Shadow
2 of 7
Herald
1 of 7
Hero
1 of 7
Trickster
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Melancholic
11
Contemplative
5
Dread
3
Bittersweet
3
Other
9

How their films linger

Bittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet5
  • Tragic2
  • 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 James Bolam's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 16 of their 25 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for James Bolam'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

92 credits, 25 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • A Memory Owed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Stan

  • Marriage(2022)

    Show 4 episodes · as Gerry

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • Wartime Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Narrator

  • British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves(2016)

    as Terry Collier (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Unconditional (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Hutch

  • Tentboy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Baz

  • The Last Days of Lehman Brothers(2009)

    as Ken Lewis

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Grandpa in My Pocket (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 66 episodes · Actor

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

    as Matt

  • The Plot Against Harold Wilson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Harold Wilson

  • He Knew He Was Right (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr Crump

  • New Tricks(2003)

    Show 87 episodes · as Jack Halford

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • To Kill a King(2003)

    as Denzil Holles

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The Afternoon Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Billy

  • Harold Shipman: Doctor Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Harold Shipman

  • Born and Bred (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 21 episodes · as Dr. Arthur Gilder

  • Victoria Wood: With All the Trimmings(2000)

    as Various Characters

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Close and True (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 6 episodes · as Graham True

  • It Was an Accident (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Vernon Fitch

  • Dirty Tricks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Moss

  • Pay and Display (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 6 episodes · as Sydney Street

  • Stormin' Norman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Norman

  • The End of the Affair(1999)

    as Mr. Savage

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Alex Ferguson Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Narrator

  • The Stalker's Apprentice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Helmut Kranze

  • Stella Does Tricks(1996)

    as Mr. Peters

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Island on Bird Street(1997)

    as Doctor Studjinsky

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Missing Postman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 2 episodes · as Clive Peacock

  • The Missing Postman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Clive Peacock

  • Midsomer Murders(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Ron Pringle

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Dalziel and Pascoe(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Leonard Tibbings

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Eleven Men Against Eleven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Ted Whitehead

  • Clockwork Mice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Wackey

  • Second Thoughts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 49 episodes · as Bill

  • Sticky Wickets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Glyn

  • Screen One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Glyn

  • Communicators From Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • The Beiderbecke Connection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 4 episodes · as Trevor Chaplin

  • Andy Capp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 6 episodes · as Andy Capp

  • The Beiderbecke Tapes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 2 episodes · as Trevor Chaplin

  • Room at the Bottom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • The Beiderbecke Affair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 6 episodes · as Trevor Chaplin

  • Macbeth(1983)

    as Porter

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Shades of Darkness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur Frode

  • ITV Christmas Comedy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 15 episodes · Actor

  • The Maze (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Arthur Frode

  • Clash of Loyalties (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as A.T. Wilson

  • The Plague Dogs(1982)

    as The Tod (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Only When I Laugh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 29 episodes · as Roy Figgis

  • As You Like It (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Touchstone

  • The BBC Television Shakespeare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Touchstone

  • The Limbo Connection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Mark Omney

  • Armchair Thriller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 6 episodes · as Mark Omney

  • The Likely Lads (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Terry

  • When the Boat Comes In(1976)

    Show 51 episodes · as Jack Ford

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Philanthropist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Don

  • In Celebration(1975)

    as Colin Shaw

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • If You Could See What I Can See (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Charlie

  • Oranges and Lemons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur

  • Making the Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Husband

  • O Lucky Man!(1973)

    as Attenborough/Examination Doctor

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 26 episodes · as Terry Collier

  • The Protectors(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Max Toller

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Straight on Till Morning(1972)

    as Joey

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Crucible of Terror(1971)

    as John Davies

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Roberts

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Budgie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Wossname · as Wossname Walsh

  • Play for Today (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Husband

  • W. Somerset Maugham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Leslie Gaze

  • Otley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Albert

  • Omnibus - Graham Greene: The Hunted Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Pinkie

  • Half a Sixpence(1967)

    as Mr Jones

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Omnibus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Pinkie

  • Inheritance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 10 episodes · as David Oldroyd

  • Boy Meets Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as McHenry

  • Thirty-Minute Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Muggles

  • Public Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Alan Grove

  • The Likely Lads (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 20 episodes · as Terry Collier

  • Thursday Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Magpie

  • A Choice of Coward (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Roland Maule

  • A Choice of Coward: Present Laughter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Roland Maule

  • The Four Seasons of Rosie Carr (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 2 episodes · as Frank Lambert · as Frank Lambert (voice)

  • Murder Most Foul(1964)

    as Bill Hanson

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • It's Dark Outside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Wilfred

  • For King and Country: Out There (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Herbert Hudd

  • The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner(1962)

    as Mike

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Damn the Defiant!(1962)

    as Midshipman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • A Kind of Loving(1962)

    as Jeff

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Kitchen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Michael

  • Drama 61-67 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Nick

  • No Hiding Place (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Armchair Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Charlie

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 92 titles from 1956 to 2025; peak year 1998.

Biggest box office

The End of the Affair (1999)

$11M worldwide

Highest rated

The Plague Dogs (1982)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

New Tricks (2003)

Film career

19562025

Peak 1998 · steadily prominent in film for years. 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.

  • 1962Screen debut· A Kind of Loving
  • 1982Career best· The Plague Dogs
  • 2004Career best· New Tricks

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting92 of 92: 92 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score77th

By decade

1950s2 · acting1960s22 · acting1970s20 · acting1980s13 · acting1990s13 · acting2000s16 · acting2010s3 · acting2020s3 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 0% of 10 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 James Bolam's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 77th percentile, the median of all 18; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 73rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

73rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

80thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 25 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

11 of their 25 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser11
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

Marriage (2022)

66th percentile spread · 23% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Plague Dogs (1982)

Midcredits 97th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 76/100 in their films, across 12 reviewed titles; fans 82, detractors 55. 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.

Is James Bolam's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, every category sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Sex & Nudity5 titles14–57 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does James Bolam work with?

People who share at least 2 of James Bolam's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Susie Blake shares the most, 2.

Actors

Producers