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Neil Dudgeon

Neil Dudgeon

Actor · Born January 2, 1961 (65) · Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England

Neil Dudgeon was born in Doncaster, South Yorkshire on 2 January 1961 and attended Danum Grammar School among others. He established himself as an actor in school plays and went on to study drama at university . He made his first screen appearance in 1987. The following year, he appeared as a World War II pilot in Piece of Cake, alongside Tim Woodward, Jeremy Northam and Nathaniel Parker. As well as occasional appearances in long-running series such as Casualty, London`s Burning and Lovejoy, he has appeared as George the Chauffeur in The Mrs Bradley Mysteries (alongside Diana Rigg), in Inspector Morse (episode “The Way Through The Woods”), A Touch of Frost with David Jason, Between The Lines, Common As Muck (in 1994 & 1997) , Out of the Blue, Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking and all four series of Messiah with Ken Stott. In 2007 Dudgeon appeared in the eponymous role of self-made millionaire Roman Pretty in the BBC2 sitcom Roman`s Empire. Since 2009 he has played Jim Riley in the BBC`s successful comedy Life of Riley. In 2010, Dudgeon appeared in an episode of the long-running ITV crime drama Midsomer Murders, called “The Sword of Guillaume”. He was introduced in the episode as the cousin of Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby, played by John Nettles, who has announced his retirement from the role. Neil, also cast as a senior detective, will take over as the lead character in Midsomer Murders after the last episodes featuring John Nettles are screened in 2011. Neil appeared for the first time in Midsomer Murders in the opening episode of the fourth series (“Garden of Death”), Neil is married to Radio Producer Mary Peate, they have two children.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 2, 1961 (65)
From
Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England
Works as
Actor
Titles
23 on MovieCove · 61 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Up 5% in 30 days

What are Neil Dudgeon's films like?

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

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
26%
Bonds
20%
Self
17%
Ideas
12%
Society
11%
Survival
9%
Power
4%
Justice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAddiction2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 8 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 1 · Serious 3 · Dark 4

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

Grounded 5 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 0 · Charged 5 · Intense 3

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

Steady 0 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 0

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

Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 1

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

Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 2 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 1

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 1 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 4

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

Resolved 6 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 5 of 5 analyzed roles.

Ally
5 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Melancholic
7
Warm
4
Contemplative
5
Hopeful
3
Other
6

How their films linger

Hopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet5
  • Ambiguous2

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 Neil Dudgeon's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 18 of their 23 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Neil Dudgeon'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

61 credits, 23 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Cope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Executive Producer

  • Midsomer Murders Holiday Pop-Up Collectible (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as DCI John Barnaby

  • Midsomer Murders: 20th Anniversary Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Bornebusch i tevefabriken (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Guest

  • Playhouse Presents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Jim

  • United(2011)

    as Alan Hardaker

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Nativity(2010)

    Show 4 episodes · as Joachim

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • The Arbor(2010)

    as Steve Saul

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Life of Riley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 20 episodes · Actor

  • Survivors(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Sean

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Coming Down the Mountain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as John Philips

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

    as Phil O'Brien

  • Kingdom(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Terry

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Roman's Empire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • Son of Rambow(2007)

    as Joshua

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

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

    Show 6 episodes · as Harry Goodwin

  • The Street(2006)

    Show 6 episodes · as Brian Peterson

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The Lavender List (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Joe Haines

  • Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking(2004)

    as Lestrade

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason(2004)

    as Taxi Driver

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Return(2003)

    as Matt

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Celebrity Mastermind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Planman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as ACC Brian Richards

  • Humanzee: The Human Chimp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Rose and Maloney(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Alan Richmond

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Messiah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 9 episodes · as DI Duncan Warren

  • Murder in Mind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Edward Buttimore

  • Breathtaking (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Richard Jackson

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

    as Holdsworth

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

    as Dennis

  • The Mrs. Bradley Mysteries(1998)

    Show 5 episodes · as George Moody

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Gift (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as David

  • Our Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as DC Spence

  • The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Puppeteer’s Assistant

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Breakout (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Dr. Neil McFarlane

  • Midsomer Murders(1997)

    Show 65 episodes · as Daniel Bolt · as DCI John Barnaby

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Different for Girls(1996)

    as Neil Payne

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Silent Witness(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Det Supt Paul Barker

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Out of the Blue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 12 episodes · as DC Marty Brazil

  • Fatherland(1994)

    as Sex Crimes Cop

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Common As Muck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 12 episodes · as Ken Andrews

  • Skallagrigg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Priest

  • Resnick: Rough Treatment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as William Doria

  • Sharpe's Eagle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Lieutenant Christian Gibbons

  • Sharpe(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Gibbons

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • A Touch of Frost(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Costello

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Nice Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 3 episodes · as Tom Edmonds

  • Between the Lines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Revolver (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Eric Volkner

  • Resnick: Lonely Hearts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as William Doria

  • Night Voice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Dennis Crowson

  • Fools of Fortune (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Sergeant Rudkin

  • TECX (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Red King, White Knight(1989)

    as Vlasek

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Piece of Cake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 6 episodes · as 'Moggy' Cattermole

  • Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Brink

  • Prick Up Your Ears(1987)

    as Policeman

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • London's Burning(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Casualty(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Mick

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • ScreenPlay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Brink · as Crowson

  • Lovejoy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as DS Graham Bentley

Career shape

Star power in the 92nd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 61 titles from 1986 to 2025; peak year 2011.

Biggest box office

Son of Rambow (2007)

$11M worldwide

Highest rated

The Street (2006)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

Midsomer Murders (1997)

Film career

19862025

Peak 2011 · at the high point of their film career. 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.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting60 of 61: 60 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score80thProducing1 of 61: 1 only producing, 0 with another role

By decade

1980s8 · acting1990s23 · acting2000s22 · acting2010s7 · acting2020s1 · crew

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 9 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 Neil Dudgeon's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 72nd percentile, the median of all 10; across their 8 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 72nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

72ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Approval · how many liked their films

72ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Reach · how many have seen their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Midcredits score across 23 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th1
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 23 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed1

Most divisive · actor

Different for Girls (1996)

67th percentile spread · 15% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Street (2006)

Midcredits 91st · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 76/100 in their films, across 8 reviewed titles; fans 84, detractors 52. 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 Neil Dudgeon work with?

People who share at least 2 of Neil Dudgeon's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Ron Hutchinson shares the most, 2.

Writers

Actors

Producers