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Michael Elphick

Michael Elphick

Actor · Died September 7, 2002, aged 55 · Chichester, Sussex, England, UK

Michael John Elphick was an English actor. Elphick was known in the UK for his trademark croaky voice and his work on British television, in particular his roles as the eponymous private investigator in the ITV series Boon and later Harry Slater in BBC's EastEnders. Elphick struggled with a highly publicised addiction to alcohol; at the height of his problem he admitted to consuming two litres of spirits a day, which contributed towards his death from a heart attack in 2002.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 19, 1946
Died
September 7, 2002 (aged 55)
From
Chichester, Sussex, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
34 on MovieCove · 121 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 37 days to Oct 26Down 21% in 30 days

What are Michael Elphick's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile
: browse their Crime 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
Self
24%
Bonds
21%
Power
16%
Morality
13%
Society
12%
Survival
11%
Ideas
2%
Coming of age3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation3 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 15 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 5 · Serious 4 · Dark 6

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

Grounded 6 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 3

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

Gentle 3 · Charged 7 · Intense 5

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

Steady 6 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 4

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

A split, not a type: Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 7 · 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 6 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 3

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 6 · Affecting 5 · Heavy 4

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

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Threshold guardian: 3 of 8 analyzed roles.

Threshold guardian
3 of 8
Hero
2 of 8
Mentor
1 of 8
Shadow
1 of 8
Ally
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
7
Melancholic
7
Warm
4
Joyful
5
Absurd
4
Other
13

How their films linger

Bittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet6
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous3
  • Cyclical1

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 Michael Elphick's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 22 of their 34 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Michael Elphick'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

121 credits, 34 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Out of Bounds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Lionel Stubbs

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

    Show 6 episodes · as Andrew Kaplan

  • David Copperfield(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Barkis

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • The Fix (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Peter Campling

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

    as Narrator

  • Richard III(1995)

    as 2nd Murderer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Treasure Island(1995)

    as Billy Bones

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Modern Times (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Dangerfield (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Brian Taylor

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

    Show 1 episode · as Chief Inspector Hornbeam

  • Harry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 20 episodes · as Harry Salter

  • The Ballad of Kid Divine: The Cockney Cowboy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Dr. Nathaniel Bonner

  • Stanley and the Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 4 episodes · as Bert Hutchinson

  • Murder Most Horrid(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Bill Todd

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • Let Him Have It(1991)

    as Prison Officer Jack

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Buddy's Song (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Des

  • I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle(1990)

    as Inspector Cleaver

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Krays(1990)

    as George - Prisoner

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Asterix and the Big Fight(1989)

    as Crysus (voice- English version)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Little Dorrit(1987)

    as Mr. Merdle

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Withnail and I(1987)

    as Jake

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Valhalla(1986)

    as Udgaardsloki (voice)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Pirates(1986)

    as Sentry

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Boon(1986)

    Show 93 episodes · as Ken Boon

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • The Supergrass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Constable Collins

  • Jenny's War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 4 episodes · as Schumann

  • Three Up, Two Down (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 25 episodes · as Sam Tyler

  • Which Side Are You On? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Late Starter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Owen

  • EastEnders(1985)

    Show 9 episodes · as Harry Slater

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all shows

  • Hitler's S.S.: Portrait in Evil(1985)

    as Ernst Röhm

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Super Gran (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Roly Roofless

  • Bird Fancier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Joe Desmond

  • Much Ado About Nothing(1984)

    as Dogberry

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Oxbridge Blues (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Curly Bonaventura

  • Arthur's Hallowed Ground (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Len

  • The Bill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 2 episodes · as George Stubbs

  • Ordeal by Innocence(1984)

    as Inspector Huish

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Pull The Other One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 6 episodes · as Sidney Mundy

  • The Element of Crime(1984)

    as Fisher

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Memed My Hawk(1984)

    as Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • C.Q. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Norman

  • Gorky Park(1983)

    as Pasha

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 3 episodes · as Magowan

  • Curse of the Pink Panther(1983)

    as Valencia Police Chief

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Krull(1983)

    as Rhun (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Privates on Parade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Sergeant Major Reg Drummond

  • Bloomfield (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 3 episodes · as Billy Gibbs

  • Smiley's People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Detective Chief Inspector

  • Chains (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Eddie

  • Andy Robson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Carnaby

  • Pocketful of Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Charlie

  • The Kenny Everett Television Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Various

  • Roger Doesn't Live Here Anymore (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 3 episodes · as Stanley

  • Private Schulz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 6 episodes · as Gerhard Schulz

  • Masada (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 2 episodes · as Vettius

  • The Elephant Man(1980)

    as Night Porter

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Cribb (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 1 episode · as Sol Herriott

  • Shoestring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Pete Johnson

  • Quadrophenia(1979)

    as Father

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Blue Remembered Hills (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Peter

  • Black Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Jack Daker

  • The Knowledge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Gordon Weller

  • The Great Train Robbery(1978)

    as Burgess

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The One and Only Phyllis Dixey(1978)

    as Wallace Parnell

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Hanging Around (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Hank

  • The Odd Job (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Raymonde

  • Cold Harbour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Barrister at Party

  • Send in the Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Jimmy

  • Red Shift (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Thomas Venables

  • Hazell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Griffiths

  • Saturday, Sunday, Monday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Michel

  • The Professionals (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Sergeant Garbett

  • Premiere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Hank

  • The Sound of Laughter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Ernie Randle

  • Last Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Oscar

  • A Good Human Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Actor

  • The Sunday Drama (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Ralph Winters

  • This Year Next Year (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 13 episodes · as Jack Shaw

  • Holding On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 6 episodes · as Charlie Wheelwright

  • Laurence Olivier Presents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Michel

  • Play Things (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Frank

  • The Ghosts of Motley Hall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Captain Narcissus Bullock

  • Three Men in a Boat(1975)

    as 2nd Porter

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Sweeney(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Jimmy Fleet

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Pig Bin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Policeman

  • Norma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Norma's Friend

  • The Nearly Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Ron Hibbert

  • The Nearly Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 8 episodes · as Ron Hibbert

  • Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Charlie · as Eddie · as Frank

  • That Sinking Feeling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Chopper

  • Second City Firsts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Policeman

  • Orson Welles' Great Mysteries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Gorenflot

  • And Now the Screaming Starts!(1973)

    as Drunk

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • O Lucky Man!(1973)

    as Man at Stag Party

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Little Farm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Jack

  • Adult Fun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Garage Manager

  • Crown Court (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 21 episodes · as Frank Hollins · as Neville Griffiths QC · as Simon Chase

  • Country Matters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack

  • New Scotland Yard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Al Farmer · as Joss Adrian

  • The Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as 2nd Patrolman

  • Adam Smith (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 6 episodes · as Ben Davies

  • Man Charged (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Robert Delmonds

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

    Show 1 episode · as Peter Rodwell

  • See No Evil(1971)

    as Gypsy Tom

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Peter

  • The Roads to Freedom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 2 episodes · as Lieutenant of Chasseurs

  • The Buttercup Chain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as The Driver

  • Cry of the Banshee(1970)

    as Burke

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Albert and Victoria (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Nigel Godfrey

  • The Misfit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Mike Halloran

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

    as Captain

  • Parkin's Patch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Thomas

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

    Show 1 episode · as Brian Ainsworth

  • Department S (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Police Motorcyclist (uncredited)

  • The Best Things In Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Jed Lucas

  • Where's Jack? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Hogarth

  • Fraulein Doktor(1969)

    as Tom

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • ITV Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Norma's friend · as Oscar

  • Coronation Street(1960)

    Show 2 episodes · as Douglas Wormold

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Chopper - Best Man · as Robert Delmonds

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 121 titles from 1956 to 2003; peak year 1983.

Biggest box office

The Elephant Man (1980)

$26M worldwide

Highest rated

The Elephant Man (1980)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Boon (1986)

Film career

19562003

Peak 1983 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles. 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
Acting121 of 121: 121 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score67th

By decade

1950s1 · acting1960s9 · acting1970s53 · acting1980s40 · acting1990s16 · acting2000s2 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 6% of 17 roles
7085

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; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Michael Elphick's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 68th percentile, the median of all 28; across their 15 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 67th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Approval · how many liked their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Reach · how many have seen their films

73rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Midcredits score across 34 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up14
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th4
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 34 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser16
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

EastEnders (1985)

92nd percentile spread · 40% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Elephant Man (1980)

Midcredits 99th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 71/100 in their films, across 13 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.

Is Michael Elphick's work okay for kids?

Across up to 7 MovieCove titles with content scores, 4 of the 5 categories sit near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles21–74 · median 48 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity7 titles26–66 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 38 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles30–69 · median 35 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles36–71 · median 49 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

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 Michael Elphick work with?

People who share at least 2 of Michael Elphick's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jacqueline Tong shares the most, 2.

Actors

Producers