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Derek Fowlds

Derek Fowlds

Actor · Died January 17, 2020, aged 82 · Wandsworth, London, England, UK

London-born character actor Derek Fowlds came to the fore on television as 'Mr. Derek', straight man to the children's puppet Basil Brush (succeeding Rodney Bewes in that capacity), then as private secretary and political advisor Bernard Woolley, diligently keeping the reins on obtuse British Cabinet Minister Jim Hacker (Paul Eddington) in Yes Minister (1980), and, finally, as retired police sergeant -- turned pub proprietor -- Oscar Blaketon during the entire 18-year run of Heartbeat (1992). Having done his national service in the RAF, Fowlds based the Blaketon character on a drill instructor, commenting "I just cut my hair shorter, slicked it back and shouted a lot and Oscar was born." In his youth, Fowlds aspired to becoming a footballer. He first tried acting in school plays as a bit of a lark. "Just for kicks" he later decided to pursue the profession more seriously, trained at RADA and debuted on stage in a 1961 production of "The Miracle Worker" at London's Wyndham Theatre. Thereafter, he popped up in the occasional motion picture but was considerably more prolific on the small screen where he regularly alternated between comedy and drama. Early on, he played the lead in his own short-lived detective series, Take a Pair of Private Eyes (1966). His autobiography "A Part Worth Playing" was released in 2015.

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
September 2, 1937
Died
January 17, 2020 (aged 82)
From
Wandsworth, London, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
17 on Motif · 62 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 39 days to Oct 28Up 20% in 30 days

What are Derek Fowlds' films like?

Across their 8 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Genres

Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 35th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Horror movies

Their Motif 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
Morality
27%
Self
19%
Bonds
17%
Power
16%
Survival
15%
Society
6%
Power2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGuilt2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 5 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 2 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 1

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 2 · Charged 1 · Intense 2

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

Steady 1 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 0

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 3 · Some laughs 0 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 3 · 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 3 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 3 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 4 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 4
Trickster
1 of 4
Threshold guardian
1 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
5
Joyful
3
Melancholic
3
Warm
3
Absurd
2
Other
4

How their films linger

Fun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet1
  • Tragic1
  • 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 Derek Fowlds' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 13 of their 17 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Derek Fowlds' titles on Motif; 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

62 credits, 17 with a Motif page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Inside the Tower (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2015)

    as Dan(archive footage)

  • Run for Your Wife(2012)

    as Man in Hat

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Funny Blokes of British Comedy (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    as Bernard Woolley (archive footage) (uncredited)

  • The Royal(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Oscar Blaketon

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • The Detectives (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Derek Alsopp

  • Over the Hill (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    as Peter Dutch

  • Firm Friends (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 8 episodes · as John Gutteridge

  • Heartbeat(1992)

    Show 372 episodes · as Oscar Blaketon

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • The Darling Buds of May(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Esmond

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Die Kinder (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 6 episodes · as Crombie

  • Perfect Scoundrels (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Watkinson

  • Plunder (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Rules of Engagement (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 6 episodes · as Oliver Davidson

  • Sales People from Hell (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Inspector Morse(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Kurt Friedman

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Casualty(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Croft

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Yes, Prime Minister(1986)

    Show 16 episodes · as Bernard Woolley

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Affairs of the Heart (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 6 episodes · as Peter Bonamy

  • Screen Two (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Cumbridge

  • The Funny Side of Christmas (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    as Bernard Woolley

  • Intensive Care (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    as Hartley

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

    Show 1 episode · as Albert Moscrop

  • Yes Minister(1980)

    Show 21 episodes · as Bernard Woolley

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Minder (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Meadhurst

  • Strangers (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as DI Ken Driver · as Mike Winter

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

    Show 1 episode · as Miles Filmer

  • Beryl Reid (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • True Patriot (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    as Hans von Dohnanyi

  • BBC2 Play of the Week (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Hans von Dohnanyi

  • Robin's Nest (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Ricky Hart

  • The Copter Kids (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    as Captain Peters

  • The Doll (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1975)

    as Max Lerner

  • The Doll (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 3 episodes · as Max Lerner

  • After That, This (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • Death to Sister Mary (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1974)

    as Dicky

  • Censored Scenes from King Kong (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    as Sagar/Vogel/Chiarugï

  • Thriller(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Dicky

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Armchair 30 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Brian

  • Van der Valk(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Johan Kieft

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Tower of Evil(1972)

    as Dan Winthrop

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Hartley

  • School for Unclaimed Girls(1969)

    as Geoffrey

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Wink To Me Only (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • ITV Saturday Night Theatre (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Neil

  • The Old Campaigner (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • The Year of the Sex Olympics (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    as Custard Pie Expert

  • The Solarnauts (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as empo

  • Frankenstein Created Woman(1967)

    as Johan

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Solarnauts (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1967)

    as Tempo

  • Take a Pair of Private Eyes (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 6 episodes · as Ambrose Frayne

  • Hotel Paradiso (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    as Maxime

  • The Man in Room 17 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Bruce

  • Gideon's Way (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Tim Coles

  • East of Sudan (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1964)

    as Murchison

  • The Protectors (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Hughie

  • Agent 8 3/4(1964)

    as Sun Bathing Man

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Doctor in Distress(1963)

    as Gillibrand

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Tamahine (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1963)

    as Bash

  • We Joined the Navy(1962)

    as Carson

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner(1962)

    as Borstal Inmate (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Dr. Finlay's Casebook (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Malcolm Cannock

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

    Show 1 episode · as Richard Racey · as Tom Rogers

Career shape

Star power in the 90th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 62 titles from 1956 to 2015; peak year 1963.

Highest rated

Yes Minister (1980)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Heartbeat (1992)

Film career

19562015

Peak 1963 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 3 Motif 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
Acting62 of 62: 62 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score51st

By decade

1950s1 · acting1960s20 · acting1970s18 · acting1980s11 · acting1990s8 · acting2000s2 · acting2010s2 · acting

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 Motif, shown from 5 scored.

How do Derek Fowlds' films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Midcredits score in the 30th percentile, the median of all 8; across their 5 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 36th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Approval · how many liked their films

24thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Reach · how many have seen their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Midcredits score across 17 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th3
  • 25th to 49th4
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

6 of their 17 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser6
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

Run for Your Wife (2012)

85th percentile spread · 72% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Yes Minister (1980)

Midcredits 97th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the acting 57/100 in their films, across 5 reviewed titles; fans 66, detractors 34. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; 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 Motif 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 Derek Fowlds' work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 Motif titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 38 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Derek Fowlds work with?

People who share at least 2 of Derek Fowlds' Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Antony Carrick shares the most, 2.

Actors