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Martin Jarvis

Martin Jarvis

Actor · Born August 4, 1941 (85) · Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK

Martin Jarvis OBE is one of Britain's most versatile leading actors. His distinguished career continues to encompass just about every aspect of the entertainment industry: film, television, theatre, radio and audio recording. He is also the author of two bestselling books: a hilarious autobiography Acting Strangely and a compelling account of his award-winning time on Broadway in 2001: Broadway, Jeeves - The Diary of a Theatrical Adventure, both published by Methuen. In 2010 he starred as Vincent Hogg in a new production of Agatha Christie's The Mirror Cracked in ITV/WGHB's popular 'Miss Marple' series. In 2009, he starred in BBC2's comedy/drama Taking the Flak, receiving outstanding reviews for his performance as national treasure tv journalist David Bradburn. He stars in the feature film Neander Jin - Return of the Neanderthal Man (US/ Germany co-production, 2010) as Peter Blodnik, network mogul.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 4, 1941 (85)
From
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
41 on MovieCove · 115 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 156 days to Oct 27Down 38% in 30 days

What are Martin Jarvis' films like?

Across their 8 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile
: 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
25%
Self
23%
Survival
23%
Power
18%
Morality
8%
Society
3%
Family bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 6 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 0 · Dark 3

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 4 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 0 · Charged 4 · Intense 2

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

Steady 2 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 0

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

Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 1

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 1

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

Casual 3 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 6 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles
Ally
1 of 3
Shadow
1 of 3
Mentor
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
5
Warm
4
Melancholic
3
Bittersweet
2
Joyful
1
Other
5

How their films linger

Hopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet5
  • Tragic1
  • 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 Martin Jarvis' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 33 of their 41 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on BritBox (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Martin Jarvis' 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

115 credits, 41 with a MovieCove page; 11 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Brave the Dark(2023)

    as Henry V (voice)

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Tales of the Tardis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Governor

  • Batman: Assault on Arkham(2014)

    as Alfred Pennyworth (voice)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • United Passions(2014)

    as Sir Stanley Rous

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Cosmos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Humphry Davy (voice)

  • By Any Means (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Hollander

  • Phil Spector(2013)

    as British TV Interviewer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Endeavour(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Henry Broom

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Father Brown(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Graham Snow

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Wreck-It Ralph(2012)

    as Saitine (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo(2011)

    as Birger

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Just William(2010)

    Show 4 episodes · as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Inside the Actor's Workshop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Interviewer

  • Beware of What You Wish For (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as hinself

  • Taking the Flak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 7 episodes · Actor

  • Neander Jin - Die Rückkehr des Neandertalers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Peter Blodnik

  • Underfist: Halloween Bash(2008)

    as Nergal / Police Officer / Tarvis (voice)

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Hitler: The Comedy Years(2007)

    as Johannes Hentschel (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Ruby in the Smoke(2006)

    as Voice of Capt. Lockhart (voice)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Much Ado About Nothing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Leonard

  • ShakespeaRe-Told(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Leonard

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Life and Times of Juniper Lee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as William / Bartok (voice) · as William / King Teddy (voice)

  • Numb3rs(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Taylor Ashby

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Agatha Christie's Marple(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Vincent Hogg

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Stargate: Atlantis(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Davos

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Bootleg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 3 episodes · as Mr. Blades

  • Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War(2002)

    as JB

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Inspector Lynley Mysteries(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Cowfrey Pitt

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • By Jeeves (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Jeeves

  • The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy(2001)

    Show 3 episodes · as Nergal

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Lorna Doone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Baron de Whichehalse

  • Lorna Doone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · as Baron de Whichehalse

  • Jackie Chan Adventures(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as (voice)

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Max Steel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 35 episodes · as John Dread (voice)

  • Sex 'n' Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Neil Biddle

  • Titanic(1997)

    as Sir Duff Gordon

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Extreme Ghostbusters(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Testament: The Bible in Animation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Moses / God (voice)

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

    as Moses / God (voice)

  • Richie Rich (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 13 episodes · as Cadbury, Bascomb

  • The Queen's Nose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 6 episodes · as Frank

  • Space: Above and Beyond (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Cyril MacKendrick

  • The Absence of War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Linus Frank

  • The Tick (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Breadmaster (voice)

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

    as O'Brien

  • Scarlet and Black (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 3 episodes · as Monsieur de Renal

  • Walker, Texas Ranger(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Colin Draper

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • The Tempest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Narrator

  • A Touch of Frost(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Harvey Wade

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Shakespeare: The Animated Tales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Narrator (voice)

  • Emily's Ghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Papa

  • Murder Most Horrid(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Maurice Howling

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Sharp Shooter / Lightening (voice)

  • Chelworth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Keith Shedden

  • Huxley Pig (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 26 episodes · Actor

  • Poirot(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Captain Warburton

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Buster(1988)

    as Inspector Jack Mitchell

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Reluctant Dragon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Narrator / Boy / Father (voice)

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Inspector Morse(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Randall Rees

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Make and Break (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Frank

  • Casualty(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Bart

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Artists and Models (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 3 episodes · as Commentary (voice)

  • Boon(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Malcolm Ashforth

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Adam Bailey

  • The Black Tower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 6 episodes · as Wilfred Anstey

  • Theatre Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank Prosser

  • Doctor Who: Vengeance on Varos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as The Governor

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

    Show 1 episode · as Linus Frank

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Cyril Ruddy · as Giles Havelock

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Mr. Palfrey of Westminster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Armitage

  • Natural World(1983)

    Show 2 episodes · as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

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

    Show 137 episodes · Actor

  • The Bunker(1981)

    as Johannes Hentschel

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Sunday Night Thriller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 2 episodes · as Stone

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

    Show 12 episodes · as Det. Insp. Sam Harvey

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

    Show 1 episode · as King George VI

  • Rings on Their Fingers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 20 episodes · as Oliver Pryde

  • Enemy at the Door(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Nils Borg

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

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

    as Sir Fergus / Sir James

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

    as Klaus

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

    Show 1 episode · as Klaus

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

    Show 1 episode · as Narrator

  • Killers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Alfred Arthur Rouse

  • Rumpole of the Bailey(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Canon Timothy Donkin

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Zigger Zagger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 3 episodes · as Les

  • David Copperfield (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 4 episodes · as Uriah Heep

  • Seven Faces of Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as James Thurley

  • Nova(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as G.H. Hardy (voice) · as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Doctor Who: Invasion of the Dinosaurs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Butler

  • The Pallisers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 3 episodes · as Frank Greystock

  • European Heritage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Narrator (voice)

  • Arthur of the Britons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    Show 4 episodes · as Godfrey Ablewhite

  • The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Philip Marsden

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Little Women(1970)

    Show 9 episodes · as John Brooke

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Sir Fergus / Sir James

  • Taste the Blood of Dracula(1970)

    as Jeremy Secker

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Last Escape(1970)

    as Lt. Donald Wilcox

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Paul Temple (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Naughton

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

    Show 1 episode · as Godfrey Footman

  • Nicholas Nickleby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 13 episodes · as Nicholas Nickleby

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

    Show 1 episode · as Alan

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

    Show 1 episode · as David Bryant

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

    Show 1 episode · as Peter

  • The Forsyte Saga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Jon Forsyte

  • Look at Life: Hopping Along (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Commentator

  • Secrets of a Windmill Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • BBC Play of the Month (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Aircraftman Dickinson

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

    Show 1 episode · as Father Ramon

  • Doctor Who: The Web Planet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Hilio

  • Detective (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Doctor Who(1963)

    Show 3 episodes · as Butler · as Butler / Voice in Reminder Room · as Governor · as Hilio

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Dixon of Dock Green (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Vic Hallan

Career shape

Star power in the 89th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 115 titles from 1955 to 2025; peak year 2013.

Biggest box office

Brave the Dark (2023)

$4.5M worldwide

Highest rated

The Bunker (1981)

Midcredits 72nd

Most popular right now

Brave the Dark (2023)

Film career

19552025

Peak 2013 · fewer prominent film roles lately. 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
Acting115 of 115: 115 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score75th

By decade

1950s1 · acting1960s15 · acting1970s23 · acting1980s23 · acting1990s19 · acting2000s20 · acting2010s12 · acting2020s2 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 8 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 Martin Jarvis' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 67th percentile, the median of all 15; across their 6 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 56th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Approval · how many liked their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Reach · how many have seen their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Midcredits score across 41 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up21
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th4
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 41 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved12
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser18
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · actor

United Passions (2014)

67th percentile spread · 82% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Midcredits 97th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 6 reviewed titles; fans 73, detractors 37. 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 Martin Jarvis work with?

People who share at least 2 of Martin Jarvis' MovieCove titles; Aida Young shares the most, 2.