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Denis Lill

Denis Lill

Actor · Born April 22, 1942 (84) · Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand

Denis Lill is a New Zealand born British based actor who is best known for the TV series Survivors, Only Fools and Horses and The Royal.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 22, 1942 (84)
From
Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand
Works as
Actor
Titles
39 on MovieCove · 87 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 64 days to Oct 27Down 38% in 30 days

What are Denis Lill's films like?

Across their 11 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
32%
Self
28%
Morality
16%
Society
12%
Power
8%
Ideas
5%
Romantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeMemory2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 5 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 4 · Serious 1 · Dark 0

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 2 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 2

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

Gentle 2 · Charged 2 · Intense 1

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

Steady 0 · Shifting 5 · 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 1 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 3

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

Slow burn 1 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 4 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 0

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

A split, not a type: Easy watch 2 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 0

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

Resolved 4 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles
  • Shadowas Rodolphe Boulanger in Madame Bovary (1975)
  • Shadowas Prince of Wales (Bertie) in Lillie (1978)

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
6
Melancholic
5
Joyful
4
Warm
3
Absurd
3
Other
10

How their films linger

Feel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet4
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous4

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 Denis Lill's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 31 of their 39 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on BritBox (15).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Denis Lill'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

87 credits, 39 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • The Salt Path(2024)

    as Dog Walker

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Eddie Dogberry

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Never Say Never Mind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • The Royal(2003)

    Show 87 episodes · as Mr. Rose

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Bertie and Elizabeth(2002)

    as Clement Attlee

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • 24(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Captain of the Letitcia

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • CI5: The New Professionals (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • What Rats Won't Do(1998)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The Untransmittable Lily Savage Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Colonel Dunbar

  • Mrs Dalloway(1997)

    as Doctor Holmes

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Midsomer Murders(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Simeon Rowling

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Fierce Creatures(1997)

    as Woman's Husband

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Rebecca(1997)

    Show 2 episodes · as Giles

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Element of Doubt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Simon

  • Richard III(1995)

    as Lord Mayor

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • In The Cold Light Of Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Mr. Loveless

  • Outside Edge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 21 episodes · as Dennis Broadley

  • The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Inspector Bradstreet

  • Red Dwarf: Smeg Ups (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Simulant Captain

  • Frank Stubbs Promotes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Cyril

  • Don't Leave Me This Way(1993)

    as Steve Fleming

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Highlander(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Alan Baines

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Heartbeat(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Bernard and the Genie(1991)

    as Frank Kepple

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Darling Buds of May(1991)

    Show 2 episodes · as Inspector Jefferies

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • The Upper Hand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as The Aussie

  • Stay Lucky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Blake

  • Summer's Lease (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 3 episodes · as Ken Corduroy

  • Batman(1989)

    as Bob the Cartoonist

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • A Beginners Guide to Freud (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Joseph Bretter

  • Poirot(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Sir Reuben

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Blackadder's Christmas Carol(1988)

    as Beadle

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Salome's Last Dance(1988)

    as Tigellenus / Chilvers

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Fear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 5 episodes · as George Klein

  • Red Dwarf(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Simulant Captain / Death

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Hannay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Casualty(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Tom Porter · as Walter Fisher

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • The Return of Sherlock Holmes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · as Inspector Bradstreet

  • Yes, Prime Minister(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Arthur the King(1985)

    as King Pellinore

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Mapp & Lucia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 10 episodes · as Major Benjamin 'Benjy' Flint

  • Florence Nightingale(1985)

    as Dr. Howe

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Innocent(1985)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Sherlock Holmes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 3 episodes · as Inspector Bradstreet

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

    Show 1 episode · as Stefan Horvath

  • Charlie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 4 episodes · as James Grant

  • Doctor Who: The Awakening (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Sir George Hutchinson

  • Partners in Crime(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • China Rose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Supt. George

  • Reilly: Ace of Spies(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as D'Arcy

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • The Black Adder(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Sir Talbot Buxomly

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Bad Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Ted Best

  • The Scarlet Pimpernel(1982)

    as Count de Tournay

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Inspector Hodgson

  • Bergerac(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as George Marshall

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Only Fools and Horses(1981)

    Show 3 episodes · as Alan Parry

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Peter and Paul (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 2 episodes · as James I

  • Hedda Gabler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as George Tesmen

  • The Journal of Bridget Hitler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Alois Hitler

  • Terry and June (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Inspector Gammage

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

    Show 1 episode · as Martin Cathcar

  • Lillie(1978)

    Show 8 episodes · as King Edward VII · as Prince of Wales / 'Bertie'

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • The Haunting of Julia(1977)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Josef Merhart

  • Doctor Who: Image of the Fendahl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Dr. Fendelman

  • The Upchat Line (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Oliver

  • The Eagle Has Landed(1976)

    as Churchill's aide

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Rumpole of the Bailey(1978)

    Show 14 episodes · as Mr. Bernard

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Madame Bovary(1975)

    Show 3 episodes · as Rodolphe Boulanger

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Angels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Survivors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 26 episodes · as Charles Vaughan

  • Churchill's People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Lord Moleyns

  • The Gathering Storm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as George VI

  • The Case of Eliza Armstrong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 6 episodes · as William Thomas Stead

  • Fall of Eagles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 2 episodes · as 'Fritz', Prince Frederick William

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

    Show 1 episode · as Alois Hitler

  • Who Killed Lamb? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Sgt. Beck

  • Warship (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Dead of Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Froggat

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

    Show 3 episodes · as Nigel Winterbourne · as Rick Gray

  • Van der Valk(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Roberts · as Van Houten

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • The Train Now Standing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 7 episodes · as Mr Potts

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

    Show 18 episodes · as Alfred Slingsby

  • The Main Chance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 4 episodes · as Stephen Howard

  • Doctor Who(1963)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dr. Fendelman · as Sir George Hutchinson

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Z-Cars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as George VI

Career shape

Star power in the 90th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 87 titles from 1951 to 2025; peak year 2025.

Highest rated

Blackadder's Christmas Carol (1988)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Partners in Crime (1983)

Film career

19512025

Peak 2025 · 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.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting87 of 87: 87 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score77th

By decade

1950s1 · acting1960s3 · acting1970s24 · acting1980s33 · acting1990s20 · acting2000s4 · acting2010s1 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 10th · top billed in 0% of 10 roles
7691

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 Denis Lill's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 68th percentile, the median of all 17; across their 5 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 77th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

77thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Approval · how many liked their films

87thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Reach · how many have seen their films

71stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Midcredits score across 39 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up22
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 39 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved13
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser21
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

The Innocent (1985)

73rd percentile spread · 39% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Only Fools and Horses (1981)

Midcredits 97th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 79/100 in their films, across 4 reviewed titles; fans 86, detractors 39. 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 Denis Lill work with?

People who share at least 2 of Denis Lill's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Francesca Annis shares the most, 3.

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Mixed roles