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Will Lyman

Will Lyman

Actor, also producer · Born May 20, 1948 (78) · Burlington, Vermont, USA

William Lyman (born May 20, 1948) is an American actor. Being known for his polished, resonant voice, Lyman has narrated the PBS series Frontline since its second season in 1984 and played William Tell in the action/adventure television series Crossbow.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 20, 1948 (78)
From
Burlington, Vermont, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
33 on MovieCove · 136 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 157 days to Oct 28Down 35% in 30 days

What are Will Lyman's films like?

Across their 15 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Society and Ideas.

Genres

Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 21st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 62nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 73rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary 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
Society
21%
Ideas
20%
Survival
17%
Bonds
15%
Self
15%
Morality
9%
Power
2%
Survival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeLegacy2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeNature2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 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 7

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

Grounded 10 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 0

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 3 · Intense 6

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

Steady 5 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 1

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

Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 0

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 5 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 2

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

Casual 5 · 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 2 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 7

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

Resolved 7 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Threshold guardian: 2 of 6 analyzed roles.

Threshold guardian
2 of 6
Ally
1 of 6
Shadow
1 of 6
Mentor
1 of 6
Shapeshifter
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
7
Melancholic
7
Contemplative
6
Dread
4
Joyful
3
Other
12

How their films linger

Thought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet3
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous4
  • Cyclical3

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 Will Lyman's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 26 of their 33 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (8).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Will Lyman'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

136 credits, 33 with a MovieCove page; 30 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The War Cabinet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Narrrator

  • The Deal: Trump Bukele & The Gangs of El Salvador (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Contaminated: The Carpet Industry's Toxic Legacy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Narrator

  • The Rise of RFK Jr. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Narrator

  • Trump's Power & the Rule of Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Narrator (voice over)

  • The Arborist(2025)

    Producer · as Arthur Randolph

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • The Electric State(2025)

    as Documentary Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Battle for Tibet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Narrator

  • Aftermath(2024)

    as Joe Kozak

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Crisis on Campus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Narrator

  • Children of Ukraine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Narrator

  • Democracy on Trial (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Narrator

  • Netanyahu, America & the Road to War in Gaza (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Narrator

  • The Discord Leaks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Narrator

  • Inside the Uvalde Response (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Narrator

  • Clarence and Ginni Thomas: Politics, Power, and the Supreme Court (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as narrator

  • Putin and the Presidents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Narrator

  • The Power of Big Oil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 3 episodes · as Narrator (voice)

  • Mother/Android(2021)

    as Captain

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Shots Fired (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Narrator

  • Taliban Takeover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Narrator

  • Boeing's Fatal Flaw (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • America After 9/11 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as narrator

  • Animaniacs(2020)

    Show 2 episodes · as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Christmas on Ice(2020)

    as Mayor Greenwood

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The Choice 2020: Trump vs. Biden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • United States of Conspiracy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Amazon Empire: The Rise and Reign of Jeff Bezos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Narrator

  • Battle for Hong Kong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Narrator

  • UN Sex Abuse Scandal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Life on Parole (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Narrator

  • Iraq Uncovered (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Narrator

  • Out of Gitmo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as narrator

  • Hunting ISIS (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Narrator

  • Divided States of America (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Narrator

  • Frontline: President Trump (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Narrator

  • The Choice 2016 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Narrator

  • Business of Disaster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Chasing Heroin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Narrator

  • Isis in Afghanistan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • Losing Iraq (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Narrator

  • Separate and Unequal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Narrator

  • United States of Secrets (Part Two): Privacy Lost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Narrator

  • United States of Secrets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · as Narrator

  • Generation Like (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • A Death in St. Augustine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • The Suicide Plan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Narrator

  • Last Man Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Walt Whitman (voice)

  • Inside Japan's Nuclear Meltdown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Narrator

  • The Anthrax Files (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Bud Greenspan Presents Vancouver 2010: Stories of Olympic Glory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Narrator

  • The Other Guys(2010)

    as Frontline Narration App

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Behind Taliban Lines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • The Boneyard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Narrator

  • What Doesn't Kill You(2008)

    as Sully

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The War Briefing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Narrator

  • Abuse of Power (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Nolan Flannery

  • Young & Restless in China (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Iron Man(2008)

    as Award Ceremony Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Rules of Engagement (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Narrator

  • Mattie Fresno and the Holoflux Universe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Moe Fresno

  • On Our Watch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Narrator

  • Bud Greenspan’s Torino 2006: Stories of Olympic Glory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Narrator

  • I'm Paige Wilson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Ben Foxworthy

  • Little Children(2006)

    as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Age of AIDS (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Fierce People(2005)

    as Documentary Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Is It Real? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 30 episodes · as Narrator (voice)

  • Commander in Chief(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Teddy Bridges · as Teddy Bridges (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Our Fathers(2005)

    as Wilson Rogers Jr.

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The New Asylums (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as narrator

  • The Secret History of the Credit Card (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Narrator

  • Meltdown(2004)

    as Homeland Chief Utley

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Golden Road: Today's Senior Drivers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Narrator

  • Truth, War and Consequences (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Mystic River(2003)

    as FBI Agent Birden

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Threat Matrix (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 16 episodes · as Roger Atkins

  • Watergate Plus 30: Shadow of History (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Coming Home from Space: The Challenge of Re-Entry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Narrator

  • Wake Island: Alamo of the Pacific (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Narrator

  • Salt Lake City 2002: Bud Greenspan's Stories of Olympic Glory(2003)

    as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Nature Tech(2003)

    Show as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • Alma Mater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • American Porn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Narrator

  • The Pink Satin Suit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director

  • The Day Reagan Was Shot(2001)

    as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Roger Jameson

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Sydney 2000: Stories of Olympic Glory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Narrator

  • Sinking the Lusitania (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Narrator

  • Dog Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Dad

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

    Show 1 episode · as Gus McGraw

  • Satan in the Suburbs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Warriors of the French Foreign Legion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Narrator

  • The West Wing(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • The Long Walk of Nelson Mandela (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • The Autumn Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Doctor

  • Michael Jordan: His Airness(1999)

    as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Nagano ’98 Olympics: Stories of Honor and Glory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Narrator

  • The Siege(1998)

    as FBI Director

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • A Perfect Murder(1998)

    as Jason Gates

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Atlanta’s Olympic Glory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Narrator

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

    as Van's Father

  • The Bay of Pigs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • The Crucible(1996)

    as Isaiah Goodkind

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Ultimate Guide (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 23 episodes · as Narrator

  • The Ultimate Guide: T-Rex (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Celtic Pride(1996)

    as Rich Man

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Welcome to the Dollhouse(1995)

    as Mr. Edwards

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Ultimate Guide: Sharks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Narrator

  • The Search for Satan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Lillehammer ’94: 16 Days of Glory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Narrator

  • Part Two: The Mao Years 1949–1976 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • The Mysterious Career of Lee Harvey Oswald (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Narrator (voice) (US version, Who Was Lee Harvey Oswald?)

  • The Arming of Saudi Arabia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Narrator

  • Modern Marvels(1993)

    Show as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • School Ties(1992)

    as Swanson

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

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

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Victor Conner

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Hull High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 8 episodes · as John Deerborn

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Hostile Takeover(1988)

    as Smolen

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Crossbow: The Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as William Tell

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

    Show 72 episodes · as William Tell

  • Hostage in Iran (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Executive Producer · as Narrator

  • Einstein on the Beach: The Changing Image of Opera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as narrator (himself)

  • Three Sovereigns for Sarah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Rev. Parris

  • Three Sovereigns for Sarah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 3 episodes · as Rev. Parris

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Allan Wooster

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • The Mind of a Murderer: Part 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Narrator

  • The Mind of a Murderer: Part 1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Narrator

  • Vietnam: A Television History (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 13 episodes · as Narrator

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

    Show 3 episodes · as Reverend Parris

  • Nova(1974)

    Show 12 episodes · as Narrator · as Narrator (voice) · as Self - Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Another World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 749 episodes · Actor

  • News War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Narrator

  • Yemen Under Siege (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Narrator

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 134 titles, 132 of them dated from 1964 to 2026; peak year 1997.

Biggest box office

A Perfect Murder (1998)

$128M worldwide

Highest rated

Nova (1974)

Midcredits 95th

Film career

19642026

Peak 1997 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. 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
Acting133 of 134: 132 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score67thDirecting1 of 134: 1 only directing, 0 with another roleProducing1 of 134: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1960s1 · acting1970s1 · acting1980s13 · 13 acting · 1 crew1990s25 · acting2000s39 · 38 acting · 1 crew2010s24 · acting2020s29 · acting

Billing

usually 15th · top billed in 0% of 12 roles
9606

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 Will Lyman's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 60th percentile, the median of all 23; across their 11 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 11

Approval · how many liked their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 33 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

14 of their 33 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · actor

The Day Reagan Was Shot (2001)

78th percentile spread · 21% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Iron Man (2008)

Midcredits 98th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 70/100 in their films, across 9 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 54. 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 Will Lyman's work okay for kids?

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

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 40 · moderateMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 69 · intenseMedian of all films: 36

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