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John Simm

John Simm

Actor · Born July 10, 1970 (56) · Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, UK

BAFTA Award nominee

John Simm grew up in Nelson, Lancashire. He attended Edge End High School, Nelson, Lancashire followed by Blackpool Drama College at 16 and the Drama Centre, London at 19. He lives with his wife, actress Kate Magowan, and their children Ryan (born 13th August 2001) and Molly (born February 2007). Simm won the best actor award at the Valencia Film Festival for his film debut in "Boston Kickout" (1996).

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 10, 1970 (56)
From
Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
32 on MovieCove · 76 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 155 days to Oct 26Down 33% in 30 days

What are John Simm's films like?

Across their 22 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography 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
23%
Self
20%
Morality
19%
Society
12%
Survival
10%
Ideas
9%
Power
7%
Family bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 7 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 9 · Intense 1

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

Steady 5 · Shifting 5 · 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 6 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 3

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 6 · Even-paced 5 · 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 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 4 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 4

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

Resolved 8 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 6 of 10 analyzed roles.

Hero
6 of 10
Shadow
4 of 10
Show the 10 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
15
Melancholic
13
Dread
8
Warm
4
Contemplative
5
Other
16

How their films linger

Thought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet8
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous7

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 John Simm's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 26 of their 32 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for John Simm'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

76 credits, 32 with a MovieCove page; 13 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • I, Jack Wright(2025)

    Show 6 episodes · as Gray Wright

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Crime(2021)

    Show 2 episodes · as Gareth Horsborough · as Mr Confectioner

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Starstruck(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Martin

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Grace(2021)

    Show 20 episodes · as DS Roy Grace

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Joey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Executive Producer · as Joey

  • Cold Courage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 8 episodes · as Arthur Fried

  • Strangers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 8 episodes · as Jonah Mulray

  • Collateral(2018)

    Show 4 episodes · as David Mars

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all shows

  • Trauma(2018)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dan Bowker

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all shows

  • The Catch(2016)

    Show 10 episodes · as Rhys · as Rhys Griffiths

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • Code of a Killer(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · as Alec Jeffreys

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Intruders(2014)

    Show 8 episodes · as Jack Whalen

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Prey(2014)

    Show 3 episodes · as Marcus Farrow

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Toast of London(2012)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Father's Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Dave

  • The Village(2013)

    Show 12 episodes · as John Middleton

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Everyday(2012)

    as Ian

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Wartime Farm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 8 episodes · as Narrator

  • Exile(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · as Tom Ronstadt

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Mad Dogs(2011)

    Show 14 episodes · as Baxter

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Doctor Who: The End of Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as The Master

  • Moving On(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Moose

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Skellig: The Owl Man(2009)

    as Dave

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Devil's Mistress(2008)

    Show 4 episodes · as Edward Sexby

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Tu£sday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Silver

  • Cutting Edge - The Human Spider (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Narrator

  • The Ties That Bind Us(2008)

    as The Master (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Monsoon Railway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · as Narrator - (Voice)

  • Moose on the Loose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Narrator

  • The Yellow House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Vincent Van Gogh

  • Devilwood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Gabriel

  • Brothers of the Head(2005)

    as Boatman

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Dark Side of Porn: The Real Animal Farm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Narrator

  • Life on Mars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 16 episodes · as Sam Tyler

  • Monsoon Railway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Narrator

  • Doctor Who(2005)

    Show 5 episodes · as The Master

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Doctor Who Confidential (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Blue/Orange(2005)

    as Dr. Bruce Flaherty

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Sex Traffic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · as Daniel Appleton

  • Imperium: Nero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · as Caligola

  • Nero(2004)

    as Caligula

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • London (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 3 episodes · as Friedrich Engels

  • Ten Minute Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Nick

  • This World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • One Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Canterbury Tales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Ace

  • State of Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 6 episodes · as Cal McAffrey

  • Boys Alone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • 24 Hour Party People(2002)

    as Bernard

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Crime and Punishment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Raskolnikov

  • Crime and Punishment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · as Raskolnikov

  • Miranda(2002)

    as Frank

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Is Harry on the Boat?(2001)

    as Prize Winner

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Never Never (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · as John Parlour

  • Forgive and Forget(2000)

    as Theo

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Clocking Off (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Stuart Leach

  • Spaced (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Stephen Edwards

  • Human Traffic(1999)

    as Jip

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Wonderland(1999)

    as Eddie

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Understanding Jane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Oz/2nd Party Stonehead

  • Diana & Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Neil

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

    Show 14 episodes · as Danny Kavanagh

  • Boston Kickout (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Phil

  • Mirror Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Gary Kingston

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

    Show 1 episode · as Gary Kingston

  • Carrying Dad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Sean

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

    as Cecil

  • A Pinch of Snuff (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Clint Heppelwhite

  • Men of the World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 12 episodes · as Kendle Bains

  • Cracker(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · as William 'Bill' Preece

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 10 episodes · as Posh Robert

  • Heartbeat(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Richard Francis

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Screen One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Cecil

  • Rumpole of the Bailey(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Joby Jonson

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Ark Royal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · Other

  • When the Wolves Came (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Roger

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 76 titles, 74 of them dated from 1975 to 2025; peak year 1999.

Biggest box office

Human Traffic (1999)

$3.2M worldwide

Highest rated

24 Hour Party People (2002)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

Grace (2021)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19752025

Peak 1999 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 5 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
Acting75 of 76: 74 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score60thProducing1 of 76: 0 only producing, 1 with another roleOther crew1 of 76: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s1 · acting1990s16 · acting2000s35 · acting2010s15 · acting2020s6 · 6 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 17% of 6 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.

Awards

2 major nominations and no wins, 2007–2012.

  1. 2012
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Leading Actor
  2. 2007
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Actor

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do John Simm's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 55th percentile, the median of all 12; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 46th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 32 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th14
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 32 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser17
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed9

Most divisive · actor

The Ties That Bind Us (2008)

89th percentile spread · 20% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Doctor Who (2005)

Midcredits 93rd · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 73/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 80, 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 John Simm's work okay for kids?

Across up to 7 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 51 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity7 titles48–62 · median 53 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 73 · intenseMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 63 · intenseMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 61 · intenseMedian 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 John Simm work with?

People who share at least 2 of John Simm's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Michael Winterbottom shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers