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Ricky Tomlinson

Ricky Tomlinson

Actor, also writer · Born September 26, 1939 (87) · Blackpool, England, UK

Ricky Tomlinson (born 26 September 1939) is an English actor and comedian, best known for his roles in Brookside, Cracker and The Royle Family.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 26, 1939 (87)
From
Blackpool, England, UK
Works as
Actor, also writer
Titles
22 on MovieCove · 69 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 38 days to Oct 27Down 41% in 30 days

What are Ricky Tomlinson's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile
: browse their Drama 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
33%
Self
26%
Survival
13%
Morality
8%
Society
8%
Power
8%
Ideas
4%
Family bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 15 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 9 · Serious 3 · Dark 3

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 8 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 2

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

Gentle 4 · Charged 9 · Intense 2

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

A split, not a type: Steady 9 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 6

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

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 8 · 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 12 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

9 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 4 of 9 analyzed roles.

Ally
4 of 9
Hero
2 of 9
Shadow
2 of 9
Trickster
1 of 9
Show the 9 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
12
Joyful
7
Melancholic
7
Tense
6
Absurd
4
Other
11

How their films linger

Feel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCozy2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet5
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous3
  • 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 Ricky Tomlinson's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 14 of their 22 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (8).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ricky Tomlinson'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

69 credits, 22 with a MovieCove page; 30 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Semolina Pilchard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Train Passenger

  • Creatures of the Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • Ken Dodd: A Legacy of Happiness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • The Real Ken Dodd: The Man I Loved (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Actor

  • Our Kid(2023)

    as Phil Reilly

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Witchfinder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Crockett

  • Tales of the Creeping Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Dad

  • Celebrity Gogglebox (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Testosterone: Volume Three (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Made in Britain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 10 episodes · as Narrator

  • The More You Ignore Me(2018)

    as Bert Wildgoose

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The Production Line (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 10 episodes · as Narrator

  • Boys On Film 17: Love Is the Drug (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Dad (segment "Tellin' Dad")

  • Gloves Off (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Mick

  • Tellin' Dad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Dad

  • The Last Dragonslayer(2016)

    as Moobin

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Brothers Grimsby(2016)

    as Paedo Pete

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Northern Soul(2014)

    as John's Grandad

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Duck Quacks Don't Echo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • In the Flesh(2013)

    Show 4 episodes · as Ken Burton

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Great Night Out(2013)

    Show 6 episodes · as Warren

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • The Royle Family: Barbara's Old Ring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Jim Royle

  • Overtime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Composer

  • The Royle Family: Joe's Crackers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Jim

  • The Golden Egg Cup (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Jim Royle

  • Nativity!(2009)

    as Mayor

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Angela and Friends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Royle Family: The New Sofa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Jim Royle

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Carry On Ken (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Mike Bassett: Manager (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 6 episodes · as Mike Bassett

  • Monkey Trousers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 7 episodes · Actor

  • The Virgin of Liverpool (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Frank Conlon

  • Once Upon a Time in the Midlands(2002)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Al's Lads (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Billy

  • Nice Guy Eddie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 6 episodes · as Eddie McMullen

  • Five Ways John Wayne Didn't Die (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Dead Man (voice)

  • Formula 51(2001)

    as Leopold Durant

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Strange Relations (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Uncle Alfred

  • Mike Bassett: England Manager(2001)

    as Mike Bassett

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Nasty Neighbours (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Harold Peach

  • Lounge Act (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Hooves of Fire(1998)

    as Santa Claus (voice)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • The Greatest Store in the World(1999)

    as Santa

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

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

    as Macca Macauley

  • Cold Feet(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Cabbie

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Royle Family(1998)

    Show 20 episodes · Writer · as Jim Royle

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Playing the Field (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 32 episodes · Actor

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

    as Ezra

  • Preaching to the Perverted(1997)

    as Fibbin' Gibbins

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Life Is All You Get(1997)

    as Buddy

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

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

    as Gordon

  • Cracker: White Ghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Wise

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

    as John Glover

  • Bob's Weekend (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Jack

  • Dalziel and Pascoe(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Rowan Priestley

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • TFI Friday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    Show 1 episode · as Bobby Grant

  • Butterfly Kiss(1995)

    as Robert

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

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

    Show 13 episodes · as Cinders

  • Cracker(1993)

    Show 13 episodes · as Wise

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Raining Stones(1993)

    as Tommy

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Riff-Raff(1991)

    as Larry

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Dear Sarah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Warder #1

  • The Bill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    Show 15 episodes · Actor

  • Boys from the Blackstuff (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 5 episodes · as Doctor

  • United Kingdom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Dennis

  • Ricky Tomlinson: Football My Arse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 69 titles, 68 of them dated from 1981 to 2026; peak year 2001.

Biggest box office

Formula 51 (2001)

$13M worldwide

Highest rated

Raining Stones (1993)

Midcredits 90th

Most popular right now

Cracker (1993)

Film career

19812026

Peak 2001 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 4 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
Acting68 of 69: 68 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score73rdMusic1 of 69: 1 only music, 0 with another role

By decade

1980s4 · acting1990s22 · acting2000s18 · acting2010s17 · 16 acting · 1 crew2020s7 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 7% of 14 roles
9101

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 Ricky Tomlinson's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 64th percentile, the median of all 16; across their 15 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 71st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

71stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Approval · how many liked their films

66thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Reach · how many have seen their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Midcredits score across 22 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th4

Shape of the crowd

12 of their 22 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Divisive1
  • Crowd Pleaser12
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

Our Kid (2023)

99th percentile spread · 39% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Raining Stones (1993)

Midcredits 90th · 80% liked

Reviewers score the acting 73/100 in their films, across 14 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 42. 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 Ricky Tomlinson's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, 1 of the 5 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 13 · minimalMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity5 titles19–65 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 64 · intenseMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 54 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 26 · mildMedian 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 Ricky Tomlinson work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ricky Tomlinson's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Sue Johnston shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers