Geoffrey Whitehead

Actor · Born October 1, 1939 (87) · Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, UK

He may well be the only professional actor to have played both Sherlock Holmes and his arch nemesis, having interpreted the great detective in Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson (1979) on TV, and the 'Napoleon of Crime' Professor Moriarty in the burlesque spoof The Newly Discovered Casebook of Sherlock Holmes in front of a live audience on radio. A RADA graduate of 1960, Geoffrey Whitehead has been prolific in classical roles on the stage with the Bristol Old Vic and during several seasons with the ensemble of the Royal Shakespeare Company. On television from 1962, he has made guest appearances in The Avengers (1961), The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (1971), Reilly: Ace of Spies (1983), Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983) and Poirot (1989). During four seasons of the police series Z Cars (1962), he portrayed two separate characters: PC Ken Baker (season 4) and DS Wilf Miller (seasons 7, 8 and 10). Another regular role saw him as the managing director of a large property firm in the drama series Second Thoughts (1991), set in the dog-eat-dog world of high-powered business. Whitehead has often played powerful or influential personae in period drama, those including the dour, austere suitor St. John Rivers in Jane Eyre (1973), Roman general Scipio Africanus in The Cleopatras (1983), Russian statesman Vasily Golitsyn in Peter the Great (1986), family lawyer to the famous Austrian family of composers in Strauss Dynasty (1991) and a doctor in BBC's excellent adaptation of Little Dorrit (2008). Equally proficient in comedy, he co-starred on TV in Second Thoughts (1991) (as boss of a style magazine), Reggie Perrin (2009) (as Reggie's food-obsessed father-in-law), Still Open All Hours (2013) (Wilburn Newbold) and in the long-running sitcom Not Going Out (2006) (Geoffrey Adams). On BBC Radio 4's Bleak Expectations, he voiced assorted doomed members of five evil families (the Hardthrashers, Sternbeaters, Whackwallops, Grimpunches and Clampvultures) in a pastiche of the classic Ealing comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949). Whitehead also provided the voice for Death in radio adaptations of Terry Pratchett's novels Eric and Mort. Whitehead has been married since 1964 to the Irish-born stage and screen actress Mary Hanefey.

Biography from IMDb.

Born: October 1, 1939 (87)
From: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, UK
Works as: Actor
Titles: 22 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 64 days to Oct 27Down 17% in 30 days

What are Geoffrey Whitehead's films like?

Across their 6 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Themes

share of theme weight

Bonds

47%

Self

19%

Society

14%

Survival

10%

Ideas

Morality

Romantic love3 Family bonds4

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 2 of 3 analyzed roles.

Shadow

2 of 3

Threshold guardian

1 of 3

Shadowas Dick Cook in The Worst Week of My Life (2004)
Threshold guardianas Geoffrey in Not Going Out (2006)
Shadowas Colonel Dennis Whittington in The Royal Bodyguard (2011)

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful

Absurd

Warm

Dread

Bittersweet

Other

How their films linger

Fun4 Feel-good4 Haunting2

How their films end

Happy3
Bittersweet1
Ambiguous1
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 Geoffrey Whitehead's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 17 of their 22 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on BritBox (11).

Also on these channels

PBS Masterpiece3 titles, show their 3 titles on PBS Masterpiece
Shout! TV3 titles, show their 3 titles on Shout! TV
Acorn TV2 titles, show their 2 titles on Acorn TV
Best of British Television2 titles, show their 2 titles on Best of British Television
Cineverse1 title, show their title on Cineverse
Screambox1 title, show their title on Screambox
Wonder Project1 title, show their title on Wonder Project

Subscription and free streaming for Geoffrey Whitehead'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, 22 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

Upstart Crow(2016)
Show 1 episode · as Hunt
Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows
Still Open All Hours(2013)
Show 40 episodes · as Mr Newbold
Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all shows
The Royal Bodyguard(2011)
Show 6 episodes · as Colonel Dennis Whittington
Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows
Love/Loss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
as Bill
Reggie Perrin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)
Show 11 episodes · as William
Little Dorrit(2008)
Show 14 episodes · as Doctor
Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows
Margaret Thatcher: The Long Walk to Finchley(2008)
as Entwistle
Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films
Ladies and Gentlemen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
as Lawyer
Not Going Out(2006)
Show 22 episodes · as Geoffrey Adams
Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows
The Gil Mayo Mysteries(2006)
Show 1 episode · as Crytch
Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows
The Robinsons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
Show 1 episode · as Marshall
The Rotters' Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
Show 3 episodes · as Headmaster
The Worst Week of My Life(2004)
Show 17 episodes · as Dick Cook
Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows
My Hero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
Show 1 episode · as Headmaster
The Jasper Carrott Trial (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)
Show 6 episodes · Actor
Shooting Fish(1997)
as Horse Owner
Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films
Cause of Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)
as Justin Sanderson
Midsomer Murders(1997)
Show 1 episode · as Dr. Gregory Ransom · as Giles Wilding
Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows
Crossing the Floor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)
as Asst. Chief Constable Turpin
A Very Open Prison (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)
as Chief Constable Christie
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Attack of the Hawkmen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)
as Werner
Johnny and the Dead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)
Show 4 episodes · as Addison Fletcher
Jewels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)
Show 2 episodes · as King George
Between the Lines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)
Show 2 episodes · as DAC Flint
The Strauss Dynasty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)
Show 1 episode · as Halmi
Red Fox (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)
as British Ambassador
Gone to the Dogs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)
Show 1 episode · as Headmaster
The House of Eliott (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)
Show 1 episode · as Edward Maddox
Second Thoughts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)
Show 49 episodes · as Richard
A Casualty of War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
as Edwards
Clowns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
as Maurice
Poirot(1989)
Show 1 episode · as Xavier St. Alard
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows
That Summer of White Roses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
as Cinovnik
Chelmsford 123 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)
Show 3 episodes · as Viatorus
The Play on One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)
Show 1 episode · as Maurice
Executive Stress (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)
Show 19 episodes · Actor
Peter the Great (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)
Show 4 episodes · as Prince Vasily Golitsyn
Screen Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)
Show 1 episode · as Asst. Chief Constable Turpin · as Chief Constable Christie
Scarecrow and Mrs. King(1983)
Show 1 episode · Actor
Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows
Reilly: Ace of Spies(1983)
Show 1 episode · as Lubinsky
Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows
The Cleopatras (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
Show 1 episode · as Scipio Africanus
The Rocking Horse Winner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)
as Father
Inside the Third Reich (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)
Show 2 episodes · as Xavier Dorsch
S.O.S. Titanic(1979)
as Thomas Andrews
Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films
Minder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
Show 1 episode · as Superintendent Roden
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
Show 24 episodes · as Sherlock Holmes
Thomas & Sarah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
Show 1 episode · Actor
The Foundation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)
Show 26 episodes · as Ronnie Bartlett
Robin's Nest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)
Show 1 episode · as Anthony
The Doll (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)
as Claude Matty
The Doll (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)
Show 3 episodes · as Claude Matty
The Sweeney(1975)
Show 1 episode · as Mills
Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows
Affairs of the Heart(1974)
Show 1 episode · as Percy Beaumont
Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)
I'm the Girl He Wants to Kill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)
as Keston
1939 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)
as Werner
And Now the Screaming Starts!(1973)
as Silas / Woodsman
Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films
Thriller(1973)
Show 1 episode · as Keston
Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)
Show 1 episode · Actor
Crown Court (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)
Show 1 episode · Actor
No Exit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)
Show 1 episode · as Dickson
Kidnapped(1971)
as Lt. Duncansby
Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films
Upstairs, Downstairs(1971)
Show 1 episode · as Captain Axel Ryttsen
Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows
Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Show 1 episode · as Brian Bex · as Major Bilton
The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes(1971)
Show 1 episode · as Harry Parsket
Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows
Long Ago, Tomorrow(1971)
as Harold
Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films
Roll On Four O'Clock (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)
as Roy Gifford
Manhunt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)
Show 1 episode · as Captain Spiegel · as Spiegel
A Bit of Crucifixion, Father (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)
as Father James
Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)
Show 1 episode · Actor
The Christmas Tree (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)
Actor
The Troubleshooters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)
Show 1 episode · as McNab
Public Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)
Show 1 episode · as Lipton
Bulldog Breed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)
Show 7 episodes · Actor
Z-Cars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)
Show 43 episodes · as PC Ken Baker
The Avengers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)
Show 2 episodes · as Carter
Armchair Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)
Show 1 episode · as Andrew Lafone

Career shape

Star power in the 79^th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 76 titles from 1956 to 2016; peak year 1972.

Highest rated

The Worst Week of My Life (2004)

Midcredits 89^th

Film career

19562016

Peak 1972 · 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.

1971Screen debut· Kidnapped
2008Career best· Little Dorrit

By role

only this rolewith another role

Acting76 of 76 · 76^th

By decade

1950s1 · acting1960s8 · acting1970s23 · acting1980s15 · acting1990s15 · acting2000s10 · acting2010s4 · acting

Billing

usually 18th · top billed in 0% of 5 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.

Who does Geoffrey Whitehead work with?

People who share at least 2 of Geoffrey Whitehead's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Justin Sbresni shares the most, 2.