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Ian McDiarmid

Ian McDiarmid

Actor · Born August 11, 1944 (82) · Carnoustie, Tayside, Scotland, UK

Ian McDiarmid (born 11 August 1944) is a Scottish actor and director best known for portraying Emperor Palpatine in the Star Wars film series. He has received an Olivier Award for Best Actor and a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performances. Wikipedia

Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 11, 1944 (82)
From
Carnoustie, Tayside, Scotland, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
34 on MovieCove · 56 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 14% in 30 days

What are Ian McDiarmid's films like?

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

Genres

Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 58th percentile
: browse their Comedy 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
Self
25%
Morality
24%
Power
19%
Bonds
11%
Survival
8%
Society
7%
Ideas
7%
Justice4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice3 titles, browse their movies with this themePower3 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 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 4 · Serious 4 · Dark 7

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 2 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 7

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 7 · Intense 7

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

A split, not a type: Steady 8 · Shifting 6 · 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 9 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 11 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 2 · Engaged 11 · Full focus 2

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

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 3 of 7 analyzed roles.

Shadow
3 of 7
Trickster
1 of 7
Herald
1 of 7
Threshold guardian
1 of 7
Hero
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
12
Dread
5
Contemplative
4
Melancholic
5
Hopeful
5
Other
18

How their films linger

Bittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet8
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous2

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 Ian McDiarmid's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 29 of their 34 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Disney+ (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ian McDiarmid'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

56 credits, 34 with a MovieCove page; 6 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Darth Sidious (voice)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Obi-Wan Kenobi(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Star Wars: The Bad Batch(2021)

    Show 2 episodes · as Darth Sidious / Emperor Palpatine (voice) · as Emperor Palpatine (voice)

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker(2019)

    as Emperor Palpatine

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Britannia(2017)

    Show 27 episodes · as King Pellenor

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • The Lost City of Z(2016)

    as Sir George Goldie

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Emperor Palpatine (voice)

  • Star Wars: Rebels(2014)

    Show 3 episodes · as Emperor Palpatine · as Emperor Palpatine (voice)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • 37 Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 3 episodes · as Sir Edward Grey

  • Utopia(2013)

    Show 5 episodes · as Anton

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

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

    Actor

  • Margaret (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Denis Thatcher

  • Star Wars: The Clone Wars(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Darth Sidious (voice) (archive sound)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • City of Vice(2008)

    Show 5 episodes · as Henry Fielding

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Our Hidden Lives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as B. Charles

  • Elizabeth I(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Lord Burghley

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith(2005)

    as Chancellor Palpatine / Darth Sidious

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Star Wars: A Musical Journey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Host

  • The Story of Star Wars: The Story of Anakin Skywalker(2004)

    as Palpatine/The Emperor (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Last King(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sir Edward Hyde

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones(2002)

    as Chancellor Palpatine

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • MI-5(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Prof. Fred Roberts

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

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

    as Porfiry

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

    Show 2 episodes · as Porfiry

  • Sleepy Hollow(1999)

    as Dr. Lancaster

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • All the King's Men(1999)

    as Rev. Pierrepoint Edwards

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Demons of Deception (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Prof. Levi

  • Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace(1999)

    as Senator Palpatine

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Great Expectations(1999)

    as Jaggers

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Great Expectations (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jaggers

  • An Unsuitable Job for a Woman(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Ronald Callender

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Touching Evil(1997)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ronald Hinks

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

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

    as Doctor Popper, Coroner

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

    Show 3 episodes · as Oliver Morse

  • Restoration(1995)

    as Ambrose

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Annie: A Royal Adventure!(1995)

    as Dr. Eli Eon

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Heart of Darkness(1994)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Chernobyl: The Final Warning(1991)

    as Dr. Vatisenko

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Dirty Rotten Scoundrels(1988)

    as Arthur

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Modern World: Ten Great Writers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Dostoevsky

  • Inspector Morse(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Hugo De Vries

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Pity in History (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Murgatroyd

  • Gorky Park(1983)

    as Professor Andreev

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Nation's Health (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 4 episodes · as Dr Vernon Davis

  • Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi(1983)

    as The Emperor

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Last Night Another Dissident... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Fedka

  • Dragonslayer(1981)

    as Brother Jacopus

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Richard's Things(1980)

    as Burglar

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Sir Henry at Rawlinson End (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Reg Smeeton

  • The Awakening(1980)

    as Dr. Richter

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Macbeth(1979)

    as The Porter / Ross

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Mickey Hamilton

  • Amazing Stories (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Blade

  • The Likely Lads (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Vicar

  • Red Letter Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Blade Fern

  • ITV Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Fedka

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 56 titles from 1967 to 2022; peak year 1982.

Biggest box office

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

$1B worldwide

Highest rated

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Film career

19672022

Peak 1982 · 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
Acting56 of 56: 56 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score69th

By decade

1960s1 · acting1970s5 · acting1980s12 · acting1990s14 · acting2000s14 · acting2010s7 · acting2020s3 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 15 roles
809000

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 Ian McDiarmid's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 66th percentile, the median of all 20; across their 15 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 69th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

69thpercentile
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

89thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Midcredits score across 34 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 34 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser21
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

Annie: A Royal Adventure! (1995)

81st percentile spread · 35% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)

Midcredits 99th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the acting 63/100 in their films, across 14 reviewed titles; fans 73, detractors 33. 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 Ian McDiarmid's work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 MovieCove titles with content scores, frightening / intense runs heavier than most films and profanity lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore9 titles35–73 · median 53 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles11–47 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity9 titles3–37 · median 11 · minimallighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs9 titles2–29 · median 26 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense9 titles32–74 · median 54 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian 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 Ian McDiarmid work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ian McDiarmid's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; George Lucas shares the most, 6.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers