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Bill Bailey

Bill Bailey

Actor · Born January 13, 1964 (62) · Bath, Somerset, England

Bill Bailey (born Mark Bailey; January 13, 1964) is an English stand-up comedian, musician and actor. As well as his extensive stand-up work, Bailey is well known for his appearances on Have I Got News for You, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, QI and Black Books. Bailey was listed by The Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy in 2003. In 2007 and again in 2010, he was voted the 7th greatest stand-up comic on Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups. Bill Bailey is a patron of International Animal Rescue. Description above from the Wikipedia article Bill Bailey, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 13, 1964 (62)
From
Bath, Somerset, England
Works as
Actor
Titles
20 on MovieCove · 68 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 23% in 30 days

What are Bill Bailey's films like?

Across their 16 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Society.

Genres

Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Animation3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 82nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation 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
32%
Society
17%
Self
16%
Survival
12%
Ideas
9%
Power
8%
Morality
6%
Purpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 10 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 7 · Serious 2 · Dark 1

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

Grounded 3 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 3

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

Gentle 4 · Charged 4 · Intense 2

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

Steady 7 · Shifting 1 · Whiplash 2

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

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 4

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

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 6 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 4 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 4
Trickster
1 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
7
Warm
8
Absurd
7
Hopeful
5
Tense
5
Other
10

How their films linger

Feel-good12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCozy2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet5
  • Ambiguous1
  • Cyclical2

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 Bill Bailey's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 17 of their 20 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Bill Bailey'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

68 credits, 20 with a MovieCove page; 57 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Bill Bailey: Thoughtifier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Writer · as Self

  • Bill Bailey’s Vietnam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 6 episodes · Writer · as Self - Host

  • Man and Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps(2024)

    as The Donkey (voice)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Inside the Hilton: Park Lane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 4 episodes · Producer

  • Dragonkeeper(2024)

    as Wang Chao

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Smeds and the Smoos(2022)

    as Grandfather Smed (voice)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Best & Bester (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 52 episodes · as Grumpy Pants (Voice)

  • Bill Bailey's Master Crafters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 8 episodes · Presenter · as Self - Presenter

  • Worzel Gummidge: Calliope Jane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Mr Peregrine

  • Deadliest Mums & Dads(2021)

    Show Creator

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Bill Bailey: Larks in Transit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Writer · as Self

  • Patriot Brains (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 10 episodes · as Host

  • Rhod Gilbert's Growing Pains (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Guest

  • Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse(2020)

    as Bona Fide Gent

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • McDonald & Dodds(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Watt - Radio DJ (voice)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • My Life Is Murder(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Enzo Pavone

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Bill Bailey: Limboland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Writer · as Self

  • In the Long Run (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 19 episodes · as Bagpipes

  • LEGO Masters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Guest Judge

  • Sloppy Massage Sluts 2: Anal Edition (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Nature's Perfect Partners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Narrator

  • Funny Valentines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Writer · as William/Craig/Bill

  • Big Butts Like It Big: Brunette Edition (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • Nature's Misfits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Narrator

  • Alan Davies Après-Ski (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Bill Bailey: Qualmpeddler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Writer · as Self

  • It's Kevin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Various

  • Gadget Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Doctor Who: The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Droxil

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

    as Ig

  • Chalet Girl(2011)

    as Bill Matthews

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Bill Bailey: Dandelion Mind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Writer · as Himself

  • Burke and Hare(2010)

    as Angus

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang(2010)

    as Farmer MacReadie

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Bill Bailey's Birdwatching Bonanza (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 6 episodes · as Presenter

  • Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Executive Producer · Writer · as Himself

  • Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Bill Bailey: Tinselworm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Writer · as Himself

  • More Dawn French's Boys Who Do: Comedy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hot Fuzz(2007)

    as Sergeant Turner

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Skins(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · as Walter

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Wild Thing: I Love You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 10 episodes · as Presenter

  • TV Heaven, Telly Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy(2005)

    as The Whale (voice)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Comic Aid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • Spicks and Specks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Bill Bailey: Part Troll (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Writer · as Himself

  • Hustle(2004)

    Show 3 episodes · as Cyclops

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Terkel in Trouble(2004)

    as The Narrator

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • 15 Storeys High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Pirbright

  • Wild West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 8 episodes · as Doug

  • Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Russ

  • Double Income, No Kids Yet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 6 episodes · as Nigel

  • Bill Bailey: Bewilderness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Writer · as Himself

  • Black Books(2000)

    Show 18 episodes · as Manny

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Head on Comedy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • Saving Grace(2000)

    as Vince

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

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

    Show 3 episodes · as Bilbo Bagshot

  • Is It Bill Bailey? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 6 episodes · Composer · Writer · as Self / Various Roles

  • Space Cadets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 10 episodes · as Space Captain

  • Jonathan Creek(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Kennie Starkiss

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • April Fool's Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Sand Delivery Man

  • Midsomer Murders(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Darwin Chipping

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Bill Bailey: Cosmic Jam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Writer · as Himself

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

    Show 1 episode · Writer · as Patient

  • The Day Today (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge

  • Blue Heaven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Boris

  • Natural World(1983)

    Show 2 episodes · as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 66 titles from 1983 to 2026; peak year 2011.

Biggest box office

Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang (2010)

$93M worldwide

Highest rated

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

The Graham Norton Show (2007)

Film career

19832026

Peak 2011 · their film career is on the way up. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. 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
Acting51 of 66: 49 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score82ndDirecting1 of 66: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting14 of 66: 10 only writing, 4 with another roleProducing2 of 66: 1 only producing, 1 with another roleMusic1 of 66: 0 only music, 1 with another roleOther crew2 of 66: 2 only other crew, 0 with another role

66 titles, 4 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1980s1 · acting1990s10 · 8 acting · 3 crew2000s21 · 17 acting · 4 crew2010s20 · 17 acting · 4 crew2020s14 · 8 acting · 6 crew

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 7 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.

How do Bill Bailey's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 60th percentile, the median of all 11; across their 10 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 54th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Approval · how many liked their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Reach · how many have seen their films

89thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Midcredits score across 20 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th4

Shape of the crowd

8 of their 20 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Divisive1
  • Crowd Pleaser8
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed2

Most divisive · actor

Man and Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps (2024)

90th percentile spread · 25% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Midcredits 97th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 73/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 44. 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 Bill Bailey's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films and frightening / intense lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles6–89 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles23–55 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity6 titles31–82 · median 61 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles13–81 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles10–75 · median 25 · mildlighter 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 Bill Bailey work with?

People who share at least 2 of Bill Bailey's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Bill Nighy shares the most, 2.

Actors

Editors

Producers