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John Benfield

John Benfield

Actor · Died June 16, 2020, aged 68 · Wanstead, London, England, UK

Character actor and familiar face on stage and screen, who starred in films by Ken Loach and Woody Allen. Best known for his performance opposite Helen Mirren in the original Prime Suspect (1991) series. He always brought a truth and integrity to his roles and was an imposing, strong and rugged figure, with a soul and belief in his craft. An absolute legend and a superior talent.

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
September 11, 1951
Died
June 16, 2020 (aged 68)
From
Wanstead, London, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
33 on MovieCove · 65 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 37 days to Oct 26Up 38% in 30 days

What are John Benfield's films like?

Across their 15 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 87th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 61st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 58th percentile
: browse their Crime 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
Morality
39%
Bonds
25%
Power
23%
Survival
7%
Self
4%
Society
2%
Family bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themePower3 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 2 · 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 7 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 1

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 2 · Charged 5 · Intense 6

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

Steady 3 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 0

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

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 9 · 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 2 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 2

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

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
13
Melancholic
7
Dread
3
Hopeful
3
Thrilling
2
Other
10

How their films linger

Thought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet11
  • Tragic1

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 Benfield's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 21 of their 33 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for John Benfield'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

65 credits, 33 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • The Coldest Game(2019)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle(2018)

    as Wolf Elder (voice)

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Cold Skin(2017)

    as Captain Axel

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • The Best Offer(2013)

    as Barman

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Marchioness Disaster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Peter Butcher

  • Speed Racer(2008)

    as Cruncher Block

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Speed Racer: Wonderful World of Racing - The Amazing Racer Family(2008)

    as Cruncher Block

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Double Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Kenny

  • Cassandra's Dream(2007)

    as Father

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Flood(2007)

    as Frank

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Bonkers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Terry Cavanagh

  • The Worst Week of My Life(2004)

    Show 7 episodes · as Ron Steel

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • New Tricks(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Doug Palmer

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Gifted (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Harry Boothroyd

  • The Third Wave(2003)

    as Stevens

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Many Lives of Albert Walker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as DCI Dawlish

  • Charlotte Gray(2001)

    as Loque

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Endgame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Dunston

  • Lover's Prayer(2001)

    as Nirmansky

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • 24 Hours in London (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Chief Inspector Duggan

  • Justice in Wonderland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Bromfield

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

    Show 5 episodes · as Dad

  • You're Dead... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Insp. Badger

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

    Show 1 episode · as Reg Storey

  • Maisie Raine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Gordon Daker

  • Cousin Bette(1998)

    as Dr. Bianchon

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Owd Bob(1998)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Garden of Redemption (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Mayor of Vaiano

  • Sharpe's Revenge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as General Jean-Baptiste Calvet

  • 101 Dalmatians(1996)

    as Doorman

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Beautiful Thing(1996)

    as Rodney Barr

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

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

    as Len

  • Calling the Shots (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · as Charlie

  • In the Name of the Father(1993)

    as Chief PO Barker

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Secret Agent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Michaelis

  • Born Kicking (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Mr Reddy

  • Murder Most Horrid(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Barry Todd

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • Prime Suspect(1991)

    Show 6 episodes · as DCS Michael Kernan · as Michael Kernan

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • 'Itch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Gordon Turnbull

  • Hidden Agenda(1990)

    as Maxwell

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Treasure Island(1990)

    as Black Dog

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The Paradise Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Det. Supt. Chivers

  • Tales from the Crypt(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Inspector Minty

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Eurocops (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 2 episodes · as George Jackson

  • Buster(1988)

    as Jimmy

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • No Further Cause for Concern (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Alec

  • Floodtide (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 6 episodes · as Detective Inspector Brook

  • Casualty(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Albert Rossiter · as George Weaver

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • The Monocled Mutineer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • ScreenPlay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Alec

  • Whoops Apocalypse(1987)

    as Secret Service Agent

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Bulman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as DI Holmes

  • Titus Andronicus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Messenger / 1st Goth / Caius

  • Number One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Contestant

  • Hitler's S.S.: Portrait in Evil(1985)

    as Griesch

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Breakout(1984)

    as Minder

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Sign of Four(1983)

    as McMurdo

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Third Part of Henry the Sixth(1983)

    as Earl of Northumberland / Huntsman

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Second Part of Henry the Sixth(1983)

    as First Murderer / Ship's Master

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The First Part of Henry the Sixth(1983)

    as Basset / French Sergeant

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • The Beggar's Opera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Jailer

  • The Day of the Triffids (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Ted

  • The Union (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as 2nd Man

  • The Winter's Tale(1981)

    as Gaoler

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Minder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Painter

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 65 titles from 1979 to 2019; peak year 1997.

Biggest box office

In the Name of the Father (1993)

$66M worldwide

Highest rated

In the Name of the Father (1993)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Prime Suspect (1991)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19792019

Peak 1997 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. 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
Acting65 of 65: 65 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score56th

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s23 · acting1990s20 · acting2000s17 · acting2010s4 · acting

Billing

usually 13th · top billed in 0% of 17 roles
8398

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 John Benfield's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 55th percentile, the median of all 27; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 72nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

72ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

74thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 33 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

14 of their 33 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

Speed Racer: Wonderful World of Racing - The Amazing Racer Family (2008)

95th percentile spread · 37% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

In the Name of the Father (1993)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 75/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 82, detractors 48. 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 Benfield's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 47 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does John Benfield work with?

People who share at least 2 of John Benfield's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jane Howell shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Editors

Producers