Peter Egan

Actor, also producer · Born September 28, 1946 (80) · Hampstead, London, England, UK

BAFTA Award winner

Peter Joseph Egan (born 28 September 1946) is a British actor known for his TV roles, including Hogarth in Big Breadwinner Hog, the future King George IV of the United Kingdom in Prince Regent (1979); smooth neighbour Paul Ryman in the sitcom Ever Decreasing Circles (1984–89); and Hugh "Shrimpie" MacClare, Marquess of Flintshire, in Downton Abbey (2012–15). He is married to retired actress Myra Frances. Egan was born in Hampstead, London, the son of Doris (née Pick) and Michael Thomas Egan, who is of Irish descent.[1][2] He was educated at St. George's Roman Catholic Comprehensive School, Maida Vale. He also attended the London Oratory School and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Biography from TMDB.

Born: September 28, 1946 (80)
From: Hampstead, London, England, UK
Works as: Actor, also producer
Titles: 35 on MovieCove · 92 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 155 days to Oct 26Down 37% in 30 days

What are Peter Egan's films like?

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

Genres

Comedy3 titles40^th

Action2 titles50^th

Documentary2 titles77^th

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

27%

Self

25%

Bonds

14%

Power

14%

Survival

12%

Society

Ideas

Justice5 Deception4 Self-worth3 Purpose3 Grief2 Class3 Friendship2 Community3

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 films

ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category

Earnest

Tone · Sincerity

ironicearnest

Ironic 1 · Wry 0 · Earnest 10

Serious

Tone · Weight

lightdark

Light 3 · Serious 5 · Dark 3

Stylized

Tone · Style

naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 7 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 1

Charged

Feel · Intensity

gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 5 · Intense 3

Shifting

Feel · Swings

steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 7 · Shifting 1 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs

Feel · Humor

noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 2

Even-paced

Demand · Pace

slowrelentless

Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 2

Engaged

Demand · Attention

casualfull focus

Casual 4 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 2

Affecting

Demand · Emotional cost

easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 5 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 2

Resolved

Demand · Resolution

resolvedambiguous

Resolved 9 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 2 of 4 analyzed roles.

Shadow

2 of 4

Ally

1 of 4

Mentor

1 of 4

Allyas Oscar Wilde in Lillie (1978)
Shadowas Frederick Moran in MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday (1994)
Shadowas Dr. Griffin Pratt in 2001: A Space Travesty (2000)
Mentoras Mr. Dugdale in Hold the Sunset (2018)

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense

Melancholic

Joyful

Hopeful

Contemplative

Other

How their films linger

Thought-provoking9 Bittersweet5 Feel-good4 Hopeful5 Haunting4 Fun4

How their films end · 3 with a twist

Happy6
Bittersweet5
Tragic3
Ambiguous4

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 Peter Egan's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 24 of their 35 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on BritBox (9).

Also on these channels

PBS Masterpiece5 titles, show their 5 titles on PBS Masterpiece
Acorn TV3 titles, show their 3 titles on Acorn TV
Shout! TV3 titles, show their 3 titles on Shout! TV
Howdy2 titles, show their 2 titles on Howdy
Curiosity Stream1 title, show their title on Curiosity Stream
Dox1 title, show their title on Dox
Magnolia Selects1 title, show their title on Magnolia Selects
Yippee1 title, show their title on Yippee

Subscription and free streaming for Peter Egan'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

92 credits, 35 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

Our Father (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)
Actor
And Mrs(2024)
as Derek
Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films
I Could Never Go Vegan(2024)
Executive Producer
Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films
Truelove(2024)
Show 6 episodes · as David
Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows
The Spanish Princess(2019)
Show 3 episodes · as Thomas Howard
Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows
Hold the Sunset(2018)
Show 12 episodes · as Mr. Dugdale
Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows
Empires of Silver(2018)
Show as Narattor
Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)
National Theatre Live: The Seagull (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)
as Sorin
Our Ex-Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)
Show 1 episode · as George
Unforgotten(2015)
Show 24 episodes · as Martin
Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows
Grantchester(2014)
Show 1 episode · as Archie Johnson
Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows
National Theatre Live: People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)
as Theodore
Downton Abbey(2010)
Show 2 episodes · as Hugh 'Shrimpie' MacClare
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows
Moving On(2009)
Show 1 episode · as Eric
Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows
Death at a Funeral(2007)
as Victor
Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films
Home Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)
Show 6 episodes · Actor
Whatever Love Means (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
as Prince Philip
Over There(2005)
Show 2 episodes · Writer
Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows
Jericho(2005)
Show 1 episode · as Philip Pickering
Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows
Man to Man(2005)
as Gyllenhaal
Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films
The Wedding Date(2005)
as Victor Ellis
Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
Medium(2005)
Show 1 episode · Writer
Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows
Postcards from Buster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
Show 2 episodes · Writer
Medical Investigation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
Show 1 episode · Writer
The I Inside(2004)
as Doctor Truman
Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films
Playmakers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)
Show 1 episode · Writer
Comedy Connections (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)
Show 1 episode · Actor
The King's Beard(2002)
as King Cuthbert (voice)
Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films
The Inspector Lynley Mysteries(2001)
Show 1 episode · as Dr. Trenarrow
Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows
2001: A Space Travesty(2000)
as Dr. Griffin Pratt
Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films
Cry Wolf (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
Show 1 episode · as Dr Anthony Hook
The Cater Street Hangman(1998)
as Edward Ellison
Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films
Pierre Bonnard: A Love Exposed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)
as Narrator
The Ambassador (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)
Show 3 episodes · Actor
Breaker High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)
Show 6 episodes · Writer
Bean(1997)
as Lord Walton
Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films
Midsomer Murders(1997)
Show 1 episode · as Grady Palmerston · as Norman Swanscombe
Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows
Gobble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)
as Peter Villiers
The Peacock Spring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)
as Sir Edward Gwithian
The Man Who Didn't Believe in Ghosts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)
as Richard Cramer
Chiller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)
Show 1 episode · as Richard Cramer
MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday(1994)
as Frederick
Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films
The Secret World of Alex Mack(1994)
Show 2 episodes · Writer
Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows
Sweet Valley High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)
Show 5 episodes · Writer
A Touch of Frost(1992)
Show 1 episode · as Richard Darrow
Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows
The Price of the Bride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)
as Dennis Guant
The Chief (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)
Show 1 episode · as Simon Duval
Joint Account (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
Show 16 episodes · Actor
A Perfect Spy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)
Show 7 episodes · as Magnus Pym
The Ruth Rendell Mysteries(1987)
Show 6 episodes · as Rev. Henry Archery
Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows
Paradise Postponed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)
Show 14 episodes · as George Augustus Simcox
Paradise Postponed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)
as Henry Simcox
A Woman of Substance(1984)
Show 3 episodes · as Adam Fairley
Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows
A Taste of Honey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)
as Peter
A Taste of Honey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)
Show 3 episodes · as Peter
Ever Decreasing Circles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)
Show 26 episodes · Actor
To Catch a King(1984)
as Heydrich
Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films
The Dark Side of the Sun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
Show 6 episodes · Actor
Reilly: Ace of Spies(1983)
Show 4 episodes · as Fothergill
Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows
Arms and the Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
as Sergius
The Dark Side of the Sun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
as Raoul
Strangled (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)
as Steve Baker
Saturday Night Thriller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)
Show 1 episode · as Steve Baker
Chariots of Fire(1981)
as Duke of Sutherland
Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films
Dear Brutus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)
as Purdie
Prince Regent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)
Show 8 episodes · as George, Prince of Wales / King George IV
Tales of the Unexpected(1979)
Show 1 episode · as Keith
Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows
Lillie(1978)
Show 9 episodes · as Oscar Wilde
Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows
The Copyist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)
as The Copyist
The Kitchen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)
as Peter
BBC2 Play of the Week (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)
Show 1 episode · as Copyist · as Peter
The Velvet Glove (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)
Show 1 episode · as Eddy
Beloved (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)
as Henry James Prince
Victorian Scandals (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)
Show 1 episode · as Henry James Prince
The Lifeswappers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)
as Bunny/Trevor/Miss Trevor/Dinah
Plays for Britain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)
Show 1 episode · as Bunny / Trevor / Miss Trevor / Dinah
Hennessy(1975)
as Williams
Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films
The Love School (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)
Show 3 episodes · as John Everett Millais
The Inheritors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)
Show 6 episodes · as Michael Gethin
Callan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)
as Toby Meres
Zodiac (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)
Show 1 episode · as Tony Weston
The Hireling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)
as Captain Hugh Cantrip
The Organization (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)
Show 7 episodes · as Richard Pershore
One Brief Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Actor
Elizabeth R(1971)
Show 1 episode · as Earl of Southampton
Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows
Play for Today (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)
Show 1 episode · as Purdie
The Rivals (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)
as Faulkland
W. Somerset Maugham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)
Show 1 episode · as Tito
Big Breadwinner Hog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)
Show 8 episodes · as Hog
Cold Comfort Farm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)
Show 3 episodes · as Seth Starkadder
ITV Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)
Show 1 episode · as Peter Morris
BBC Play of the Month (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)
Show 1 episode · as Faulkland · as Freddie

Career shape

Star power in the 92^nd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 92 titles from 1965 to 2024; peak year 2006.

Biggest box office

The Wedding Date (2005)

$47M worldwide

Highest rated

Unforgotten (2015)

Midcredits 94^th

Film career

19652024

Peak 2006 · at the high point of their film career. 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.

1973Screen debut· The Hireling
2005Career best· The Wedding Date
2015Career best· Unforgotten

By role

only this rolewith another role

Acting83 of 92 · 64^thWriting8 of 92Producing1 of 92

By decade

1960s5 · acting1970s22 · acting1980s18 · acting1990s16 · 13 acting · 3 crew2000s18 · 13 acting · 5 crew2010s8 · acting2020s5 · 4 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 9 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.

Awards

Won a BAFTA Award in 1974, Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles.

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Peter Egan's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 57^th percentile, the median of all 14; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 49^th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

49^thpercentile

Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

49^thpercentile

Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

53^rdpercentile

Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 35 titles, by percentile

75^th and up13
50^th to 74^th14
25^th to 49^th6
Below 25^th2

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 35 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

Universally Loved5
Divisive1
Crowd Pleaser18
Broadly Agreed3
Mixed8

Most divisive · producer

I Could Never Go Vegan (2024)

92^nd percentile spread · 26% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Unforgotten (2015)

Midcredits 94^th · 94% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 53. 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 Peter Egan's work okay for kids?

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

Their medianMedian of all films

Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 46 · moderate

Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 47 · moderate

Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 41 · moderate

Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 21 · mild

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

Who does Peter Egan work with?

People who share at least 2 of Peter Egan's MovieCove titles; Don Sharp shares the most, 2.

Don Sharp2 titles See all 2 shared titles with Don Sharp
Sue Johnston2 titles See all 2 shared titles with Sue Johnston