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Karl Johnson

Karl Johnson

Actor · Born March 1, 1948 (78) · Wales, UK

Karl Johnson is a Welsh actor, appearing on stage, film and television. His most notable role to date is the title role in Derek Jarman's 1993 film Wittgenstein and those of Cato the Younger in the television drama series Rome and of Twister Turrill in the BBC costume drama Lark Rise to Candleford.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 1, 1948 (78)
From
Wales, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
57 on MovieCove · 97 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 26Up 2% in 30 days

What are Karl Johnson's films like?

Across their 26 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 65th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Biography6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th 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
Bonds
23%
Self
18%
Morality
18%
Society
15%
Survival
12%
Ideas
10%
Power
5%
Family bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeForgiveness3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 23 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 8 · Serious 5 · Dark 10

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 14 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 6

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

Gentle 4 · Charged 12 · Intense 7

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

Steady 9 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 3

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

Straight-faced 11 · Some laughs 11 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 17 · Even-paced 5 · 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 6 · Engaged 16 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 5 · Affecting 10 · Heavy 8

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 12 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 6

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 8 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 8
Mentor
3 of 8
Shadow
2 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
15
Tense
11
Warm
11
Bittersweet
7
Hopeful
6
Other
23

How their films linger

Hopeful10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet13
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous6

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 Karl Johnson's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 38 of their 57 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (15).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Karl Johnson'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

97 credits, 57 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Truelove(2024)

    Show 3 episodes · as Tom

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • The Following Events Are Based on a Pack of Lies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 5 episodes · as Bill

  • Wolf(2023)

    Show 3 episodes · as Colonel Frink

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • National Theatre Live: The Crucible (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • Halo(2022)

    Show 3 episodes · as Hierarch Truth (voice)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Suspicion(2022)

    Show 2 episodes · as Eric Cresswell

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Mammals(2022)

    Show as Mr. Lewis

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • National Theatre Live: Under Milk Wood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Richard Jenkins

  • Dream Horse(2020)

    as Kerby

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Too Close (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 3 episodes · as James de Cadenet

  • Endgame & Rough for Theatre II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Nagg

  • The Last Vermeer(2019)

    as Bernard Bakker

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Peterloo(2018)

    as Lord Sidmouth, the Home Secretary

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • King Lear(2018)

    as Fool

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Kaleidoscope(2016)

    as John

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Death of Stalin(2017)

    as Dr. Lukomsky

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Born to Kill(2017)

    Show 4 episodes · as Mr. Williams

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Winter Thaw (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Stepanovich

  • Aberfan: The Green Hollow(2016)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Carer(2016)

    as Joseph

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Mum(2016)

    Show 18 episodes · as Reg

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Mother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Old Man in Café

  • National Theatre Live: Hamlet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Ghost / Gravedigger

  • Mr. Turner(2014)

    as Mr. Booth

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Lovesick(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Richard

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Under Milk Wood(2014)

    as Drowned / Voice

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Mr Invisible (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as The Handler

  • Atlantis(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Itheus

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • The Sea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Blunden

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

    Show 1 episode · as Various

  • Good Vibrations(2012)

    as George Hooley

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Call the Midwife(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Masterson

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Deep Blue Sea(2011)

    as Mr. Miller

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Pier(2011)

    as Larry McCarthy

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • National Theatre Live: Frankenstein (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as De Lacey

  • Third Star(2010)

    as Ticket Seller

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Is Anybody There?(2008)

    as Arthur (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • I Know You Know(2008)

    as Ernie

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Merlin(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Taliesin

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • The Edge of Love(2008)

    as Dai Fred

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Lark Rise to Candleford(2008)

    Show 40 episodes · as Twister Turrill

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Ladies and Gentlemen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Uncle Philip

  • Dog Altogether (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Jack

  • Hot Fuzz(2007)

    as PC Bob Walker

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Trial of Tony Blair(2007)

    as Father Lunt

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Four Last Songs(2007)

    as Erico

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Marcellus

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Copying Beethoven(2006)

    as Stefan Holtz

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Illusionist(2006)

    as Doctor / Old Man

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • The Chatterley Affair(2006)

    as Mr. Justice Byrne

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Elizabeth David: A Life in Recipes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Norman Douglas

  • Heidi(2005)

    as Old Man

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Frozen(2005)

    as Coastguard Bill

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • When I'm Sixty-Four(2004)

    as Billy

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • England Expects (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • New Tricks(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • 77 Beds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Spiritual Father

  • Tomorrow La Scala! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Sydney

  • What's Your Problem? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Pure(2002)

    as Granddad

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Born and Bred (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Alec Rossendale

  • Contagion(2002)

    as Ferrin

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • David Copperfield(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Tungay

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Vanity Fair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Major Loder

  • Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon(1998)

    as John Deakin

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Midsomer Murders(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Derek Lockwood

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Saint-Ex(1996)

    as Didier Daurat

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Dalziel and Pascoe(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Steve Earle

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • An Independent Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 7 episodes · as Bill Rutherford

  • The Lifeboat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 9 episodes · as Hughie Jones

  • Wittgenstein(1993)

    as Ludwig Wittgenstein

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Close My Eyes(1991)

    as Colin

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Let Him Have It(1991)

    as Parris

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Rules of Engagement (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 6 episodes · as Dave Gillespie

  • A Tale of Two Cities (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 2 episodes · as Solomon Pross/'John Barsad'

  • The Shawl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Charles

  • Poirot(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Saunders

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • The Black and Blue Lamp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as PC "Taffy" Hughes

  • The Play on One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Charles

  • A Prayer for the Dying(1987)

    as Fitzgerald

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Prick Up Your Ears(1987)

    as Douglas Orton

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as P.C. Taffy Hughes

  • The Mysteries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 3 episodes · as Jesus / Abel

  • The Bill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Night Court(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Dave Costanza

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • The Magic Shop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Bergerac(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Henry Morant

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Sons and Lovers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Paul Morel

  • Sons and Lovers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 7 episodes · as Paul Morel

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

    Show 1 episode · as Dennis Philips

  • The Tempest(1979)

    as Ariel, an airy spirit

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Only Connect (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Colin

  • The Other Side (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 5 episodes · as Colin

  • Cold Harbour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Geoff

  • Jubilee(1978)

    as Sphinx

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Chips with Everything (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Wilfe Seaford

  • BBC Play of the Month (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Wilf Seaford

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 96 titles from 1965 to 2024; peak year 2006.

Biggest box office

The Illusionist (2006)

$88M worldwide

Highest rated

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Lark Rise to Candleford (2008)

Film career

19652024

Peak 2006 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 5 MovieCove titles. 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
Acting96 of 96: 96 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score70th

By decade

1960s1 · acting1970s7 · acting1980s16 · acting1990s11 · acting2000s26 · acting2010s25 · acting2020s10 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 25 roles
78930813

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 Karl Johnson's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 66th percentile, the median of all 37; across their 23 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 66th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

66thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Approval · how many liked their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Reach · how many have seen their films

73rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Midcredits score across 57 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up25
  • 50th to 74th20
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

31 of their 57 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved11
  • Universally Panned1
  • Loved with Detractors1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser31
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · actor

Aberfan: The Green Hollow (2016)

94th percentile spread · 23% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Midcredits 97th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 77/100 in their films, across 22 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 Karl Johnson's work okay for kids?

Across up to 9 MovieCove titles with content scores, 3 of the 5 categories sit near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 36 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity9 titles21–72 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles14–72 · median 30 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles32–41 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 32 · mildMedian 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 Karl Johnson work with?

People who share at least 2 of Karl Johnson's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Derek Jarman shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers