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Chris Langham

Chris Langham

Actor and writer · Died June 24, 2026, aged 77 · London, England, UK

Christopher Langham (1949-2026) was an English writer, actor, and comedian. He is known for playing the cabinet minister Hugh Abbot in the BBC Four sitcom The Thick of It, and as presenter Roy Mallard in People Like Us, first on BBC Radio 4 and later on its transfer to television on BBC Two, where Mallard is almost entirely an unseen character. Langham subsequently created several spoof adverts in the same vein. He also played similar unseen interviewers in an episode of the television series Happy Families and in the film The Big Tease. He is also known for his roles in the television series Not the Nine O'Clock News, Help, Kiss Me Kate, and as the gatehouse guard in Chelmsford 123. In 2006, he won BAFTA awards for The Thick of It and Help. On 2 August 2007, Langham was found guilty of fifteen charges of downloading and possessing level 5 child sexual abuse images and videos. Langham was jailed for ten months, reduced to six months on appeal. He was made to sign the sex offenders' register and was banned from working with children for 10 years.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 14, 1949
Died
June 24, 2026 (aged 77)
From
London, England, UK
Works as
Actor and writer
Titles
22 on MovieCove · 60 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 46% in 30 days

What are Chris Langham's films like?

Across their 12 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Society.

Genres

Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 88th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile
: browse their Documentary 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
31%
Society
31%
Ideas
24%
Self
11%
Morality
3%
Art6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeLegacy2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 9 · Serious 2 · Dark 0

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

Grounded 7 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 8 · Charged 3 · Intense 0

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

Steady 9 · Shifting 1 · 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 2 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 5

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

Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 1 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 10 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles
Trickster
1 of 3
Mentor
1 of 3
Shapeshifter
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
7
Warm
8
Contemplative
5
Absurd
4
Tense
2
Other
2

How their films linger

Feel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet3
  • Ambiguous3

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 Chris Langham's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 11 of their 22 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (5).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Chris Langham'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

60 credits, 22 with a MovieCove page; 11 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Vengeance(2020)

    as Danny

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Why Are We Creative: The Centipede's Dilemma(2018)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Darkest Universe(2016)

    as Alan

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Full Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Vinnie

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

    as Doctor

  • Black Pond (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Tom Thompson

  • Not Again: Not the Nine O'Clock News(2009)

    as Various Roles (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Secret Life of Brian(2007)

    as Giggling Guard

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Art of Football from A to Z(2006)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • My Family and Other Animals(2005)

    as Theodore Stephanides

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • John Wyndham: The Invisible Man of Science Fiction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as John Wyndham

  • The Thick of It(2005)

    Show 6 episodes · as Hugh Abbot

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Help (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 6 episodes · Producer · Writer · as Peter

  • London (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 3 episodes · as Ned Ward

  • The Legend of the Tamworth Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Jack

  • The Worst Week of My Life(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Barry Turner

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • The Best of Not the Nine O'Clock News Volume One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • George Orwell: A Life In Pictures (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as George Orwell

  • The Emperor's New Clothes(2001)

    as Maurice

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Very Best of the Muppet Show: Volume 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Writer

  • Room to Rent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Mr. Paul

  • The Big Tease(1999)

    as BBC Interviewer

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • People Like Us(1999)

    Show 12 episodes · as Roy Mallard

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The Very Best of the Muppet Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Writer

  • The Very Best of the Muppet Show: Volume 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Writer

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

    Show 1 episode · as Narrator

  • Kiss Me Kate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 20 episodes · Creator · Writer · Actor

  • Les Misérables: In Concert at Hylands Park (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Thénardier

  • The Preventers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Dr. Keelover

  • Sardines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Writer

  • Look at the State We're In! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 4 episodes · Writer · as Writer

  • Terry Wogan's Friday Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Presenter

  • Carry on Columbus(1992)

    as Hubba

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Tales from the Poop Deck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 6 episodes · Producer

  • Murder Most Horrid(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Harry

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • Bottom(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Tight-Mouthed Larry

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Bejewelled(1991)

    as Cop

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Hollywood Dog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Story · Teleplay

  • The Jim Henson Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 9 episodes · Writer · as Exerciser · as Officer

  • Call from Space (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Screenplay

  • Teams from Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Chelmsford 123 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 2 episodes · as Roman Guard

  • The McGuffin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Detective

  • Private Enterprise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Nigel

  • Silas Marner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Keating

  • Happy Families (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Reporter

  • Muppet Video: Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff(1985)

    Writer

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

  • Muppet Video: Muppet Treasures(1985)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Muppet Video: Rowlf's Rhapsodies with the Muppets(1985)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Alas Smith and Jones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • The Comic Strip Presents... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Nigel

  • Soft Targets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Drinkwater

  • The Muppets Go to the Movies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Writer

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

    Show 7 episodes · as Spencer Moffatt

  • Not the Nine O'Clock News (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 27 episodes · Actor

  • Monty Python's Life of Brian(1979)

    as Alfonso / Giggling Guard

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

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

    Actor

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

    as Tim

  • The Pink Panther Strikes Again(1976)

    as Police Driver

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Muppet Show(1976)

    Show 48 episodes · Writer · as Self - Special Guest Star

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 91st percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 57 titles from 1976 to 2020; peak year 2011.

Biggest box office

Why Are We Creative: The Centipede's Dilemma (2018)

$96K worldwide

Highest rated

The Secret Life of Brian (2007)

Midcredits 94th

Most popular right now

People Like Us (1999)

Film career

19762020

Peak 2011 · steadily prominent in film for years. 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.

  • 1979Screen debut· Life of Brian
  • 2011First top-billed film· Black Pond
  • 2011Career best· Black Pond

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting44 of 57: 40 only acting, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score83rdWriting15 of 57: 11 only writing, 4 with another roleProducing2 of 57: 1 only producing, 1 with another roleOther crew2 of 57: 1 only other crew, 1 with another role

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

By decade

1970s6 · 5 acting · 1 crew1980s15 · 11 acting · 5 crew1990s17 · 11 acting · 8 crew2000s14 · 12 acting · 3 crew2010s4 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 12th · top billed in 17% of 6 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 Chris Langham's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 80th percentile, the median of all 16; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 81st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

81stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

81stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 22 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th2
  • 25th to 49th4
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

8 of their 22 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Loved with Detractors2
  • Crowd Pleaser8
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · writer

Muppet Video: Muppet Treasures (1985)

98th percentile spread · 26% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)

Midcredits 98th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 60/100 in their films, across 3 reviewed titles; fans 77, 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.

Who does Chris Langham work with?

People who share at least 2 of Chris Langham's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Peter Harris shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Editors

Producers