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Ian Puleston-Davies

Ian Puleston-Davies

Actor, also writer · Born September 6, 1958 (68) · Flint, Wales, UK

Actor/Writer/Director Ian was born and raised on a farm in North Wales, destined to follow in the family footsteps. However - inspired by a wonderful drama teacher at his secondary school, Ian joined the school drama club before becoming a founding member of the Flintshire Youth Theatre. At 19 he left for London to study acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. To make ends meet whilst at collage Ian performed a comedy show in London's Covent Garden. After graduating he spent much of the 80's working in repertory theatres throughout the country. It was at this time that Ian, having honed his comedy skills on the streets of London, became involved in the fast emerging alternative comedy circuit in London (Ian was the first ever comedian to be reviewed by the 'City Limits', a London arts and events magazine). He played most of the clubs, including the famous Comedy Store, with his own special brand of kooky, visual (and spoken!) bizarre comedy. His most recent TV appearances include the serial killer in Netflix original, Marcella and the chilling Frank in Sky Atlantic's high-profile drama Tin Star, filmed in Canada alongside Hollywood luminaries Tim Roth and Christina Hendricks. Tin Star confirmed Ian's professional standing in Canada and USA. His current role is also a trans-Atlantic production. He plays Mr Pennyworth Snr in the new Warner Horizon television series Pennyworth. Set in 1960s London and filming at the Warner Bros studios in Leavesden , Pennyworth explores the early life of Batman's loyal butler, Alfred Pennyworth. Charity work plays a huge role in Ian's life and he has been frequently asked to front campaigns and participate in many charity events. He is Patron of: The Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, The Hospice of the Good Shepherd, Sean's Place and OCD-UK, Like most in the acting profession, Ian has enjoyed exciting highs and devastating lows - with the lows often caused by his well-documented struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It is through Ian's own personal experiences of this debilitating mental illness that led him to become Patron of the charity OCD-UK . Ian has spoken at length about his OCD at conferences and to the media. In 2017 he presented and narrated a 30-minute documentary about OCD for BBC Wales called OCD - An Actor's Tale. In 2005, he drew on his own experiences of dealing with OCD to co-write the drama Dirty, Filthy, Love with prolific dramatist, and Oscar nominated writer, Jeff Pope. Ian's and Jeff's work on Dirty Filthy Love was recognised by a Royal Television Society Award and a Broadcast Award for Best Single Drama. They were also nominated for the BAFTA Award in the same category. The film also received the Silver Award at the New York Film and TV Festival, together with a nomination, again for best single drama , at Prix Italia in Milan. Perhaps most importantly, Dirty Filthy Love was recognised with a nomination by The Mental Health in Media Awards Sundance subsequently secured the rights to the film and streamed it on the Sundance Channel to rave reviews. In recent years, Ian has turned his talents to directing. He directed his first television drama, Time Out for the BBC. This was a stand alone drama, which was part of the award winning series called Moving On made by Colin McKeown's LA Productions and exec produced by multi award winning writer Jimmy McGovern. Following that he directed his first feature film: Bolan's Shoes, starring Timothy Spall, Leanne Best and Mark Lewis-Jones. Bolan's Shoes won Best Feature at The National Film Awards, the Audience Award at The Manchester Film Festival, Best film at the Poppy Jasper Film Festival, California and was nominated for best film at Bafta Cymru. Ian's work was recognised two years ago by an honorary doctorate for services to Mental Health and the Arts by the University of Chester in the prestigious setting of Chester Cathedral.

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
September 6, 1958 (68)
From
Flint, Wales, UK
Works as
Actor, also writer
Titles
38 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 155 days to Oct 26Up 65% in 30 days

What are Ian Puleston-Davies' films like?

Across their 11 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
32%
Bonds
22%
Power
14%
Self
12%
Society
12%
Survival
8%
Justice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 4 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 4 · Stylized 0 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 2 · Intense 1

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

Steady 2 · Shifting 2 · Whiplash 0

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 1 · Funny 1

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

Slow burn 3 · 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 2 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

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

A split, not a type: Easy watch 1 · Affecting 1 · Heavy 2

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

Resolved 3 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles
Ally
1 of 5
Herald
1 of 5
Threshold guardian
1 of 5
Mentor
1 of 5
Shadow
1 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
7
Melancholic
5
Warm
3
Joyful
2
Dread
3
Other
9

How their films linger

Thought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet6
  • Tragic1
  • 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 Ian Puleston-Davies' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 32 of their 38 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on BritBox (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ian Puleston-Davies' 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, 38 with a MovieCove page.

  • Madfabulous(2026)

    as Mr Davies

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Box of Frogs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Director · Writer

  • Being Billy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Director

  • The One That Got Away(2024)

    Show 6 episodes · as Paul Harvey

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • After the Flood(2024)

    Show 6 episodes · as Tony Rower

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Archie(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Pender

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Bolan's Shoes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Director · Writer

  • DI Ray(2022)

    Show 10 episodes · as Supt. Ross Beardsmore

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • The Teacher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 2 episodes · as Brian

  • The Responder(2022)

    Show 5 episodes · as Eric

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Four Lives(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Karl Turner MP

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Anne(2022)

    Show 4 episodes · as Prof. Phil Scratton

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Viewpoint(2021)

    Show 5 episodes · as Donald Vernon

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • A Confession(2019)

    Show 6 episodes · as Mick O'Callaghan

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Pennyworth(2019)

    Show 20 episodes · as Arthur Pennyworth

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Hatton Garden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 3 episodes · as Ray Bilton

  • Winterlong(2018)

    as Paul Castle

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Tin Star(2017)

    Show 10 episodes · as Frank Jackson

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows

  • National Treasure(2016)

    Show 4 episodes · as Leo

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Reg(2016)

    as Second Voter

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Marcella(2016)

    Show 24 episodes · as Peter Cullen

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands(2016)

    Show 5 episodes · as Lagrathorn

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all shows

  • Pombo Loves You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Griff

  • Father Brown(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Pat Lochlin

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Vera(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Sean Dewley

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom(2009)

    Show 104 episodes · as King Thistle

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Awaydays (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Uncle Bob

  • Being Human(2008)

    Show 2 episodes · as Chief Constable Wilson

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Clash of the Santas(2008)

    as Beryl

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Tess of the D'Urbervilles(2008)

    Show 4 episodes · as John Durbeyfield

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • The Children (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 3 episodes · as Paul

  • Midnight Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 3 episodes · as Jimmy Kerrigan

  • The Color of Magic(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Wizard Leader

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Meadowlands(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Paulson

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Ghostboat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Travis

  • Waterloo Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 9 episodes · as Charlie Fisher

  • Life on Mars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Toolbox Terry

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

    Show 11 episodes · as Shirley Woolf

  • Vincent(2005)

    Show 8 episodes · as John

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Revolver(2005)

    as Eddie A

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Dirty Filthy Love(2004)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

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

    Show 6 episodes · as Joe Payne

  • Hustle(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as DCI Matthew York

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Wall of Silence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as DI Matthews

  • The Virgin of Liverpool (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Cecil

  • Foyle's War(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Eric Cooper

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Rockface (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · as Billy Deansgate

  • Strange Relations (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Derek

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

    as Linda's Husband

  • Waking the Dead(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · as Harold Bloom

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Tube Tales(1999)

    as Typewriter Man (segment "Rosebud")

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Dr Willoughby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 6 episodes · as Steve Lipton

  • The Vice(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as George Randolph

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • The Life of the Buddha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Vashpa (voice)

  • I'm Alan Partridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Phil Wiley

  • Midsomer Murders(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Terry Stock

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Harpur and Iles(1996)

    as Rick the Intelligent

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Dalziel and Pascoe(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Pitman

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • The Old Devils (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Young Charlie

  • Forever Green (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Reporter

  • Business as Usual (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Young Workman

  • The Third Part of Henry the Sixth(1983)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Second Part of Henry the Sixth(1983)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom: The North Pole (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as King Thistle (voice)

  • From What I Remember (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Mike

Career shape

Star power in the 92nd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 65 titles, 63 of them dated from 1983 to 2026; peak year 2005.

Biggest box office

Winterlong (2018)

$2.5K worldwide

Highest rated

Dirty Filthy Love (2004)

Midcredits 82nd

Most popular right now

Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom (2009)

Film career

19832026

Peak 2005 · 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.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting61 of 65: 61 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score66thDirecting3 of 65: 1 only directing, 2 with another roleWriting3 of 65: 1 only writing, 2 with another role

By decade

1980s4 · acting1990s9 · acting2000s25 · 24 acting · 1 crew2010s12 · acting2020s13 · 10 acting · 3 crew

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.

How do Ian Puleston-Davies' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 61st percentile, the median of all 10; across a limited sample of 4 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 55th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 4

Approval · how many liked their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 4

Reach · how many have seen their films

28thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 4

Midcredits score across 38 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 38 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · actor

Winterlong (2018)

85th percentile spread · 18% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Third Part of Henry the Sixth (1983)

Midcredits 96th · 84% liked

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 Ian Puleston-Davies' work okay for kids?

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

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 60 · intenseMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 67 · intenseMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 53 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 70 · intenseMedian of all films: 39

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

Who does Ian Puleston-Davies work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ian Puleston-Davies' MovieCove titles; Jeff Pope shares the most, 2.