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James Purefoy

James Purefoy

Actor, also producer · Born June 3, 1964 (62) · Taunton, England, UK

James Brian Mark Purefoy (born 3 June 1964) is an English actor. He played Mark Antony in the HBO series Rome, Nick Jenkins in A Dance to the Music of Time, college professor turned serial killer Joe Carroll in the series The Following, Solomon Kane in the film of the same name, and Hap Collins in the Sundance series Hap and Leonard. Purefoy also played Lord Phillipe de Clermont in the second season of the hit AMC/Netflix series "A Discovery of Witches". In 2018, he starred as Laurens Bancroft in the first season of Altered Carbon, a Netflix original series. Following an uncredited role as V in the 2006 film V for Vendetta (replaced and dubbed over by Hugo Weaving), he was cast in a main role as Captain Gulliver "Gully" Troy / Captain Blighty in the 2020–2021 second and 2022 third season of the television series Pennyworth, the prequel to both Gotham and V for Vendetta. Description above from the Wikipedia article James Purefoy, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 3, 1964 (62)
From
Taunton, England, UK
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
58 on MovieCove · 89 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 26Up 22% in 30 days

What are James Purefoy's films like?

Across their 41 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Action9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 39th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 61st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 31st percentile
: browse their Adventure 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
Self
25%
Bonds
21%
Morality
20%
Survival
16%
Power
14%
Society
3%
Ideas
2%
Purpose9 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship8 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 29 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 10 · Serious 9 · Dark 10

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 13 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 6

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

Gentle 8 · Charged 11 · Intense 10

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

Steady 13 · Shifting 15 · 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 13 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 7

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

Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 18 · Relentless 2

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

Casual 13 · Engaged 14 · Full focus 2

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

Easy watch 11 · Affecting 13 · Heavy 5

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

Resolved 25 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

29 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 9 of 29 analyzed roles.

Hero
9 of 29
Shadow
8 of 29
Shapeshifter
4 of 29
Mentor
4 of 29
Ally
2 of 29
Threshold guardian
1 of 29
Herald
1 of 29
Show the 29 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
24
Dread
14
Melancholic
19
Warm
12
Romantic
9
Other
34

How their films linger

Bittersweet15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 9 with a twist

  • Happy10
  • Bittersweet17
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous9
  • Cyclical2

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 James Purefoy's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 47 of their 58 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (19).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for James Purefoy'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

89 credits, 58 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Masters of the Universe(2026)

    as King Randor

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • The Faithful(2026)

    Show 2 episodes · as Laban

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • Outrageous(2025)

    Show 6 episodes · as David Freeman-Mitford

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Humphrey Jennings: The Man Who Listened to Britain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Narrator

  • Saint-Pierre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 22 episodes · as Sean Gallagher

  • Legacy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Le père

  • Land of Women(2024)

    Show 6 episodes · as Fred

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all shows

  • The Veil(2024)

    Show 6 episodes · as Michael Althorp · as Sir Michael Althorp

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all shows

  • Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie(2023)

    as Rick Eden

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Malpractice(2023)

    Show 5 episodes · as Dr. Leo Harris

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • The Recruit(2022)

    Show 2 episodes · as Oliver Bonner-Jones

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Marie Antoinette(2022)

    Show 4 episodes · as Louis XV

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Fisherman's Friends: One and All(2022)

    Executive Producer · as Jim

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Everything I Ever Wanted to Tell My Daughter About Men(2021)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans(2021)

    as Additional Voices (voice)

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • No Man's Land(2020)

    Show 8 episodes · as Stanley

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • El Candidato(2020)

    Show 10 episodes · as Wayne Addison

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • The Witcher(2019)

    Show 5 episodes · as Skellen

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Limbo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Lucifer

  • Pennyworth(2019)

    Show 10 episodes · as Captain Gulliver 'Gully' Troy

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Fisherman's Friends(2019)

    as Jim

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Sex Education(2019)

    Show 5 episodes · as Remi Milburn

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • A Discovery of Witches(2018)

    Show 3 episodes · as Philippe de Clermont · as Philippe De Clermont

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • It's Me, Sugar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Billy Wilder

  • Altered Carbon(2018)

    Show 10 episodes · as Laurens Bancroft

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Churchill(2017)

    as King George VI

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Interlude in Prague(2017)

    as Baron Saloka

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Urban Myths (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Billy Wilder

  • Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia(2016)

    Show 9 episodes · as Kanjigar / Amulet / Ghost Kanjigar

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Equity(2016)

    as Michael Connor

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Roots(2016)

    Show 2 episodes · as John Waller

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Hap and Leonard(2016)

    Show 18 episodes · as Hap Collins

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • High-Rise(2015)

    as Pangbourne

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Momentum(2015)

    as Mr. Washington

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Wicked Blood(2014)

    as 'Wild' Bill Owens

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • The Following(2013)

    Show 45 episodes · as Joe Carroll

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • The Hollow Crown(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Thomas of Mowbray

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • John Carter(2012)

    as Kantos Kan

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Revenge(2011)

    Show as Dominik Wright

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Injustice(2011)

    Show 5 episodes · as William Travers

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • Ironclad(2011)

    as Thomas Marshall

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Camelot(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · as King Lot

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • Episodes(2011)

    Show 4 episodes · as Rob

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Solomon Kane(2009)

    as Solomon Kane

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Philanthropist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 8 episodes · Actor

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

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

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

    as Lucas Denmont

  • Lena: The Bride of Ice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Dr. Harper

  • The Summit(2008)

    Show 2 episodes · as Thom Lightstone

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all shows

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

    as Clerval

  • British Film Forever (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Manchild(2007)

    as Joe

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

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

    Show 2 episodes · as Edward 'Blackbeard' Teach

  • Beau Brummell: This Charming Man(2006)

    as Beau Brummell

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Goose on the Loose(2006)

    as Kenneth Donnelly

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Rome(2005)

    Show 22 episodes · as Mark Antony

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Photo Finish (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as James Wise

  • Vanity Fair(2004)

    as Rawdon Crawley

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Blessed(2004)

    as Craig Howard

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • George and the Dragon(2004)

    as George

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The Mayor of Casterbridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Donald Farfrae

  • The Mayor of Casterbridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Donald Farfrae

  • Resident Evil(2002)

    as Spence

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Women Talking Dirty(1999)

    as Daniel

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • A Knight's Tale(2001)

    as Colville

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

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

    as Andrew Spender

  • The Wedding Tackle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Hal

  • Maybe Baby(2000)

    as Carl Phipps

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Metropolis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 6 episodes · as Nathan

  • Don Quixote(2000)

    as Carrasco

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Lighthouse(1999)

    as Richard Spader

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Mansfield Park(1999)

    as Tom Bertram

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Jilting Joe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Joe

  • Bedrooms and Hallways(1998)

    as Brendan

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • A Dance to the Music of Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 4 episodes · as Nicholas Jenkins

  • Bright Hair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as David Miles

  • The Tenant of Wildfell Hall(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mr Frederick Lawrence

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • The Prince and the Pauper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 6 episodes · as Miles Hendon

  • The Tide of Life(1996)

    Show 3 episodes · as Nick Stuart

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Feast of July(1995)

    as Jedd Wainwright

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Sharpe's Sword (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Captain the Lord Jack Spears

  • Tears Before Bedtime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 4 episodes · as Jimmy Turner

  • One Night Stand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as John

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

    Show 2 episodes · as Brian Summers

  • Sharpe(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Spears

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Angels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Victor

  • The Cloning of Joanna May (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 2 episodes · as Oliver

  • Coasting (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 7 episodes · as Mike Baker

  • Sherlock Holmes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as James McCarthy

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 89 titles from 1984 to 2026; peak year 2010.

Biggest box office

John Carter (2012)

$284M worldwide

Highest rated

Rome (2005)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

The Following (2013)

Film career

19842026

Peak 2010 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 14 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
Acting89 of 89: 88 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score63rdProducing1 of 89: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1980s1 · acting1990s17 · acting2000s28 · acting2010s26 · acting2020s17 · 17 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 20% of 25 roles
9505

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 James Purefoy's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 50th percentile, the median of all 30; across their 29 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 48th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Approval · how many liked their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Reach · how many have seen their films

78thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Midcredits score across 58 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th23
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

31 of their 58 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive3
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser31
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed15

Most divisive · actor

Everything I Ever Wanted to Tell My Daughter About Men (2021)

96th percentile spread · 43% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Rome (2005)

Midcredits 98th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 27 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 46. 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 James Purefoy's work okay for kids?

Across up to 19 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore16 titles34–92 · median 74 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity19 titles15–79 · median 40 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity15 titles18–77 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs13 titles19–68 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense16 titles29–89 · median 64 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian 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 James Purefoy work with?

People who share at least 2 of James Purefoy's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Compton Ross shares the most, 4.

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers