The United Kingdom has produced so many famous TV actors. Here's a list of over 2,000 British male actors and actresses to help you sort them all out. From televised costume dramas to slapstick comedies, the list of British actors is very long, but definitely worth a read if you're a fan of actors from across the pond.
Maggie Smith, has had a long and storied career, but may be best remembered for her sassy portrayal of Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham on PBS's Downton Abbey. English actor John Cleese is beloved by comedy fans for co-founding the absurd sketch show Monty Python, which has become a cult favorite among thanks to the work of these funny old British actors.
In fact, some of the funniest and most talented performers are British TV stars, so if you're an aspiring actor or actress from United Kingdom, you'll see your heroes here. The '90s just wouldn't have been the same without the hard-partying antics of Eddy and Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous, (Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, respectively). Both of them belong on any list that seeks to answer "Who are the best British TV actors?"
Of course, plenty of American TV shows also feature British actors — some whom you'd never know were from the UK. Hello, Hugh Laurie (House), Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes on The Walking Dead), and Idris Elba (Stringer Bell on The Wire). So if you've been wondering which television actors are from the United Kingdom, now you know. And if you want to vote on the best British actors in the history of entertainment, rank away!
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John Cleese
Monty Python's Flying Circus, Fawlty TowersBirthplace: Weston-super-Mare, United Kingdom
Nationality: United Kingdom, England
John Marwood Cleese (; born 27 October 1939) is an English actor, voice actor, comedian,... more2
Meera Syal
Jekyll, Goodness Gracious MeBirthplace: Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
Nationality: United Kingdom, England
Meera Syal (born Feroza Syal; 27 June 1961) is an English comedian, writer, playwright,... more3
Cliff Richard
The 100 Greatest MusicalsBirthplace: Lucknow, India
Nationality: Barbados
Sir Cliff Richard (born 14 October 1940) is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor... more4
David Bowie
The HungerBirthplace: London, England
Nationality: United Kingdom, England
David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie (,... more5
Erick Avari
Stargate, Bone ChillersBirthplace: India, Darjeeling
Nationality: India, United States of America
Erick Avari (born 13 April 1952) is an American television, film and theater actor known... more6
Christina Hendricks
Firefly, Mad MenBirthplace: Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
Nationality: United States of America, United Kingdom
Christina Rene Hendricks (born May 3, 1975) is an American actress and former model. Her... more7
Carol Vorderman
Countdown, Blankety BlankBirthplace: England, Bedford
Nationality: United Kingdom, England
Carol Jean Vorderman, MBE (born 24 December 1960) is a British media personality, best known... more8
Adnan Sami
Indian IdolBirthplace: England, London
Nationality: Pakistan, India, United Kingdom
Adnan Sami Khan (born 15 August 1971) is an Indian singer, musician, music composer, pianist... more9
Anthony Hopkins
Tony Bennett: The Music Never Ends, War and PeaceBirthplace: Margam, United Kingdom
Nationality: United States of America, United Kingdom
Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins (born 31 December 1937) is a Welsh actor, director, and producer.... more10
Callum Keith Rennie
Battlestar Galactica, The KillingBirthplace: Sunderland, United Kingdom
Nationality: United Kingdom,Canada
Callum Keith Rennie (born 14 September 1960) is a British-born Canadian television and film... more11
Kate Beckinsale
Emma, MTV Movie AwardsBirthplace: Finsbury Park, London, United Kingdom
Nationality: United Kingdom
Kathrin Romary Beckinsale (born 26 July 1973) is an English actress and model. After some... more12
Dame Mary Barbara Hamilton Cartland, (9 July 1901 – 21 May 2000) was an English novelist who... more13
Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Alfred Hitchcock PresentsBirthplace: Leytonstone, London, United Kingdom
Nationality: United States of America, United Kingdom, England
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) was an English film director and... more14
Ayesha Dharker
The Indian Doctor, Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee HeeBirthplace: Mumbai, India
Nationality: India, United Kingdom
Ayesha Dharker is a British actress, known for her appearance as Queen Jamillia, the Queen of... more15
David Walliams
Little Britain, EastEndersBirthplace: London Borough of Merton, London, United Kingdom
Nationality: United Kingdom, England
David Edward Walliams (born 20 August 1971) is an English actor, comedian, writer, and... more16
Bill Nighy
Meerkat Manor, Gideon's DaughterBirthplace: England, Caterham
Nationality: United Kingdom, England
William Francis "Bill" Nighy is an English actor. He worked in theatre and television before... more17
Paul McCartney
The Beatles Anthology, The BeatlesBirthplace: Walton, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Nationality: England
Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter, musician,... more18
Anthony Stewart Head
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, MerlinBirthplace: Camden Town, England, London
Nationality: England
Anthony Stewart Head (born 20 February 1954) is an English actor and musician. He rose to fame... more19
Malcolm McDowell
Heroes, Phineas and FerbBirthplace: England, Horsforth
Nationality: England
Malcolm McDowell (born Malcolm John Taylor; 13 June 1943) is an English actor, known for his... more20
Dominic Monaghan
Lost, ChuckBirthplace: Berlin, Germany
Nationality: United Kingdom, Germany
Dominic Bernard Patrick Luke Monaghan (; born 8 December 1976) is an English actor who was... more21
Christopher Eccleston
The Leftovers, CrackerBirthplace: Pendleton, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Nationality: United Kingdom,England
Christopher Eccleston (; born 16 February 1964) is an English actor. The recipient of an Emmy... more22
Patrick Stewart
Star Trek: The Next Generation, American Dad!Birthplace: Mirfield, United Kingdom
Nationality: United Kingdom, England
Sir Patrick Stewart (born 13 July 1940) is an English actor whose work has included roles on... more23
Charu Bala Chokshi
Little BritainNationality: United Kingdom, India
Charu Bala Chokshi is a British Indian actress.... more24
Gyles Brandreth
The One Show, KnowitallsBirthplace: Wuppertal, Germany
Nationality: United Kingdom
Gyles Daubeney Brandreth (born 8 March 1948) is an English writer, broadcaster, actor, and... more25
Brian Cox
Oz, The Big CBirthplace: Dundee, United Kingdom
Nationality: Scotland
Brian Denis Cox (born 1 June 1946) is a Scottish actor who works with the Royal Shakespeare... more
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