Ian Richardson - Actor Profile

Ian Richardson

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Apr 7, 1934
Birth Place: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

About Ian Richardson

Ian William Richardson CBE (7 April 1934 – 9 February 2007) was a Scottish actor, best known for his portrayal of the Machiavellian Tory politician Francis Urquhart in the BBC's House of Cards trilogy. He was also a leading Shakespearean stage actor. Description above from the Wikipedia article Ian Richardson, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Ian Richardson Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Ian Richardson reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Ian Richardson's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 70% of Ian Richardson's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains All's Well That Ends Well, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Ian Richardson Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Ian Richardson's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Ian Richardson has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2007 Hogfather Death Hit Similar →
2007 Becoming Jane Richter Langlois Hit Similar →
2006 Twice Upon a Time Lord Evelyn Gaylord Average Similar →
2006 The Booze Cruise III: The Scattering Marcus Hit Similar →
2005 The Booze Cruise II: The Treasure Hunt Marcus Foster Super Hit Similar →
2005 Joyeux Noel The Bishop Hit Similar →
2004 Nero Septimus Average Similar →
2004 Dæmos Rising Narrator Hit Similar →
2001 From Hell Sir Charles Warren Hit Similar →
2000 Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes Dr. Joseph Bell Super Hit Similar →
1998 Dark City Mr. Book Hit Similar →
1997 The Fifth Province Dr. Drudy Average Similar →
1997 Incognito Turley (prosecutor) Average Similar →
1997 A Royal Scandal Narrator Super Hit Similar →
1997 The Woman In White Mr. Fairlie Hit Similar →
1996 Catherine the Great Vorontzov Average Similar →
1995 Savage Play Count Super Hit Similar →
1994 Words Upon the Window Pane Dr. Trench Super Hit Similar →
1993 Remember Philip Rawlings Super Hit Similar →
1993 M. Butterfly Ambassador Toulon Hit Similar →
1993 Foreign Affairs Edwin Hit Similar →
1992 An Ungentlemanly Act His Excellency, Governor Rex Hunt Average Similar →
1992 Year of the Comet Sir Mason Harwood Average Similar →
1991 Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead Polonius Hit Similar →
1990 King of the Wind Bey of Tunis Hit Similar →
1990 The Plot to Kill Hitler Ludwig Beck Average Similar →
1989 The Winslow Boy Sir Robert Morton, KC Super Hit Similar →
1988 Burning Secret Edmund's Father Average Similar →
1987 Cry Freedom State Prosecutor Hit Similar →
1987 The Devil's Disciple General Burgoyne Super Hit Similar →
1987 The Fourth Protocol Sir Nigel Irvine Average Similar →
1986 Whoops Apocalypse Rear Admiral Bendish Average Similar →
1985 Star Quality Ray Malcolm Hit Similar →
1985 Brazil Mr. Warrenn Super Hit Similar →
1985 Monsignor Quixote Bishop of Motopo Super Hit Similar →
1984 The Master of Ballantrae Mr. MacKellar Average Similar →
1983 The Sign of Four Sherlock Holmes Hit Similar →
1983 The Hound of the Baskervilles Sherlock Holmes Hit Similar →
1982 A Cotswold Death Inspector Anthony Arrowsmith Hit Similar →
1979 Charlie Muffin Cuthbertson Average Similar →
1979 Churchill and the Generals Gen. Bernard L. Montgomery Super Hit Similar →
1979 Ike FM Sir Bernard Montgomery Hit Similar →
1978 Sorry... Michael - 'Private View' Super Hit Similar →
1978 Danton's Death Robespierre Super Hit Similar →
1972 Man of La Mancha The Padre Hit Similar →
1972 The Darwin Adventure Capt. Fitzroy Hit Similar →
1968 A Midsummer Night's Dream Oberon Average Similar →
1968 All's Well That Ends Well Bertram Super Hit Similar →
1967 Marat/Sade Jean-Paul Marat Average Similar →
1963 As You Like It Le Beau Hit Similar →

Ian Richardson - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Ian Richardson?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ian Richardson is "All's Well That Ends Well" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Ian Richardson acted in?

Ian Richardson has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Ian Richardson?

Other notable films include "Remember", "Danton's Death", and "Churchill and the Generals".

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