Ian Richardson
ActingAbout 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 career marked by diverse experimentation. 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 38% 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 Monsignor Quixote, which stands out as a key performance.
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.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 → |
| 2005 | The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby | Judge | Flop | Similar → |
| 2004 | Nero | Septimus | Average | Similar → |
| 2004 | Dæmos Rising | Narrator | Average | Similar → |
| 2001 | From Hell | Sir Charles Warren | Hit | Similar → |
| 2000 | 102 Dalmatians | Mr. Torte | Average | Similar → |
| 2000 | Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes | Dr. Joseph Bell | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1999 | The King and I | The Kralahome (voice) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1998 | Alice Through the Looking Glass | Wasp | Flop | Similar → |
| 1998 | A Knight in Camelot | Merlin | Average | 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 | Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | B.A.P.S | Manley | Flop | Similar → |
| 1997 | The Woman In White | Mr. Fairlie | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | The Treasure Seekers | Haig | Flop | Similar → |
| 1996 | Catherine the Great | Vorontzov | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | A Change of Place | Henri Chambertin | Flop | Similar → |
| 1993 | Dirty Weekend | Nimrod | Flop | 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 | Average | Similar → |
| 1990 | The Plot to Kill Hitler | Ludwig Beck | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | The Winslow Boy | Sir Robert Morton, KC | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | Burning Secret | Edmund's Father | Average | Similar → |
| 1987 | Cry Freedom | State Prosecutor | Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | The Devil's Disciple | General Burgoyne | Average | Similar → |
| 1987 | The Fourth Protocol | Sir Nigel Irvine | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | Whoops Apocalypse | Rear Admiral Bendish | Average | Similar → |
| 1985 | Star Quality | Ray Malcolm | Flop | 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 | Average | 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 | Ike | FM Sir Bernard Montgomery | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | Man of La Mancha | The Padre | Hit | Similar → |
| 1968 | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Oberon | Average | Similar → |
| 1967 | Marat/Sade | Jean-Paul Marat | Average | 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 "Monsignor Quixote" with a rating of 8.5/10.
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 "Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes", "The Booze Cruise II: The Treasure Hunt", and "Brazil".