On TV This Week:  UK

Year Title/Writer Details
2015 THE DRESSER Company: BBC Two (UK); Starz (US)

Writer: Ronald Harwood
Director: Richard Eyre

Co-starring Anthony Hopkins

Late 2015 (BBC); 2016 (Starz)

 

2013 VICIOUS Company: ITV

Writer: Gary Jenetti


Co-starring Derek Jacobi and Frances de la Tour

6 episodes beginning 29 April 2013

 

2011 LOOKING FOR LOWRY Company: ITV/Foxtrot Films

On ITV 24 April 2011 (Easter Sunday)

Order Looking for Lowry DVD

 

2009 THE PRISONER Company: ITV/AMC
Writer: Bill Gallagher

Six Episodes
Filming began August 2008 in Namibia and South Africa

On ITV/AMC in November 2009

Role: Number Two

Costarring: Jim Caviezel

2008 KING LEAR Company: Channel 4

First transmission: 25 December 2008, 9pm

Ian McKellen Video Online


2006 EXTRAS Company: BBC 2

Season 2, Episode 5
Filmed at Pinewood Studios 14 June 2006

EPISODE 5, with Ian McKellen
First Aired
9 pm Friday, 6 October 2006
BBC 2 TV

Ian McKellen Video Online

 

2006 A CONVERSATION WITH SIR IAN MCKELLEN Company: BT for National Theatre's Stagework
Producer: Peter Reynolds
Director: Martin Percy

Interactive presentation. Trailer here.

Nominated for BAFTA, Emmy, Webbys

2005 CORONATION STREET Company: Granada-ITV

Ten episodes first aired beginning Sunday 1 May 2005

2004 SOUTH BANK SHOW: A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF IAN MCKELLEN Company: ITV
PRODUCER: Matt Cain, edited and presented by Melvyn Bragg

First aired 27 June 2004

2003 THE SIMPSONS: The Regina Monologues Company: Fox
ROLE: Himself

First aired 23 November 2003

2003 CHURCHILL Company: TWI/Carlton PBS
ROLE: Narrator

 

2002 EVEREST - VIEW FROM THE TOP Company: Channel Four UK
ROLE: Narrator

2002 SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE ROLE: Host

Broadcast 16 March 2002

Ian McKellen Video Online



2001 THE OLIVIERS IN LOVE COMPANY: Channel Four UK
ROLE: Narrator

1999 DAVID COPPERFIELD
Charles Dickens, Screenplay by Adrian Hodges
COMPANY: BBC One
PRODUCER: Kate Harwood
DIRECTOR: Simon Curtis
ROLE: Mr Creakle
Co-starring: Bob Hoskins, Maggie Smith, Daniel Radcliffe, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Pauline Quirke, Ciarán McMenamin
Transmission: BBC ONE Christmas Day 7pm & Boxing Day 6:25pm 1999
In the US April 16-17, 2000 on PBS

Ian McKellen Video Online

1996 RASPUTIN
PRODUCER: HBO USA
DIRECTOR: Uli Edel
ROLE: Tsar Nicholas II
Golden Globe Award - Best Supporting Actor
Emmy nomination - Best Supporting Actor

Co-starring: Alan Rickman, Greta Scacchi, David Warner, John Wood.
Theatrical release outside of US, HBO TV in US.



1996 Charlie Rose Show

Interview 5 January 1996

Ian McKellen Video Online

 

1995 NATIONAL POETRY DAY PRODUCER: BBC 1 Television

Griff Rhys-Jones announced the winner of the national poll for the favourite poem., Rudyard Kipling's "If," which was then read live by Ian McKellen. 1 September 1995

 

1995 ANGLIA AT WAR PRODUCER: The Fourth Estate Productions
ROLE: Voiceover
Three series of four shows each


1995 COLD COMFORT FARM
From the novel by Stella Gibbons
PRODUCER: BBC Flms/Thames Film
DIRECTOR: John Schlesinger
ROLE: Amos Starkadder
Co-starring: Eileen Atkins, Stephen Fry, Kate Beckinsale, Miriam Margolyes, Stephen Fry, Rufus Sewell.
Shot on location in Sussex.
Also theatrical release.

Ian McKellen Video Online

 

1993 TALES OF THE CITY
Screenplay of his novel by Armistead Maupin
PRODUCER: Channel Four UK / PBS USA
DIRECTOR: Alastair Stewart
ROLE: San Franciscan "A-Gay"



1993 MISTER SHAW'S MISSING MILLIONS
Jack Emery
PRODUCER: Channel Four UK
DIRECTOR: David Giles
ROLE: G Bernard Shaw


1993 AND THE BAND PLAYED ON
Screenplay by Arnold Schulman from Randy Shilts' book
PRODUCER: HBO USA
DIRECTOR: Roger Spottiswoode
ROLE: Bill Kraus
Cable Ace Award - Best Supporting Actor
Emmy Nomination - Best Supporting Actor

Co-starring: Matthew Modine, LilyTomlin, Richard Gere, Steve Martin.
Theatrical release outside of US. Shot in November 1992.



1992 40 Glorious Years HM the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh are present at Earls Court Arena where a cast of 4,000 from the worlds of entertainment, theatre, sport and industry get together to celebrate the first 40 years of the Queen's reign.The biggest indoor production ever staged in Britain opens with Sir Ian McKellen, a choir of 500, two orchestras, the Gold State Coach, a cavalry escort, the Yeomen of the Guard, and the Guns of the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery. Stars from theatre and entertainment include Larry Adler, Michael Ball, Cilla Black, Darcy Bussell, Petula Clark, Wendy Craig, Dame Judi Dench, Lonnie Donegan, Dame Gwyneth Jones, Felicity Lott, Dame Vera Lynn, Cliff Richard, Donald Sinden, Julian Slade, Zoltan Solynosi, Tommy Steele and the Tiller Girls. Event producer Major Michael Parker Television presentation Michael Begg
Transmitted on BBC One
30 October 1992
BBC Genome
1991 To Be or Not To Be ... Sir Ian McKellen , Simon Callow , Antony Sher and others challenge the theatre's reputation for sexual tolerance.

Transmitted 16 November 1991 on BBC Two
BBC Genome
1991 Them and Us Sir Ian McKellen goes to the Isle of Man to find out why a man can still be imprisoned for loving another man.

Transmitted 19 August 1991 on BBC One
BBC Genome
1990 OTHELLO
William Shakespeare
COMPANY: Royal Shakespeare Company
PRODUCER: CBS
DIRECTOR: Trevor Nunn
ROLE: Iago
Co-starring: Willard White, Imogen Stubbs, Zoe Wanamaker.
Primetime TV; Royal Shakespeare production.
Transmitted on BBC Two
23 June 1990


BBC Genome
1989 COUNTDOWN TO WAR
PRODUCER: Granada
DIRECTOR: Patrick Lau
WRITER: Ronald Harwood
ROLE: Adolf Hitler
 

Verbatim words of the protagonists of WW2.

First aired 31 August 1989 on Granada Television in UK

Stream:


1989 Rights and Reactions Actor Ian McKellen introduces an important documentary on gay rights, on the tenth anniversary of the birth of the Gay Liberation Movement after the Stonewall riots in New York. In 1986, the city of New York passed a gay rights bill, and mayor Edward Koch predicted that the sky would not fall. But the hearings and demonstrations that led up to this event became a focus for the inflammatory subject of the rights of lesbians and gay men. This highly praised documentary, which won top awards at the Chicago and San Francisco International Film Festivals, follows events in the city council chambers and out on the streets to capture the full range of passionately held views, from gay activists to religious fundamentalists. Produced by PHIL ZWICKLER and JANE LIPPMAN A REALIS PICTURES and SYZYGY MEDIA production, in association with TAPESTRY productions
Transmitted on BBC Two
26 May 1989
BBC Genome
1988 WINDMILL OF THE GODS
From the novel by Sidney Sheldon
PRODUCER: CBS
Co-starring: Jaclyn Smith, Robert Wagner.



1988 SCARFE'S FOLLIES
Gerald Scarfe
Bob Geldof , Jane Asher Terry Jones , Ian McKellen Robin Bailey , Julian Glover Marcia Warren , John Bird John Challis , John Watts and Nellie the elephant, Ivy the camel
Gerald Scarfe records the follies of man in his cartoons. Now he wants to create his own folly. But what are follies - and why did eccentrics build them? Surrounded by high-kicking follies girls and borne by noble beasts, Scarfe sets off on a quest of discovery. He encounters a naughty vicar who built a folly garden for his gypsy girlfriend; a Welshman who burned his own son; a politician who got voters drunk; a man whose house resembles a jungle; and 'Mad Jack' Fuller, who built a steeple overnight to win a wager, and was buried in a pyramid with a bottle of port and a cold chicken. Mary and Jeffrey Archer talk about their own folly. And as all the best follies contained a resident hermit, Scarfe advertises for one in the Times - with startling results. Photography CHRIS SEAGER Film editor ROY SHARMAN Written and directed by GERALD SCARFE Editor EDWARD MIRZOEFF
Transmitted on BBC Two
28 January 1988
BBC Genome
1987 SULEYMAN THE MAGNIFICENT
PRODUCER: PBS USA special
ROLE: Narrator


1986 THE WITCHES
Based on the life and writings of Roald Dahl
PRODUCER: BBC 2 TV / Arena
Role: Grand High Witch
Broadcast: 19 October 1986

Watch on You Tube

1985 IAN MCKELLEN ACTING SHAKESPEARE
PRODUCER: PBS USA Special / David Suskind
DIRECTOR: Kirk Browning/Sean Mathias


1985 IAN MCKELLEN'S DIARY OF A YEAR
PRODUCER: PBS South Bank Show UK / Bravo USA
Edited by Melvyn Bragg.
1984/85 filmed record of Ian McKellen's year at the Royal National Theatre.
First broadcast 20 October 1985

1982 LOVING WALTER
Screenplay from his novel by David Cook
PRODUCER: Central Productions Ltd for Channel Four UK
DIRECTOR: Stephen Frears
ROLE: Walter
Royal Television Society Performer of the Year
Co-starring: Sarah Miles, Barbara Jefford, Jim Broadbent
Also screened as two separate films: WALTER AND JUNE; LOVING WALTER. The shocking story of a mentally handicapped man at the mercy of society's attitudes. Adapted from DAVID COOK's award-winning novel, 'WALTER' was transmitted on 'Film on Four" on the new channel's opening night. Scenes at The Old Hospital, Liverpool Road, London shot in March 1982.



1982 THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL
Screenplay by Bill Bast
PRODUCER: London Films / CBS
DIRECTOR: Clive Donner
ROLE: Chauvelin
Co-starring: Jane Seymour and Anthony Andrews.



1982 ACTING SHAKESPEARE
From Shakespeare with commentary by Ian McKellen

PRODUCER: Andrew Susskind
PBS USA
Transmitted: 26 April 1982


Now on DVD

Acting Shakespeare DVD cover

Ian McKellen Video Online

 

1982 PLAYING SHAKESPEARE PRODUCER: LWT
Written and hosted by John Barton
NPR Review
 
1980 DYING DAY
John Bowen
PRODUCER: ITV UK / Masterpiece Theatre / PBS USA
DIRECTOR: Robert Tronson
First Transmitted: 12 February 1980
4-part "Armchair Thriller"


1979 EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR
WRITER: Tom Stoppard
PRODUCER: BBC Play of the Week
DIRECTOR: Trevor Nunn & Roger Bamford

The filming was undertaken at a live performance at Wembley Conference Centre in April 1978, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Previn. The cast for this production was Ian McKellen (Alexander Ivanov), Ben Kingsley (Ivanov), Frank Windsor (the Doctor),John Woodvine (the Colonel), Barbara Leigh Hunt (the Teacher) and James Harris, aka Jim Harris and James Pickering, (Sacha).

First broadcast 9 May 1979
BBC Genome

1979 MACBETH
William Shakespeare
COMPANY: Royal Shakespeare Company
PRODUCER: Thames TV
DIRECTOR: Trevor Nunn/Philip Casson
ROLE: Macbeth
Co-starring: Judi Dench as Lady Macbeth.
"Ian McKellen, Judi Dench and John Woodvine (Banquo) lift themselves to levels of excellence seldom encountered on the small screen. Or anywhere else. Television is honoured by this Macbeth." — Herbert Kretzmer, Daily Mail UK, 5 January 1979.



1978 JACKANORY: THE MOON IN THE CLOUD
Written by: Rosemary Harris
Role: Storyteller
Broadcast on BBC One, 11 January 1978 (first of four parts)
BBC Genome
1974 HEDDA GABLER
Henrik Ibsen
PRODUCER: BBC Masterpiece Theatre Play of the Month/Classic Theatre PBS USA 1975
DIRECTOR: Waris Hussein
ROLE: George Tesman
Co-starring: Janet Suzman & Tom Bell.


1973 GRACELESS GO I
Screenplay by Anthony Storey
COMPANY: BBC TV
DIRECTOR: Patrick Dromgoole
Co-starring: Stanley Baker, Rachel Roberts.


1973 THE RECRUITING OFFICER
George Farquhar
COMPANY: BBC1 Play of the Month
PRODUCER: Cedric Messina
DIRECTOR: David Giles
ROLE: Captain Plume

First broadcast Sunday 18 November 1973

Co-starring: Prunella Ransome as Silvia, Jane Asher as Melinda, Brian Blessed as Sergeant Kite, Bryan Marshall as Mr Worthy, John Moffatt as Captain Brazen, John Welsh as Mr Balance

Cpt Plume and Sgt Kite descend on unsuspecting Shrewsbury in search of new recruits. But doesn't their prize catch, Mr Wilful, bear a striking resemblance to the beautiful and scheming daughter of the local Justice?

Recorded on location at Lacock Abbey and Hazelbury Manor, Wilts

BBC Genome


1973 CRAVEN ARMS (COUNTRY MATTERS)
From A E Coppard's short story
PRODUCER: Granada TV
DIRECTOR: David Giles
First Transmitted: 20 August 1972


2-DVD Set — As seen on Masterpiece Theatre
Now on DVD

Video Clip

 


1972 Keith Michell at Her Majesty's Show of the Week PRODUCER: BBC TV
DIRECTOR: Yvonne Littlewood

First broadcast 15 June 1972

 

1972 THE LAST JOURNEY
James Forsyth
PRODUCER: Granada TV
DIRECTOR: Peter Potter
ROLE: Stefan
Co-starring: Peggy Ashcroft, Harry Andrews, Patrick Allen


"The story of the last days in the life of the great writer Leo Tolstoy (Harry Andrews), whose passionate concern for the people of Russia began to destroy his relationship with his wife Sophia (Dame Peggy Ashcroft). In 1910, at the age of 82, he left home, family and his tempestuous marriage to go on his last journey through the Russian winter - a journey to death."

First broadcast 9 April 1972

 

1972 HAMLET
William Shakespeare
COMPANY: Prospect Theatre Company
PRODUCER: Knightsbridge Theatrical Productions UK/CBS Cable for BBC-2
DIRECTOR: David Giles
ROLE: Prince Hamlet
Co-starring: Faith Brook, Susan Fleetwood, John Woodvine, Tim Piggot-Smith
Prospect Theatre Company production by Robert Chetwyn

First broadcast: 1 March 1972

BBC Genome


1970 ROSS
By Terrence Rattigan / Adapted by William Emms
PRODUCER: BBC Play of the Month
DIRECTOR: Cedric Messina
ROLE: T E Lawrence of Arabia
Filmed on location in Morocco.
"On his performance in "Ross", I take Ian McKellen to be a star, if perhaps a minor one. After his earlier appearances on television (Richard and Edward) there was room for reservation. Now almost none remains. The touch of affectation doesn't matter. The sensitive intelligence, but above all the glow, the inner mystery glimpsed in those eyes that seem to be seeing a presence impalpable to us, clinch the matter. One of the distinguishing marks of star quality is that it is slightly uncanny." — Maurice Wiggin, Sunday Telegraph UK;
First broadcast 18 October 1970.
BBC Genome


1970 EDWARD II
Christopher Marlowe
COMPANY: Prospect Theatre Company
PRODUCER: BBC / Classic Theater PBS USA
DIRECTOR: Richard Marquand & Toby Robertson
ROLE: King Edward
Prospect Theatre Company in the 1969 Edinburgh Festival Production recorded at the Piccadilly Theatre, London.
in repertory with revival of RICHARD II.
Of USA transmission (4 October 1975): "Ian McKellen, one of Britain's most talented young actors, is superb, going from young haughtiness to pathetic misfortune, in a characterization that is riveted together by passionate convictions." — John J. O'Conor, New York Times, 10/1/75
Transmitted on BBC Two 2 August 1970
BBC Genome


1970 RICHARD II
William Shakespeare
COMPANY: Prospect Theatre Company
DIRECTOR: Toby Robertson & Richard Cottrell
ROLE: King Richard
Prospect Theatre Company recorded at BBC London studios.

Transmitted: Thursday 30 July 1970, 9.10pm on BBC2 Colour
BBC Genome



1970 TO LENINGRAD WITH LOVE PRODUCER: BBC TV
DIRECTOR: Norman Swallow
ROLE: Narrator
Transmitted 26 April 1970
BBC Genome
1970 KEATS
PRODUCER: BBC TV
DIRECTOR: Joan Craft
ROLE: John Keats
Poetry compilation. Solo performance of Ian McKellen as John Keats.

Transmitted Wednesday, 25 February 1970, 8:50pm, BBC2 Colour
BBC Genome

1969 WHAT IF IT'S JUST GREEN CHEESE?
PRODUCER: BBC TV
DIRECTOR: Colin Nears
Co-starring: Judi Dench, Roy Dotrice, Michael Hordern, Dudley Moore, Pink Floyd.
"Omnibus" anthology, on the eve of Apollo 11's first moon-landing.
BBC Genome

1968 HAY FEVER
PRODUCER: BBC TV
ROLE: SIMON BLISS
DIRECTOR: John Gorrie
Co-starring: Charles Gray (Richard Greatham), Celia Johnson (Judith Bliss), Lynn
Redgrave (Jackie), Lucy Fleming (Sorel Bliss), Dennis Price (David Bliss)
"Play of the Month" transmitted 4 August 1968 on BBC 1
BBC Genome


1966 DAVID COPPERFIELD
Adaptation by Vincent Tilsley from Dickens' novel
PRODUCER: BBC
DIRECTOR: Joan Craft
ROLE: the grown-up David Copperfield (episodes 5-13)
Co-starring: Flora Robson.
13 part serial
"Ian McKellen brings to the part of David a lightness I have not seen in earlier Copperfields and his sense of comedy in the dialogue and situations makes this a happier story than it sometimes is." — The Stage.
Broadcast 13 February 1966 (fifth of thirteen weekly episodes)
BBC Genome

1965 THE TRIAL AND TORTURE OF SIR JOHN RAMPAYNE
Screenplay by Alan Seymour
PRODUCER: BBC TV
DIRECTOR: Peter Duguid
ROLE: Wolf
Co-starring: Jack Hawkins.
"The liveliest character was Wolf, given a performance of hateful, demoniac zest by Ian McKellen. He reminded me of one of those fashionable film-star-photographers that turn up on TV, with sharp little teeth they always look prepared to sink into the interviewer's wrist." — Peter Black, Daily Mail.

10 November 1965

BBC Genome


1965 SUNDAY OUT OF SEASON
Peter Draper
PRODUCER: ATV Sunday Playhouse
DIRECTOR: John Nelson Burton
ROLE: Victor Leech
Co-starring: Lynn Redgrave.
"What does a reasonably intelligent young man do on a damp, windy Sunday out of season? Victor meets Elaine. Is the problem solved for him?"


1964 KIPLING: THE TOMB OF HIS ANCESTORS
Plowden
PRODUCER: BBC
DIRECTOR: Herbert Wise
WRITER: A R Rawlinson
Co-starring: Joss Ackland, Kenneth Fortescue, Robin Philips
Episode of THE INDIAN TALES OF RUDYARD KIPLING
First TV Appearance
Transmitted 9 August 1964 21:10
BBC Genome

Ian McKellen Video Online