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Charles Dance
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Walter Charles Dance (born 10 October 1946) is an English actor. He is known for playing intimidating, authoritarian characters and villains. Dance started his career on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) before appearing in film and television. For his services to drama he was appointed an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006.[1]

Key Information

He made his feature film debut in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only (1981). He since acted in a string of critically acclaimed period films such as Michael Collins (1996), Gosford Park (2001), The Imitation Game (2014), Mank (2020), and The King's Man (2021). He has also appeared in the films The Golden Child (1986), Alien 3 (1992), Last Action Hero (1993), Dracula Untold (2014), and Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019). He made his directorial film debut with the drama film Ladies in Lavender (2004), which he also wrote and executive produced.

On television, Dance played Guy Perron in The Jewel in the Crown (1984), Mr Tulkinghorn in Bleak House (2005), Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones (2011–2015), and Lord Mountbatten in the third and fourth seasons of The Crown (2019–2020). For his role in The Crown, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.

Early life

[edit]

Walter Charles Dance was born in Redditch, Worcestershire, on 10 October 1946, the younger son of Eleanor Marion (née Perks; 1911–1984), a cook, and Walter Dance (1874–1949), an electrical engineer who served as a sergeant in the 2nd Regular Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers during the Second Boer War (having previously served in the 2nd Volunteer Battalion) and who was in his 70s when his son was born.[2][3] By his father's previous marriage, Dance had two older half-sisters, Norah (1898–1993) and Mary (1903–1908).[4] On his maternal side, he also has an elder half-brother, Michael (born 1936).[5]

During filming of an episode for the genealogical series Who Do You Think You Are? in 2016, Dance discovered that his mother had Belgian ancestry, which traced back to the city of Spa. His immigrant ancestor Charles François Futvoye (1777–1847) had been a pioneer in the art of japanning during the early half of the 19th century.[4] Growing up in Plymouth, Dance attended the now-defunct Widey Technical School for Boys (then known as Widey High School) in Crownhill.[6] He later attended the Plymouth Drawing School (later renamed to Plymouth College of Art, and now known as Arts University Plymouth) and Leicester College of Arts (now known as De Montfort University), where he studied graphic design and photography.[7]

Career

[edit]
Shadowlands at the Wyndham's.

Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC)

[edit]

Dance was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company during the mid-to-late 1970s and was in many of their productions in London and Stratford-upon-Avon. Later he returned to the RSC to take the title role in Coriolanus at Stratford-upon-Avon and Newcastle in 1989, and at the Barbican Theatre in 1990. He received rave reviews and a Critics' Circle Best Actor award for his performance as C. S. Lewis in William Nicholson's Shadowlands, in the 2007 stage revival.[8]

Television and film

[edit]

Dance made his screen debut in 1974, in the ITV series Father Brown as Commandant Neil O'Brien in "The Secret Garden". Other small parts followed, including a 1983 cameo as a South African assassin in The Professionals, but his big break came the following year when he played Guy Perron in The Jewel in the Crown (Granada Television, Christopher Morahan 1984), an adaptation of Paul Scott's novels that also made stars of Geraldine James and Art Malik. Dance made one of his earliest big-screen appearances in the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only as evil henchman Claus. Though he turned down the opportunity to screen test for the James Bond role,[9] in 1989 he played Bond creator Ian Fleming in Anglia Television's dramatised biography directed by Don Boyd, Goldeneye (the name of Fleming's estate in Jamaica and a title later used for a James Bond film).

He has also starred in many other British television dramas such as Edward the Seventh (as Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, Edward VII's oldest son, and heir to the throne), Murder Rooms, Randall and Hopkirk, Rebecca, The Phantom of the Opera, Fingersmith and Bleak House (for which he received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie). He was name-checked in the British comedy series Absolutely Fabulous, as being slated to play the title character in The Life of Jesus Christ 2, which was filming in Morocco at the same time as the main characters of the series were there for a photo shoot. He also played Guy Spencer, the pro-Hitler propagandist, in the second instalment of Foyle's War, and had an ongoing role as Dr. Maltravers in the ITV drama Trinity.[10]

Dance made a guest appearance on the BBC drama series Merlin as the Witchfinder Aredian,[11] and as a vainglorious version of himself in the third series of Jam & Jerusalem. He played Lord Vetinari in the 2010 Sky adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Going Postal, and the Russian oligarch Aleksandr Borinski in Paris Connections.[12] He played the role of Tywin Lannister in HBO's Game of Thrones, based on the A Song of Ice and Fire novels by George R. R. Martin. Dance was wooed for the role by the producers while filming Your Highness in Belfast.[13] Dance also played Conrad Knox on the British television series Strike Back: Vengeance as the primary villain in the series.[14]

Since 2012, Dance has had a recurring role in The Big Fat Quiz of the Year reading excerpts from books, such as Fifty Shades of Grey or the autobiographies of English media personalities, in a deadpan manner. On 30 June 2013, Dance appeared with other celebrities in an episode of the BBC's Top Gear as a "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" for the debut of the Vauxhall Astra.[15] In summer 2018, Dance narrated a documentary entitled Spitfire, which featured the legendary Supermarine Spitfire and recounted the efforts of the RAF pilots who flew them during the Second World War.

In February 2017, Dance participated as a featured guest at the inaugural Saudi Comic Con in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, alongside fellow Game of Thrones actor Julian Glover.[16][17]

In 2019 he played an antagonist in Godzilla: King of the Monsters and appeared as Lord Mountbatten in series 3 of The Crown in the same year. In 2020, Dance portrayed William Randolph Hearst in David Fincher's Mank, co-starring alongside Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried.[18] In January 2021, Dance was cast in the Netflix adaptation of The Sandman.[19]

In 2024 Dance starred as Michelangelo in the BBC docu-drama Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty.[20][21]

Screenwriting and directing

[edit]

Dance's debut film as a screenwriter and director was Ladies in Lavender (2004), which starred Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. In 2009, he directed his own adaptation of Alice Thomas Ellis's The Inn at the Edge of the World.

Personal life

[edit]

Dance married Joanna Haythorn in 1970, and they had a son named Oliver (born 1974) and a daughter named Rebecca (born 1980) before divorcing in 2004.[22][23] He later dated Eleanor Boorman from 2008 to 2014, and they had a daughter named Rose (born 2012).[24] He is in a relationship with Italian production manager and former actress Alessandra Masi, whom he met in Italy in 2018.[25]

As of 2018, Dance resides in Kentish Town, London.[26]

Political views

[edit]

Dance has described his political views as "very left-of-centre"[27] and "a bit left of centre-left". He supported the UK remaining in the European Union in the run-up to the 2016 EU referendum, and expressed his wish for the country to be closer to Europe to avoid "being a little satellite of America".[28] In a 2020 interview with the Financial Times, he felt NHS workers were not being offered a decent enough pay rise and labelled Boris Johnson a "bumbling buffoon".[29]

In October 2023, after the Gaza war began, Dance was one of over two thousand to sign an "Artists for Palestine" letter calling for a ceasefire and accusing western governments of "not only tolerating war crimes but aiding and abetting them."[30] In January 2024, Dance contributed to a video published by the Palestine Festival of Literature in support of South Africa's legal motion accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).[31] In September 2025, Dance signed an open pledge with Film Workers for Palestine pledging not to work with Israeli film institutions "that are implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people."[32] Later that month, in an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Dance said that anyone with a conscience should be obsessed with the war and that "there would not be peace in the Middle East until the Balfour Declaration is unpicked... France and England need to announce: ‘Sorry, we f***ed up’."[33]

Honours

[edit]

Dance was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) on 17 June 2006.[34]

Acting credits

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Key
† Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released
List of film acting credits
Year Title Role Notes
1981 For Your Eyes Only Claus
1985 Plenty Raymond Brock
1986 The Golden Child Sardo Numspa
1987 White Mischief Josslyn Hay
Good Morning, Babylon D. W. Griffith
Hidden City James Richards
1988 Pascali's Island Anthony Bowles
1992 Alien 3 Jonathan Clemens
Kalkstein Surveyor
1993 Last Action Hero Mr. Benedict
Century Professor Mandry
1994 China Moon Rupert Munro
Kabloonak Robert J. Flaherty Paris Film Festival Award for Best Actor
Shortcut to Paradise Quinn
1995 The Surgeon [fr] Dr. Ed Mittlesbay
1996 Space Truckers Nabel / Macanudo
Michael Collins Soames
1997 The Blood Oranges Cyril
1998 What Rats Won't Do Gerald
Hilary and Jackie Derek Du Pré
1999 Don't Go Breaking My Heart Frank
2001 Gosford Park Raymond Stockbridge
Jurij Padre di Jurij
Dark Blue World Wing Commander Bentley
2002 Black and White Roderic Chamberlain
Ali G Indahouse David Carlton
2003 Swimming Pool John Bosload
Labyrinth Charles Lushington
City and Crimes Cox William
Ladies in Lavender Director, writer and executive producer only
2006 Dolls Narrator Voice; short film
Scoop Mr. Malcolm
Twice Upon a Time Master of Ceremonies
Starter for 10 Michael Harbinson
2007 The Contractor DCS Andrew Windsor Direct-to-DVD
Intervention Private Investigator
2010 Paris Connections Aleksandr Borinski
The Commuter Traffic Warden Short film
2011 Ironclad Archbishop Langton
Your Highness King Tallious
There Be Dragons Monsignor Solano
2012 Midnight's Children William Methwold
Underworld: Awakening Thomas
St George's Day Trenchard
2013 Patrick Doctor Roget
Justin and the Knights of Valour Legantir Voice
2014 Viy Lord Dudley Credited by his name in Russian: Чарльз Дэнс, romanized: Charlz Dens
Dracula Untold Master Vampire
The Imitation Game Commander Alastair Denniston
2015 Victor Frankenstein Baron Frankenstein
Michiel de Ruyter Charles II
Woman in Gold Sherman
Child 44 Major Grachev
2016 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Mr. Bennet
Me Before You Stephen Traynor
Ghostbusters Harold Filmore
Despite the Falling Snow Old Alexander
Underworld: Blood Wars Thomas
2017 Euphoria Mr. Daren
That Good Night The Visitor
2018 Johnny English Strikes Again Agent Seven Cameo
Happy New Year, Colin Burstead Bertie
2019 Godzilla: King of the Monsters Alan Jonah
Viy 2: Journey to China Lord Dudley
Fanny Lye Deliver'd John Lye
2020 The Book of Vision Johan Anmuth
Mank William Randolph Hearst [18]
2021 The King's Man Lord Kitchener [35]
2022 Against the Ice Neergaard
Lancaster Narrator
The Hanging Sun Jacob
2024 The First Omen Father Harris Cameo
Rumours Edison Wolcott [36]
Samana Sunrise Noah Blum [37]
2025 Frankenstein Baron Leopold Frankenstein
TBA Ladies First † TBA Post-production
The Bitter End † TBA Filming

Television

[edit]
List of television acting credits
Year Title Role Notes
1974 Father Brown Commandant Neil O'Brien Episode: "The Secret Garden"
The Inheritors Simon Leadbetter Episode: "Fathers and Sons"
1975 Edward the Seventh Prince Eddy 2 episodes
1977 Raffles Teddy Garland Episode: "Mr. Justice Raffles"
1980, 1984 Play for Today Colin / Captain John Truman 2 episodes
1982 Nancy Astor Edward Hartford-Jones Episode: "Guest for the Weekend"
1983 The Professionals Parker Episode: "The Ojuka Situation"
The Last Day Alan Television
1984 The Jewel in the Crown Guy Perron 5 episodes
The Secret Servant Harry Maxim Mini-series
Rainy Day Women Captain John Truman Play for Today
1985 Time for Murder James Latimer Episode: "This Lightning Always Strikes Twice"
1987 Out on a Limb Gerry Stamford 2 episodes
Tales of the Unexpected Robert Smythe Episode: "Skeleton in the Cupboard"
1988 First Born Edward Forester 3 episodes
Out of the Shadows Michael Hayden Television film
1989 Goldeneye: The Secret Life of Ian Fleming Ian Fleming 2 episodes
Mission: Impossible Prime Minister Episode: "Command Performance"
1990 The Phantom of the Opera Erik/The Phantom 2 episodes
1996 Undertow Lyle Yates Television film
1997 Rebecca Maxim de Winter 2 episodes
In the Presence of Mine Enemies Captain Richter Television film
1999 Chrono-Perambulator James "Dougie" Douglas Television short
2000 The Real Spartacus Narrator
Mysteries of the Real Sherlock Holmes Sir Henry Carlyle Episode: "The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes"
A History of Britain Winston Churchill (voice) Episode: "The Two Winstons"
Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) Kenneth Crisby Episode: "Drop Dead"
2001 The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby Ralph Nickleby Television film
2002 Foyle's War Guy Spencer Episode: "The White Feather"
Dan Dare: Pilot of the Future Col. Simon Lasker (voice) Episode: "Pilot of the Future"
2003 Henry VIII Duke of Buckingham Television film
Trial & Retribution Greg Harwood Television film
Looking for Victoria Charles Greville Television film
2004 When Hitler Invaded Britain Narrator Documentary
Saint John Bosco: Mission to Love Marquis Clementi Television film
2005 Fingersmith Mr. Lilly 2 episodes
Bleak House Mr. Tulkinghorn 12 episodes
To the Ends of the Earth Sir Henry Somerset Episode: "Close Quarters"
Last Rights Richard Wheeler 3 episodes
Titanic: Birth of a Legend Narrator Documentary
2006 Marple: By the Pricking of My Thumbs Septimus Bligh Episode: "By the Pricking of My Thumbs"
2007 Fallen Angel David Byfield 3 episodes
Consenting Adults John Wolfenden Television film
2009 Merlin Aredian Episode: "The Witchfinder"
Trinity Dr. Edmund Maltravers 8 episodes
2010 Going Postal Havelock Vetinari 2 episodes
2010‍–‍2011 Rosamunde Pilcher's Shades of Love Edmund Aird 4 episodes
2011‍–‍2015 Game of Thrones Tywin Lannister 27 episodes
2011 Neverland Dr. Richard Fludd Episode: "Part 1"
2012 Secret State John Hodder 4 episodes
Strike Back: Vengeance Conrad Knox 10 episodes
2013 Common Ground Floyd Pilot episode: "Floyd"
Bones of the Buddha Narrator Documentary
2014 The Great Fire Lord Denton 4 episodes
2015 Childhood's End Karellen 3 episodes
Deadline Gallipoli General Ian Hamilton 2 episodes
And Then There Were None Justice Lawrence Wargrave 3 episodes
2017‍–‍2020 Savage Kingdom Narrator 22 episodes
2018 The Woman in White Mr. Fredrick Fairlie 4 episodes
Hang Ups Jeremy Pitt 4 episodes
The Little Drummer Girl Commander Picton 2 episodes
2019 The Widow Martin Benson 7 episodes
2019‍–‍2020 The Crown Louis, Earl Mountbatten of Burma Main role (Seasons 3–4)
5 episodes
2020 The Singapore Grip Mr. Webb Episode: "Singapore for Beginners"
2020‍–‍2022 Rise of Empires: Ottoman Narrator 12 episodes
2021‍–‍2022 Moley Manny the Magic Book 52 episodes
2022 The Sandman Roderick Burgess Episode: "Sleep of the Just"
The Serpent Queen Pope Clement VII 2 episodes
This England Max Hastings Episode #1.1
2023 Rabbit Hole Ben Wilson 8 episodes
2024 The Day of the Jackal Timothy Winthorp Miniseries
Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty Michelangelo 3 episodes[38]
2025 Washington Black James Wilde Miniseries

Video games

[edit]
List of video game credits
Year Title Voice role Notes Ref.
2015 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Emperor Emhyr var Emreis English Dub [39][40]
2018 Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Godfrey The Butler "Dead of the Night" Zombies Map [41][42]

Audiobooks

[edit]
List of audiobook credits
Year Title Author Voice role Ref.
1985 The Fourth Protocol Frederick Forsyth Narrator [43]

Podcasts

[edit]
List of podcast credits
Year Title Voice role Notes Ref.
2020 Hindsight Narrator An Al Jazeera Podcast [44]

Stage

[edit]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
List of awards and nominations received by Charles Dance
Organizations Year Category Work Result Ref.
BAFTA TV Awards 1985 Best Actor The Jewel in the Crown Nominated [45]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 2002 Best Acting Ensemble Gosford Park Won [46]
Primetime Emmy Awards 2006 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Bleak House Nominated [47]
2018 Outstanding Narrator Savage Kingdom Nominated
2019 Nominated
2021 Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series The Crown Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2002 Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Gosford Park Won [48]
2014 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Game of Thrones Nominated
2015 Nominated
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture The Imitation Game Nominated
2020 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series The Crown Won

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Charles Dance

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Walter Charles Dance (born 10 October 1946) is an English actor, screenwriter, and director, distinguished for his commanding presence in roles depicting stern authority figures and antagonists across stage, television, and cinema. Dance initially trained in but pivoted to after encouragement from established performers, debuting professionally in the late 1970s with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He rose to prominence through his portrayal of Guy Perron in the 1984 ITV miniseries The Jewel in the Crown, earning critical acclaim for embodying colonial-era British officers. Subsequent television work included the scheming lawyer Mr. Tulkinghorn in the 2005 adaptation of . His international breakthrough came with the role of , the ruthless patriarch of House Lannister, in HBO's from 2011 to 2015, a performance that garnered him Emmy nominations for Outstanding in a Series and multiple for ensemble cast. In film, Dance has appeared in supporting roles such as the bond villain in the 1985 entry For Your Eyes Only and voiced characters in animated features like The Golden Compass (2007). He has also directed films including (2004) and received theatre accolades, such as the for Best Actor for Shadowlands in 2007.

Early Life and Background

Childhood and Family

Walter Charles Dance was born on 10 October 1946 in , , , to Eleanor Marion Perks, a working-class woman from who had entered domestic service as a parlour maid at age 13, and Walter Dance, an . His father died in 1950 when Dance was four years old, leaving the family in near-destitute circumstances and exerting a profound early influence through absence, as Dance recalls having scant memories of him but inheriting a distant affinity for performance from his father's reported interests. Following the loss, Dance's mother, known as Nell, remarried Edward, a civil servant at the Admiralty who had been a lodger in their home, prompting a relocation to Plymouth, , where the family resided in modest conditions amid post-war economic constraints. This move and dynamic fostered resilience in Dance, as the early paternal void and financial precarity necessitated , though he later described his Plymouth childhood as challenging yet marked by simple pleasures like school choirs and local pubs. In Plymouth, Dance attended Widey Technical School for Boys in Crownhill, followed by studies at Plymouth College of Art, reflecting his nascent interests in and , which he pursued further at an art school in before pivoting toward . These formative experiences in a technically oriented geared toward dockyard apprenticeships underscored a pragmatic, working-class trajectory initially oriented away from the arts, highlighting Dance's independent shift from stable vocational training to the uncertainties of performance.

Education and Initial Aspirations

Dance attended of Art following , where he developed an interest in , before pursuing further studies in and at College of Art. Initially, he aimed for a professional career in upon completing his , reflecting a practical vocational path aligned with his training. This trajectory shifted during his art school years when a friend involved in amateur dramatics encouraged him to audition for a production at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth; his successful tryout led to membership in the Plymouth Theatre Guild and participation in local stage work. Without formal dramatic training from established institutions, Dance supplemented his self-directed learning through private coaching from two retired Royal Academy of Dramatic Art actors, Leonard Bennett and Martin F. St. John. To finance these early efforts, he took manual labor jobs, such as on building sites, while persisting in amateur performances that built his foundational skills and resolve, demonstrating entry into via incremental opportunities rather than inherited advantages or elite networks.

Career Beginnings

Entry into Theatre

Dance's professional theatre career began in 1970 with his debut role as Sven in Peter Terson's It's a Two-Foot-Six-Inches Above-the-Ground World, a touring production mounted by Stage Arts Players Ltd that ran from late August to mid-October, performing at regional venues such as the in and the King's Theatre. This initial engagement marked his entry into paid acting, following informal inspirations from elderly actors during his youth, and involved a modest company navigating the logistical demands of road tours. He subsequently joined at the Prince of Wales Theatre in , , participating in a ten-week season of weekly-changing productions around 1970–1971, where actors rotated through multiple roles to sustain operations in a format reliant on local audiences and tight rehearsal schedules. This repertory work exemplified the era's entry-level pathway for aspiring performers, characterized by low remuneration—often £20–£30 per week, comparable to or below the national average wage—and high attrition, as only a fraction advanced amid thousands of Equity cardholders competing for limited contracts. Early credits included the role of Badger in Toad of Toad Hall (1971), an adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's work staged in variety-style programming that demanded versatility across dramatic and lighter fare. Dance's progression reflected a methodical approach, prioritizing ensemble discipline and skill-building in peripheral venues before seeking opportunities, where fringe and provincial West End auditions tested in an industry favoring over immediate prominence. Securing full Actors' Equity membership post-debut enabled sustained professional legitimacy, amid a landscape where supplemental employment, such as manual labor, was common for survival during lean periods.

Royal Shakespeare Company Period

Charles Dance joined the (RSC) in 1975, beginning a tenure that spanned the mid- to late and included a return in the late 1980s. His early roles encompassed supporting parts such as Catesby and the Murderer in Richard III at The Other Place in on 7 October 1975, as well as Hialas in . During the RSC's tour to New York that year, Dance assumed the title role of Henry V on short notice, demonstrating his versatility in classical leads. In 1979, while with the RSC in Stratford, he portrayed Leonato in , further solidifying his presence in ensemble Shakespearean productions. This period under directors including Terry Hands emphasized disciplined ensemble work and textual precision, fostering Dance's command of verse and physical authority on stage—qualities rooted in the company's rigorous approach to Shakespeare's canon, which prioritized clarity and structural integrity over interpretive excess. Dance returned to the RSC in 1989 for the title role in , directed by Terry Hands, performing at , Newcastle, and the Theatre in 1990. The casting sparked debate on integrating established actors into the ensemble, with some critiques questioning whether it prioritized star appeal over company development. His interpretation highlighted the character's rigor and rhetorical force, aligning with the play's exploration of patrician disdain and populist tension, and contributing to the formation of Dance's screen persona as figures of unyielding , traceable to the authoritative cultivated through RSC training.

Film and Television Career

Breakthrough Roles and Typecasting

Dance's breakthrough in television came with his portrayal of Guy Perron, a introspective officer, in the 1984 ITV miniseries The Jewel in the Crown, a 14-episode adaptation of Paul Scott's Raj Quartet novels set during the final years of British India. This role, which required Dance to convey moral complexity amid colonial tensions, earned him widespread recognition for his poised gravitas and subtle emotional depth, marking his shift from stage to screen prominence after earlier minor television appearances, such as Prince Albert Victor in the 1975 series . The production's critical success, including BAFTA nominations, highlighted Dance's ability to dominate scenes through understated authority rather than overt histrionics, setting a template for his future characterizations. His imposing physical stature—6 feet 3 inches tall—and resonant voice naturally suited him for authoritative archetypes, often bureaucrats, figures, or antagonists, a pattern evident from the mid-1980s onward in projects like the villainous sorcerer Sardo Numspa in (1986). This typecasting stemmed from casting directors' empirical preference for his innate intensity, which conveyed unyielding control and intellectual menace, pros that rendered roles like these memorably chilling and contributed to his professional endurance over four decades. However, cons included restricted opportunities in romantic or lighter fare, as Dance later noted frustration with repetitive villainous assignments limiting versatility. Exemplifying these constraints, Dance's agent dissuaded him from auditioning for in the mid-1980s following Roger Moore's departure, arguing that securing the role would entrench as a suave yet imperious lead, potentially curtailing diverse offers despite his suitability. Dance affirmed this counsel in retrospect, prioritizing long-term range over immediate stardom, a decision that preserved his niche while enabling sustained relevance in ensemble-driven narratives rather than franchise heroism. Empirically, this approach yielded consistent employment across and , underscoring how his specialized , though narrowing options, capitalized on core strengths for career stability absent the volatility of lead action-hero commitments.

Major Television Appearances

Dance achieved widespread recognition for his portrayal of in HBO's , appearing in 27 episodes from 2011 to 2014 as the calculating head of House Lannister, whose authoritative presence shaped key narrative arcs involving political maneuvering and familial power struggles. His depiction of the character's unyielding pragmatism—evident in scenes like the strategic field dressing of a stag in season 1 and the Red Wedding orchestration in season 3—drew acclaim for enhancing ensemble tensions, though some critics noted it reinforced his career-long association with imperious figures. The series' viewership surged during his tenure, with season 3's "" episode attracting 14.2 million U.S. viewers including DVR playback, underscoring the role's contribution to his elevated global profile. In 2015, Dance starred as Justice Lawrence Wargrave in the miniseries adaptation of Agatha Christie's , a three-part production that isolated ten strangers on a for a unraveling accusations of past crimes. His performance as the enigmatic , who manipulates events with concealed intent, anchored the ensemble's descent into paranoia, earning praise for subtle menace amid the cast including and . The miniseries debuted to 5.6 million viewers on its first night, marking one of BBC's highest-rated drama launches that year. Dance later portrayed Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, in seasons 3 and 4 of Netflix's (2019–2020), appearing in episodes depicting the royal mentor's influence on Prince Charles and his 1979 assassination by the IRA. This role highlighted Mountbatten's advisory dynamics within , contrasting Dance's prior stern archetypes with historical , though it faced scrutiny for dramatizing private counsel without primary sourcing. The seasons collectively drew over 73 million global household accounts in their first month, amplifying Dance's visibility in prestige biographical drama. In September 2025, amid scandals including those involving , Dance publicly critiqued the broadcaster's leadership as "running scared" and in a "parlous state," contrasting his earlier triumphs on the network like And Then There Were None with perceived institutional decline. This commentary underscores tensions in public broadcasting, where Dance's contributions had previously bolstered ratings without such executive turmoil.

Key Film Roles

Dance's early film roles established him in supporting parts within prestige dramas and commercial ventures. In Plenty (1985), he played Raymond Brock, a British diplomat entangled in the personal turmoil of protagonist Susan Traherne amid post-World War II disillusionment, marking an early showcase for his poised authority opposite Meryl Streep. The film, adapted from David Hare's play and directed by Fred Schepisi, received mixed reviews for its introspective tone but highlighted Dance's ability to convey restrained emotional depth. Transitioning to genre fare, Dance portrayed the demonic sorcerer Sardo Numspa in The Golden Child (1986), a fantasy adventure starring Eddie Murphy that grossed over $79 million domestically despite critical pans for its uneven script and effects, positioning Dance as a memorable antagonist in a high-profile but artistically uneven blockbuster. Mid-career, Dance gravitated toward ensemble period pieces emphasizing historical intrigue and class dynamics, often as authoritative figures. He appeared as Soames, a British overseeing operations against Irish nationalists, in Michael Collins (1996), Neil Jordan's biographical drama on the Irish , which earned Oscar nominations for and while grossing $6.1 million in limited release, underscoring Dance's suitability for morally ambiguous imperial roles in critically respected historical narratives. In Robert Altman's (2001), an Oscar-winning ensemble murder mystery satirizing 1930s British aristocracy, Dance played Raymond Stockbridge, a philandering , contributing to the film's sharp and haul of $87 million worldwide on a $15 million budget, with reviewers praising the layered performances amid its Downton Abbey-like upstairs-downstairs structure. Later roles diversified into action franchises and romantic dramas, balancing commercial appeal with dramatic weight. Dance reprised the vampire elder Thomas across the series, debuting in (2012) and returning for (2016), where his character's ancient lineage and strategic counsel aided the lycan-vampire conflict; the franchise's entries collectively grossed hundreds of millions globally, though critics noted formulaic plotting over innovation. In (2016), a romantic drama adapted from Jojo Moyes' novel, he portrayed Stephen Traynor, the pragmatic father navigating his quadriplegic son's euthanasia dilemma, helping propel the film to $208 million worldwide against mixed reviews that lauded its emotional pull but faulted sentimentality. Into the 2020s, Dance continued blending artistic risks with blockbusters, including in David Fincher's (2020), a black-and-white biopic on the screenwriter that earned six Oscar nominations and highlighted his commanding presence in revisionist Hollywood history. He played Kitchener in (2021), a World War I in the Kingsman series that underperformed commercially at $125 million against a $100 million budget amid pandemic releases, yet showcased his stern military archetype. Recent efforts like the horror (2024), where he supported the conspiracy-driven narrative, reflect ongoing genre versatility, with the film earning praise for atmospheric dread despite franchise fatigue critiques. These selections illustrate Dance's toward dignified, often adversarial patriarchs across eras, yielding variable critical acclaim—stronger in period dramas, patchier in action—while sustaining viability through franchise reliability.

Directing and Other Creative Pursuits

Screenwriting Efforts

Dance's sole credited screenplay is for the 2004 drama film Ladies in Lavender, adapted from William J. Locke's 1908 short story of the same name. The narrative follows two unmarried sisters in 1930s who rescue a shipwrecked Polish violinist and become infatuated with him, exploring themes of isolation, unspoken desire, and cultural displacement. Dance expanded the original story's scope, incorporating elements like a picnic scene absent from Locke's version to enhance emotional depth. Produced on a modest budget, the film grossed $20.4 million worldwide, with $6.8 million from the U.S. market, reflecting niche appeal rather than blockbuster performance. Critics offered mixed assessments: awarded it two out of four stars, praising its "sweet and civilized" tone bolstered by strong acting from and , yet faulting the predictable plotting and lack of narrative tension. A review acknowledged potential for given the ensemble but commended its restraint, avoiding an "unbearably sentimental" excess. Audience reception proved warmer, with an IMDb average of 7.0/10 from over 13,000 ratings, highlighting the film's elegant emotional resonance and period authenticity. This self-initiated project afforded Dance full creative oversight as writer and director, enabling a vision rooted in his affinity for the source material, which he discovered in a collection of Locke's works and described as captivating enough to "steal" for . However, its tempered critical and commercial reception underscores the secondary nature of his writing endeavors relative to his dominant acting portfolio, where authoritative roles have yielded broader recognition. No further screenwriting credits appear in Dance's , indicating limited pursuit beyond this debut.

Directorial Works

Dance's sole feature-length directorial credit is the 2004 British drama , a period piece set in 1930s depicting two elderly sisters (played by and ) who shelter a shipwrecked Polish refugee, exploring themes of isolation, unspoken desire, and cultural displacement. The film premiered at the 2004 and received a in the UK and , grossing approximately £4.5 million worldwide against a modest budget, reflecting restrained production values suited to its intimate scale. Critics commended Dance's handling of the material for its unpretentious execution and effective utilization of the lead performances, with outlets noting its "quiet splendor" and "style and humanity" as hallmarks of a competent actor-turned-director debut that avoids overt histrionics. However, reception was mixed, with detractors highlighting sentimental excesses and narrative predictability that undermined the film's emotional authenticity, often likening it to a "sleepy, weepy " despite strong casting. awarded it two out of four stars, praising its civility but arguing it failed to match the stature of its stars, resulting in a polished yet inconsequential exercise in nostalgia. Aggregated critic scores stood at 64% on , indicating a middling consensus that valued the film's warmth and period detail but faulted its amateurish undercurrents in pacing and depth, particularly in secondary character arcs. No subsequent feature films or television episodes bear Dance's directorial credit as of 2025, underscoring a limited pivot to behind-the-camera work amid his primary focus on acting.

Personal Life

Marriages and Relationships

Charles Dance married sculptor Joanna Haythorn in 1970, and the couple remained together for 34 years until their divorce in 2004. In a 2024 interview on the Rosebud podcast, Dance attributed the marriage's dissolution to his own infidelity, stating that he "succumbed to some temptations" and was compelled to confess, which shocked Haythorn and precipitated their separation. He expressed profound regret over the decision, noting that despite the initial post-divorce difficulties, they maintained an amicable relationship and even cohabited briefly afterward before parting ways permanently. Following the divorce, Dance entered a relationship with Eleanor Boorman, approximately 25 years his junior, around 2008. The pair became engaged circa 2010, but they separated amicably around 2014 after the birth of their daughter in 2012. Since approximately 2018, Dance has been in a relationship with Italian actress Alessandra Masi, who is 22 years his junior; the couple has kept details private but has appeared together publicly. Dance has described himself as "very, very lucky" to have found companionship again after his earlier marital challenges.

Family and Later Years

Dance and his first wife had two children: a daughter, Rebecca, and a son, Oliver. The children have pursued largely private lives, with limited public information on their professional endeavors, suggesting a deliberate focus on personal independence rather than leveraging familial fame in entertainment. In his youth, Dance overcame a stammer that emerged during adolescence, describing it as a period of significant personal challenge that eroded his confidence and complicated social interactions, such as speaking to potential romantic interests. This obstacle did not persist into adulthood, allowing him to build a resilient career grounded in disciplined performance. Approaching 79 years old in 2025, Dance has spoken candidly about the realities of aging, expressing concern over deteriorating health while emphasizing sustained energy derived from ongoing professional commitments. His work ethic remains a key factor in maintaining vitality, counterbalancing the physical demands of a long career that includes demanding roles into later decades. In 2025, Dance demonstrated this resilience by starring as Tekla's former husband in August Strindberg's Creditors, adapted by Howard Brenton, at the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond from September to October. The production, co-starring Geraldine James and Nicholas Farrell under director Tom Littler, highlighted his continued command of stage presence amid the rigors of live performance. This role underscores a career trajectory prioritizing artistic output over retirement, even as he navigates age-related physical constraints.

Political Views and Activism

Stance on Brexit and European Union

Charles Dance expressed support for the United Kingdom remaining in the European Union ahead of the 2016 referendum, arguing in an interview that departure would risk reducing Britain to a "satellite of America" by diminishing its independent influence in global affairs. Following the vote to leave, he described the outcome as "xenophobic, little Britain, pull up the drawbridge," reflecting his disappointment with the decision's implications for international cooperation. In December 2018, Dance spoke at an anti-Brexit rally in , advocating for a "people's vote" on the final withdrawal agreement to allow public of the terms negotiated with the . He positioned this as a necessary democratic check, emphasizing the need to revisit the result in light of evolving details on , borders, and economic arrangements. Dance's pro-Remain stance aligned with concerns over , yet post-Brexit empirical data indicates mixed outcomes: UK GDP has underperformed counterfactual estimates by 2-3% to date, with projections of up to 6% long-term drag from reduced EU trade frictionlessness, though sovereignty gains include regained legislative control over immigration, fisheries, and state aid, enabling independent trade pacts like those with and CPTPP accession. These regulatory flexibilities contrast Dance's warnings of diminished autonomy, highlighting causal trade-offs where short-term frictions have materialized but policy independence has facilitated divergence from EU rules on areas like VAT exemptions for .

Positions on Middle East Conflicts

In September 2025, Charles Dance endorsed the Film Workers for Palestine pledge, joining over 1,200 filmmakers and cinema workers in committing to Israeli institutions accused of complicity in and apartheid against . The pledge demands an immediate end to military support for and solidarity with Palestinian cultural workers. That same month, in an interview with The Telegraph, Dance attributed ongoing Middle East instability to Britain's 1917 , which expressed support for a "national home for the Jewish people" in . He described the declaration as a grave error that "f***ed up" the region and urged the to issue a formal apology, claiming that "even if [the Israel-Hamas war] stopped tomorrow, there would not be peace... until the is unpicked." Dance's remarks frame the declaration—issued amid as a diplomatic strategy to rally Jewish support against the and —as the root cause of conflict, overlooking its conditional language preserving rights of non-Jewish communities and the subsequent collapse of Ottoman rule that enabled mandates under of Nations. This perspective echoes pro-Palestinian narratives but encounters criticism for causal oversimplification, as empirical history shows persistent Arab rejectionism and initiations of violence independent of Balfour, including the 1947 UN partition plan refusal leading to the 1948 war, the 1967 preemptive context, and the 1973 . Post-Oslo Accords (1993–1995) data further undermines "unpicking" as a precondition: despite Israeli territorial concessions, the Second (2000–2005) escalated with Palestinian suicide bombings killing over 1,000 , while Hamas's founding charter explicitly calls for Israel's elimination, a stance reinforced by its governance in Gaza since 2007 and the , 2023, attacks that killed 1,200 and took 250 hostages. Dance's advocacy, including his 2024 narration of South Africa's case alleging Israeli genocide, prioritizes critiques of Israeli security measures over these antecedent factors and ongoing threats from groups like Hamas, which reject two-state solutions. Such positions risk one-sidedness amid sources like mainstream outlets that, per documented biases in and academia, often amplify Palestinian casualty narratives while underreporting contextual data from Israeli or independent analyses.

Broader Public Commentary

In a September 2025 interview, Dance characterized the as existing in a "parlous state," with executives "running scared" in response to scandals including those surrounding presenter and issues on . He separately voiced relief that produced —in which he played —rather than the BBC, claiming the public broadcaster's content standards would have prompted early cancellation amid the series' depictions of graphic violence and sexuality. Dance has addressed socioeconomic barriers in the British acting profession, asserting in 2016 that state-educated performers face contracting prospects relative to their privately schooled counterparts, drawing from his own working-class origins in and lack of fee-paying education. Industry data supports this observation, with 32% of prominent having attended independent schools—down from 44% a decade prior but still over four times the national rate of about 7%—and BAFTA-nominated exhibiting a fivefold overrepresentation of private education. On , Dance described his agent's counsel against screen-testing for James Bond following Roger Moore's tenure in the 1980s, aimed at avoiding entrapment in leading-man archetypes; he affirmed no regrets, maintaining he would have "screwed it up" and valuing instead his trajectory in authoritative, often antagonistic parts that leveraged his gravitas over conventional heroism.

Recognition and Honours

Awards and Nominations

Charles Dance's awards and nominations primarily recognize his television and work, with a focus on performances demonstrating nuanced authority and restraint, often as supporting or character roles rather than leads. These accolades underscore the merit of his craft in an industry favoring starring vehicles, where sustained peer recognition for ensemble contributions remains uncommon among veteran actors. He has earned four Primetime Emmy nominations across categories, alongside theatre honors, though major wins are limited, reflecting selective industry validation for non-protagonist portrayals. Early recognition came via television, with a 1985 nomination for the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor for his role as Guy Perron in The Jewel in the Crown, a miniseries adaptation noted for its historical depth. In theatre, Dance received the for Best Actor in 2007 for portraying in Shadowlands at , a role praised for its emotional subtlety amid critical reviews of the production. Television accolades continued with a 2006 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a or a Movie for Mr. Tulkinghorn in , alongside an International Emmy nomination and a win for the Press Guild Award for , affirming peer esteem for his Dickensian interpretation despite no Emmy victory. For , Dance shared Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Series in 2015, though individual Emmy recognition eluded him despite widespread critical acclaim for Tywin Lannister's commanding presence. Later Emmy nods include Outstanding Narrator in 2018 and 2019 for Savage Kingdom, and Outstanding Guest Actor in a Series in 2021 for Louis Mountbatten in . These nominations highlight persistent under-recognition for lead billing, yet affirm Dance's enduring impact through craft excellence over popularity metrics.

Other Accolades and Legacy

Dance received the Officer of the (OBE) in the 2006 Queen's Birthday Honours for services to drama, recognizing his contributions to British theatre and screen performance. His depiction of in (2011–2015) established a cultural benchmark for authoritative villains, characterized by calculated ruthlessness and commanding presence that resonated across fan and critic analyses, influencing subsequent portrayals of power-driven antagonists in fantasy and beyond. In September 2025, Dance returned to the stage in Howard Brenton's adaptation of August Strindberg's Creditors at London's Orange Tree Theatre, playing the devious Gustaf alongside Geraldine James and Nicholas Farrell; reviewers highlighted his elegant menace and ability to layer charm over destructiveness, affirming his sustained theatrical prowess at age 78. Dance's broader legacy lies in embodying merit-driven excellence in character acting, with roles like Tywin serving as de facto mentorship for aspiring performers in conveying unyielding authority; however, his typecasting in similar imposing figures limited role variety, a trade-off that prioritized depth over diversification amid industry shifts toward identity-focused casting. Empirical metrics, such as YouGov's ranking of him as the 232nd most popular contemporary actor, underscore this influence rooted in performative skill rather than external quotas.

Filmography and Credits

Film Roles

Charles Dance's film roles often featured him as authoritative or antagonistic figures, beginning with supporting parts in the 1980s. 1980s
  • For Your Eyes Only (1981), as Claus, a minor henchman in the James Bond film.
  • The Golden Child (1986), as Sardo Numspa, the primary antagonist seeking a mystical child.
  • White Mischief (1987), portraying Josslyn Hay, the Earl of Erroll, in a drama based on real events in colonial Kenya.
1990s 2000s and 2010s
  • Gosford Park (2001), as Raymond, Lord Stockbridge, in the ensemble period mystery.
  • The Imitation Game (2014), as Commander Alastair Denniston, head of Bletchley Park's codebreaking operations.
  • Me Before You (2016), as Mr. Traynor, the father in the romantic drama.
  • Ghostbusters (2016), as Harold Filmore, a dean in the supernatural comedy reboot.
2020s
  • Mank (2020), as William Randolph Hearst, the media tycoon in the biopic of screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz.
  • The First Omen (2024), as Cardinal Lawrence, a high-ranking church official in the horror prequel.

Television Roles

  • The Jewel in the Crown (1984): Portrayed Guy Perron in the ITV epic miniseries adaptation of Paul Scott's Raj Quartet novels, spanning 14 episodes.
  • Edge of Darkness (1985): Played the lead role of Joe, a grieving father investigating his daughter's death amid nuclear conspiracy, in the BBC Six-part serial directed by Martin Campbell.
  • Bleak House (2005): Depicted Mr. Tulkinghorn, the scheming lawyer, in the BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel, appearing across 15 episodes.
  • Game of Thrones (2011–2015): Embodied Tywin Lannister, the patriarchal head of House Lannister and Hand of the King, in 27 episodes of HBO's fantasy series based on George R.R. Martin's novels.
  • Childhood's End (2015): Appeared as Rupert Gorham in the Syfy three-part miniseries adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke's novel.
  • The Crown (2016–2023): Portrayed Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, in seven episodes across seasons two and three of Netflix's historical drama series.
  • The Little Drummer Girl (2018): Played the shadowy spymaster Marty Kurtz in the BBC/PBS six-episode adaptation of John le Carré's novel.
  • The Widow (2018–2020): Recurred as the enigmatic Stephen Briar in the Amazon Prime Video thriller series, appearing in six episodes over two seasons.
  • The Serpent Queen (2022): Guest-starred as the narrator and historical figure in the MGM+ series dramatizing Catherine de' Medici's life.
  • The Sandman (2022): Voiced the character in the Netflix fantasy series adaptation of Neil Gaiman's comics.
  • Rabbit Hole (2023): Appeared as Edward Homm in the Paramount+ espionage thriller series starring Kiefer Sutherland.
  • The Day of the Jackal (2024): Portrayed Timothy Winthrop, a key operative, in six episodes of the Peacock/Sky adaptation of Frederick Forsyth's novel.
  • Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty (2024): Starred as Michelangelo in the BBC/PBS docu-drama exploring Renaissance artists amid political intrigue.
  • Washington Black (2025): Scheduled to appear in the Hulu adaptation of Esi Edugyan's novel, focusing on themes of slavery and invention.

Stage Roles

Charles Dance commenced his acting career on stage in the early 1970s, with an initial touring production of Alan Plater's It's a Two Foot Six Inches Above the Ground World, followed by appearances in regional theatre such as . He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in the mid-1970s, performing supporting roles in Shakespearean works that honed his classical technique amid a burgeoning screen presence. Despite his prominence in film and television from the 1980s onward, Dance periodically returned to the stage in major productions, underscoring his versatility in live theatre.
  • Coriolanus (1989–1990): Dance assumed the title role in the RSC's production of Shakespeare's tragedy, debuting at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon on 5 December 1989, followed by a run in Newcastle and a transfer to London's Barbican Theatre; the portrayal emphasized the character's martial rigor and political isolation.
  • Long Day's Journey into Night (2000–2001): He played the patriarchal James Tyrone in Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical drama at the Lyric Theatre in London's West End, from 21 November 2000 to 3 March 2001, directed by Robin Phillips opposite Jessica Lange; critics noted Dance's restrained interpretation of Tyrone's parsimony rooted in immigrant hardship.
  • Creditors (2025): In a return to the intimate Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond, Dance portrayed the manipulative Gustaf in Howard Brenton's adaptation of August Strindberg's naturalist play, running from early September to 11 October 2025 under Tom Littler's direction, co-starring Geraldine James as Tekla and Nicholas Farrell; the production highlighted themes of emotional coercion and relational toxicity, with Dance's performance lauded for its poised menace.

Other Media

Dance provided the voice for Emperor Emhyr var Emreis, the ruthless ruler of Nilfgaard, in the video game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, released on 19 May 2015 by CD Projekt Red.
  • He narrated the audiobook adaptation of Frederick Forsyth's The Fourth Protocol in 1985, delivering the full text as the primary voice.
  • Additional audiobook credits include dramatized readings such as John Fowles: The Collector, The Magus & The French Lieutenant's Woman for BBC Radio 4 full-cast productions.
Dance lent his voice to the animated children's series Moley (2023), portraying Mr. James Moley, and its predecessor special Master Moley: By Royal Invitation (2020). He has appeared in several television commercials, including a 2015 campaign titled "'You Can'" and a 2016 spot "Imagine a World Without Drama," which aired nationally with over 16,000 viewings tracked in recent periods.

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  108. https://www.theringer.com/2020/12/03/movies/charles-dance-mank-the-crown-tywin-lannister-game-of-thrones
  109. https://www.imdb.com/list/ls068147096/
  110. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4391-charles-dance
  111. https://live-action.fandom.com/wiki/Charles_Dance
  112. https://www.fandango.com/people/charles-dance-151681/film-credits
  113. https://uproxx.com/movies/22-charles-dance-roles-you-might-have-forgotten-about/
  114. https://letterboxd.com/actor/charles-dance/
  115. https://www.amazon.com/prime-video/actor/Charles-Dance/amzn1.dv.gti.9a6d7940-5b0e-4b73-b215-cb9e2117f458/
  116. https://next-episode.net/person/charles-dance
  117. https://tv.apple.com/us/person/charles-dance/umc.cpc.5eftvunjzerwzai2qitga0i9k
  118. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4391-charles-dance?language=en-US
  119. https://deadline.com/2024/09/charles-dance-michelangelo-renaissance-blood-beauty-bbc-pbs-1236098929/
  120. https://variety.com/2000/legit/reviews/long-day-s-journey-into-night-6-1200466038/
  121. https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2000/nov/23/theatre.artsfeatures
  122. https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Review-CREDITORS-Starring-Charles-Dance-Orange-Tree-Theatre-20250915
  123. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Charles-Dance/
  124. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuZ5YkXVEvk
  125. https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Charles%2BDance
  126. https://www.audiobooks.com/browse/narrator/163767/charles-dance
  127. https://www.ispot.tv/topic/actor-actress/kc3/charles-dance
  128. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVe6drGmGJw
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