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Duncan Duff
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Duncan Duff (born in Edinburgh, Scotland) is a British stage, television and film actor who trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London from 1985 to 1987.[1] He is best known for A Quiet Passion (2016), Wild Target (2010), Big Kids (2000), and Hamish Macbeth (1997).
Key Information
Career
[edit]Duff made his professional stage debut in 1987 with the British theatre company Cheek by Jowl, founded by Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod, in a production of Macbeth at the Donmar Warehouse and on tour. He played the Thane of Angus and the cream faced loon, earning his Equity card and establishing himself as a member of the company for the next four years. The following year he played Caliban in Cheek by Jowl’s The Tempest which opened at the Taormina Festival, Sicily.
He also appeared in Cheek by Jowl’s productions of Philoctetes by Sophocles and Miss Sara Sampson by Gotthold Lessing. His fifth and final collaboration with the company was playing Horatio to Timothy Walker’s Hamlet in a production which played in London, UK, Europe, Hong Kong and Japan.
In 1992, Duff created the role of Willie Dobie in Scottish playwright Simon Donald’s new play, The Life of Stuff, at The Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh with Shirley Henderson. Duff also appeared in the British premiere of Physical Jerks at Alan Ayckbourn’s Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough, Life Goes On written by Adrian Hodges at The Haymarket Basingstoke, Three Sisters at Liverpool Everyman, Time and the Room at the Gate Theatre London and the eponymous role in Anatol by Arthur Schnitzler at Nottingham Playhouse. At the National Theatre, Duff played Bartolomeo Pergami in Nick Stafford’s new play Battle Royal directed by Howard Davies, which starred Zoe Wanamaker and Simon Russell Beale. In 2002, he was Jason opposite Maureen Beattie’s Medea in Theatre Babel’s production of Liz Lochhead’s adaptation of Medea at the Edinburgh Festival and then on tour.
On television, Duff played the dope-smoking Doc Brown in the cult BBC 1 series Hamish Macbeth devised by Daniel Boyle and set in the Highlands of Scotland, co-starring with Robert Carlyle for three series (1995 - 1997). He starred as Geoff Spiller in the short-lived BBC comedy Big Kids with Imogen Stubbs (2000). For two years Duff was nefarious property developer Lewis Cope in BBC Scotland’s BAFTA Award winning drama River City (2002 - 2004) set in Glasgow.
Duff has leading roles in TV dramas such as: Why We Went To War (2006) playing Jonathan Powell; Roman Mysteries (2007) portraying the Emperor Domitian; the first season of TV show Skins (2007) playing evangelistic Congratulations Leader Pete; Purves & Pekkala (2009) AKA New Town by Annie Griffin, playing highly strung architectural preservationist Ernst de Bont; the beleaguered Governor of Boulogne in The Tudors (2010); TV presenter Tom Sutherland in the BBC series Lip Service (2010).
Duff has also acted in sitcoms: May To December (1994), The Creatives (1998), Not Going Out (2008). He was the anchor Richard Pritchard co-starring with Sharon Horgan in Broken News (2005) by John Morton for BBC and Gus Plotpoint in Charlie Brooker’s Touch of Cloth (2013) for Sky. In the cinema he has appeared in comedy roles in Carry On Columbus (1992), Festival (2005) directed by Annie Griffin, Wild Target (2010) directed by Jonathan Lynn, and Burke & Hare (2010) directed by comedy legend John Landis. Duff has appeared in dozens of short films, two of which were nominated for awards: King’s Christmas (1986; BAFTA nominated) and The Girls (2007; BIFA nominated).
Duff portrayed: Austin Dickinson, the brother of American poet Emily Dickinson, played by Cynthia Nixon, in Terence Davies's A Quiet Passion (2016); also starring Jennifer Ehle, Keith Carradine, Catherine Bailey, Joanna Bacon and Emma Bell. It was described by Richard Brody of The New Yorker as "an absolute drop-dead masterwork".[citation needed]
Filmography
[edit]| Television | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1990 | The Wreck on the Highway | ||
| 1990 | Taggart | Porter | Episode: Hostile Witness |
| 1990 | This is David Harper | Lorry Driver | Episode: A List Of Abuses |
| 1991 | Casualty | Policeman | Episode: Something to Hide |
| 1992 | Between The Lines | Officer 1 | Episode: Out of the Game |
| 1992 | In Dreams | Vicar | |
| 1993 | Calling The Shots | Matt | |
| 1994 | May to December | Robbie | Episode: Son of my Father |
| 1995–1997 | Hamish Macbeth | Doc Brown | 19 episodes |
| 1996 | Taggart | Stephen Harding | Episode: Angel Eyes |
| 1998 | The Creatives | Greg Jackson | Episode: Come to Cummerton |
| 2001 | Casualty | Pete | Episode: For My Next Trick |
| 2000 | Big Kids | Dr. Geoffrey Spiller | |
| 2002 | River City | Lewis Cope | |
| 2004 | If... | George Rowling Q.C. | |
| 2005 | The Bill | Brian York | Episodes: - No. 299 / No. 300 |
| 2005 | Broken News | Richard Pritchard | 6 episodes |
| 2006 | Why We Went To War | Jonathan Powell | |
| 2006 | Rosemary & Thyme | Frank Minelli | Episode: Seeds of Time |
| 2006 | Not Going Out | Pete | Episode: Caretaker |
| 2006 | Doctor Who | Newsreader | Episodes: Rise of the Cybermen / Age of Steel |
| 2007 | Skins | Congratulations Leader | Episode: Cassie |
| 2007 | Roman Mysteries | Emperor Domitian | |
| 2009 | New Town | Ernst de Bont | |
| 2010 | The Tudors | The Governor of Boulogne | Episode: As It Should Be |
| 2010 | Taggart | Sammy Kirkwood | |
| 2010 | Lip Service | Tom Sutherland | |
| 2011 | Casualty | Professor Michael Fitch | Episode: Starting Out |
| 2012 | Silent Witness | Counsel 2 | |
| 2013 | Lee Nelson's Well Funny People | Football Team Manager | |
| 2013 | A Touch of Cloth | Gus Plotpoint | |
| 2014 | Waterloo Road | Arran Mackenzie | |
| 2020 | The Crown | Cecil Parkinson | Episode: War (Season 4, Episode 10) |
| Film | |||
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1986 | King's Christmas | Trevor King | BAFTA Nominated |
| 1992 | Carry On Columbus | Inquisitor #2 | |
| 1998 | Middleton's Changeling | Antonio | |
| 2005 | Festival | Gordon Menzies | |
| 2007 | If I'm Spared | Tom | |
| 2007 | The Girls | Richard | BIFA Nominated |
| 2010 | Wild Target | The Jeweller | |
| 2010 | Burke & Hare | The Attendant | |
| 2011 | Island | Social Worker | |
| 2013 | Killer Moves | The Velvet Glove | |
| 2014 | Ivory Stage | Peter Grey | |
| 2016 | A Quiet Passion | Austin Dickinson | |
| 2016 | Clean Sheets | Will | |
| 2017 | Seeing Him | Mark | |
| 2017 | Rehab Matters | Robert | |
| 2018 | Sleep | Armando | |
| 2020 | The Bay of Silence | Curator | |
References
[edit]- ^ "Duncan Duff — RADA". Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
External links
[edit]- Duncan Duff at IMDb
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
Duncan Duff
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and education
Early life
Duncan Duff was born in 1964 in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.[4] Little is publicly known about his family background or early childhood experiences in Edinburgh.[2]Education
Duncan Duff, born and raised in Edinburgh, pursued formal acting training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, where he enrolled in 1985 and completed the three-year program in 1987 with a Diploma in Acting.[5][6] During his studies at RADA, Duff honed his skills through intensive practical training in classical and contemporary techniques, culminating in student productions that prepared graduates for professional stages.[5]Acting career
Stage career
Duff graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 1986.[7] Following his training, he made his professional stage debut in 1987 as Angus in Cheek by Jowl's production of Macbeth, directed by Declan Donnellan, which toured internationally and marked the company's innovative approach to Shakespearean works.[8][7] Duff continued his association with Cheek by Jowl through several productions, including the role of Horatio in their 1991 staging of Hamlet, which emphasized psychological depth and toured to venues such as the Hong Kong Lee Theatre.[9] His work with the company highlighted his versatility in classical roles, contributing to Cheek by Jowl's reputation for bold, ensemble-driven interpretations of early modern drama.[9] Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Duff built an extensive stage career, appearing with prestigious UK theatre companies including the National Theatre, Royal Court Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, The Gate, Traverse Theatre, and Glasgow Citizens Theatre.[3] He also performed in West End productions, solidifying his presence in London's professional theatre scene and earning recognition for his command of both contemporary and classical repertoire.[3]Television career
Duff's television career began to gain prominence in the mid-1990s with his role as the eccentric village doctor, Dougal "Doc" Brown, in the BBC Scotland series Hamish Macbeth (1995–1997), a cult comedy-drama set in the fictional Scottish Highlands village of Lochdubh and adapted from M.C. Beaton's novels.[10] As the kilt-wearing, pipe-smoking physician known for his laid-back demeanor and implied marijuana use, Doc Brown provided comic relief in 14 episodes, supporting the titular constable's investigations into quirky local crimes.[11] The series, devised by Daniel Boyle, highlighted Duff's ability to blend humor with subtle pathos, marking a significant step in his transition from stage to screen. In 2000, Duff starred as Dr. Geoff Spiller, the bumbling father in the family, in the short-lived BBC children's comedy Big Kids, which followed the chaotic lives of two siblings dealing with school and home pressures. Co-starring Imogen Stubbs as his wife Sarah, the series ran for one season of 13 episodes, earning praise for its witty portrayal of parental mishaps and sibling dynamics in a relatable suburban setting.[12] This role showcased Duff's comedic timing in a lighter, family-oriented format, further establishing his versatility in British television.[13] Duff continued his television presence with a recurring role as the scheming property developer Lewis Cope in the BBC Scotland soap opera River City from 2002 to 2005, a BAFTA-winning drama centered on the interconnected lives of residents in the fictional Glasgow suburb of Shieldinch.[14] As the prodigal son returning after a decade away, Cope's nefarious schemes involving real estate deals and romantic entanglements added tension to the community storylines across 7 episodes during his tenure.[15] This extended run demonstrated Duff's skill in portraying complex antagonists, contributing to the show's reputation for gritty Scottish storytelling. Later appearances included a guest role as Pete, a prospective tenant and caretaker figure, in the 2006 episode "Caretaker" of the BBC sitcom Not Going Out, where he interacted with the lead characters amid flat-sharing mishaps. This one-off performance exemplified Duff's ongoing work in ensemble comedies, reflecting his career progression toward diverse supporting roles in established UK series.[2]Film career
Duncan Duff entered the film industry in 1992 with a supporting role as Inquisitor #2 in the comedy Carry on Columbus, a parody of Christopher Columbus's voyage that marked his cinematic debut.[16] The film, directed by Gerald Thomas, received mixed to negative reviews for its slapstick humor, but Duff's early appearance in this Carry On series revival highlighted his versatility in comedic ensemble casts.[16] After a period focused primarily on television, Duff returned to feature films in 2010 with small but memorable roles in two British comedies. In Wild Target, directed by Jonathan Lynn, he portrayed the Jeweller, a minor character in the hitman farce starring Bill Nighy and Emily Blunt, contributing to the film's lighthearted tone amid its chase sequences.[17] That same year, in John Landis's Burke & Hare, a black comedy about 19th-century body snatchers, Duff played the Attendant, a supporting figure in the ensemble led by Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis. These roles underscored his ability to fit into period and genre pieces, building on his television success as a springboard to sporadic film opportunities. Duff's prominent film roles include Austin Dickinson, the brother of poet Emily Dickinson, in Terence Davies's biographical drama A Quiet Passion (2016).[18] Portraying the supportive yet conflicted sibling who shares a close bond with Emily (Cynthia Nixon) while navigating family tensions and his own marital affair, Duff's performance added depth to the film's exploration of Dickinson's reclusive life and intellectual world.[19] Critics praised the ensemble for capturing the era's emotional restraint, with the movie earning a 6.5/10 rating on IMDb and acclaim for its dialogue and period authenticity.[18] Duff continued with supporting roles in later films, including the Curator in the 2020 psychological thriller The Bay of Silence.[20] From 1992 onward, Duff's film career has been characterized by selective supporting roles in comedies and dramas, often leveraging his stage-honed precision for character-driven scenes, though he has remained more prolific on television and theatre stages.[1] His contributions, while not lead-centric, have consistently added nuance to ensemble narratives, reflecting a steady progression from genre parodies to literary biopics without widespread critical spotlight on his individual performances.[1]Personal life
Duff is married to actress Rosalie Robinson, with whom he has two children.[21]Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Carry on Columbus | Inquisitor #2 |
| 1998 | Middleton's Changeling | Antonio[22] |
| 2005 | Festival | Gordon Menzies[23] |
| 2010 | Burke & Hare | Attendant[24] |
| 2010 | Wild Target | Jeweller[25] |
| 2011 | Island | Social Worker |
| 2016 | A Quiet Passion | Austin Dickinson |
| 2020 | The Bay of Silence | Curator |
Television
Duff began his television career with guest roles in the late 1980s and early 1990s, appearing in British series such as This Is David Harper (1990) as Lorry Driver in the episode "A List of Abuses" and The Play on One (1990) in "The Wreck on the Highway."[26] In Taggart, he portrayed multiple characters across several episodes, including Tom Porter in "Hostile Witness" (1990), Stephen Harding in "Angel Eyes" (1996), and Sammy Kirkwood in "Silent Truth" (2010).[26] He also made recurring appearances in Casualty, playing Policeman in "Something to Hide" (1991) and Pete in "For My Next Trick" (2001), as well as Professor Michael Fitch in "Starting Out" (2011).[26][27] His early 1990s credits include Officer 1 in Between the Lines episode "Out of the Game" (1992), Vicar in the TV movie In Dreams (1992), and Matt in the TV movie Calling the Shots (1993).[26] Duff gained prominence with a leading role as Doc Brown (also known as Dr. Dugal Brown) in Hamish Macbeth (1995–1997, 19 episodes).[26][28] Subsequent roles featured Robbie in May to December episode "Son of My Father" (1994), Greg Jackson in The Creatives episode "Come to Cummerton" (1998), and Dr. Geoff Spiller in Big Kids (2000).[26] From 2002 to 2004, he played the recurring character Lewis Cope in the Scottish soap opera River City.[26][14] In the mid-2000s, Duff appeared as George Rowling Q.C. in If... (2004), Keith Watson in Doctors episode "Shoulder the Blame" (2005), Brian York in The Bill episodes "No. 299" and "No. 300" (2005), and Richard Pritchard - ESN in all 6 episodes of Broken News (2005).[26] Guest spots included Pete in Not Going Out episode "Caretaker" (2006), Newsreader in Doctor Who episodes "Rise of the Cybermen" and "The Age of Steel" (2006), and Frank Minelli in Rosemary & Thyme episode "Seeds of Time" (2006).[26][29][30] Later credits encompass Congratulations Leader in Skins episode "Cassie" (2007), Domitian in The Roman Mysteries episode "The Assassins of Rome" (2007), and Tom Sutherland in three episodes of Lip Service (#1.2, #1.3, #1.4) (2010).[26][31] More recent television work includes Ernst de Bont in the TV movie New Town (2009), as well as roles in Traces (2019) as Anthony Gemmell, The Crown (2020) as Cecil Parkinson, and Irvine Welsh's Crime (2021) as Keir Campbell.[32][33]Theatre
Duncan Duff's theatre career encompasses a range of classical and contemporary roles, primarily with prominent British companies such as Cheek by Jowl and the National Theatre.[3] His notable stage credits include:- 1987: Macbeth (William Shakespeare), Cheek by Jowl at York Theatre Royal and other venues, as Angus.[8]
- 1988: Philoctetes (Sophocles), Cheek by Jowl at Donmar Warehouse and international tour, as Heracles/Sailor.[34]
- 1988–1989: The Tempest (William Shakespeare), Cheek by Jowl at Donmar Warehouse, Almeida Theatre, and international tour, as Caliban.[35]
- 1990: Hamlet (William Shakespeare), Cheek by Jowl at Barbican Pit and tour, as Horatio.[9]
- 1992: The Life of Stuff (Simon Donald), Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, as Willie Dobie.[36]
- 1995: Time and the Room (Oliver Levin), Gate Theatre, London, as Julius.[37]
- 1999–2000: Battle Royal (Nick Stafford), National Theatre (Cottesloe), as Bartolomeo Pergami.[38]
- 2000–2002: Medea (Euripides, adapted by Liz Lochhead), Theatre Babel at Edinburgh International Festival, tour including Toronto, as Jason.[39]