12 actors who are the unsung heroes of British TV – from The Night Manager stars to former Coronation Street femme fatale

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Whenever we played Guess Who? on a rainy Sunday, I always felt a little disappointed. I usually ended up with Claire, and often lost quickly – usually after just one question like, “Does your person wear glasses and a hat with a flower?” Eric, with his sailor hat, was another character I never seemed to win with.

The player who received Herman was fortunate. Herman wasn’t flashy, but he consistently lasted much longer than other players. There’s a surprising strength in appearing unremarkable.

Many familiar faces appear in British television comedies and dramas. Patrick Baladi is well-known for playing Neil, the rival of David Brent. Amelia Bullmore has taken on diverse roles, including Sonja in Alan Partridge and a scientist in Sherlock. Amir El-Masry recently gained recognition in shows like The Night Manager, McMafia, Industry, and The Crown. Anastasia Hille, known for The Missing, began her TV career in 1992 with Red Dwarf and now also creates ceramics. Alistair Petrie, another actor from The Night Manager, is also recognized for his role in Sex Education.

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Certain actors have become well-known for playing specific types of British men. If you need an uptight, disheveled Army colonel, Rupert Vansittart is a perfect choice. Danny Webb consistently portrays shifty characters. And for a charming, upper-class man who secretly lacks principles, Adam James (from Doctor Foster) fits the bill.

Among the well-known actors featured are Sylvestra Le Touzel, who began her career at age 10 with a role in Doctor Who and often plays dignified characters, like Lady Macmillan in The Crown. Adrian Lukis has appeared in numerous popular shows such as Prime Suspect and Poldark, but is still best remembered as the charming but unlikeable Mr. Wickham from the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice.

As a lifelong movie and TV fan, I’ve always admired actors with incredible range, and Angela Bruce is definitely one of them. She’s been working for over 50 years, appearing in everything from ‘Angels’ to ‘Casualty’ and ‘Doctors,’ plus countless other roles. But for many, she’ll always be remembered as Janice Stubbs from ‘Coronation Street’ – the woman who famously caused trouble for Deirdre Barlow and split up her first marriage. It’s a role that really stuck with people!

And then there’s Pip Torrens. Honestly, I practically bowled over some Oscar winners at a lunch just to snag a selfie with him! He was absolutely brilliant as the Master of the Household in the first two seasons of The Crown, but what I love is that he seems perfectly normal – I bet he could go to his local Sainsbury’s and no one would bat an eye. That’s what’s so great about everyone on this list, really – incredible talent, but still grounded.

Unlike famous actors who are constantly in the public eye, these performers feel more like people we know. One popular TV actress says people often recognize her at the grocery store and assume she’s just a local resident or another parent from school.

As a movie and TV fanatic, I always find myself wondering what the ideal life for an actor would be. We hear so much about the downsides of fame – the loss of privacy, the pressure – but it’s easy to forget how tough it is just to find work. Apparently, a huge number of UK actors are unemployed at any given moment! So, for me, the sweet spot would be consistently working, being recognized kindly – a friendly face in the shops, perhaps – but not being constantly mobbed. You know, being able to ride the Tube without someone yelling, ‘Oh my god, it’s Ross Kemp!’ – just a bit of professional respect and a normal life alongside it.

These talented individuals usually manage to stay out of the spotlight – at least, they did until I started writing this tribute to the often-overlooked heroes of television, who I affectionately call ‘Happy Hermans’.

Authors

Caroline Frost

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2026-03-25 13:34