Person
David Quilter
Acting · Born 1942-06-11 · Northwood, London, England, UK
Biography
David Quilter is an English actor who has made numerous appearances in British television plays and series since the mid-1960s. He was born in Northwood, London, and attended Bryanston School, Dorset. "My first inkling that it was possible to be a professional actor was when a boy at school got a scholarship to RADA," remembered Quilter. "I never did any acting at school, which I slightly regret, but seeing him actually go off and train to be an actor, it made me realise that it was what I wanted to do." Quilter trained at Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in South Kensington and then joined weekly rep at Chesterfield in 1963. "We did seven plays in eight weeks," he recalled. "I then joined the RSC in 1964 to play very small parts in the complete history cycle." Quilter's grandfather, Lawrence Beesley, was a survivor of the sinking of RMS Titanic and wrote an account of his experience called The Loss of the SS Titanic. Quilter made three 15-minute films based on Beesley's story, and in 2012 gave a reading of Beesley's account at the Aldeburgh Lighthouse Station for the 100th anniversary of the sinking. His television appearances include; Softly, Softly: Taskforce (1967), Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em (1973), Get Some In! (1975–78), The Bill (1990–97), Grange Hill (2000) as Mr Arnold, Silent Witness (2001–03) and Doctor Who (2008). He also appeared in the film The Battle of Britain (1969) as a pilot, All Creatures Great and Small (1988), Goldeneye (1989), Charles and Diana: Unhappily Ever After (1992) as the Duke of Edinburgh, and Jinnah (1998).
Known for

Doctor Who
Greeves

Agatha Christie's Poirot
Mr. Shaw

The Avengers
Wilson

Silent Witness
1996

BBC2 Play of the Week
Captain Richard

The Bill
1984

Bergerac
Fairfax

All Creatures Great and Small
Andrew Bruce

Blake's 7
The Tracer

Rumpole of the Bailey
Captain Orde
Filmography
- 2025Space Precinct: The Fire WithinKalamandro
- 2025Space Precinct: DeathwatchSergeant Thorald Fredo
- 2025Innes Lloyd: The ProducerInnes Lloyd (voice)
- 2016War and PeaceTikhon
- 2013Richard Wilson - Both Feet In the Army(archive footage)
- 2013UtopiaDanny Gorsand
- 2005Doctor WhoGreeves
- 2001The Lost WorldBusinessman 1
- 2001MessiahBrian Herd
- 2001Murder in MindReverend Robert Fraser
- 1996True BlueCambridge Coach
- 1996Silent Witness
- 1994Space PrecinctSergeant Thorald Fredo
- 1992Charles and Diana: Unhappily Ever AfterPrince Philip
- 1991Follow the Yellow Brick RoadJack Black
- 1990The ChiefTresilian
- 1990The Secret Life of Ian FlemingChute
- 1989Bomber HarrisPrincipal Medical Officer
- 1989WiltBoffin
- 1989HeartlandMinister
- 1989Agatha Christie's PoirotMr. Shaw
- 1988The Play on OneMinister
- 1987White MischiefPoppy
- 1987Crossbow
- 1987A Dorothy L. Sayers MysteryChief Inspector Parker
- 1986Paying Guests (Part 2)The Rev. Banks
- 1986Paying Guests (Part 1)The Rev. Banks
- 1986BreadMr. Masefield
- 1985Blue MoneyRick Skinner
- 1984The Bill
- 1984Morgan's BoyTom Duncan
- 1984Mr. Palfrey of WestminsterJohn McNair
- 1983Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime
- 1983Last LovePeter Fox
- 1983BrassCommanding Officer
- 1982Union Castle
- 1982Shine on Harvey MoonVictor
- 1981BergeracFairfax
- 1981Winston Churchill: The Wilderness YearsWing-Commander Torr Anderson
- 1980BuccaneerHarper
- 1980No DefenceJohn Helps
- 1980TogetherRSPCA Inspector
- 1978All Creatures Great and SmallAndrew Bruce
- 1978Blake's 7The Tracer
- 1977The Sinking of the HMS VictoriaCaptain Richard
- 1977BBC2 Play of the WeekCaptain Richard
- 1977Secret ArmyProsecuting Officer
- 1975Rumpole of the BaileyCaptain Orde
- 1972The Long ChasePolice Observer
- 1972ClochemerleBernard Samothrace
- 1970The Man Who Had Power Over WomenFloor Manager
- 1970ManhuntGerman Officer
- 1969Battle of Britain'A' Station Pilot (uncredited)
- 1968The ExpertShaw
- 1967The Deadly AffairNobleman (in Edward II)
- 1966Bat Out of HellVince
- 1961The AvengersWilson
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