Alistair is an instantly recognisable British actor, well-loved for his role as the headmaster Mr Groff in Netflix’s BAFTA and Emmy winning comedy ‘Sex Education’. He had a prominent role in the BBC’s Golden Globe, Emmy and BAFTA winning drama ‘The Night Manager’ based on the novel by John le Carre, and will be reprising his role in the second series which is due out in 2025. He also starred in BBC One’s 2016 thriller series ‘Undercover’ with Sophie Okonedo and Adrian Lester.
In 2023 he starred as the lead, con-man Dr Rob Chance, in the 2023 BBC thriller series 'The Following Events Are Based on a Pack of Lies'. He played an alleged eco-preneur who tricks two women with a web of lies and distortion, but they unite to take him down. Also in 2023 he starred as Ted Sargeant who is the all-powerful Head of Light Entertainment at the BBC in Sky Original's Comedy 'Funny Woman', based on the book by Nick Hornby and starring Gemma Arterton. The award-winning comedy returned for a second series in 2024 with Alistair reprising his role.
He also appeared in the the 2022 adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel ‘Why Didn’t They Ask Evans’, also starring Hugh Laurie, for Britbox. Also in 2022 he starred in new ITV2 sitcom 'Deep Heat' set in the world of pro-wrestling, playing 'Clifford Baxter: The Gentleman Grappler'.
Other major credits include roles in the Channel 4 Victorian sitcom ‘Year of the Rabbit’, supernatural horror series ‘The Terror’ on AMC, cult series ‘Utopia’ on Channel 4 and the BBC’s award-winning ‘Sherlock’. He had a leading role in Fox’s MI6 thriller series ‘Deep State’ and in ITVs’s two part drama ‘Lucan’ which tells the story of the 1974 disappearance of Lord Lucan.
His extensive movie credits include ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’, Ron Howard’s Formula One film ‘Rush’ in which he starred as legendary racing driver Stirling Moss, heist thriller ‘The Bank Job’, starring Jason Statham and 2019 superhero movie ‘Hellboy’. He also had a role in the 2008 Academy Award winning period drama film ‘The Duchess’ which also starred Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes. He played the referee in independent British film ‘Kicking Off’ which won ‘Best British Film’ at the 2015 Raindance Film Festival. In 2017 he starred in the British romantic comedy ‘Hampstead’ which starred Diane Keaton, Brendan Gleeson and James Norton.
He has appeared in many notable stage productions in the West End, including Sonia Friedman’s 2014 stage version of ‘Shakespeare in Love’ at the Noel Coward Theatre, the 2001 production of ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ at the Savoy Theatre and 2003 RSC Adrian Noble directed ‘Brand’ at the Theatre Royal Haymarket opposite Ralph Fiennes. He also appeared in Nicholas Hytner’s production of the Philip Pullman epic ‘His Dark Materials’ at the National Theatre in 2005.
Alistair naturally has a neutral/RP accent and his American accent is of a native standard. The rest of his accent range is huge and he is particularly skilled in Birmingham, Northern (various), Scottish, Australian and South African. He has employed all these accents in a huge range of characters across audiobooks and dubbing, notably playing lead roles in foreign language TV shows being streamed for the UK/US market.
Age Range
Accents
Styles
Rich, Recognisable, Gravitas, Authority, Wise, Audiobook Experience, Home Studio, Characterful, Credible, Deep, Gravelly, Energetic, Comedy, Sports Commentary
Credits
Funny Woman (TV, 2023-2024) – 'Ted Sergeant', Sky Max, Series 1 & 2
Sex Education (TV, 2019-2023) – 'Michael Groff' (Headmaster), Netflix, Series 1-4
The Following Events Are Based on a Pack of Lies (TV, 2023) – 'Dr Rob Chance', BBC One
Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (TV, 2022) – 'Rev. Richard Jones', Britbox
Deep Heat (TV, 2022) – 'Clifford Baxter', ITV2
The Cursed (also known as Eight for Silver) (Film, 2021) – 'Seamus Laurent', LD Entertainment
Silent Hours (Film, 2015, re-released 2021) – 'Lieutenant Charles 'Chuck' Carter', Gallery Pictures
Year of the Rabbit (TV, 2019-2021) – 'Mr Larkham', Channel 4
Agatha and the Midnight Murders (Film, 2020) – 'Sir Malcolm Campbell', Channel 5
Sulphur and White (Film, 2020) – 'Jeff Connors', AMG International Film
Hellboy (Film, 2019) – 'Lord Adam Glaren', Lionsgate
Deep State (TV, 2018-2019) – 'George White', Fox
The Terror (TV, 2018) – 'Stephen Stanley', AMC
Hampstead (Film, 2017) – 'Steve Crowley', E1 Films
The Night Manager (TV, 2016) – 'Sandy Langbourne', BBC One
Undercover (TV, 2016) – 'Robert Greenlaw', BBC One/BBC America
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Film, 2016) – 'General Draven', Lucasfilm/Walt Disney Pictures
Kicking Off (Film, 2015) – 'Anthony Greaves', Red Card Media/Happy Hour Films
Sherlock (TV, 2014) – 'James Sholto', BBC One, Series 3
Shakespeare in Love (West End, 2014) (Theatre, 2014) – 'Wessex', Sonia Friedman/Disney
Utopia (TV, 2013-2014) – 'Geoff Lawson', Channel 4
Lucan (TV, 2013) – 'Jimmy Goldsmith', ITV
Rush (Film, 2013) – 'Stirling Moss', Universal Pictures/Studio Canal
The Duchess (Film, 2008) – 'Heaton', Pathe
The Bank Job (Film, 2008) – 'Phillip Lisle', Lionsgate
Mutual Friends (TV, 2008) – 'Carl Cato', BBC One
His Dark Materials (National Theatre, 2004-5) (Theatre, 2004-2005) – ' Iorek Byrnison', National Theatre
Brand (West End, 2003) (Theatre, 2003) – 'Ejnar', Theatre Royal Haymarket, RSC
The Forsyte Saga (TV, 2002-2003) – 'George Forsyte', ITV
The Importance of Being Earnest (West End, 2001) (Theatre, 2001) – 'Jack Worthing', Savoy Theatre
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