David Quilter
Known for Acting · 55 credits
- Born
- 1942-06-11 (age 83)
- Place of birth
- 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
TV Shows (35)
Doctor Who
2005
as Greeves
Agatha Christie's Poirot
1989
as Mr. Shaw
The Avengers
1961
as Wilson
Silent Witness
1996
The Bill
1984
Rumpole of the Bailey
1975
as Captain Orde
Bergerac
1981
as Fairfax
All Creatures Great and Small
1978
as Andrew Bruce
Blake's 7
1978
as The Tracer
Secret Army
1977
as Prosecuting Officer
Bread
1986
as Mr. Masefield
The Expert
1968
as Shaw
The Chief
1990
as Tresilian
Murder in Mind
2001
as Reverend Robert Fraser
BBC2 Play of the Week
1977
as Captain Richard / John Forbes
Utopia
2013
as Danny Gorsand
Crossbow
1987
War and Peace
2016
as Tikhon
Space Precinct
1994
as Sergeant Thorald Fredo / Kalamandro / Sandoff / Vinny Artak
Shine on Harvey Moon
1982
as Victor
The Play on One
1988
as Minister
Messiah
2001
as Brian Herd
Together
1980
as RSPCA Inspector
Manhunt
1970
as German Officer
Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime
1983
Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years
1981
as Wing-Commander Torr Anderson
Brass
1983
as Commanding Officer
Buccaneer
1980
as Harper
Mr. Palfrey of Westminster
1984
as John McNair
Clochemerle
1972
as Bernard Samothrace
The Long Chase
1972
as Police Observer
A Dorothy L. Sayers Mystery
1987
as Chief Inspector Parker
Morgan's Boy
1984
as Tom Duncan
Bat Out of Hell
1966
as Vince
Union Castle
1982
Movies (20)
Battle of Britain
1969
as 'A' Station Pilot (uncredited)
White Mischief
1987
as Poppy
The Deadly Affair
1967
as Nobleman (in Edward II)
The Lost World
2001
as Businessman 1
Wilt
1989
as Boffin
The Secret Life of Ian Fleming
1990
as Chute
The Man Who Had Power Over Women
1970
as Floor Manager
True Blue
1996
as Cambridge Coach
Heartland
1989
as Minister
Charles and Diana: Unhappily Ever After
1992
as Prince Philip
The Sinking of the HMS Victoria
1977
as Captain Richard
Blue Money
1985
as Rick Skinner
Paying Guests (Part 2)
1986
as The Rev. Banks
Last Love
1983
as Peter Fox
Bomber Harris
1989
as Principal Medical Officer
Paying Guests (Part 1)
1986
as The Rev. Banks
Richard Wilson - Both Feet In the Army
2013
as (archive footage)
Innes Lloyd: The Producer
2025
as Innes Lloyd (voice)
No Defence
1980
as John Helps
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
1991
as Jack Black
About David Quilter
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 Acade… With 55 credits spanning from 1961 to 2025, David Quilter has appeared in 20 films and 35 TV shows.
Fans searching for David Quilter movies, David Quilter filmography, or the latest projects starring David Quilter can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular David Quilter Movies
- Battle of Britain (1969) — as 'A' Station Pilot (uncredited)
- White Mischief (1987) — as Poppy
- The Deadly Affair (1967) — as Nobleman (in Edward II)
- The Lost World (2001) — as Businessman 1
- Wilt (1989) — as Boffin
Where to Watch David Quilter Films
Most David Quilter movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring David Quilter, check our movies catalogue and browse page.