Acting · Northwood, London, England, UK · Born June 11, 1942
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).
MovieSpace Precinct: The Fire Within
2025
as Kalamandro
MovieSpace Precinct: Deathwatch
2025
as Sergeant Thorald Fredo
MovieInnes Lloyd: The Producer
2025
as Innes Lloyd (voice)
TVWar and Peace
2016
as Tikhon
MovieRichard Wilson - Both Feet In the Army
2013
as (archive footage)
TVUtopia
2013
as Danny Gorsand
TVDoctor Who
2005
as Greeves
MovieThe Lost World
2001
as Businessman 1
TVMessiah
2001
as Brian Herd
TVMurder in Mind
2001
as Reverend Robert Fraser
MovieTrue Blue
1996
as Cambridge Coach
TVSilent Witness
1996
TVSpace Precinct
1994
as Sergeant Thorald Fredo
MovieCharles and Diana: Unhappily Ever After
1992
as Prince Philip
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
1991
as Jack Black
TVThe Chief
1990
as Tresilian
MovieThe Secret Life of Ian Fleming
1990
as Chute
MovieBomber Harris
1989
as Principal Medical Officer
MovieWilt
1989
as Boffin
MovieHeartland
1989
as Minister
TVAgatha Christie's Poirot
1989
as Mr. Shaw
TVThe Play on One
1988
as Minister
MovieWhite Mischief
1987
as Poppy
TVCrossbow
1987
TVA Dorothy L. Sayers Mystery
1987
as Chief Inspector Parker
MoviePaying Guests (Part 2)
1986
as The Rev. Banks
MoviePaying Guests (Part 1)
1986
as The Rev. Banks
TVBread
1986
as Mr. Masefield
MovieBlue Money
1985
as Rick Skinner
TVThe Bill
1984
TVMorgan's Boy
1984
as Tom Duncan
TVMr. Palfrey of Westminster
1984
as John McNair
TVAgatha Christie's Partners in Crime
1983
MovieLast Love
1983
as Peter Fox
TVBrass
1983
as Commanding Officer
Union Castle
1982
TVShine on Harvey Moon
1982
as Victor
TVBergerac
1981
as Fairfax
TVWinston Churchill: The Wilderness Years
1981
as Wing-Commander Torr Anderson
Buccaneer
1980
as Harper
MovieNo Defence
1980
as John Helps
Together
1980
as RSPCA Inspector
TVAll Creatures Great and Small
1978
as Andrew Bruce
TVBlake's 7
1978
as The Tracer
MovieThe Sinking of the HMS Victoria
1977
as Captain Richard
TVBBC2 Play of the Week
1977
as Captain Richard
TVSecret Army
1977
as Prosecuting Officer
TVRumpole of the Bailey
1975
as Captain Orde
TVThe Long Chase
1972
as Police Observer
TVClochemerle
1972
as Bernard Samothrace
MovieThe Man Who Had Power Over Women
1970
as Floor Manager
TVManhunt
1970
as German Officer
MovieBattle of Britain
1969
as 'A' Station Pilot (uncredited)
TVThe Expert
1968
as Shaw
MovieThe Deadly Affair
1967
as Nobleman (in Edward II)
TVBat Out of Hell
1966
as Vince
TVThe Avengers
1961
as Wilson
