Filmography of Robert Carlyle
A Look at the Complete Film/TV History of Scotland's Greatest Actor
Jan 6, 2009
Scottish actor Robert Carlyle's on screen acting career began with a small TV role in Taggart, the British detective drama. He played political candidate Gordon Inglis in episode 3, season 5 of the Glasgow based crime drama. Shortly afterwards he had a part in the arty 1990 film Silent Scream, which is worth watching for a glimpse of Carlyle in his pre-star youth. Then, following the well trodden path taken by so many of Britain's acting aristocracy, Carlyle got a part in The Bill. He played Tom Ward in the 1991 episode The Better Part of Valour. An episode which just so happened to be overseen by Silent Scream's director David Hayman. Hayman himself is much more familiar as an (excellent) actor these days, starring as Det. Chief Mike Walker in Trial and Retribution. Hayman was also recently seen as Pavel in The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.
Riff Raff and all the Rest – The Films of Robert Carlyle
Carlyle's star was on the rise with his next role as leading man Stevie in Ken Loach's Riff Raff, an amazing film about working class life on a building site. Riff Raff is funny, sweet and poignant without ever losing its sense of absolute realism. Here is Carlyle's filmography from Riff Raff onwards....
- Riff Raff - 1991, Dir: Ken Loach
- Tender Blue Eyes (Video) - 1992, Dir: Lasse Braun
- Being Human (not to be confused with the recent TV show about vampires - also called Being Human) - 1993, Dir: Bill Forsyth
- Safe (TV movie, also shown at several festivals) - 1993, Dir: Antonia Bird
- Marooned (Short film) - 1994, Dir: Jonas Grimas
- 99 – 1 (TV series – Season 1, episode 1 – Doing the Business) - 1994
- Priest - 1994, Dir: Antonia Bird
- Cracker (TV series – Season 2, episode 1 – To Be a Somebody) - 1994, Dir: Tim Fywell
- Go Now - 1995, Dir: Michael Winterbottom
- Trainspotting - 1996, Dir: Danny Boyle
- Carla's Song - 1996, Dir: Ken Loach
- Hamish Macbeth (TV Series – 20 episodes) - 1995 – 1997
- The Full Monty - 1997, Dir: Peter Cattaneo
- Face - 1997, Dir: Antonia Bird
- Looking After Jo Jo (TV drama – 4 episodes) - 1997, Dir: John Mackenzie
- Plunkett & Macleane - 1998, Dir: Jake Scott
- Ravenous - 1999, Dir: Antonia Bird
- The World Is Not Enough - 1999, Dir: Michael Apted
- Angela's Ashes - 1999, Dir: Alan Parker
- The Beach - 2000, Dir: Danny Boyle
- There's Only One Jimmy Grimble - 2000, Dir: John Hay
- To End All Wars - 2001, Dir: David L. Cunningham
- The 51st State - 2001, Dir: Ronny Yu
- Once Upon a Time in the Midlands - 2002, Dir: Shane Meadows
- Hitler: The Rise of Evil (TV Film) - 2003, Dir: Christian Dugay
- Black and White - 2004, Dir: Craig Lahiff
- Dead Fish - 2004, Dir: Charley Stadler
- Gunpowder, Treason & Plot (TV Mini-series) - 2004, Dir: Gillies MacKinnon
- Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School - 2005, Dir: Randall Miller
- The Mighty Celt - 2005, Dir: Pearse Elliot
- Class of '76 (TV Movie) - 2005, Dir: Ashley Pearce
- Human Trafficking (TV Film) - 2005, Dir: Christian Duguay
- Born Equal (TV Movie) - 2006, Dir: Dominic Savage
- Eragon (Carlyle also voiced character Durza in the video game) - 2006, Dir: Stefan Fangmeier
- Flood - 2007, Dir: Tony Mitchell
- 28 Weeks Later - 2007, Dir: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
- The Last Enemy (TV Mini-series) - 2008, Dir: Iain B. MacDonald
- Stone of Destiny - 2008, Dir: Charles Martin Smith
- Summer - 2008, Dir: Kenneth Glenaan
- 24: Redemption (TV Movie) - 2008, Dir: Jon Cassar
Carlyle's acting career is varied and far-reaching, to say the least, and whilst he may not have scored a winner with every single screen outing, his talent is undeniable. Bobby's appearance can lift even the most mediocre script. When the perfect storm of story, screenplay, director and crew comes together for Carlyle, whether it's on TV or in the cinema, he is lifted up to the status of one of the true living greats.
Further Reading on Robert Carlyle
For a more in depth look at Robert Carlyle's career, including analysis of his greatest screen roles and a nod to future projects, please check out this article's companion piece - Profile of Actor Robert Carlyle.
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