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 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).
Movies (23)
Space Precinct: The Fire Within
2025 · Kalamandro
Space Precinct: Deathwatch
2025 · Sergeant Thorald Fredo
Innes Lloyd: The Producer
2025 · Innes Lloyd (voice)
Richard Wilson - Both Feet In the Army
2013 · (archive footage)
The Lost World
2001 · Businessman 1
True Blue
1996 · Cambridge Coach
Charles and Diana: Unhappily Ever After
1992 · Prince Philip
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
1991 · Jack Black
The Secret Life of Ian Fleming
1990 · Chute
Bomber Harris
1989 · Principal Medical Officer
Wilt
1989 · Boffin
Heartland
1989 · Minister
White Mischief
1987 · Poppy
Paying Guests (Part 2)
1986 · The Rev. Banks
Paying Guests (Part 1)
1986 · The Rev. Banks
Blue Money
1985 · Rick Skinner
Video Stars
1983 · Raymond
Last Love
1983 · Peter Fox
No Defence
1980 · John Helps
The Sinking of the HMS Victoria
1977 · Captain Richard
The Man Who Had Power Over Women
1970 · Floor Manager
Battle of Britain
1969 · 'A' Station Pilot (uncredited)
The Deadly Affair
1967 · Nobleman (in Edward II)
TV shows (39)
Guerra & Paz
2016 · Tikhon
Utopía
2013 · Danny Gorsand
Doctor Who
2005 · Greeves
Messiah
2001 · Brian Herd
Murder in Mind
2001 · Reverend Robert Fraser
Silent Witness
1996
Space Precinct
1994 · Sergeant Thorald Fredo, Kalamandro, Sandoff, Vinny Artak
Strathblair
1992 · George Somerville
The Chief
1990 · Tresilian
Agatha Christie's Poirot
1989 · Mr. Shaw
The Play on One
1988 · Minister
Crossbow
1987
A Dorothy L. Sayers Mystery
1987 · Chief Inspector Parker
Bread
1986 · Mr. Masefield
The Bill
1984
Morgan's Boy
1984 · Tom Duncan
Mr. Palfrey of Westminster
1984 · John McNair
Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime
1983 · Major Laidlaw
Brass
1983 · Commanding Officer
Union Castle
1982
Shine on Harvey Moon
1982 · Victor
The Story of the Treasure Seekers
1982 · Mr Bastable
Bergerac
1981 · Fairfax
Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years
1981 · Wing-Commander Torr Anderson
Buccaneer
1980 · Harper
Together
1980 · RSPCA Inspector
All Creatures Great and Small
1978 · Andrew Bruce
Blake's 7
1978 · The Tracer
BBC2 Play of the Week
1977 · Captain Richard, John Forbes
Secret Army
1977 · Prosecuting Officer
Three Piece Suite
1977 · Man (segment "Mea Culpa")
Rumpole of the Bailey
1975 · Captain Orde
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
1973 · Pilot Officer Baker
The Long Chase
1972 · Police Observer
Clochemerle
1972 · Bernard Samothrace
Manhunt
1970 · German Officer
The Expert
1968 · Shaw
Bat Out of Hell
1966 · Vince
The Avengers
1961 · Wilson