British actorJim Broadbentis one ofthose performers who can slip effortlessly into any character, seamlessly becoming a part of a story’s fabric no matter the genre. With a career spanning decades, he has tackled everything from comedies and fantasy to musicals and intense dramas.He’s always a treat to watch, often bringing unexpected depth to supporting roles that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Most viewers will recognize Broadbent from his work in blockbusters likeHarry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceandThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, or his appearance as Archmaester Ebrose inGame of Thrones. But these roles only scratch the surface of his lengthy filmography. With this in mind, this list highlights some of his finest work across different genres and periods, showcasing his immense range and captivating screen presence.
10’Topsy-Turvy' (1999)
Directed by Mike Leigh
“Am I never to be allowed to rest?” Broadbent leads the cast in this one as the spiritedW.S. Gilbert, part of the legendary theatrical duo Gilbert and Sullivan. Set in the late 19th century, the film follows the creation of their now-classic operettaThe Mikado, capturing the artistic and personal challenges behind its production. Broadbent nails the part, capturing both the character’s eccentries and his humanity, as he wrestles with self-doubt and navigates creative conflicts. The performance is grounded in small, telling gestures and expressions.
It helps thatMike Leigh’s script gives the actor a lot to work with. Broadbent has many memorable lines here, like his assertion that frivolities should be treated with the utmost seriousness. Overall,Topsy-Turvyisa witty, lavish movie, jam-packed with thoughtful statements on artistry and self-delusion. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea (and some will find some of the actors' singing grating) but the right kind of viewer will adore the film.
9’Another Year' (2010)
“Life’s not always kind, is it?“Another Yearis another Mike Leigh film andone of his best. In it, Broadbent plays Tom, a gentle, grounded geologist whose stable life offers a contrast to the chaotic personal lives of the people around him. As its title suggests, the movie takes place over the course of a year, with each season bringing new developments in the lives of Tom, his wife Gerri (Ruth Sheen), and their close friends. Here,Broadbent is restrained and understated, playing Tom as warm and resilient.
The other performances are similarly terrific, especiallyLesley Manvilleas the deeply unhappy Mary. Together, they elevate this quiet drama into a moving, devastating character study. There is no real plot here, but the stark realism of the performances and writing draws the viewer into their characters' lives. It adds up to a slice-of-life film that is moving, poignant, and wise.
Another Year
8’The Damned United' (2009)
Directed by Tom Hooper
“People don’t think you’re me, they think you’re you.“The Damned Unitedcenters on the legendary but controversial football managerBrian Clough(Michael Sheen). The focus of the story is Clough’s stormy 44-day stint at Leeds United, where he clashes with the team’s ingrained culture and traditions. His rapid rise and fall quickly became the stuff of sporting legend. Broadbent has a supporting role asSam Longson, the no-nonsense chairman of Derby County Football Club. Longson initially supports Clough’s efforts at Derby, yet he is often caught between Clough’s demanding personality and the practicalities of running a successful football club.
The movie is heavily fictionalized, less about soccer and more about ambition, underdogs, defeat, and the pain of falling from grace. On the acting side, Sheen does most of the heavy lifting, butBroadbent is also solid, conveying respect, irritation, and wariness in equal measure. For his efforts, he received a British Independent Film Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
The Damned United
7’Hot Fuzz' (2007)
Directed by Edgar Wright
“Everyone and their mums is packin' round here!” Broadbent also has a small part inEdgar Wright’sbrilliant buddy-cop comedy. He delivers a hilarious performance as Inspector Frank Butterman, the seemingly jovial head of the police force in the sleepy, secretive town of Sandford (and dad toNick Frost’s Danny Butterman). At first, the elder Butterman appears to be a kind, bumbling figure who is proud of his town’s idyllic reputation and quirky traditions.
However, as the film unfolds, it becomes clear that there is something far darker lurking behind Sandford’s quaint facade, with Butterman playing a pivotal role in maintaining the town’s “peace”.He’s great in the role, masterfully blending warmth and menace, creating a character who is both affable and subtly unnerving. In this regard, Wright has a knack for casting veteran British actors in a role that pushes them out of their usual wheelhouse and shows off their range.
6’Cloud Atlas' (2012)
Directed by Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
“Our lives are not our own.” One of the most ambitious movies of the 2010s,Cloud Atlasisan epic sci-ficontaining multiple subplots over six time periods. As a whole, the film may fall a little short of its grand aspirations, but the quality of the acting is undeniable. The lead cast members, includingTom HanksandHalle Berry, play multiple characters with distinct personalities and stories. So does Broadbent, with his most memorable role being Timothy Cavendish, a down-on-his-luck publisher who finds himself trapped in an authoritarian nursing home.
Cavendish’s story is both absurd and deeply relatable as he devises an elaborate escape plan from his restrictive confines.Broadbent received positive reviews for all his performances in the movie.Indeed,David Mitchell, who wrote the original novel,saidthat Hanks, Berry, and Broadbent were so good in the film that they actually replaced how he thought of the characters in his own mind.
Cloud Atlas
David Mitchell’s novel gets the big screen treatment with Cloud Atlas, a sci-fi action adventure epic that stars several actors as protagonists across multiple storylines. Six tales in all are told as actors play different characters in each one; from a dystopian Korea to a space-faring adventure, one soul is tossed between bodies as they experience several different lives.
5’Brooklyn' (2015)
Directed by John Crowley
“Home is home.“Saoirse Ronanstars in thisperiod romantic dramaas Eilis, a young Irish immigrant struggling to adjust to life in 1950s America. She soon finds herself torn between continents, unsure of where she ought to forge her future. Broadbent appears as Father Flood, an Irish priest who provides essential support for Eilis. In particular, he serves as a bridge between Eilis’s past and her uncertain future, offering her a comforting sense of familiarity in a foreign land.
The character represents the kindness of strangers, andBroadbent’s portrayal is fittingly gentle and warm.Flood’s scenes with Eilis are some of the film’s most heartfelt moments, as he provides her with both practical advice and emotional encouragement. In other words, the role plays to the actor’s strengths. All told,Brooklynis an enjoyable and understated gem, rightly racking up Oscar nods that year for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress, and Best Picture.
Based on the novel by Colm Tóibín, Brooklyn stars Saoirse Ronan as Eilis, a young Irish woman who emigrates to America during the early 1950s. Settling in Brooklyn, New York, Eilis meets and falls in love with a young Italian-American man named Tony, but their relationship is tested when Eilis must return to Ireland after a family tragedy. Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, and Julie Walters also star.
4’Moulin Rouge!' (2001)
Directed by Baz Luhrmann
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” PossiblyBaz Luhrmann’smost entertaining movie, this energetic musical romance starsNicole KidmanandEwan McGregoras a pair of tragic star-crossed lovers in Belle Époque Paris. Broadbent appears in the supporting cast as Harold Zidler, the flamboyant and somewhat ruthless owner of the Moulin Rouge club. Zidler is a showman at heart, determined to keep his theater alive and thriving, even if it means bending the truth or manipulating others.
Broadbent’s portrayal is wonderfully theatrical, perfectly suited to Luhrmann’s vibrant, over-the-top style. His infectious enthusiasm and relentless ambition bring a touch of humor and irony to the project. Broadbent’s efforts won him a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor. He hassincenamedMoulin Rouge!as one of the movies he’s most proud of (out of the 100-odd films he’s appeared in), along withTopsy-Survy,The Duke, andIris.
Moulin Rouge!
Moulin Rouge! follows Christian, a young writer in Paris, who falls in love with Satine, the star courtesan of the Moulin Rouge cabaret. As they begin a passionate affair, they must hide their love from the jealous Duke, who is funding Satine’s next show.
3’Life Is Sweet' (1990)
“It’s only funny if you’re laughing.“Life is Sweet, another Mike Leigh gem, paints an intimate picture of working-class life in England, with Broadbent providing both humor and heart. He plays Andy, a father who dreams of opening a mobile food van, despite the skepticism of his family, some of whom even dismiss him as a greedy capitalist. His character’s unwavering positivity and dreams, though often met with amusement or dismissal, make him a lovable figure.
This is classic Leigh stuff, serving up excellent slice-of-life drama, crackling with realism.All the actors deliver subtle and authentic performances in this one, significantly enhancing the impact of the socially conscious narrative. It’s not action-packed, but it resonates deeply. The highlights are Broadbent andTimothy Spallas the volatile, hyperactive Aubrey. Thanks to their efforts,Life is Sweetis far more than the sum of its parts. It’s one of the director’s most beloved films for a reason.
2’Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' (2009)
Directed by David Yates
“You are, of course, wondering why I brought you here tonight.” As a veteran of British cinema, it was only a matter of time before Broadbent showed up in aHarry Pottermovie. He contributes a delightful performance to the sixth one as Horace Slughorn, the professor who replaces Snape (Alan Rickman) as the potions master. He’s eccentric and slightly vain, with a weakness for connections and prestige. Slughorn is also haunted by his past mistakes, particularly his inadvertent role in shaping Tom Riddle’s (Ralph Fiennes) dark path.
Slughorn is the kind of character who could easily have come off as shallow and unbelievable, basically a cartoon, butBroadbent succeeds in making him both larger-than-life and layered.He’s wonderful in the part. He’s a good fit for the film, which takes a more sinister and morbid turn than its predecessors, diving deeper into the deadly witchcraft and cunning wizardry. Broadbent is able to nail both the lighthearted scenes and the darker ones, making him an ideal casting choice.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
As Harry Potter begins his sixth year at Hogwarts, he discovers an old book marked as “the property of the Half-Blood Prince” and begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort’s dark past.
1’Iris' (2001)
Directed by Richard Eyre
“Love… there’s only so much to go around.” When it comes to Broadbent’s defining performance, it’s hard to top his work inIris, for which he won the Academy Award. The film is a biopic of renowned writer and philosopherIris Murdoch(Judi Dench) who, in her later years, grapples with Alzheimer’s. Broadbent is John Bayley, Iris’s devoted husband. His performance is tender and raw, embodying the vulnerability of a man slowly losing the person he loves most.
Broadbent’s work in the film earned him widespread acclaim, cementing his reputation as an actor of remarkable sensitivity and skill. It’s impressive that he turned in this restrained, realistic performance the same as his over-the-top work in Moulin Rouge! “I think that’s why I got an Oscar,“he has joked. “People realised that one of them must have been acting.” Those who only know Broadbent from movies likeHarry PotterandHot Fuzzought to give it a try. While the story is not groundbreaking, the performances make it compelling.
