Paul Darrow

Paul Darrow: 

† May 2 1941 – Jun 3 2019

Sullen and intense-looking actor whose perma-scowl was a defining feature of the clunky BBC cult space opera, 'Blakes 7' between 1978 and 1981. He played Avon, whose cynical self-interest, dubious loyalties, and kiss/kill relationship with the show's arch-baddie, slinky Federation commander Servalan, drove most of the key storylines.
  

With his old adversary Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce) in 'Blakes 7'

Before 'Blakes 7', Darrow had appeared in a few roles in middling popular dramas ranging from 'Emergency Ward 10' and 'Coronation Street' to 'The Saint' and the gripping Nazi-fest 'Manhunt'. A big break was playing the Sheriff of Nottingham in the 1975 BBC series; The Legend of Robin Hood', in which he got to exercise his sinister glare to good effect. He was in 'Doctor Who', before and after 'Blakes 7', and made a convincingly devious Mr Carker in the BBC's 'Dombey & Son' in 1983.

'The Legend of Robin Hood'

Darrow never got much film work. In fact, from imdb it looks as though he only hit the big screen a couple of times, playing doctors in both 'The Raging Moon' (1971) and 'Die Another Day (2002).

Since the '80s, you may have caught his regular appearances in 'Law & Order: UK' or his part as roguish middle-aged biker Eddie Fox in 'Emmerdale', but increasingly he has found a niche in the world of video game voiceovers. I've never heard of any of them and won't list them here, but I hope we see more of Paul Darrow on our TV and cinema screens in future.



In the Lord Peter Wimsey mystery 'Murder Must Advertise'

Telling Malcolm McDowell the bad news in 'The Raging Moon (1971)

Paul Darrow - imdb

Jacqueline Pearce

Jacqueline Pearce:
† Dec 20 1943 – Sep 3 2018

RADA-trained, eternal gamine with a haughty demeanour, whose image was burned onto the adolescent beta male retina of the early '80s as Servalan in 'Blakes 7'. Before that she had been the glamour in a couple of low-budget Brit horrors - 'The Reptile' and 'Plague Of The Zombies' - and also 'Carry On Don't Lose Your Head' all in 1966. Her TV appearances include a nice set of '60s cult classics: 'Danger Man', 'The Avengers', 'Man In A Suitcase', and 'Callan'; before hitting the small-screen sci-fi big-time in 'Doctor Who' and 'Blakes 7', as well as some classy period pieces like 'The Edwardians', 'Churchill's People' and 'Moondial'.

In 'The Reptile' (1966)

In the Jerry Lewis swinging London romp
'Don't Raise The Bridge, Lower The River' (1968)

Jacqueline Pearce - imdb profile