Paul Chapman

Paul Chapman:   

Tall and imposing with distinctively stern, almost Vulcan, eyebrows, it feels as if we've often seen Paul Chapman in the role of the antagonist in dramas and comedies stretching back to the 1960s. He's probably best remembered in several David Nobbs comedies, including 'A Fairly Secret Army' (as jaded mercenary Pegleg Pogson), 'A Bit Of A Do' and the rather less successful 'The Hello Goodbye Man'.   

An episode of 'Survivors' from 1975 

His officer's bearing saw him play a number of military types over the years - in 'Colditz', 'Wings', 'Warship' 'A Family At War' and others, including 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes'.         

In the role of Suffolk in the BBC Shakespeare
production of  'The First Part of Henry VI'

As the villainous Harwell Mincing in 'Return of the Antelope'

In a similar vein there is his Roman soldier Clodius Maximus in the historical drama 'Eagle Of The Ninth' and Nazi officer in the 'True Patriot', a Play For Today with Michael York. Another highbrow success was the impressive theatrical-style staging of 'Henry VI' in the 1983 BBC Shakespeare production.  

In David Nobbs' popular comedy series 'A Bit of a Do'

At time of writing Paul Chapman is in his mid-80s, and in well-earned retirement, so a salute is due. 

Paul Chapman-imdb

Haydn Gwynne

Haydn Gwynne:

† March 21 1957 - October 20 2023

Edit, Oct 26 2023: I'm saddened to hear of the death of Haydn Gwynne, which has come while this salute was in preparation. I try to stick to actors who are still with us, but make an exception here 
 
Smart and classy roles have been the mainstay of Haydn Gwynne's acting career, utilising her rather forbidding aura of upper middle class confidence, feminine strength and intellect. Early roles in the '80s and '90s include 'Lovejoy', 'Poirot', and 'Kavanagh QC'. She then matured into some substantial parts, including 'Peak Practice', Calpurnia in the HBO series 'Rome', and cosy crime stuff like 'Lewis', 'Father Brown', and  'Midsomer Murders' as well as more contemporary/gritty stuff like 'Silent Witness', 'Ripper Street' and 'Sherlock'.       

As ruthlessly critical mum-in-law Joan in 'Uncle' 

TV comedy includes astute journo Alex in 'Drop The Dead Donkey', as well as 'A Very Peculiar Practice', 'Uncle', and playing Camilla to Harry Enfield's Charles in 'The Windsors'. 

In the 'Agatha Christie: Poirot' story 'The Third Girl'

Films include 'Car Trouble' (1986), 'The Pleasure Principle' (1992) with Peter Firth, and more recently, the much vaunted live-action 'Beauty & The Beast' (2017) with Emma Watson.

Haydn Gwynne - imdb